18 March 2009
Efforts by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government to contain the spread of
cholera are beginning to bear results. Since the outbreak of the disease in
December last year, the provincial Department of Health, in collaboration with
the education department, have embarked on a major public education drive in
the affected areas. The departments have used schools, churches and community
events as centres to disseminate communication about the disease and how to
prevent it. The municipalities mostly affected include Mbombela, Bushbuckridge,
Nkomazi and Thaba Chweu.
In addition to other immediate interventions (for example the deployment of
jojo tanks, distribution of jik packets etc) the province, through itâs âwater
for allâ flagship, aims to provide clean running water to all household by the
year 2010. The disease can spread easily in areas with inadequate treatment of
sewerage and drinking water, and the disease can be prevented through early
detection, confirmation of cases and appropriate responses.
According to the report presented to cabinet, no additional deaths occurred
since the end of January 2009, and the number of patients visiting Mpumalanga
public hospitals presenting symptoms of diarrhoea has declined from a peak of
more than 200 a day during the December and early January period to an average
of eight a day over the February and March months.
In addition, cabinet re-emphasised the importance of community involvement
in all the campaigns aimed at curbing the spread of the disease, particularly
the importance of adhering to basic hygiene guideline that include boiling of
water before use, washing of hands prior to handling meals, etc.
Cabinet also commended the supportive role played by municipalities,
traditional leaders, schools and the general community in responding to efforts
aimed at curbing the spread of the disease.
Lion of the east and the 1958 potato boycott musical play gains momentum
The much awaited musical play commissioned by the Mpumalanga Provincial
Government in order to highlight the historical importance of the 1958 potato
boycott, is on a week long tour at the Emalahleni Civic Centre (16 to 20 March
2009). The âpremiereâ of the full show will also be performed live by the cast
on Friday (20 March 2009). The road show will include all three districts of
the province and thereafter embark on a nationwide tour.
World-renowned musical play specialist, Mbongeni Ngema, is in charge of the
production of the show and more than 50 aspirant actors from within Mpumalanga
have been selected to form part of the cast.
Due to the high interest generated by the play, foreign countries such as
Jamaica, Surinami, Trinidadi and Canada have already expressed an interest for
the show to be performed in their respective places.
As part of efforts to maximize the profile of the production and due to its
importance in promoting the history and heritage of the country, the South
African Broadcasting Corporation has also entered into an agreement with the
provincial government to serve as a media sponsor for the show.
Cabinet also welcomed the outcome of the recent court ruling dismissing an
urgent interdict against the play lodged by the some family members of the late
struggle hero, Gert Sibande. The ruling reaffirms cabinets view that the events
leading up to and during the 1958 Potato Boycott belongs to the common history
and heritage of all the South African people.
Among other objectives, the play is aimed at celebrating the 50th
anniversary of the 1958 Potato Boycott that drew nationwide and international
attention to the plight of farm workers. In line with the objectives of the
âHeritage, Greening Mpumalanga and Tourismâ flagship, the show is expected to
enhance other government programs aimed at reconstructing and profiling the
historical significance of events that shaped South Africaâs path to democracy
and freedom.
Umsobomvu empowers youth
More than 1135 young people in Mpumalanga have benefited from loans
disbursed by the provincial office of Umsobomvu Youth Fund. The value of loans
disbursed since 2006 amounts to more than R10 million and a total of 1703 jobs
were created. This emerged from a progress report presented by the provincial
manager, Mr N Mahlangu, to cabinet this morning in Nelspruit.
In addition, more than 2000 vouchers totalling more than R24 million was
spent benefiting 1106 women, 27 people with disabilities and creating 804 job
opportunities. According to Mahlangu, business vouchers help young people to
gain access to quality business development support ranging from accounting,
bookkeeping, business plan development, tendering support etc.
Meanwhile, cabinet received an update report on the work undertaken to
establish a new integrated Youth Development Agency. The National Youth
Development Agency was signed into law by President Kgalema Motlanthe in
January 2009.
The agency will be responsible for, among others, involvement of youth in
economic activities, policy research, managing the national youth fund and the
roll out of youth advisory and information services.
International partnerships
Mpumalanga Provincial Government has over the last five years re-aligned and
linked its international framework to be based on the provinceâs growth and
development strategy, âbig five flagshipsâ and high impact projects. The
Memorandum of Understandingâs were signed with Alberta in Canada, Chongqing and
Sichuan in the Peopleâs Republic of China, Ismalia in Egypt, Maputo Province
and Maputo City in Mozambique. Through this process, it is envisaged that
progress will be made in advancing the socio economic development of the
province (and its international partners) through improved planning,
innovation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
In the above context, Mpumalangaâs international twinning partner, North
Rhine Westphalia in the Federal State of Germany has recently hosted ten
Mpumalanga based public sector managers who went on a five day international
exposure visit as part of the âaccelerated capacity building flagship.â
The ten managers were exposed to an elementary training in the fields of
project management, high level event management, disaster management,
volunteerism, government training academy and other areas of migration
control.
