Theme: Facilitating social infrastructure that promotes economic growth and development, accelerated service delivery, job creation and poverty alleviation.
Honourable Speaker
Honourable Premier of Gauteng
Colleagues in the Executive Council
Honourable members of the Provincial legislature
Distinguished guests
Members of the Fourth Estate
Ladies and gentlemen
In a few days time, nine days to be exact, the whole country, and indeed the whole world, will not only be celebrating Madiba’s birthday, but will be honouring this revolutionary giant and father of our democratic South Africa through a variety of charitable activities.
This is the man who shared with us invaluable values. He taught us resilience; patience, humility, peace, reconciliation, unity, but most importantly, he taught us to have a resolve.
When he said “never, never and never again”, during his inauguration speech in 1994, he was reflecting on the position of the displaced and disadvantaged; that we shall never, and must never again allow anyone to trample upon our rights and dignity. In doing so, we must never trample on the rights and dignity of others.
It is from such inspiration that all of us will, on Mandela Day, be going out to do good to restore human dignity in the best possible way we can by offering a helping hand to improve the living conditions and welfare of our fellow citizens.
The focus of our activities will continue to contribute to change the living conditions of our people. We are inspired to continue to deliver the benefits of political freedom to the people of Gauteng through creating avenues for them to access economic freedom. This our people want to see happening in our lifetime.
Let me take this opportunity to send my well-wishes to Madiba as he approaches his 93rd birthday. May he receive divine strength to see this day and many more to come.
In celebrating Nelson Mandela, we also pay tribute to both the late Mama Albertina Sisulu and Kader Asmal for their sterling role and lifelong dedication to the realisation of a truly united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic South Africa.
Their contributions in bringing a people-based social order re-affirms our collective beliefs in the principles and values which they and their generation championed over the many years of protracted struggle. The very same principles and values that they taught us, underpins the very letter and spirit of the social contract between the people of Gauteng and the government of their choice.
Honourable Speaker, the recent Local Government elections have reaffirmed the confidence of our people and in Gauteng and the country in the democratic institutions of country. After seventeen years of democracy, they still have confidence and trust in the democracy they fought for. They have given the ANC led government the mandate to continue delivering on the fruits of their hard earned struggle. These outcomes confirm that our people are united in calling for an accelerated delivery of much needed services.
The Department of Infrastructure Development is strategically placed to facilitate the achievement of the (Gauteng Provincial Government) GPG goals that focus on quality education and healthcare, unemployment, poverty, skills training and development, access to quality service delivery, fraud and corruption as the current areas of focus.
As a new department, Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) is designed to help define and reposition the portfolio of socio-economic infrastructure in the social growth and development agenda of the province. This fact presents communication and stakeholder management opportunities in ensuring service delivery and reimaging the work of government, particularly of our department.
To this end, the department is currently embarking on a cross-cutting reputation management programme aimed addressing reputation challenges in our value chain of work, including programme performance and governance. It is envisaged that this reputation management programme will also assist in highlighting milestones of DID which are uncelebrated.
Part of managing our reputation includes ensuring that the department fully and timeously accounts to the Provincial Legislature for all its work, including the provision of reports as well as responses to questions raised by honourable members.
We have, and continue to hold various meetings with the CEOs of all public institutions serviced by the Department of Infrastructure Development (DID), such as hospitals, in order to ascertain their challenges and to develop more responsive mechanisms for better service delivery and infrastructure maintenance at these public service points. We believe that this will help unlock the systemic challenges and also eradicate backlogs.
The socio-economic context of our province is characterised by an economy that continues to create opportunities for new investments in the economic nodes of Gauteng on the one hand, but on the other hand by a rapidly increasing demand on the capacity of the province to respond to service delivery needs and the missed opportunity to tap into the unlimited potential of our various communities.
Gauteng remains the heartbeat of our country’s economy as a gateway to regional and international investments. The Provincial Government contributed great strides to becoming the lead investor and important partner in unlocking the social and economic potential of both the province and the country.
