Madam Speaker
The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Honourable Dr. Zweli Mkhize
Members of the Provincial Executive Council
Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature
Amakhosi Asendlunkulu present
Mayors and Councillors of Municipalities
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen Members of the media
Citizens of KwaZulu-Natal
I rise to table the budget and policy speech for vote 11 in my capacity as the Executive Authority for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Madame Speaker, we deliver this policy speech just over a year since we were bestowed with the privilege to provide leadership to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. While one has always been a foot soldier of development, our first year in office has made us to appreciate even more the intensity of the task at hand.
For all the progress we have made, we are indebted to the Honourable Members of this House across the full political spectrum for their support. As we said in our maiden address to this House: “We can see as far as we can, simply because we stand on the shoulders of giants like you Honourable Members.”
Madame Speaker, we also present this budget before this esteemed House at the end of the month of March and the beginning of April, which are months that remind us of the dedication, sacrifice and loyalty to the people we serve.
The month of April, is the month in which we remember the unfortunate execution of our liberation hero Solomon Mahlangu, who died on 6 April 1979, following his capture and sentencing by apartheid’s dark forces for the crime of fighting for a free South Africa and for a better life for all the peoples of South Africa. When Solomon Mahlangu uttered the words “My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom”. None among us would have thought that one day we would proudly stand here making a presentation to honour the cause he and others paid the ultimate sacrifice for – a better life for all. We stand here to pursue the ideals that Solomon Mahlangu and many heroes and heroines safeguarded with their dear lives.
In the memory of these heroes and heroines we urge all of us to view and use the local government space not as a space for petty politicking but a space earned through the sacrifice to improve the livelihoods of our people. It is not about which party leads which municipality, it is about our collective contribution in finding solutions to the challenges of today. As we did during the struggle we need to wage yet another united front in improving the conditions of all our people.
Madame Speaker, as we were preparing for this address we listened carefully to the marching orders by His Excellency the President and the Honourable Premier during the State of the Nation and Province Addresses respectively.
The President said, “Our goal is clear. We want to have a country where millions more South Africans have decent employment opportunities, which has a modern infrastructure and a vibrant economy and where the quality of life is high. We all have a responsibility to work hard to make this a reality.”
The Premier, in response to the Presidential directive, implored all of us during his state of the Province Address to ensure that “KwaZulu-Natal works together to move South Africa forward”.
At the recent launch of its Local Government Election Manifesto, the ruling party which I represent in these chambers called on us to “Work Together to Build Better Communities”.
We believe that creating local governance systems and structures that are effective, efficient, responsive and developmental holds the key towards the realisation of the vision of making 2011, a year of meaningful job creation and a year to move KwaZulu-Natal forward in order to take South Africa forward.
Madame Speaker, all the efforts to create jobs and to take KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa forward find practical expression in municipalities. Clearly, therefore, the sphere of local government has a direct bearing on the prosperity and development of our country. For the 2011/12 financial year, issues of capacity building, support for local government, transformation and good governance will continue to constitute the apex of our priorities.
2011 local government landscape
Madame Speaker, we present this budget speech during a historic year in the calendar of our country and our department in particular. Three key events are going to shape the local government and traditional affairs environment in the coming financial year.
- We are preparing to hold elections for the most important sphere of government. This is a sphere of government whose mere existence goes to the heart of our collective endeavour: the drive to deepen the process of democratisation and to ensure a better life for all.
- This is also a year in which we will witness the consolidation of democracy within the institution of traditional leaders through the holding of traditional council elections.
- Also, this year will see the deepening of the concept of public participation through the holding of ward committee elections.
Madam Speaker, the beginning of the third era of democratic local government presents us with an opportunity to do things differently to ensure faster change in our communities. Our approach for the coming term will be focused on the new way of doing things.
