North West Agriculture, Conservation and Environment
11 May 2006
Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker,
Honourable Premier of the North West province,
Honourable members of the National Assembly,
Members of the NCOP present today,
Colleagues in the Executive Council,
Members of the legislature,
Executive mayors, mayors and councillors,
Members of the House of traditional leaders,
Media houses present,
Distinguished guests,
Stakeholders, partners and friends;
On 8 May 1996, the peopleâs representatives of our country adopted the
Constitution for the Republic of South Africa Act 108 0f 1996. The year 2006
thus marks the 10th anniversary of our Constitution. We meet today only three
days after the celebration of this famous history.
Madam Speaker, the celebration of our Constitution should remind us of the
stark and solemn promises we made. Amongst others, we committed ourselves to
heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on the democratic
values, social justice and fundamental human rights; to improve the quality of
the life of all citizens and free the potential of each person.
The freedom we attained through the adoption of our Constitution will later
this year best be explained and demonstrated through the 50th anniversary of
the heroic Womenâs March to the Union Buildings on the 9 August 1956. The march
is a living legacy for posterity on how our mothers, wives and daughters on
their own led the struggle until the adoption of this world acclaimed
Constitution.
The 50th anniversary of the womenâs march should therefore exhort us to
assess progress we have made and challenges recorded over years, in our efforts
to achieve gender equity and the advancement of womenâs rights. I will later
address this House on this matter.
Madam Speaker, the 51st conference of the ruling party noted that the legacy
of the past still imposes a heavy burden on the South African society
particularly the poor, women, youth, children, the elderly and those with
disabilities. It further declared that our challenge remained the eradication
of poverty and inequality through economic growth and development, job creation
and social equity. Our services in the areas of agriculture, conservation and
environment therefore stand to be guided by this declaration.
The preamble of our Constitution enjoins this Department to improve the
quality of lives of the people through agriculture, conservation and
environmental services. To this end I have the privilege to report our progress
in the preceding year, record the challenges experienced and measures to
overcome them.
In our budget speech last year, we made several policy commitments to our
people. Amongst others we committed ourselves to achieve the following district
structures.
Madam Speaker, to uphold to the standards of service delivery, we conducted
an assessment earlier this year on the service delivery model for the
Department. This assessment has revealed that:
* the alignment of our regional services with local government districts was
incomplete
* there was too much centralisation of support functions at head office
* co-ordination integration of services (agriculture, conservation and
environment) at regional level is not adequate
* the need for the Department to prioritise participation of previously
disadvantaged groups in game farming.
The departmental organisational structure adopted in March 2006 has now
realigned our functions in order to address these shortcomings and to fulfil
the mandate as informed by the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy
(PGDS). We have been able within the budget constraints to create Directorâs
posts for all districts in our province. This will assist linkages with our
local government sphere on projects undertaken by the Department in each
district or local municipality.
This move has further placed us in good stead to link and integrate our
strategic plan with the Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) of municipalities.
These directors will serve on district intergovernmental forums.
The Micro Agricultural Finance Scheme of South Africa (MAFISA)
This is our comprehensive support package for farmers, small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) and co-operatives. The scheme is intended to be operated as
an income-generating activity with nominal or extremely low interest to the
above-mentioned categories of beneficiaries. It can therefore not be
implemented as a normal government service. We have also been extra cautious
not to proliferate government agencies by creating a specific entity. We are
still in discussion with the national Department of Agriculture for an
appropriate vehicle for the implementation of MAFISA. We are currently
considering the viability of two options and hope to launch this scheme in
October 2006.
Co-operatives
Eight more co-operatives in addition to the existing ones were established
and supported through departmental programmes. These are Rethuseng Primary
Co-operative in Taung, Dialoma Bee-Keeping Co-operative in Moses Kotane,
Livestock Meat Supply Co-operative in Ganyesa, Metswere Primary Co-operative in
Madibeng, Syferkuil Primary Co-operative in Madibeng, Iphuteng Youth
Co-operative in Mareetsane, Aobakwe Co-operative in Ditsobotla and Animal Feed
Medicine Co-operative in Mafikeng. We shall continue to facilitate the creation
and increase these co-operatives as a platform to broaden access into
agriculture. Regarding our efforts to strengthen the existing agricultural
cooperatives to achieve economies of scale in procurement, value adding and
marketing activities, we have supported nine agricultural co-operatives during
the period under review. In addition, 38 projects were linked to various
markets through the directorate Entrepreneurial Development Transformation
(EDT) of agricultural colleges.
