Honourable Speaker
Honourable Deputy Speaker
The Premier of the North West Province, Mme Thandi Modise
MECs present
Executive Mayors and Mayors
Dikgosi tsa rona tse di tlotlegang
Members of SALGA Provincial Executive Committee
Leaders of the ANC and other Political Parties
Speakers of our Councils
Acting Deputy Director-General of the department
Senior management of the department
Senior government and municipal officials present
Leaders of labour movements
Leaders of civic movements
Chairperson of the Commission on NW Traditional Disputes (Mr Mofereka)
Comrades and compatriots
Distinguished guests
All protocol observed
Part 1:
Introduction
I stand before this August House to present the budget vote for the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs for the financial year 2011/12, which the ANC has declared as The Year of Working Together to Build better Communities.
As the ANC government, our departmental programmes in terms of priorities and strategic interventions for the current financial year and the Medium Expenditure Framework (MTF) financial circle will be derived from the Local Government Manifesto.
It is also a privilege to present our Budget Vote, exactly twenty-three (23) days before the third democratic Local Government Elections, when thousands of our people will go out to exercise their right to vote for a government of their own choice.
As we assemble here today, we also celebrate 10 years of a democratic local government system in our country. The past 10 years have confirmed the realities thatmunicipal councils are placed at the coalface of service delivery and remain an important vehicle to deliver services to the door step of our people.
Together we can build better communities
In her State of the Province Address, Honourable Premier Thandi Modise committed the provincial government to improving the living conditions of our people by changing the manner in which we run the affairs of the municipalities. Therefore, Honourable Speaker we are working towards that commitment to create a sustainable, effective and efficient local government system.
Honourable Premier took a strong stance against corruption and maladministration within certain municipalities and likened it to a cancer that can spread and eat the society if not dealt with immediately.
Together we can build better communities
Honourable Speaker, allow me to quote former President Nelson Mandela in his Presidential inauguration address in 1994, when he reminded us of a need to work together, We understand it still, that there is no easy road to freedom. We know it well, that none of us acting alone can achieve success.
We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world. Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Let each know that for each body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfill themselves.
Allow me Honourable Speaker to pay tribute to Advocate Malahlela, a member of the Public Service Commission who passed away on February 26 2011 after making valuable contribution to our Departmental Strategic Plan. May his soul rest in peace.
Part 2:
2.1. Honourable Speaker, last year the department committed to some of the following:
The department has developed a Provincial Local Government Turn Around Strategy implementation plan, followed by a hands-on support to all municipalities to develop their tailor-made Municipal Turn-Around Strategies which had to be incorporated into the Integrated Development Plans. The Local Government Turn Around Strategy focused on revenue enhancement, debt collection, governance and administration, operations and maintenance of infrastructure,infrastructure planning, development and implementation.
Honourable Speaker, it is pleasing to report that 18 municipalities have implemented theMunicipal Property Rates Act (MPRA) as well as the valuation roll prepared in terms of the Act. Ditsobotla and Lekwa Teemane local municipalities will only implement on 01 July 2011.
The department appointed a service provider to support five (5) municipalities with the implementation of the revenue enhancement projecti.e.: Mafikeng, Ventersdorp, Tswaing, Naledi and Lekwa-Teemane. A consumer debt analysis has been conducted and debt categorised in terms of type and age of consumers. Honourable Speaker, a government debt recovery plan has also been prioritised and we facilitated dialogue between municipalities and government departments to address outstanding government debt to municipalities and we anticipate to see the results by end of June 2011.
Furthermore, we were successful in completing an assessment of debt / credit control and customer care units in all municipalities. Billing systems have been analysed and corrections are being made.
Honourable members, notwithstanding the enormous responsibility and challenges, I am pleased to report that we have made strides with regard to municipalities under administration which are:
Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality was able to resolve some of their labour issues following a prolonged strike action by officials within municipality. Currently, the administration has stabilized, relations between council and administration have improved, disciplinary actions have been taken against officials found to have engaged in acts of maladministration, fraud or corruption.
Financial controls have been put in place i.e. supply chain management processes and the budget of the district municipality have been reviewed. Service delivery projects were fast-tracked and rolled out especially water and sanitation projects in the local municipalities. Inter-governmental relations between locals and the district have partially improved.It should be noted that the intervention in Ngaka Modiri Molema was uplifted in August 2010 and we continue to monitor the situation and the department will intervene when necessary.