This will entail:
- Ensuring that councillors effectively serve the communities and are accountable to the communities they serve
- Ensuring that the voice of the community is heard more in the governance of municipalities through the strengthening of ward committees
- Ensuring that the IDPs are going to be the visions of communities and will align plans of all spheres of government
- Strengthening cooperation between the spheres of government
- Intensifying our campaigns against corruption
- Professionalisation of local government by ensuring that competent people with requisite skills are employed
- Professionalise municipalities by ensuring that no officials occupy political positions so that they can focus more on service delivery
- No persons with bad records including (criminal, maladministration and corruption) will be employed in municipalities
- Strong monitoring and evaluation of service delivery
This, Madam Speaker, is an exciting year, a year that marks the entrenchment of our democratic system and puts to the test the extent of the physical expression of our democratic practice.
As we stand before this House, Madam Speaker, we are witnessing yet another change-over moment in this on-going relay race of our struggle towards a non-sexist, non-racial, democratic and prosperous South Africa. This change-over, therefore, marks a milestone that all of us must celebrate but at the same time, this period of continuity and change, should re-invigorate us to do even better than those who are handing over the baton in this relay race of the emancipation of all of our people. For those who have run their laps, we say well done. To those who are waiting to run this race after the elections and beyond, we want to bid you a warm welcome, commending your courage in availing yourselves to serve our people. This is a privilege you should cherish for, through your efforts, we will accelerate our efforts to build a KwaZulu-Natal fit for all her people.
Coincidentally, this year of continuity and change also marks 40 years of visionary leadership by His Majesty the King. We say Bayede! Hlanga Lomhlabathi, may you continue to be an embodiement of our way of life. We have no doubt in our minds that when history is recorded your name will be etched as a leader who played a pivotal role in transporting our province out of the abyss and place it on a pedestal of hope on which it rests today. Ume njalo Hlanga Lwamakhosi!.
Reflections on the decade of democratic local government
Madam Speaker, when we established the new system of local government ten years ago, we knew that we were climbing a steep path. Despite the pitfalls, detours and dead-ends encountered along the way, we are proud because we stand before this hallowed House today on a threshold of ushering a new future for local government.
For those of us who were moulded in the trenches of local government, it is times like these that bring a sense of emotional reflection as we look back at the challenges that we have conquered while mindful of further mountains we still have to climb. One of the universal facts of life is that “a life well lived is a life lived in service to others”.
Joining us today and seated in the gallery this afternoon are some of our pathfinders of our democratic system of local government. They include mayors and councillors. Sitting alongside them are the Traditional Leaders led by the Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal House of Traditional Leaders, Inkosi Bhengu who have played a critical role in shaping the discourse of Local Government. Some of the Mayors have been of service to Local Government for ten years and constitutionally have finished the end of their terms. They include Mayor Obed Mlaba, Mayor JP Khoza, Mayor Nolwazi Shusha, Mayor Fikile Madlopha-Mthethwa. These are the servants of our people who have brought to reality the dream of a government closer to its people and they did it against all odds.
Through the efforts of these women and men, there is, today, tangible evidence that the lives of our communities are better than what they were a decade ago. More people have gained access to energy. Electricity is no longer a preserve for the rich but a vital and necessary ingredient for development of all. Access to safe drinking water, decent roads, housing are no longer a measure of a person status or privilege, but basic needs accessed by the majority of our people.
We are therefore please to report that over the last term of local government:
- 368 334 households received water connections
- 138 797 households received sanitation facilities
- 150 855 households received electricity connections
- This means that we have in the outgoing term of local government increased access to water from 70% to 85%. Sanitation from 74% to 79% and electricity from 71% to 77%.
In paying tribute to this generation of councillors represented by these Mayors today I borrow from a poem titled “you did it”, by Rita J Henins.
“You deserve to be credited for defying the opinions and expectations of many people around you. When they said it couldn’t be done, you would not hear. You set your goals on something that only you seemed to see, and you refused to back down until your
dream was realised. The course you chose was difficult and demanding. I saw you in the middle of situations that required both courage and sacrifice in order to achieve greater end. The scars you’ve earned are really a mark of a true hero. Your struggle has been an inspiration to me. Thank you for showing those around you never to let go”
Madame Speaker, I say this fully cognisant of the fact that the decade of local government achievements has made the road to be much more challenging than it was a decade ago.