There is great progress in transforming the culture of agricultural colleges
in our Department. In the previous year a service provider was appointed to
conduct a diversity management training of all college staff and students,
costing approximately R400 000. This will continue to roll out as planned for
the 2006/07 financial year.
The recent graduation ceremony has also shown that all stakeholders are
committed to change the environment and to sustain agricultural institution for
generations to come. The decision on how the colleges can best be administered
and sustained as institutions of Further Education and Training (FET) is still
a matter of discussion at our national forum for Agricultural Ministers. I have
in the meantime challenged the college fraternity to generate a document for
tabling before the Executive Council (ExCo) on what they think about the future
of these institutions. I therefore invite all stakeholders to make their inputs
in this process so that the end product is owned and embraced by all.
Environmental inspectors
The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) was amended so as to define
certain expressions and to provide for the administration and enforcement of
certain environmental management laws and to provide for matters connected
therewith. One such is the designation of Environmental Management Inspectors.
This development is important to ensure that law enforcement is strengthened to
preserve our land for posterity. We are still faced with the challenge of
appointing these inspectors as required. Given the budget constraints we will
be approaching treasury on how we can secure funding or mobilise resources to
carry out and comply with this legislative requirement.
World heritage sites
Madam Speaker, these legacy projects have started to bear fruits. The Taung
Child Skull and the Vredefort Dome sites were listed as world heritage sites
during 2005. Work will continue in developing these sites to comply with
international norms and standards. We shall further strive to finalise the
Integrated Management Plans (IMP) for both sites.
In the case of the Taung Child Skull, the management plan is nearing
completion. As we speak the consultants have been appointed to start the on
site development and to erect the interpretation infrastructure.
At Vredefort Dome, the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is underway
and will form the basis for the Integrated Management Plan (IMP) which will be
drafted in close collaboration with our Free State counterparts. In this
respect we will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure that
the site is planned and developed in the true sense of co-operative governance.
A project office was launched last month and is up and running.
Women
In recognition of the contributions made by women of our country, the
Department will continue in its endeavour to consolidate and advance womenâs
development through the Female Farmer Awards. Last year we also launched the
young Aspirant Female Farmer Awards. I am privileged to record that Ms Tshidi
Lekgowe from Mooifontein in the Central Region was recognised as the first
young Aspirant Female Farmer in our province. As a Department we will strive to
redress the skewed gender policies of the past. This policy approach is and the
awards are important for the growth and development in our province.
To mention but a few; Mme Ratshikane in this Central District Municipality
is entrenched in the agricultural sector and has left no stone unturned to
sustain her business. We also have Mme Catherine Sepipi from Bojanala Platinum
District Municipality. Madam Speaker, this visionary of hope graduated from a
farm worker to a farm owner together with her husband let alone the challenges
that they face in surviving in the industry. Mme Nombini in Zeerust, I cannot
afford not to mention her. She is a mentor of hope for better and active or
functional markets. Her passion to impart knowledge to the emerging female
farmers has immensely contributed to a better living for many families and
agricultural entrepreneurs.