Madibeng Local Municipality managed to unblock service delivery projects and fast-tracked the upgrading of the water treatment and purification plants; electricity substation; waste water treatment plant; roads and storm water maintenance; road paving among others.
Stakeholder consultative forums have been established to enhance public participation in municipal matters; the number of community protests has since declined. Council and council committees are now functional.
The municipality has revised its budget, updated its indigent register and new meters are to be installed for correct billing. The municipality has managed to partly settle its outstanding debts with the City of Tshwane for bulk water and PIC loan.
A disciplinary processes against the Municipal Manager and the Acting CFO have been concluded and the CFO resigned with a settlement on outstanding leave days. The local labour forum was revived and an approach was developed to address matters such as contract workers, volunteers, interns and so forth.
Moses Kotane Local Municipality managed to spend 85% of its 2009/10 municipal infrastructure grant as compared to the past financial years. The annual financial statements for 2009/10 have been timeously compiled and submitted to the Auditor-General for auditing. The supply chain management and the bidding committee procedures have been reviewed and a new financial system has been acquired to address weak internal controls in financial management that resulted from two ineffective financial systems which operated separately.
The closure of the Development Agency which was dysfunctional, has been finally been concluded. Members of TROIKA in the municipality have regular meetings to reflect on the activities and plans; there is stability in the municipality.
Human resource policies and procedures have been reviewed and job profiles and employment equity plan developed. Organogram reviewed and placement of staff completed. Disciplinary System established and outstanding matters are being finalised on alleged fraud and corruption. Completed investigation of spending of R59 million and identified that R57.6 million was spent on projects and R1.4 spent on consultants hired to assist Project Management Unit (PMU) in projects running
Tswaing Local Municipality has improved its supply of potable water to the community of Sannieshof, Agisanang and Letsopa through the installation of new water pumps. Sewerage and sanitation removal has improved.Engagements with the rate payers Associations is bearing fruit and Ottosdal Rate Payers Association paid the collected revenue on rates to the municipality.
Portfolio Committees have been revived and now hold regular meetings. Intergovernmental relations have been improved with various provincial and national government departments pledging to assist the municipality.
The local labour forum has been resuscitated meets regularly. The disciplinary process for the municipal manager has been concluded and the Chief Financial Officer is still on suspension.
Mafikeng Local Municipality developed and implemented a service delivery quick-wins programme which included refuse removal, street lights, patching of potholes projects and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipal area (NMMDM) pledged R15m for the programme.
The municipality has revised its budget and introduced strict financial controls to save on operational expenditure. Revenue collection and debt recovery is improving [government, residents, and business).
Revenue collection rate increased after efforts were put in place in line with the financial recovery plan. The collection rate of 72% was used based on the actual collection to date. A total revenue of R407.1 million was generated. This amount was reduced by providing for an amount of R65.9 million for the possible non-payment rate of 28%.
The disciplinary case of the suspended Municipal Manager has been concluded and disciplinary action is being instituted against some managers implicated in alleged fraud and corruption. LLF revived and engagements with labour unions have improved.
Honourable Speaker, the department engaged the services of Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and progress registered in terms of section 106 investigationsis as follows:
Thirty one (31) service provider contracts in the four priority municipalities which are, Madibeng Local Municipality, Mafikeng Local Municipality, Ventersdorp Local Municipality, and Greater Taung Local Municipality were reviewed and it was discovered that in some instances payments were made for work not done. It was discovered that majority of officials were conducting business with the employer.As a recovery mechanism, an acknowledgement of debt was signed by seven (7) officials and one service provider.
Arrests were made with respect to criminal charges in two municipalities. We have further discovered more than ten [10] ghost workers in one municipality
The department in partnership with Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Department of Education have successfully coordinated and monitored artisan programme of FET learners deployed to various municipalities. To date 16 learners have qualified as artisans, 6 as fitters and 11 as electricians, these beneficiaries have all passed their trade tests and are awaiting municipalities to absorb/employ them. It is imperative for municipalities to be responsive to the needs of communities and to eliminate the current backlog that exists in local municipalities; the department has contributed to the qualification of these artisans.
The total Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) allocations for 2010/11 was R989 881 000, 10% more than the preceding financial year. Out of this approximately 51% of the total allocation was spent on improving infrastructure as well as eradicating service delivery backlogs.
The department is given an allocation by Provincial Finance Department which is transferred to Water Services Authorities (WSA) for the eradication of water and sanitation backlogs at local level.The department through the grant has been allocated R50 million per year for the 2010/13 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period.
