Statement on the EXCO meeting of 23 February 2011

The Executive Council (EXCO) held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, 23 February 2011, in Polokwane.

The meeting welcomed the State of the Province Address (SOPA) delivered by the Limpopo Premier, Mr Cassel Mathale, during the occasion of the official opening of the provincial legislature on 18 February 2011. 

EXCO expressed appreciation of government achievements and made a commitment to implement pronouncements made during SOPA, particularly, with regards to creation of jobs for the people of Limpopo. The meeting emphasised that government must be committed to do things differently by ensuring that service delivery projects have clear action plans with timelines and budget implications for easy implementation and monitoring thereof. 

Furthermore, the meeting agreed that comprehensive infrastructure development plans should be implemented early in April to ensure that construction of projects is done before rainy season starts around September and prudent interventions are made, when required, to enhance government expenditure patterns in a quest to create a better life for all. 

The meeting appreciated the progress report by the Department of Local Government and Housing on the Lephalale Human Settlement Projects. The report indicates that a holistic scooping description and implementation plan are ready to address the total infrastructure needs in the urban and rural areas based on a model of a democratic city. The envisaged development in Lephalale will facilitate, among others, the construction of over 5 000 mixed income housing units to address the requirements of industrial expansion in the region, the completion of construction of the Medupi power station which forms part of the R150 billion investment programme of ESKOM in the area. The development in Lephalale is part of provincial growth points such as Burgersfort, Musina and Makhado espoused by the Limpopo Employment Growth and Development Plan (LEGDP).

The provincial revenue and expenditure report by the Provincial Treasury and the status report on some high value land restitution were noted. The Cluster Programme of Action’s third quarter report for the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, Social Sector Cluster, Economic Sector Cluster, Infrastructure Development Cluster and Governance and Administration Cluster were adopted.

EXCO agreed that the provincial government should participate in the 2011 International Women’s Day Celebration. This event is scheduled to be held in Polokwane, Capricorn District on 9 March 2011 in a form of a summit. This summit is intended to, among others, advocate gender equality and women empowerment, create awareness and encourages maximum participation of women in local government elections. About 400 people from women structures in the province are expected to attend this event.

In the context of the forthcoming voter registration weekend on 5 to 6 March 2011, EXCO encouraged all illegible voters, particularly the youth, who have not yet registered to register and those who have registered to verify their particulars in the voters roll during this period.

Enquiries:
Tebatso Mabitsela
Government Spokesperson
Cell: 072 263 0563