I also want to salute and congratulate our female farmer winners of 2005,
the Siyazama Vegetable Project. It is a group of young women who continue to
alleviate poverty and promote good farming practices through small-scale
farming at Khuma in the Southern Region.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of womenâs contribution to our
struggle, I want to recognise all our female farmer winners who are here with
us today:
* 1999 - Tina de Jager of Stella: Bophirima Region
(Provincial Winner - Best Farming Practice)
* 2000 - Ramookeng Broiler Project of Lichtenburg: Central Region
(Provincial Winner - Top producer for household)
* 2001 - Rika du Plessis of Brits: Bojanala Region
(Provincial and National Winner - Export markets)
* 2002 - Nancy Rakatoa of Modikwe: Bojanala Region
(Provincial and National Winner - Informal markets)
* 2003 - Selina Tshukudu of Koster: Bojanala Region
(Provincial Winner - Top food producer)
* 2004 - Selebaleng Ratshikana of Blaauwbank: Central Region
(Provincial and National Winner- National markets)
* 2005 Siyazama Vegetable Project of Khuma: Southern Region
(Provincial Winner - Top producer for household)
Youth
Madam Speaker, we celebrate this year the 30th anniversary of the 16 June
events. This anniversary within the context of agriculture, conservation and
environment is a significant symbol to instil hope of empowerment and
development of our youth in these attractive sectors. We just held a
Environmental Careers Conference in March this year, to intensify awareness
after the launching of the careers in 2005. We have a responsibility to ensure
that the resources in the agriculture, conservation and environmental sectors
are preserved for posterity.
In order to facilitate entry into agriculture by the previously
disadvantaged, the Department in partnership with National Emergent Red Meat
Producers Organisation (NERPO) has identified five unemployed graduates who
were trained at Radobil Training Farm in Ganyesa. Further work will continue
with regard to the intake of those unemployed students who graduated in our
agricultural colleges in the preceding years.
Conditional grants
A total of 66 projects have been initiated during the 2005/06 financial year
through the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) and
supported by the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), the
LandCare and Post Settlement budget. The following are some of the projects
approved for implementation during 2005/06:
* Doornlaagte Livestock Water
* Mampa Beef Cattle
* Nicolasdooring Livestock Water
* Livestock Handling Facilities in all the districts
* Shiela Mooifontein Soil Fertility Improvement Project.
As indicated in earlier reports we could not complete most of these projects
by financial year-end. We have accordingly requested treasury for rollovers as
all the funds for these projects was already committed. I will later address
this House on measures we have put in place to ensure speedy and accelerated
completion of these projects and the new ones for this year.
For the current year we have been allocated R44,763 million of conditional
grants. The business plans have been approved and currently procurement is
continuing. We have agreed with the national Department that priority will be
given to projects already underway. The projects for 2005/06 and 2006/07 will
thus run concurrently to avoid non-spending at the end of this financial
year.
Many communities experienced degradation of land in the form of overgrazed
land and infertile land. We implemented eight eight LandCare projects while at
the same time supporting the existing 103 with aftercare. These projects
provided infrastructure for beef production and created over 221 jobs
benefiting over 200 farmers. If the programme of LandCare is supported and
implemented by all sector participants and stakeholders utilising natural
resources, the resource degradation problem would be a thing of the past.
Madam Speaker, I want to proudly announce our strong partnerships with South
African Non-Governmental Organisation Coalition (SANGOCO) to mobilise our civil
society on LandCare and CASP. Work has already begun; training and awareness
commenced in February this year and will be completed in the end of this month;
May 2006. This partnership is of fundamental importance to engage the masses of
our people to participate in the strong formations of land and agrarian
reform.
Earmarked funds
A total of R22,7 million was set aside in the previous year for post
settlement programme. We were able to offer amongst others post settlement
support in the following areas:
* Reseoposenwge Trust in Bophirima - R1,6 million
* Boskop Community Trust in Southern - R2,5 million
* Shiela-Mooifontein Crop production in Central - R13 million
* Mosita Beef Project in Bophirima - R1,4 million
Although progress has been registered in the co-ordination and
implementation of LRAD, we can do better! This calls for greater co-operation
between all the parties concerned to make more land available for
redistribution.
Madam Speaker, we have noted challenges with regard to the co-ordination and
implementation of the LRAD programme to support the Provincial Growth and
Development Strategy (PGDS). We shall this year onwards ensure that the LRAD
programme is aligned to and support the PGDS as well as the Integrated
Development Plans (IDP) of municipalities. We shall further attend to the
proper use of the funds that have been made available for the productive
utilisation of the land. Closer co-operation and linkages with the provincial
land reform office will henceforth inform the LRAD processes.