We therefore present this budget fully aware of the responsibility to make the coming term of local government that will be ushered on the 18 May 2011 an era of “consolidation and advancement of the struggle for a better life for all”.
The centre can hold
Madam Speaker, we present this budget amid interesting times in the sphere of local government. The internal functions in certain political formations have tested the fundamentals of our democratic local government institutions and we stand here proud to report that they have passed the test. For the last six months we have had to ensure that internal party infightings do not disrupt the functioning of our municipalities and compromise service delivery. There are a few incidents where Municipal Managers have been threatened with their lives for either declaring or not declaring the vacancies and we have had to provide protection to those Municipal Managers. A few others decided to abandon their responsibilities as public servants and chose to perform their duties in a partisan manner. Civil servants must leave politics to the politicians and understand that they are servants of all the people.
2010/11 performance
The year 2010/11 has indeed been an action packed year for our department. We understood that municipalities are not only the heartbeat of service delivery but a catalyst for change, development and prosperity. We have through an array of initiatives refocused our municipalities to key issues of basic service delivery.
Municipal audit outcomes
As the Honourable Premier indicated before this House during the State of the Province Address, we have grown the number of municipalities with unqualified audit opinions to 54 out of the 61 municipalities that we have in the province. We have reduced the disclaimed audit opinion from 9 to only 1 in the year under review. Only 1 municipality received qualified audit compared to 8 in the previous financial year. We are now at a stage when we have to start registering clean audits without emphasis of matters.
Turnaround strategy
Following a comprehensive assessment of all 61 municipalities that was undertaken, all 61 municipalities were assisted to develop their individual turn around strategies which have been incorporated into each municipality’s IDP. Municipalities under provincial administration (Indaka, Ukhahlamba, Msunduzi, Mhlabuyalingana).
Madam Speaker, we are happy to report that the four municipalities that were placed under administration in the previous financial year have returned into stability and are ready to join the assault against poverty and underdevelopment. They have paid most of their outstanding creditors of the previous year’s including the current creditors and remain with a positive cash balance in the bank. They have all resumed with their service delivery programmes such as housing, electricity, revenue enhancement, water etc.
We are confident that the councillors that will take over after the 18 May elections will inherit municipalities that are institutionally viable and ready for dedicated combat against poverty and underdevelopment.
We are grateful to the good work done by our administrators, Messrs Bamba Ndwandwe, Johan Mettler, Sibusiso Sithole, Bruce Sutcliffe, and Martin Sithole. We want to urge those who will inherit these municipalities not to drop the baton but to continue with the good race that has been run until they finish their lap.
Fighting fraud and corruption
We are intensifying our measures to prevent fraud and corruption. On the issue of councillors doing private business with municipalities, the Municipal Systems Act as amended in 2008 is very clear that no councillors should do businesses with any municipality. As the department, we are going to ensure that the enforcement of relevant legislation in this regard is enhanced. Furthermore, Section 2 of the code of conduct on councillors’ obligations does provide for immediate sanctioning, including dismissals, against councillors implicated in acts of malpractice in municipalities. We are also looking strongly at the procurement systems in municipalities which we regard as a breeding ground for corruption. We are investigating whether there is not a need for a procurement shared services centre. We believe municipalities get short changed easily by suppliers as they get charged varying and highly inflated prices for similar services. These actions constitute a significant part of our new way of doing things to bring about faster change in our people’s lives.
Madam Speaker, we have recently commissioned forensic investigations in the Ethekwini, uThukela, uMzimkhulu, Mandeni and Umkhanyakude municipalities following serious allegations of wrong doing. We have always maintained that, in intervening in municipalities, we are guided by nothing else other than ensuring that all our municipalities fulfil their mandate. At different times, we have been accused of being driven by party political imperatives in intervening in certain municipalities. Our intervention in uMsunduzi and our investigations in eThekwini, Mandeni, and uMzimkhulu, for example, should put that unfounded notion to rest because we have proven, through our actions that we favour no political party when the lives of our people and our Constitution are at stake.