The total budget allocated for the 2010/11 financial year to the seven priority WSAs was R50m and to date 100% has beentransferred by to WSA`s and 59% of the total allocation has been spend.
The disaster risk management unit managed to successfully implement the disaster management and fire operations during the FIFA World Cup during June 2010.
During the past financial year, three (3) municipalities i.e. Naledi, Ramotshere Moiloa and Ditsobotla local municipalities were assisted with fire engines to be able to respond to emergency incidents. The department through the provincial disaster management assisted local municipalities affected by recent floods together with sector departments with food parcels, relief funding, blankets, shelter equipments amongst others.
Honourable Speaker, we also undertake to continue assisting affected communities and will also assist districts as well as local municipalities in their disaster management plans.
2.2. An efficient, effective and development oriented public service (outcome 12)
An empowered, responsive and modern state characterised by effectiveness and efficiency is not utopian as other people would argue.Rather it is achievable given a visionary leadership and will.
It is therefore, our view that in building and consolidating the capacity of the state machinery to be responsive, effective, efficient and developmental in orientation, we need to firstly critically look at the administrative component of the state machinery.
To this end we are on course in re-evaluating and re-examining our administrative machinery guided of course by outcome 12.Outcome 12 in the main envisages An efficient, effective and development oriented public service and an empowered, fair and inclusive citizen.
Consistent with the specific output in this regard and the State of the Province address clearly articulated by the Honourable Premier, we are planning to achieve the following:
Finance
The department like all other institutions is open to the risk of corruption especially around procurement. In order to mitigate this risk, the following has been done and will be implemented in the current financial year:-
- Reconstitution and strengthening of our supply chain structures to minimise the occurrence of fraud
- The development of a fully staffed internal control unit which will ensure the strengthening of our internal control environment
- The appointment of risk and fraud prevention committees which will constantly monitor and review the implementation of risk and fraud prevention mechanisms in the department.
One of the major challenges faced by the department over the past financial years has been the dwindling budget allocation. This is limiting our ability to effectively support municipalities and traditional authorities. As part of ensuring an effective utilisation of our limited budget, we have developed and implemented a Procurement Plan system. This system is meant to address among others:
- Early planning of spending which will also assist in budget reprioritisation during the year
- Ensure timeous payment of creditors through forward planning of procurement
- Provide early warning of any potential under/over-spending.
These mechanisms will also go a long way in improving our financial management and contributing towards the clean audit project of which the department is at the forefront.
Human resource utilisation and capacity development
2010/2011 achievements
The department took part in the nationally-initiated HR Connect Project. This is a skills audit project which will enable the department to have and maintain an organisational and individual skills gap database. Such information will assist the development of an accurate workplace skills plan, informed by the strategic objectives of the department.
As part of the development of staff, over and above job-related training, the department has awarded bursaries to 73 employees and 35 of its auxiliary staff are undergoing Adult Based Education and Training (ABET) classes.
Due to inefficient implementation of the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS), which resulted in overpayment of the incentives, the PMDS implementation process has been reviewed and structured committees led by management have been established. As a result the assessments and resultant incentives are aligned to departmental performance and within allocated 1.5% of personnel budget. All performance reviews of 2009/2010 performance cycle forfive hundred and seven (507) employees were moderated with the total cost of performance incentives which amount to R1, 941 496.48 out of allocated budget of R2, 330 000, 00. The department is currently preparing for assessments for 2010/2011 performance year. Almost all 718 staff members have entered into Performance Agreements for the year and are awaiting assessments payable with the 2011/2012 personnel budget.
2011/12 plan
To ensure all employees of the department have similar access to the training budget, each Directorate is allocated 1% of its personnel which will cover work related training. Budget is also set aside for training identified as compulsory for all employees due to legislative mandates e.g. Occupational health, HIV and AIDS and Induction for new public servants.
20 interns will be appointed and afforded exposure to the working environment and will be placed in all the directorates within the department including corporate services and core business.
Performance agreements will be entered into and approved by 31 May 2011, submitted with relevant and management-approved Performance Development plans (PDP).
The outcome based approach envisages a much more systematic and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation as a mechanism for improving efficiency, effectiveness and accountability not only on external bodies or by stakeholders but on managers themselves.