Madam Speaker, the post settlement programme shall this year be rolled out
to 50 land reform projects. The Department will continue to work with all the
role players, Department of Land Affairs, the Commission for the Restitution of
Land Rights, the Survey Office, municipalities, other provincial departments
and relevant institutions, in facilitating and co-ordinating pre and post
settlement support for land reform beneficiaries. During the preceding
financial year, the total number of beneficiaries who received financial
support through the post settlement programme stands at 2 015.
Extension services
Through the departmental extension services, we have made strides in several
areas in supporting the emerging farmers resulting from the above-mentioned
projects in the form of land use planning, economics and advice on good farming
practices and management. The beneficiaries also include women, youth and
people with disability (designated groups).
Food security
The Integrated Food Security and Nutrition (IFSN) programme policy obligates
the Department to ensure that the plight of the poor and the undernourished
receives priority. Our ongoing work to ensure that people have access to food
and balanced nutrition, has resulted in the implementation of 100 household
food security under the umbrella of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)
in the Modimola (Mafikeng) and Modimong (Taung) bringing about skills
development or transfer and food production. This was done in partnership with
other governmentâs social safety net programmes. A total of 100 families
benefited from these projects, 67 of the beneficiaries are women and 46 of
these 67 are youth.
By strengthening the implementation of the food security programme, Letsema
la Mantsha Tlala, the Department will be able to assist rural poor households
to produce sufficient food not only for themselves. We will roll out the
production starter packs programme and support during the month of July,
targeting over 1 200 poor rural households. In the same vein, we will also
resuscitate those projects that had failed previously.
Madam Speaker, the national Ministry announced in her budget speech that
annual food cost review as well as the quarterly food price trends analysis
will be undertaken during this year. This commitment accords very well with our
long held view that the volatility of the food prices aggravates the
vulnerability of the poor. To this end, we have set up a team of 10 in the
Department to serve as agricultural food price monitors in 21 outlets within
the province. This team will support our resolve of monitoring and analysing
the prices of a basket of basic food items, aimed at identifying the need for
government intervention both in the short and medium term.
Disaster relief
An amount of R16 million was allocated to the Department for fodder subsidy
and emergency water supply for livestock during the 2005/06 financial year.
This amount was allocated late in November 2005. Plans were only approved late
in January 2006. The relief grants are being distributed as from April 2006.
The implementation of the scheme is mainly in the areas of Bophirima District
covering Moshaweng, Kagisano, Ga-Segonyana, Molopo, Greater Taung; Ratlou in
the Central District and Moretele in Bojanala District which were the hardest
hit by drought and the veld fires. In 2005 we have also distributed fodder in
all four district municipalities to support farmers who suffered grazing
damages from veld fires.
Veterinary services
For accelerated services in improving competitiveness and profitability, we
have made progress in the modernisation of diagnostic services at the Vryburg
and Potchefstroom laboratories by working towards compliance with international
diagnostic requirements. Furthermore, this will link up with the laboratory
information management system of the national veterinary services. This
includes human resource development and introduction of standard operating
procedures as required for quality assurance and accreditation.
Through our surveillance programme we have successfully been able to put
control measures to prevent the possible spread of mad cow disease (BSE), bird
flu (Avian influenza), classical swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease to our
province. We were unable to secure enough funding for the construction and
staffing of the Epidemiology Unit as undertaken in our policy speech last year.
The Department is still looking for funding to continue with the project.
In this financial year, we intend to launch the abattoir hygiene-rating
scheme in all the high-grade abattoirs in the province to promote compliance in
terms of meat safety.
Madam Speaker, I must mention that our provincial veterinary services are
actively involved in the disaster stricken villages of Taung in partnership
with the municipality. Animal vaccination programmes have been conducted to
prevent anthrax and lumpy skin disease in the Bophirima region.
Livestock programme
With regard to the improvement of competitiveness and profitability within
the livestock programme we take pride in the fact that to date we have a number
of black commercial farmers. Our gratitude goes to the National Emergent Red
Meat Producersâ Organisation (NERPO) as a committed partner in this regard.
