The Executive Council (EXCO) held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, 15 December 2010, in Polokwane. The meeting congratulated Ms Bokang Montjane who originates in Limpopo and was crowned Miss South Africa 2011 on the 11 December 2010. EXCO expressed appreciation of her accomplishment and agreed that she should be given a befitting homecoming welcome that will be coupled with the celebration of the Limpopo provincial government’s annual Mapungubwe music festival on Saturday the 18 December 2010. It was also agreed that other provincial luminaries who include Ms Winnie Mashaba and Ms Maria Mabuza should also be appreciated for scooping awards recently in gospel music and literature respectively.
The meeting adopted the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster’s Festive Season Plan. The plan indicates, among others, that Provincial Joint Operations Committee will set up road blocks throughout the province in a quest to scale down road accidents. Those with outstanding traffic fines, child maintenance defaulters and other transgressors of the law who are wanted by the law enforcement agencies will be arrested on the spot during the road blocks. In the context of the festive season celebrations by the people of the province, the meeting expressed concern about the abuse of alcohol and proliferation of liquor outlets in the province, especially in the townships and villages.
EXCO agreed that liquor outlets must be raided regularly to ensure that illegal liquor traders face the full wrath of the law while at the same time the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) should take appropriate measures to reduce them. The second quarter cluster Programmes of Action of the JCPS and Social Cluster were noted. EXCO adopted the Integrated Strategy on Early Childhood Development (ECD) and noted the report on Refocusing Inclusive Education and Current Status of Special Schools in the province by the Social Cluster.
The following reports by the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) were adopted: Transfer of Information Communication Technology (ICT) strategic programme from the Office of the Premier to LEDET and the establishment of the Limpopo Employment, Growth and Development Plan’s (LEGDP) Growth Fund. This fund is designed to, among others, focus on building a quality specialised project finance portfolio enhancing economic growth, accelerating socio-economic development of the province, job creation, wealth enhancement, sustainable industries, whilst maximising returns to investors and operating within the LEGDP framework.
The initiative to decentralise the transversal expenditure by the Provincial Treasury was adopted. This initiative is designed to change the current practice wherein the Auditor General’s fees and SITA costs are paid by the Provincial Treasury on behalf of the 13 votes of the Limpopo provincial government. The decision was arrived at as a means to settle the fees on time and monitor the total spending on audit and SITA fees.
EXCO agreed that departments must ensure that service providers who are doing business with government must be paid promptly after rendering their services to enhance proper cash flow and economic sustenance of the entrepreneurs. Service provider should cooperate by submitting their invoices urgently and monitor progress in the processing of payment by the government. Government is committed to deal with officials who deliberately frustrate the process of speedy payment of the service providers in line with applicable Supply Chain Management Policy Framework Act. EXCO noted the progress report on the establishment of the medical school in Limpopo and the draft National Green Paper on family policy by the Department of Health and Social Development.
The main aim of the Green Paper is to, among others, promote family life and strengthen families through coherent, well-coordinated and synergistic framework for government policies, programmes and civil society’s initiatives. The meeting mandated the department of Health and Social Development to hold consultative discussions with relevant stakeholders on these document before it is finalised.
The meeting adopted the Limpopo Social Cohesion and Mobilisation Campaign by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC). This campaign is based on the mandate that was given to provinces by the Forum of Minister and Members of the Executive Council (MINMEC) for DSAC in September 2009 to roll out the social mobilisation campaign as a build up to the Nation Social Cohesion Summit to be held in March 2011.
EXCO mandated DSAC to roll out the provincial community conversations in line with this campaign before February 2011. Reports on Provincial Regeneration Movement, International Federation for sport for athletes with an Intellectual Disability (INAS-FID) 5th World Football Champions in Limpopo and Mapungubwe Festival Preparations were noted. The meeting congratulated Mr Tebatso Mabitsela on his appointment as the new General Manager of Communication Services in the Office of the Premier. The appointment is effective from 1 December 2010. EXCO wished the people of Limpopo a great festive season, merry Christmas and a prosperous 2011.
Enquiries:
Tebatso Mabitsela
Cell: 072 263 0563
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government