In this regard, we want to commend the African National Congress in eThekwini for insisting that we institute an investigation when allegations of wrong doing were made against the municipality. It is our hope that other parties will take a leaf out the ANC’s book in this regard. In the same breath, we want to emphasise that we are not going to carry out investigations or intervene in municipalities when there are no compelling facts to engender such action. Indeed, investigations are an expensive exercise and we do not want to spend resources meant for growth and development on a wild goose chase just to satisfy certain frivolous requests.
I must emphasise Honourable members that we expect good governance in all municipalities regardless of which political party is in power. We have no compromise, no fear nor favour on this principle. At this point I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the support we have receive from all political parties as we engaged in the efforts to rid our municipalities of the evils of fraud, corruption and maladministration. We look forward to your continuing and unwavering support in the coming era of democratic local government.
I must say, Madam Speaker, that although our constitution provides for national and provincial government interventions in crisis situations in municipalities, we are firmly of the view that interventions tend to produce a reversal of the original intent, they tend to undermine the integrity of the sphere they are meant to help. We prefer a pro-active approach which prevents interventions than to make interventions. In this new era we want to see less or no interventions at all. We want to give support and more support. Political parties must support us and exercise strong oversight over administrators.
Corridor development
Madam Speaker, to date, a total of 660 direct jobs have been created through the implementation of corridor development projects using the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) principles. Priority programmes in this regard include the agri-processing initiatives to feed into the Dube Trade Port, the Wine Project, Makhathini Value Add Facility, Margate Airport which has as a result of our support been issued with a CAT 7 licence
Small town rehabilitation
In the 2010/11 financial year, the following 8 towns have received support and implementation of projects has recently commenced: Mtubatuba, Mbazwana, Hlabisa, Ezinqoleni, Winterton, Nquthu, Utrecht and Maphumulo.
Through this programme, we are certain to generate many jobs across the province.
Soccer world cup and social cohesion
All sporting sites earmarked as a legacy infrastructure for the World Cup were completed on time and were handed over to the respective municipalities. All these facilities were indeed utilised during the world cup as either training base camps or PVA sites. We are proud to announce that all these facilities have secured local teams that will continue to utilise these facilities as training grounds thus guaranteeing their sustainability.
Imizi yeZizwe
The department has thus far constructed a total of 15 Imizi yeZizwe as part of efforts to restore the dignity of ubukhosi. Four more Imizi Yezizwe will be constructed in the 2011/12 financial year.
Installation of amakhosi
Support was provided to the His Majesty the King in the performance of his duties to install Amakhosi. Three Amakhosi were installed in the year under review and we anticipate that a further four amakhosi are to be installed in the budget being tabled today.
Support for the institution of traditional leadership
The department is implementing a basket of support initiatives to enable traditional leaders and the institution in its entirety to perform its functions. We are acquiring the tools of trade which includes computers, cell phones, cars and offices for the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson of the Provincial House. We have developed a Leadership Programme for Amakhosi that has been Quality Assured by the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Twenty Two Amakhosi have commenced with their studies in 2011. During the year under review, the stipend of traditional
Council Secretaries was increased from R600 per month to R1 200 per month. Further to that we have introduced a training programme for traditional council secretaries. We will also continue to engage the national public service commission to facilitate support for amakhosi with their medical aid and pension benefits.
Thusong Service Centres
In the outgoing financial year Thusong Service Centres were completed in Indaka, Jozini, Maphumulo, Highflats and Belgrade.
Traditional Administrative Centres (TAC)
Two TACs have been completed at KwaGumbi and KwaMhlongo traditional communities. We also plan to complete another 6 in the coming months at KwaNtshangase, Inadi, Dube Mpembeni, Madlebe, Mpukunyoni and Isibonelo Esihle Traditional Councils. The rehabilitation of the 42 TACs are at implementation phase and efforts are been made to fast track these projects.