Madam Speaker; as we create opportunities to our stakeholders to develop
their full potential to boost production and households income through job
creation I am proud to report that in February this year we signed a Memorandum
of Agreement (MoU) between the Department, Industrial Development Corporation
(IDC) and the North West University to breed Nguni Cattle in the North West
province. We hope this project will yield the required number of Nguni cattle
known for its resistance against drought and diseases. This will provide a firm
basis for our people to sustain their livestock even in unfavourable
conditions. The process to finalise the appointments of the board of trustees
is also well advanced. Once appointed, the trustees will soon thereafter
approve the criteria for qualification and participation of emerging
farmers.
Elephant management
Madam Speaker, the province has recorded an abnormal increase in the
population of elephants in the Madikwe and Pilanesberg parks. This population
has increased to levels that will in likelihood be to the detriment of our
flora and fauna. It has become necessary for us as a province to become
creative in managing this population through methods that will gradually reduce
the numbers without the need for culling.
We have further taken the initiative of developing operational procedures
and guidelines on the introduction and management of elephants in confined
areas in the province. The procedures are based on guidelines developed by the
Elephant Management and Owners Association (EMOA) that have been adopted and
implemented by most of the other provinces.
We have made strides in certain areas and of course we acknowledge that
there are still challenges. I am confident that in this second decade of our
democracy; service delivery improvement will bring joy to the farmers of the
North West.
Madam Speaker, millions of our rural masses depend on agriculture and
conservation services for sustenance and economic growth. We are now prepared
to serve our people with distinction and particularly to improve and accelerate
service delivery for a better life for all through Agri-Black Economic
Empowerment (AgriBEE), Development of World Heritage Sites and improvement on
Environmental Impact Assessments.
We will strengthen our advisory services to the entire sector, especially in
the face of rising input costs and inaccessible produce markets. Our small
scale farmers should be positioned to produce enough for owns consumption and a
surplus for the market through our continued support.
Land reform
The Department together with the Provincial Land Reform Office will
continuously update a database of all state agricultural land in the province
that will contribute significantly to the attainment of government objective of
Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD).
Madam Speaker, indeed the provincial land summit was a success. The province
contributed tremendously on the discussions on Land and Agrarian Reform Summit
hosted by the Ministry in July 2005. The pronouncement on review of the willing
buyer willing seller approach has brought a relief to our rural masses. This
will bridge the gap of uncertainty and bring excitement and determination for
accelerated redistribution of land to our people, particularly emerging
farmers. Our agricultural unions are key role players in this process.
The national Department of Land Affairs has also been requested to conduct a
review on land acquisition models and possible manipulation of land prices.
This includes the regulations and conditions under which foreigners or foreign
speculators on land should purchase land in our country. As this House will
know, the unregulated sale of land to foreigners invariably leads to pricing
which is well beyond the reach of South Africans. Broad consultations will be
conducted to ensure that this regulation does not hinder our policies on growth
and development. This House will be kept abreast of developments in this regard
conservation and environment.
Historically, the environment and conservation was the domain of the rich,
privileged and predominantly white sections of our population. Towards the end
of last year a very successful Environmental Camp was held at Potchefstroom and
Vaalbos National Parks where 300 youth from disadvantaged backgrounds completed
and graduated from the Imbewu programme. This programme is a conservation
capacity-building programme implemented in collaboration with South African
National Parks (SANPARKS). Having tested the programme in the Southern Region,
we are now ready to commence the roll out in the rest of the province. We hope
to host a similar camp in each of the remaining districts.
Madam Speaker, our obligation for conserving our natural resource base is
not only for our sake but also for the better life for all. We should applaud
all those who show outstanding stewardship over the resources in their use.
The overall objective of the extension phase of the Support for Environment
and Sustainable Development Programme (SESDNW) is to contribute to the
improvement of environmental management and sustainable development in the
North West Province. The province will have a considerably more effective and
efficient environmental management capacity and systems in place by the end of
the Extension Phase of the SESDNW in 2008. The contribution of government of
Finland is European Union (EU) R2,4 million and the contribution of government
of South Africa is EU R1,2 million making up the total of EU R3,6 million.