In the main this involves and focuses on the outcomes by identifying indicators for outputs.To this end Honourable Speaker we can confidently report that we have started developing monitoring and evaluation systems for both external and internal (within department) management of reports on performance
Financial administration and supply chain management
Re amogela mafoko a a nonotshang a ga Tonakgolo fa a re bomasepala ba na le dikgwetlo tse di rileng mme a di se dire gore re seka ra bona tse di ntle tse di dirwang ke Makhanselara bao ba tshepagalang mme ba dira ka natla.
We indeed in partnership with the provincial Department of Finance to fulfill our mandate of assisting and monitoring the performance of municipalities with the objectives of improving and sustaining the services that municipalities deliver, as reminded by the Honourable Premier.
We are determined to work with all other stakeholders to prioritise the shortage of water in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Ngaka Modiri Molema and areas around Haartebeespoort dam, as a short and long term solution announced by the MEC for Finance.
According to the Provincial Budget Speech 2011 the Honourable MEC for Finance (Mme Lerato Louisa Mabe) said, I quote, Consequently, as a provincial government we will strengthen our working relationship with the private sector, communities, labour and Dikgosi as we continue to change the lives of our people.This department finds it difficult to strengthen our relationship with Dikgosi when our budget for infrastructure, i.e. the building of tribal offices has been cut by R2,500 million, R2,130 million and R2, 214 in the final budget allocations of the MTEF budget for 2011/12 to 2013/14.
This is further exacerbated by the fact that on 2 March, Exco agreed on the 0,3 percent budget cut amounting to R949,000 in this department.
We fully agree with the MEC for Finance that we should reprioritise our spending to redirect funds from non-core items to core priorities of local governance and development and planning in the municipalities as we generate additional funding from non-core items.
Our transfer payments and subsidies to municipalities and traditionalauthorities is not assisting us to increase our support to these entities as it remains the same year in and year out.
The department will check and verify during the tender process as to whether companies bidding for tenders have disclosed the identity of all directors and whether any of the directors are government officials or tax complaint. This is in accordance with the budget speech by the Minister of Finance.
The honorable Minister further announced increases on households with piped water from 28 percent to 75 percent; flush or chemical sanitation from 18 percent to 37 percent; electricity from 20 percent to 75 percent; human settlement upgrading and municipal services increased by R4.9 billion over the MTEF period. We hope that provinces will benefit from such increases so that they could further better the lives of their communities. The two new grants to provinces and municipalities as proposed under Minister Sicelo Shiceka's oversight to respond more rapidly to disaster is highly appreciated.
Part 3:
Honourable Speaker, for the department to ensure responsive, accountable, effective and efficient local government system of which the intention is to restore confidence of our people in the local sphere of local government as the primary expression of developmental state by 2011 and beyond. The department will compile service delivery assessment reports in 24 municipalities and consolidate the state of local government report on a quarterly basis focusing on Tswaing Municipal Turnaround Strategy (MTAS) and Outcome 9, key ways of achieving this vision are by:
Output 1: Implement a differentiated approach to municipal financing and support
- Simplified and credible third generation IDPs for smaller municipalities and revenue enhancement plan
- Simplified SDBIPS
- Spatial planning and land use management
- Review of the MIG policy
- Municipal budgets
In accordance to Municipal Systems Act of 2000, it is a legislative requirement that each municipality must develop and implement an Integrated Development Plan (IDP). To this end the department is planning to support all municipalities with the development of credible third generation IDPs.
In addition, 24 municipal council will be monitored and supported regarding its functionality.
Honarable speaker, 21 municipalities will be supported regarding municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) spending, ensuring 100% MIG project registration and commitments. In addition, 12 reports regarding Provincial Infrastructure Grants (PIG) will be produced. The IDT is currently finalizing municipal specific support plans.
Output 2: Access to basic services
In addition we will continue to support municipalities to provide households with access to basic level of sanitation, electricity, water and refuse removal . This financial year 4 district municipalities will be supported to review their integrated waste management plans and 6 local municipalities will be supported to develop their integrated waste management plans.
In addition to the provision of basic services above, the department will facilitate the provision of free basic services such as water to 323 600 households and electricity to 145784 households.
Towards a responsive local government, the department has developed indigent policy framework. Subsequent to this, the municipalities have developed their own indigent policies. It is on the basis of these policies that municipalities continue to register qualifying households. The challenge that remains is the continous review of the policy and updating the indigent registers. The implementation of this intervention indicates government commitment to accelerate the programme of reducing the scourge of poverty in our communities.