Outlook for the 2011/12 financial year
Supporting the IEC for free and fair elections
Madam Speaker, we have alluded to the fact that the hosting of the Local Government elections will be a key event that will have a catalytic effect on the activities of the department for the better part of this financial year.
As the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, we have a special interest in the Local Government Elections for they speak volumes about the legitimacy of our sphere of local government. They are a barometer which we use to measure whether a municipality enjoys the support of their communities. Voter turn-out in our local government elections in the past has exhibited tendencies which are particularly worrying: In the year 2006 we experienced a lower-than-average voter turn-out.
What makes it a little disconcerting is the fact that this stood in stark contrast to the high voter turn-out we have seen in the provincial and national elections. For this particular reason, we have embarked on a huge voter mobilisation campaigns during the two registration phases in February and March 2011. Already we have seen the positive impact of our collective mobilisation programmes.
The IEC is reporting historic numbers for us and for the first time the voters roll in our province crossed the 4 million mark. The total number of new voters registered is standing at 4,6 million and our province is the leader. We will now embark on programmes to translate the enthusiasm expressed during registration periods into a massive turn-out on voting day. We will support programmes of the IEC to encourage people to vote, including conducting our own roadshows to enhance the understanding of the importance of participating in the election. We have a historic obligation to do so because the right to vote was earned through blood and sweat of many liberation fighters.
Infrastructure for elections
Our department is chairing an Interdepartmental Committee on Election Infrastructure, which aims at facilitating with other departments and other relevant stakeholders. The mandate of this committee is to provide support to the IEC with the infrastructure they need to conduct free and fair elections. This committee is working to ensure that all facilities are ready and conducive for the IEC to do its work. We are happy to report that as we stand before you Honourable Members, it’s all systems go!
We want violent-free elections and all parties must act swiftly against any of their members who are found violating the electoral code of conduct.
Election Day
Madam Speaker, on Election Day the department’s senior officials will be deployed to the IEC’s Results Centre in Durban to support the IEC where possible.
Post-election environment (municipalities to work from day one)
The department has developed a generic proforma agenda together with a toolkit for the first meeting of councils. The toolkit will include copies of all local government legislation together with a booklet entitled “All a councillor needs to know” and copies of departmental manuals.
After the declaration of results, departmental officials will:
- Attend the first meetings of all councils
- Supervise and record the election of the Mayor, Speaker, EXCO and Portfolio Committees
- Observe and record the election of locals to district by IEC.
Councillor induction training and councillor orientation training
Immediately after the election, KWANALOGA/ South African Local Government Association (SALGA) will conduct Councillor Induction Training which is an overview of local government matters. Thereafter from August to December 2011, the department will conduct Councillor Orientation Training. I must emphasise that this training will be based on the new way of doing things as alluded to earlier on.
Traditional council elections
Honourable Members, another exciting project that we will undertake shortly after the Local Government Elections, will be that of the election of new members of Traditional Councils. The term of the current serving members has expired. As per statutory requirements fresh elections must be conducted. Members will recall that the legislation prescribes that each Inkosi as the Chairperson of the Traditional Council has a right to nominate and appoint 60% of the members of the TC. The remaining 40%, of which 30% must be women and the remainder being the youth must be elected by each traditional community through the ballot. The IEC has agreed to once again render its support to the department and conduct these elections in a free and fair manner. We are already commencing with awareness campaigns and education programmes to communities.
Ward committee elections
We will be supporting the new municipal councils when they embark on the programme to elect new ward committees in all the 826 wards in the province. As part of the new way of doing things, ward committees will be representative of all the key active sectors in communities such as School Governing Bodies, Community Policing Forums, Religious formations, etc. Levels of education, skills and expertise; and access to resources, including computers and internet connections will form part of our new models of ward committees.
