Welcome
Today the Executive Council of the Eastern Cape held its last meeting as we are gearing ourselves for festive season and did deal with a number of crucial issues to advance the development cause of our province and our people.
1. South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA)
We are happy to announce that the Executive Council of the Eastern Cape has approved in principle a five year partnership with the South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA) Board that will see Eastern Cape being host to these outstanding awards between 2012 and 2016.
We have noted with great appreciation that traditional music is the biggest selling genre in South Africa and has a massive potential to contribute in creating jobs, promoting tourism, contributing to economic development and also help in strengthening social cohesion.
We are indeed proud to have this association with the SATMA Board as we believe time for mainstreaming music that defines our character as a South African nation in the cultural industry in this country has come. This will take to a higher level the affirmation of our people’s identity, dignity and our rich living cultural heritage. We strongly believe the investment we will make through this partnership, including contributions of our partners in business, will serve a worthy cause also, of positioning the Province of the Eastern Cape as a prime destination for hosting international and national events.
We have assigned the Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture to lead a cluster of provincial players that will work closely with the SATMA Board to make this partnership work best for everyone – particularly scores of traditional music artists in this province that have missed opportunities for growth and self-actualisation.
2. In-house sourcing model for fleet management
The Executive Council has been reassured that the envisaged trading entity of the Department of Transport will be ready to take over the fleet management for the provincial government when the existing contract with a service provider ends in January 2012. We have noted with appreciation the progress made to implement the in-house fleet management model we believe will take the management of nearly 3000 government vehicle fleet to a higher level.
Over 80% of the required budget of R450 million has been secured to enable the implementation of the first phase of the project by February 2012.
Among prioritised areas is the provision of ambulance services and thus far over 70 panel vans have been ordered and are being prepared to be available in time.
We have instructed the Department of Transport to speed things up in closing some outstanding matters to ensure that by February 2012 we are gear to take-over the management of fleet. We are of the view that efficient fleet management is at the core of improving service delivery to all our people in the Eastern Cape and therefore requires appropriate investment. You will be kept updated on this matter.
3. Provincial Planning Commission
We have also taken a firm decision to establish a Provincial Planning Commission of the Eastern Cape composed of eight eminent persons from across the development spectrum. These commissioners will serve for a period of three years on a part time basis. Their key brief is to develop a long term development plan for the province of the Eastern Cape inclusive of spatial development.
As you are aware, nationally great progress has been made including a comprehensive diagnostic report and the vision 2030. The Eastern Cape Planning Commission will make valuable additions that are customised for our material conditions in the province. Modalities are being worked to provide appropriate technical support to the Planning Commission.
A proclamation will be made in due course on the establishment of the Planning Commission details of which will also be made public appropriately.
For your information I also wish to take this opportunity to announce that this week on Friday, we will be closing the 16 Days of Activism against Violence on Women and Children at a ceremony to be held on Friday. We will also be joining the world in commemorating the International Anticorruption Day where we will outline some interventions to address gaps we have experienced in fighting this scourge.
In conclusion, I wish to reiterate our commitment to invest more in building our relations going forward, and let me take the opportunity to announce that we have appointed a General Manager for communications who has assumed responsibility on 1 December 2011. We will endeavour also to sustain these interactions or briefings after our meetings.
I thank you