Honourable Speaker, you recall that the purpose of the community development workers (CDWs) programme amongst others is to identify community needs and facilitate access to government wide services and programmes. The interviews are already held and appointments will be made soon in employing supervisors at each district and coordinators at municipal level, that is, 295 CDWs will be deployed in municipalities throughout the province. This initiative should also be seen as enhancing our monitoring and evaluation capacity.
Furthermore, CDW programme has envisaged to conduct a service delivery audit with a view of establishing service delivery status quo in the province, to conduct and compile 240 household profiles and conduct an impact assessment report on the effectiveness of the CDW programme.
Output 3: Implement community works programme
The department in support of output 3 of outcome 9 in support of January 8 statement, State of the Nation Address, will implement clean communities projects in order to create jobs and enhance community participation. The projects will be implemented in the following municipalities: Kgetlheng Revier, Lekwa-Teemane, Moretele, Ventersdorp, Tswaing and Rustensburg.
Through this initiative 1200 people shall be provided with job opportunities. This initiative shall focus on providing waste management, operations, and maintenance focusing on cleaning of storm water culverts and drainages, grass cutting and trimming of trees along the streets, cemeteries, parks and recycling. The programme will support unemployed youth and reduce poverty levels in the province.
Output 4: Action supportive to human settlement
Honorable Speaker, this financial year we have set out priorities to focus on strengthening our disaster risk management capacity, risk awareness, prevention, response and recovery. A provincial risk assessment will be undertaken to determine the risk profile of the province.We will recruit 160 young people at municipal level through disaster management cadets programme. This programme aim to assist with risk reduction, facilitate awareness, profiling disaster affected families and assist fire stations with emergency and rescue response.The municipalities of Ratlou and Madibeng will be supported with the establishment of mini satellite fire stations in high density and far reaching communities to improve response time and presence of fire services.
In terms of the Land Use bill in the province the department will facilitate the approval of the bill to assist 19 municipalities to extend land use schemes to the entire municipal boundary, facilitate development of spatial frameworks in municipalities that is aligned to the provincial spatial development framework, provincial growth and development strategy and growth path.
Output 5: Deepen democracy through refined ward committee model
Honorable Members, we will continue to coordinate the support of 350 ward committee establishment, post local government elections as well as to strengthen functionality of municipalities. The functionality would include among other things to develop the ward committee funding model. In addition we will continue to monitor and support the implementation of community based planning system in municipalities and complaints handling system. In addition 380 ward committees will be inducted and public participation guidelines will be developed post local government elections.
Whilst we continue our support to the current ward committee model we will implement the new refined ward committee model as soon as the framework is finalised at national level.
In order to ensure partnerships at local level and strengthen integrated planning, we will continue to insist on continuous interaction and working together between municipal councils and traditional councils. This is key towards forging strategic partnerships between structures of governance within our communities.
It is therefore against this background that the department is planning to provide comprehensive support to the institution of traditional leadership. During the opening of the House of Traditional Leadership on 9 April, the Honourable Premier announced the appointment of Mr Mofereka as Chairperson of the Commission on Traditional Disputes. Specifically, we are facilitating the establishment of the administrative capacity to support the work of the provincial committee on the commission of Traditional leadership disputes and claims, reconstitution of Traditional councils andconduct an audit of Dikgosana to ensure that senior traditional leaders as envisaged in section 57 of Systems Act participate in the affairs of the municipalities and accord them the right to be consulted on developmental programmes and projects undertaken by municipalities.
Output 6: Administrative and financial capability
Honorable Speaker, you will recall that, the department is entrusted with the mandate to monitor and support municipalities to deliver services. In this respect the department will support municipalities with the implementation of the following initiatives:
- Drafting and adoption of credible budgets for 2012/13 in 23 municipalities
- Compilation of general valuation rolls and supplementary valuations rolls in 19 municipalities
- Monitor the implementation of grant funding for 22 municipalities
- Monitor and support municipalities with revenue enhancement management programmes
- Support municipalities that are experiencing financial problems in terms of section 136 Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA)
- Financial recovery plans will be developed in Tswaing, Ventersdorp and Lekwa-Teemane
- 19 local municipalities will be monitored and supported with the review of rates polices and community participation process
The department will continue to coordinate Operation Clean Audit through the provincial steering committee. This committee is entrusted with the development of monitoring systems and necessary support mechanisms that will ensure the 2014 Operation Clean Audit objectives are realised.
The department will further support municipalities with the implementation and monitoring of the anti-corruption strategy.