Service delivery coordination (single window, electricity islands, water and energy summits)
The Premier instructed us to speedily address the challenge of schools without water and sanitation. He directed us to address the problem of electricity islands and support efforts to develop agriculture and ensure food security.
Madame Speaker, we have heeded the Honourable Premier’s call and we will spare neither strength nor courage to ensure that the vision articulated by the Premier is realised.
Honourable Speaker, in response to the Premier’s orders we have identified the Premier’s Coordinating Forum as our single window of coordination.
All the IDP’s and Budgets which the new councils will review after they are elected will have to incorporate the five key priorities of government. This will help us to speedily address the developmental challenges identified by the Honourable Premier such as electricity islands, schools without water, sanitation and electricity. Things can no longer continue as if it is business as usual. We need to deliver in a coordinated and integrated manner.
Yes Honourable Premier, we support your call that those municipal leaders and officials including those from Eskom who are alleged to have deliberately deprived some of our communities of essential services such as electricity for political reasons must be exposed and be weeded-out of our government systems. We condemn this dastardly deed in the strongest possible terms; we believe it’s an act of heartless individuals. It is a serious violation of Human Rights, Discrimination and injustice of the worst order that must be nipped in the bud. This in our view is the major development scandal of the post-apartheid South Africa. We have learnt that this continues to be perpetuated in some quarters. What is even more concerning Honourable Members, is that it is now costing this government more to electrify the islands than it would have been had it not been for the acts of these careless characters. Our view is that we need a commission of inquiry into this developmental scandal.
Water and electricity
Working with the Department of Water Affairs, we are leading investigations into various models to rationalise the entities that are responsible for water in the province. We believe this process will assist us in expediting the expansion of infrastructure into new areas and may bring some benefit on the economies of scale.
As part of the resolutions from the water and energy summit our department will chair the provincial political and technical water and sanitation forum, which will comprise of representatives from key departments such as Water Affairs, Energy, Economic Development, and Agriculture. The same will be done for electricity by establishing a Sustainable Energy Forum. Most of our Electricity backlogs are in uMkhanyakude, uMzinyathi and Sisonke. We will where possible explore short term measures as I said, such as the use of solar power. We are vigorously exploring measures to provide alternative energy particularly for the non-grid communities.
Agrarian reform and food security
Honourable Speaker, we are pleased to report that many amakhosi in the province have heeded His Majesty’s and the Premier’s call to reserve land that can be utilized for agricultural development and food security. We have engaged with the Ingonyama Trust on the matter and this is a key agenda item for all the houses of traditional leaders. My Colleague, Honourable Johnson has already engaged with amakhosi about the utilisation of this land. We will continue to support and ensure that eventually all amakhosi have land set aside for farming that will ensure food security for the community.
Key priorities for 2011/12
One fresh produce market per municipality
In response to the Premier’s call we are going to support municipalities in ensuring the establishment of at least one market per municipality. These markets are intended to support and encourage local producers and therefore to promote food security, as well as export potential for fresh produce.
Creating decent work
Madame Speaker, our starting point in giving meaning to the notion of job creation priority as outlined by the President and the Premier, will be to ensure that all budgeted vacant posts in the department and municipalities are filled. We have already commenced advertising and we will ensure that suitably skilled and qualified people are employed so that we can quicken the tempo of service delivery. We will endeavour to ensure that all the critical section 57 posts in municipalities are filled immediately when the new councils take over.
Jobs to be created by COGTA in 2011
Through our array of initiatives we are going to create the following number of jobs. 250 employment opportunities will be created under corridor development, 200 under the small town programme, 754 in the construction of TACs, 95 through the Thusong Service Centres, 5000 under the Community Works Programme in 2011/12 financial year. In total we will create 6 350 jobs.