In terms of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review, a strategy was
developed to improve response time with regard to EIAs service delivery and to
improve on the quality of records of decision. This was presented to the
technical forum and Premierâs provincial co-ordinating committee for adoption
and is now being implemented with special focus on major projects that have
impact of environment and also impede of service delivery. We have noted though
Madam Speaker, that most applications for EIA are lodged at a very late stage
by most institutions and thus creating a lot of strain on our stretched
capacity. We therefore urge developers to lodge their application as early as
plans have been approved. This will give us enough space to issue Records of
Decision at an appropriate time.
Protection of infrastructure
In conjunction with relevant role players such as the Department of Water
Affairs and Forestry, the Department of Transport, municipalities, Traditional
Authorities and other role players, we shall seek ways in which the ownership
and responsibility for the maintenance of infrastructure like (agricultural
water infrastructure, fencing of farms and road reserves) can be placed in the
hands of users and beneficiary communities. This will go a long way in
preserving the infrastructure for many years thus realising funds for other
communities to benefit.
Flagship programmes
In order to implement the projects related to the Provincial Growth and
Development Strategy (PGDS) and Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for
South Africa (AsgiSA), the Department, the state owned enterprises and the
public sector as a whole, working in some instances through partnerships, will
make large investments in the agriculture value chain. The Department will roll
out 10 flagship programmes or projects over the next five years. Processes for
both the Western Frontier Cattle Beneficiation and the Taung Irrigation Scheme
will be rolled out during the month of May 2006. The other projects currently
underway are Modimong Poverty Relief Initiative, Modimola Poverty Initiative
and overall support to the Greater Mafikeng Development Initiative. The
following, Madam Speaker, shall remain our other flagship programmes in the
medium to long term as guided by our policy priorities:
* Implementation of MAFISA
* Taung Child World Heritage Site
* The Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site
* Modimola Irrigation Infrastructure
* The Devilâs Claw Project
* Bedwang Livestock Handling Facilities
* Shiela Mooifontein Crop Production
* Radobil Beef Project.
AgriBEE
Madam Speaker, we have committed ourselves that Black Economic Empowerment
(BEE) is a moral, political social and economic requirement of this countryâs
collective future. It is thus important to increase levels of black
participation, especially women and youth, in the ownership and control of the
economy. This however, should be implemented such that the benefits are broadly
shared and benefit the large sections of our black people, not a chosen few,
through collective enterprises and cooperatives. It is in this context that we
enacted the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act.
Madam Speaker, section 12 of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act,
requires that the agriculture sector should adopt an AgriBEE Charter. The draft
Charter has already been finalised and the steering committee is busy
finalising the codes of good practice as recommended by the last AgriBEE
Indaba. The first phase to discuss the codes of good practice was held in March
this year. Once the codes are finalised, a date will be set for the launch of
the AgriBEE Charter. The launch will further give direction on the roll out and
implementation at provincial level. The AgriBEE, Madam Speaker, is an important
transformational instrument to shall ensure that the countryâs wealth is shared
among the citizens and to improve livelihoods and accelerate our quest for
sustainable growth and development.
Agricultural master plan
Madam Speaker, we have taken an initiative as a Department to initiate a
process of developing a master plan for the agricultural sector for the North
West province. This plan will enhance efforts of the provincial government by
lending support to job creation, increasing public investment in agricultural
infrastructure and improving the skills of the farming communities from grass
root level. This step of âUniting Organised Agricultureâ in the province will
create a platinum opportunity for all the agricultural role players to make a
meaningful contribution in exploiting our agricultural potential and
comparative advantages. It is therefore of vital importance that every effort
be made by the prospective sector stakeholders to galvanise this process by
making formal inputs. We have committed ourselves to the production of the
Draft Document by the month of June 2006 and consultation process to all
stakeholders to commence during the second quarter of 2006.