Furthermore, 16 municipalities will be assisted to reestablish or improve the functionality of their local labour forums where they are lacking. The other municipalities will be assisted with the review of their organisational structures and to develop support plans to assist municipalities to accelerate filling of critical vacant posts.
For effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting it is critical that the function of Performance Management System is strengthened to ensure compliance in relation to the compilation of section 47 of MSA.
Output 7: Single window of coordination
We have established 4 district public participation forums within the spirit of intergovernmental relations framework towards ensuring mutual consultation on and coordination of policy, legislation and programmes to achieve a coherent government, effective provision of services, monitoring implementation of policy and legislation and realisation of national priorities.
In pursuit of Batho Pele Principles relating to transparency and information dissemination, we have published a proclamation for public information and participation with regard to the disestablishment of Kagisano and Molopo municipalities and the establishment of one municipality. This proclamation has been done with Section 12 Notice.
We have established MuniMEC (Forum for MECs and Mayors.) In order to:
- Provide administrative support to North West Premier's Coordination Council (NWPCC). (North West Provincial Coordinating Forum.)
- Coordination of Technical implementers forum, eg. CFO's forum, municipal managers forum and other relevant forums for the realisation of Intergovernmental relationsand service delivery matters.
Honourable Speaker, the department has been instrumental in coordinating responses for memorandums submitted during protests marches and by dissatisfied communities and concern groups. Issues relating to nepotism, maladministration and other sevice delivery maters like refuse removal, housing backlogs like in Ditsobotla and Maquassi Hills has been raised. To date we have engaged with concerned groups and protestors in affected municipalities and forged partnership between them, municipalities and the provincial government in addressing service delivery challenges.
Budget allocation
Allow me, Honourable Speaker, to now take this opportunity to present the budget allocation of the provincial Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs for 2011/12 financial year as a total of R317,085 million. The department was able to spend 89.4% during 2010/11 financial year. The unspent funds of R36, 559 million is part of R22,704 million allocated to this department as additional funds during the adjustment budget and the difference on the main budget.
Some of the balance for transfer and subsidies, buildings and fixed properties and transfers to tribal authorities has been committed and a request has been made to the provincial treasury department to roll these funds to 2011/12 financial year. Please note that the allocation of the budget to this department is always inadequate and the smallest as compared to other Provinces including the smallest province, Northern Cape.
Allocation per programme
|
Programme |
R' 000 |
% |
|
Programme 01:Administration |
54,648 |
17.23 |
|
Programme 02 : Local Governance |
87,587 |
27.62 |
|
Programme 03 : Development and Planning |
97,464 |
30.74 |
|
Programme 04 : Traditional Affairs |
77,386 |
24.41 |
|
Total |
317,085 |
Allocation per economic classification
|
Economic classification |
R' 000 |
% |
|
Compensation of employees |
193,729 |
61.10 |
|
Goods and Services |
30,208 |
9.53 |
|
Transfers and Subsidies |
84,257 |
26.57 |
|
Payment for Capital Assets |
8,891 |
2.80 |
|
Total |
317,085 |
100 |
Together we can build better communities.
Honourable Speaker, we remain indebted to those who have put us into office, we are their servants and we will accelerate the pace of service delivery to meet the increasing expectations of our people and in turn we appreciate their patience and understanding that together as one we can achieve more.
Let us join hands to better the lives of our people, jaaka Motswana a tle are: Nko ya kgomo mogala tshwara thata, e sere o utlwa sebodu wa kgaoga.
Therefore Honourable Speaker, as a collective, let us remind and encourage our communities to go out in numbers and exercise their democratic rights to go and vote. And it is through voting that we can together as South Africans determine our future and of our children. May 18 is the Local Government Elections, make it a pleasant day as it touches your life directly and elect councilors you know will deliver on your mandate and promises.
Let me thank my organisation (the ANC) and our honourable Premier for having expressed confidence in me by assigning me this mammoth task of bringing livelihood to our communities.
Lastly, Mmusa Kgotla, let me thank my family for having acceded to avail my services to the people and having came to terms with my continuous absence especially from my wife Lucia and my three children, Obakeng, Kgomotso and Tebogo. To Kgomotso you will understand when you grow up why you kept on complaining that I cannot be with yourselves even on weekends.
To live our traditions have to be topical, to be topical they must be used as part and parcel of our contemporary contentions and controversies. Taban lo liyong. (A Sudanese Poet.)
I thank you all.