Community Works Programme
An exciting new development in 2011 will be the rolling out of the nationally driven Community Works Programme (CWP), which is aimed at providing access to a minimum level of regular work on an on-going and predictable basis for those who need it. In practice, it offers 2 days of work per week (or the monthly equivalent), providing 100 days of work spread throughout the year, to destitute families where there is no one employed. The CWP is designed as an employment safety net, not an employment solution for participants and it provides a baseline in terms of income security and economic access and participation. We will endeavour to support the implementation of the CWP in at least 2 wards in 28 municipalities during this year, which should create over 28000 job opportunities in the life cycle of the programme.
Turnaround strategy
When the new municipalities are ushered in they will find Municipal Turnaround Strategies ready. Thirty-six priority municipalities will continue to receive hands-on support in the implementation of their MTAS. As part of the MTAS, a strong focus will be placed on enhancing good governance especially the oversight role of councillors.
Massification programme
As the department we have set aside over R90 million under our massification programme to augment the capacity of municipalities to deliver water to our communities. This budget caters for the refurbishment of schemes, reticulation and for identifying new sources of water. Rain harvesting as per the summit resolutions will be considered as one of the key feature of this projects in the current term. We have already launched this programme in Winterton, Matimatolo and we will be rolling it out to all the municipalities in the coming months. This is an intervention to support district municipality functions as there are constraints both financially and technically with some of these municipalities.
Municipal infrastructure
The department will continue to provide support for infrastructure development, particularly in implementation of the MIG programme and focussed on the achievement of service delivery targets. The MIG is the primary vehicle to achieve backlog eradication targets. The 2011/12 allocation is R2,6 billion. 30 500 households are targeted for water and 27 500 for sanitation. 23 municipalities have been identified for intensive technical support in implementing their MIG funded programmes. Our province continues to be a leader on the MIG expenditure. For the year under review we are projecting 98% expenditure on the MIG grant.
Umzimkhulu Special Projects Conditional Grant
There are 4 newly identified community water schemes which are currently being implemented - Rauka, Santombe, Vierkant and Paninkukhu. These will be completed in the 2011/12 financial year. Additionally, the completion of bulk infrastructure to the housing projects is envisaged.
Disaster preparedness and prevention
In recent months we have experience nature in its most violent form. We were ravaged by drought, then floods and fatal lightning strikes. To date disasters have claimed over 96 lives and a total of over R1.3 billion is required to rehabilitate infrastructure damaged particularly by the recent floods. The number of households affected is over 6 300 and over 23 000 were victims of this disaster. These incidents have brought home the reality of the impact and effects of climate change on the most vulnerable communities. The provincial government has opened a Disaster Relief Account with ABSA where all the donations will be deposited for ease of accountability. (The account number is 4077227748).
Our focus will increase more towards disaster preparedness and prevention as opposed to disaster management. We are undertaking aggressive awareness campaigns on the do’s and don’ts during emergency situations such as thunderstorms, floods, fires and lightning. We have decided to call this campaign “Phepha, Be Disaster Wise Campaign”. Our message is very clear - Disasters do happen! Be prepared!
The volunteer recruitment programme will be rolled out in the province and a database of potential helpers will be developed per district. We plan to conduct seasonal comprehensive awareness campaigns to targeted communities that are prone and vulnerable to disasters as part of the risk management plans. The Department of Education will be consulted in the execution of some of the risk mitigation strategies through the use of children as the medium of communication. We plan to introduce disaster prevention and management as an extra-mural lesson for school going children. We will be engaging the Department of Education for further advice on this matter.
COP 17 conference
We look forward to the COP 17 with more than just keen interest owing to the obvious fact that it is our department that deals with the cataclysmic effects of climate change such as the ever increasing floods, drought and lightning disasters. We have no doubt in our minds that the conference will assist in enhancing our preparedness in an attempt to mitigate occurrences similar to the recent disasters in Japan. Critical to the provincial situation is that KwaZulu-Natal has the largest coastal strip and the Japan incident must be viewed in the context of the impact it could have on the economy of the province and country.
We want to take advantage of this world gathering to benefit from international expertise, potential donor funding and mitigating technology and early warning systems. We see COP 17 as a conference that will leave a legacy and contribute to the safety of our people.
