The Gauteng Executive Council on 21 October 2015 held its ordinary meeting at Kievits Kroon Conference Estate, north of Pretoria. The meeting followed a successful Extended Executive Council Lekgotla (19-21 October 2015) which had concluded earlier at the same venue.
The Lekgotla noted progress towards the vision of building Gauteng as a City Region (GCR) and that the provincial government and municipalities were converging on the following 8 critical areas:
- Shaping a common spatial vision, anchored on five developmental corridors, towards a new system that is underpinned by spatial justice, sustainability, efficiency and integration as well as a differentiated diversified and inclusive economy.
- Investing in catalytic infrastructure to facilitate spatial transformation across the GCR specifically in public transport, energy, water and sanitation, broadband technology and green spaces.
- Building new economic nodes to promote balanced development in line with the comparative advantage of the development corridors.
- Revitalising and mainstreaming of the township economy and development of SMMEs and cooperatives through active industrial incentives and transformative procurement policy that promote the growth of township-based manufacturing and services.
- Accelerating social transformation by improving the quality of education, healthcare, community safety and food security in a manner that promotes economic inclusion, social cohesion and nation-building.
- Intervening through different programmes to address the explosive situation of youth unemployment and marginalisation.
- Building a capable, responsive, accountable, clean and activist state machinery through interventions such as Ntirhisano programme and Service Delivery War Room, Administration Roadmap, Integrity Management Units and the Open Tender system.
- Developing a coherent and coordinated approach to international trade, investment and cooperation in line with the comparative advantages and unique strengths of each development corridor.
The Executive Council received a detailed account on building an activist government through the Ntirhisano Service Deliver Response System (War Room) and resolved to strengthen this programme to better respond to service delivery issues.
The Executive Council noted that over the past sixteen months there has been great acceptance of the current administration’s new approach to governance, which has seen the Premier, Mayors, MECs and Councillors spending more time with the people working together with them to find solutions to their problems on a daily basis.
The Executive Council noted progress made in the integration and of the plans of the provincial government and those of municipalities in the province and national government.
A common perspective on the government priorities is emerging among all spheres of government across the Gauteng City Region. The Gauteng City Region is now becoming a reality and there is closer collaboration between the provincial government and all municipalities in the province.
The Executive Council resolved to appropriate action to institutionalise and legislate the Gauteng City Region governance model. This will require passing a piece of legislation to give a legal status to the unique governance model of the GCR.
Gauteng Premier, David Makhura reported that he had after a thorough assessment of the performance of the provincial government decided to make changes in the composition of the Executive Council. The changes affect two portfolios and are as follows:
- Ms Nonhlanhla Faith Mazibuko is the new Member of Executive Council for Sport, Arts Culture and Recreation.
- Ms Molebatsi Bopape is the new Member of Executive Council for Social Development.
The Executive Council noted the appointment of Edward Mosuwe as head of the Department of Education. He replaces Boy Ngobeni who was appointed as head of the e-Government Department and has been appointed as Acting HOD for Sport, Arts Culture and Recreation.
Enquiries:
Thabo Masebe
Cell: 082 410 8087
E-mail: thabo.masebe@gauteng.gov.za
