Members of the media good afternoon. Thank you for availing yourselves for today’s media briefing.
The Executive Council held its ordinary meeting in Bhisho yesterday, 26 October 2011.
1. Current affairs
- The Eastern Cape Executive Council wishes the Hindu community a joyous Diwali Festival. Government also extends warm wishes to the grade 12 class of 2011 that is currently sitting for the final examinations. We have full confidence in them that they will do the Eastern Cape proud through their performance.
- The Executive Council notes with joy the awarding of hosting rights for the 2011 edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge by SAFA to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. EXCO has no doubt that the sport loving people of our province will attend the match between Bafana Bafana and Ivory Coast on November 12, 2011 in their numbers, as they have done in the past.
2. Key Strategic Decisions
- EXCO noted the impact of global economic challenges and their implications onthe growth potential of the country. In line with the call by the Minister of Finance to curb unnecessary spending given the fiscal constraints.
EXCO agreed that:
- No Accounting Officer will be allowed to overspend the allocated budget.
- Department of planning and treasury will lead a process of identifying mechanisms to improve revenue generation in the province.
- All departments should improve adherence to the HR compliance Framework and contract management in order to avoid unnecessary litigation and its attendant costs.
- Departments to manage strictly the spiraling compensation of employee’s budget.
3. State of Walter Sisulu University
The EXCO deliberated extensively on this matter after receiving the State of the Institution from Vice Chancellor from the Vice Chancellor, Professor Balintulo and agreed that:
- A task team comprising of 5 MECs, led by MEC Jonas with MEC Makupula, MEC Masualle, MEC Gqobana and MEC Capa should engage with the National Department of Higher Education on the matter.
- A technical team led by ECSECC is to assist the university to develop a turnaround plan to stabilise the institution.
4. Eastern Cape Planning Commission
- On the Planning Commission, EXCO agreed that an 8 member commission be set up and commissioners will serve on a part time basis. A proclamation in this regard will be issued by the Premier in due course.
5. Job Strategy
- Government is steadfastly committed to create an enabling environment for job creation in the province. As such EXCO agreed that further consultation with critical stakeholders should continue on the content of the Job Strategy.
- Secondly, EXCO agreed that the Job Strategy be tabled in the Job Summit that will be held in February 2012. EXCO also agreed that the Jobs Accord be signed amongst key stakeholders in the jobs summit.
6. Annual National Assessment
- The Executive Council appreciates the improvements on the performance of the Eastern Cape on numeracy and literacy based on the Annual National Assessment Report of 2011.
- Based on the report, EXCO however, remains concerned about the general low performance in the country and therefore welcomes the intervention plans put forward by the Provincial Department of Education to remedy the situation.
7. Fleet Insourcing
- EXCO noted and welcomed the positive developments on the readiness of the province to manage the fleet in-house with effect from 01 February 2012.
- Roadshows will be conducted in all District Municipalities and the Metros to update internal stakeholders on the operations of the entity that will manage the fleet.
8. World AIDS Day
- And lastly Ladies and gentlemen of the media, as you are aware that we approaching December which is used to commemorate World Aids Day and promotion of healthy life styles.
- The EXCO welcomed the decision by the South African National Aids Council to commemorate the World Aids Day in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality on December 01, 2011.
- A build up programme has been developed and will culminate with the major event to be addressed by Deputy President Kgalema Montlanthe on the 1st of December 2011.
Thank you.
Contact:
Mahlubandile Qwase; Provincial Government Spokesperson
Cell: 083 259 9039
E-mail: mdqwase@otp.ecprov.gov.za
Province