Corridor development
This programme contributes to the objectives of the New Growth Path. An additional allocation of R140 000 000 has been made available for the coming financial year to implement the Corridor development programme. The six priority corridors are Ethekwini/Mhlathuze Corridor, Ethekwini/uMgeni Corridor, P700 Corridor from uMhlathuze to uLundi, Lubombo/SDI Corridor, Battlefields Corridor – through uMsinga, St Faiths/Ixopo Corridor.
Small town rehabilitation
The department will continue to support the 15 small towns such as Harding, Bergville and Winterton, Manguzi, Ixopo, Nquthu, Msinga to mention but few. An amount to the tune of R94 million has been set aside for the Small Town Rehabilitation projects in this financial year.
Announcements
Provincial Growth And Development Summit
In the 2011/12 Financial Year, a provincial growth and development summit will be held in partnership with the Department of Economic Development to enhance Local Economic Development initiatives. The aim will be to get newly elected councillors to understand the economic development dynamics of their municipalities.
Land disputes
Land disputes between the communities remain a challenge. They are creating instability among the communities and hamper the development such providing housing, schools, health facilities and infrastructure such as access roads, water pipelines electricity and other services to the communities. The department is doing its outmost best to facilitate the resolution of these disputes.
Local Government and Traditional Leadership Summit
As part of efforts to strengthen synergistic partnerships between amakhosi and the new councillors in municipalities, we will convene the Local Government and Traditional Leadership summit, with a view of enhancing working relations between local government and traditional leaders. One of the issues we will bring for deliberations during the summit is the participation of traditional leaders in municipal councils in terms of section 81, of the Municipal Structures Act. We have been approached by many amakhosi who want to make use of this window of opportunity provided in the legislation so that they make their mark in the development of our people.
Traditional land administration
Madame Speaker, traditional communities are owners of 3.3 million Ha of land. To give effect to the provincial priorities the department will be facilitating the granting of leases for the building of schools, crèches, health facilities, commercial developments and other developments aimed at uplifting the lives of the rural communities.
Assessment of the state of traditional governance in KwaZulu-Natal
Honourable Speaker; in the quest to ensure that as government we properly support the institution of traditional leadership the province has teamed up with the national Department of Traditional Affairs to conduct an assessment of the state of traditional governance similar to the one that was conducted to all municipalities throughout the country that culminated into a turnaround strategy to municipality. This is part of the government effort to ensure a meaningful contribution by Amakhosi to service delivery and development and to ensure that the institution is properly supported. We will advise the house on progress on this front.
Conclusion
We approach the coming term of local government with renewed hope and a high degree of optimism. We have ridden the waves and although the sea billows rolled and buffeted our local government ship, we have weathered the storm. We have not yet found calmer waters but the worst has passed. We must now mend our sails, set our compass and conquer the high seas.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the outgoing Head of Department Mr Frikkie Brooks for his energy and dedication in leading the department during the year under review. We will be announcing the appointment of a new Head of Department, as well as a new team of dedicated managers in due course. I also want to thank my family for their continuing support and the party of choice, the ANC, for bestowing me with this responsibility.
Now I wish to move the budget for Vote 11, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
The 2011/12 budget
| Programme | 2011/2012 R’000 |
| 1. Administration | 179,999 |
| 2. Local Governance | 262,099 |
| 3. Development and Planning | 327,046 |
| 4. Traditional and Institutional Management | 160,214 |
| 5. Urban and Rural Development | 158,568 |
| 6. Systems and Institutional Development | 50,363 |
| Total | 1,138,289 |
| Economic classification | 2011/2012 R’000 |
| Current Payments | 1,102,238 |
| Compensation of Employees | 406,299 |
| Goods and Services | 695,939 |
| Transfers and Subsidies | 18,566 |
| Payments for Capital Assets | 17,485 |
| Total | 1,138,289 |
I thank you!
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Department Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Province
