The Gauteng Executive Council at its regular meeting on 24 August 2011 emphasised the need to intensify the implementation of the province’s programme of action. In line with the national focus on job creation, departments will be required to report on a monthly basis on progress made in achieving job creation targets and the matter will be a standing item on EXCO agendas.
The Executive received a detailed report on the provincial government’s performance in the first quarter of 2011/12 and agreed on steps to be taken to fast-track delivery in areas where progress needs to be improved.
The Premier will convene quarterly meetings with the MEC for Finance to review performance against key indicators and expenditure patterns on personnel, capital expenditure and goods and services and introduce the necessary interventions. Special attention will be paid to the Department of Health and Social Development.
The Executive Council and Premier’s Coordinating Forum will be reoriented to focus on implementation and service delivery which must identify and unblock delivery obstacles.
The Office of the Premier will establish a Project Management Office to coordinate the implementation of flagship projects in the province and the Gauteng Planning Commission will provide regular performance reports for consideration.
The province’s intergovernmental flagship projects include the Aerotropolis project in Ekurhuleni, which centres around the OR Tambo International Airport; the Maize Triangle project which will help boost agricultural output in the West Rand and Sedibeng; the Sedibeng Regional Sewer Scheme; the Green Economy initiative; freight and logistics hubs, struggle heritage projects and mixed housing developments.
2. Poverty relief
The Executive Council noted that poverty remains one of the critical challenges facing the people of Gauteng and that this has been exacerbated by job losses resulting from the recession.
While a wide range of efforts to stimulate job creation and inclusive growth are being implemented, the Executive adopted two proposals to improve poverty relief efforts in the province. A programme targeted at the poorest households in the West Rand will provide 100 days work per household through the Expanded Public Works Programme, which will include skills development. The programme will target young people and is expected to reach 500 households in the initial phase of implementation.
As part of the War on Poverty, the Executive Council also adopted a programme to combine the efforts of a range of government agencies and to ensure the delivery of an integrated basket of services to poor households in the 50 poorest communities.
3. Green Economy
As part of its efforts to boost job creation and ensure more inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the province, the Executive Council adopted a comprehensive strategy on the Green Economy.
The strategy includes a range of interventions that will promote green growth and improve energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy in the province.
Among the key interventions to be implemented include the implementation of a range of energy efficiency projects including renewable energy projects in hospitals, the rollout of solar water heaters, the establishment of solar energy farms and bio-mass installations, projects to turn waste into energy and the harvesting of land-fill gas.
Within the transport sector, an emphasis will be placed on electric vehicle platforms, the use of LPG gas in vehicles; promoting the use of bicycles and freight mobility hubs.
A climate change innovation centre will be established and recycling clusters facilitated.
4. ICT strategy
The province adopted an ICT sector strategy and action plan to harness the massive potential of the ICT sector as an engine for economic growth and development in the province. The strategy will contribute to bridging the digital divide in the province and making ICT more accessible to the people of the province. The implementation of the strategy will support SMMEs and e-governance initiatives.
5. Heritage and Tourism Months
September marks Heritage and Tourism Month in the country and the Executive adopted a programme on Heritage Month under the national theme for 2011, “Celebrate the Heroes and Heroines of the Liberation struggle”, which will pay tribute to those who laid down their lives and dedicated themselves to the freedom struggle in South Africa.
Among the key activities in Gauteng during the month will be:
- Launch of Liberation Struggle Heritage Route Poster Campaign
- Personality Profiles of the Week (Collaboration with newspapers)
- Launch of the Oral History Programme (Focus on identities)
- Identification of Heritage Sites
- Night of Legends
- Language Policy Discussions
- Geographical Names Awareness Campaign
- Pale Ya Rona Carnival.
The month will also be used to promote domestic tourism in Gauteng to build on the tourism successes of the FIFA World Cup and to encourage Gauteng residents to tour within their own province.
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