Madam Speaker, this Department has been in the media reports for some time
both electronic and print. Various allegations have been made on our capacity
or otherwise to deliver on the conditional grants. Some people even went to the
extent of making comments on whether this Department exists. I do not know what
the motives of these reports were or what was intended to be gained. All I can
say though, Madam Speaker, is that we will not fail the people of the North
West. Indeed we had experienced challenges in spending the conditional grants
on time. We have identified the root causes as well as measures to overcome
these challenges.
CASP and LandCare challenges
As previously reported, Madam Speaker, the Department had experienced
challenges in the spending of these conditional grants. Reasons mainly are that
the Department in the initial stages implemented the projects through a public
entity. It later emerged that this approach is inconsistent with the provisions
of the PFMA. This resulted in a new approach of taking over all projects wholly
into the Department. At this stage, this was unforeseen and thus created
capacity constraints on the Department which was not yet ready for this
challenge. The under-expenditure in relation to both the LandCare and CASP is
mainly due to one or more of the following factors:
* individual item procurement of services per project
* misunderstanding between the national and provincial managers about
flexibility and power to change projects
* shortage of specialist skills (Project management, economists and
engineers)
* constraints imposed by financial delegations at the beginning of
2004/05
* constitution of the Supply Management Committee and training for members.
I must record that some of the challenges relate to how serious other
managers and employees took their work. Our former President, in his Long Walk
To Freedom (p 375) records that, âRoutine can be a pleasant mistress whom it is
hard to resist, for routine makes the time go faster.â For some managers and
employees coming to work has been a routine just to mark presence without any
commitment and dedication to what we had promised.
These shortcomings have been addressed through the following measures:
* bulk procurement systems will henceforth be implemented as from May
2006
* increase in financial delegations to responsible officials
* outsourcing of specialist skills will be begin in May 2006
* projects affected by unforeseen circumstances and which will not be able to
spend will now be reviewed and new ones approved from time to time
* the Supply Chain Management Unit is being established and the committee is
being restructured.
Madam Speaker, to those managers and employees to who work has been routine
I have issued clear and unambiguous orders to the Head of Department. This
includes the incorporation into the performance agreement of managers and
employees target and time frames for spending on grants and to take
disciplinary steps against those who perform poorly other than due to
incapacity. We cannot afford to keep managers and employees who collect pay
every month without attendant responsibilities to improve the lives of our
people. We cannot compromise our revolutionary gains at the expense of our
people.
Given these new measures, we are confident that the Department is now well
positioned to spend the allocated grants effectively and in accordance with
project plans. Our noble objectives, defined by our National Democratic
Revolution will certainly not be derailed by a few. Our services shall continue
to reach our people notwithstanding all the negative publicity.
Madam Speaker, in our relentless effort to improve service delivery to our
people and make meaningful contribution to the 6,6 percent economic growth rate
target, we, in consultation with our key stakeholders have reviewed our
strategic and annual performance plans within the frameworks of Provincial
Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS) as well as Accelerated Shared and Growth
Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA). The strategic objectives and full outputs
for the 2006/07 financial year are listed in our strategic plan which has been
tabled in this House. To this end we require the following budget to execute
our strategic plan
Programme
Administration
R77 763 000
Agriculture
R309 159 000
Environment
R40 918 000
Total: R427 840 000
The comparative figure for the previous years as well as figures for the
next Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) is contained in the attached
annexure. This House is respectfully requested to appropriate these required
funds in order to attain our goals.
Madam Speaker, work has kick-started in this age of hope, the pouring rains
of luck will usher the good will and wisdom for accelerated growth initiative.
The spirits of the centenary of the Bhamabatha Rebellion instils determination
to share progressive messages for a better life for all through agriculture and
environmental services.
I want to pay tribute to the fallen heroes and heroines who sacrificed to
the liberation and struggle against injustices. I also want to remember, Mme
Ellen Khuzwayo, a stalwart who passed away last month and my sincere
congratulations to a mother of our glorious movement on her appointment as the
Chancellor of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Mme Adelaide
Tambo.
To all our mothers, women and daughters of South Africa this speech is
dedicated to you as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the heroic march to
the Union Buildings. God bless you in this phase of hope in our history. Siya
bulela bo Mama.
I thank you!
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, North
West Provincial Government
11 May 2006