North Rhine Westphalia signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with Mpumalanga in 2008 as part of the partnership framework that South Africa
entered with the Federal State of Germany. The MOU covered areas of health,
2010 preparations and economic development.
2008 matric results findings
Cabinet received feedback on the findings commissioned by the National
Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor, into the delayed resulting of some of the
2008 matric students.
The following factors were found to have causes of the delays:
* Collection and control of mark sheets
* Manually generated mark sheets in relation to capturing
* Irregularities
* Processing and releasing of results.
According to the report presented by the Provincial Head of Department, Ray
Tywakadi, the reduction of exam time frames from 47 to 27 days also had a
direct impact and the vacancy rate in key areas of examinations overstretched
the exam units due to increased workload .The report also sights limited
training of provinces on the new web based technology that processes results.
The main challenge was that manually generated mark sheets did not always match
the system generated mark sheets which required specialised skills.
As a result, the provincial education department will be taking firm steps
to prevent the recurrence of the 2008 incidents. These include:
* redefining the exam business process
* process definition of learner registration
* control of exam mark sheets
* definition of norms and standards for capturing of marks and storage
* direct learner and teacher support, resourcing grade 12 and multi media
communication
* advocacy and community mobilisation.
Cabinet reiterated the Premierâs public apology for the inconvenience and
distress suffered by the students, parents, donors and community at large over
this incident. Provincial government also undertook to invoke firm disciplinary
measures should any official, either by commission or omission, be found to
have transgressed the regulations.
Community unrests in Avalon, Middleburg
Cabinet received a briefing from the MEC for Safety and Security, Siphosezwe
Masango, about the reported incidents of violence and intimidation in the
Avalon area in Mhluzi. The barricading of roads, burning of property and
intimidation were reported on the 15 March 2009.
Whereas, the provincial government believes any individual or community is
entitled to protest over any other issue of concern to them, we however wish to
firmly caution and discourage the continued resort to violence as a means to
resolve service delivery challenges. Communities are advised to explore all
available spaces in a democracy to voice their disillusionment, this includes
appealing to higher levels of authority, consultation with municipal
leadership, engagement with community development workers, participation in
ward committees ,etc.
We accordingly condemn the recent sporadic and isolated incidents of
violence and intimidation, and further urge the law enforcement agencies to
apply the full text of the law when dealing with the situation.
Appointments
* Mr T Twala and Mr R Matsila have been appointed as additional members to
serve on the board of the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency for the remainder
of the term of office till 2011.
* The following names were recommended to be published for public comment
and allow for objection on their eligibility to serve as new members of the
Mpumalanga Gambling Board with effect from 1 April 2009.
* Mr Raymond Mogopi
* Mr Vusi Simky Nkosi
* Ms Liana Visagie
* Mr Sam Mthembu
* Mr Moletje Phatudi
* Mr Mfana Ntuli
* Ms Helen Thrush
* Mr Donald Mabuza
* Mr Lemon Mahlangu
* Ms Molatelo Mashabane
* Mr Joseph du Preez
* Ms Rachel Kalidas
* Mr Mduduzi Singwane
* Mr Joseph Thobela
* Mr Charlie Mnisi
* Mr Jerry Vilakazi
* Mr Gaylene Deiner
* Ms Nelly Mashinini
* Mr Mammule Chidi
* Ms Nomaswazi Shabangu
* Mr Sandile Skhosana
* Mr Elmer Cousins
* Ms Mildred Sephiri
* Mr Simphiwe Mthiminye
* Mr Hassan Shaik
* Ms Nthabiseng Motete.
Events
Human Rights Day
Mpumalanga Premier Thabang Makwetla will deliver a keynote address on the
occasion of the celebration of the Human Rights Day on Saturday. The theme is
celebrating 15 years of freedom and human rights. Cultural activists and
national artists (Dj Cleo and Rhythmic Elements) will provide entertainment.
Among other invited stakeholders is the House of Traditional Leaders, Freedom
Park Trust, Youth Commission, Human Rights Commission, organised labour and
military veterans associations.
Date: 21 march 2009
Venue: Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, (Kwa Mhlanga) Thembisile Hani
Municipality
Time: 10h00
Enquiries:
Ntime Skhosana
Cell: 082 496 6875
Tel: 013 766 2055
Issued by: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
18 March 2009