Despite this unemployment and urban poverty remain a challenge for many people in our province, yet Gauteng remains the heartbeat of our county’s economy. In order to succeed in tackling these challenges, the outlay of socioeconomic infrastructure will play a pivotal role.
We believe that socio-economic infrastructure is the very lifeblood of a people and the means which enables communities not only to reach higher levels of growth and development, but to also build an integrated social safety network.
Our mandate as the Department of Infrastructure Development places us in a position in which we become not just the custodians of public infrastructure in Gauteng, but also the chief social agent for job creation and skills development in GPG, as we work tirelessly to bring the services closer to the people.
The department has placed particular emphasis on improving stakeholder relations capabilities and programmes, in order to make it possible for communities to monitor service delivery. Furthermore, concrete steps have been taken to build local capacity in an attempt to encourage ownership of government programmes by communities.
Honourable Speaker,
As we reach the mid-term mark in the political term of office, we have observed a significant shift in the manner in which government is doing things. There is now a strong leaning towards an outcomes based performance and as such the department is fully committed to this approach and has ensured that its strategies and plans are synergised accordingly.
The Department of Infrastructure Development is central to the attainment of GPG’s service delivery goals in that it also supports other line departments in the achievement of their outcomes. The commitment by the department towards the implementation of the Outcomes-Based approach is to the extent that we have developed outcomes-based plans that demonstrate how we as a department, while focussing on the core of our mandate as DID, we effectively contribute to each one of the 8 provincial outcomes.
Honourable Speaker,
Public accountability and transparency in the prudent use of public funds is one of the focus areas for DID in the 2011/12 financial year. This is of particular importance in view of the Auditor General’s findings regarding the challenges in control systems in the department in the previous financial year.
Tightening of procedures and policies in Supply Chain Management in order to ensure strict adherence to the prescripts and regulations of the Public Finance Management Act, in the management of public resources and assets is but one of the measures we have implemented.
We have been allocated an amount of R1.3 billion in the 2011/12 financial year, this is in addition to the approximate R4 billion annual infrastructure investment portfolio that the DID manages on behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG).
In order to ensure focussed service delivery, the department has adopted 4 Strategic Outcomes Orientated Goals which are:
- To improve the technical and administrative capacity of the department towards an efficient, effective and development-oriented public service and an empowered, fair and inclusive citizenship.
- To expand and maintain public infrastructure to keep abreast of the growing demand thereof and to promote socio-economic development of the province and in the process redress economic disparities.
- To manage the provincial property portfolio for the optimum benefit of all citizens with emphasis on maximising access, utilisation and value and
- To implement and coordinate Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in a manner that enhances skills development and optimises decent employment and entrepreneurship.
Honourable Speaker,
Our programmes for the year are guided by the injunction of the State of the Nation Address by President Jacob Zuma, and the directives by Premier Mokonyane in her State of the Province Address. In both presentations, 2011/12 has been identified as a year of Job Creation through small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) development, Infrastructure Development, the EPWP and the focus on outcomes rather than specific programmes. In this regard, the department has put in place robust plans to ensure that these outcomes are realised.
Administratively, we have been allocated R438 million for compensation of employees. This will ensure that we enhance the capacity specifically related to project management and other skills required for improved service delivery within the province.
The department initiated and completed the head-count exercise to verify DID employees. This was aimed at ensuring that there are no ghost workers in the public service who unduly consume much needed public funds through ghost salaries. Further to this, a decision was taken to freeze salaries attached to unverified posts in enforcing zero tolerance on fraud and corruption.
In dealing with the high vacancy rate, the department took a decision to identify and advertise all critical posts. Of the 542 posts that were advertised in November 2010, 492 interviews were conducted and recommendations processed. This process has seen 251 departmental contract workers and 68 permanent employees being recommended for appointment in those positions.
The departmental reconfiguration process is on schedule. Through this process, the Departmental Change Management Project Team (DCMPT) has been meeting with organised labour as per Performance-Based Service Contracting (PBSC) Resolution No.1 of 2010 and has achieved the following:
- A high level structure has been endorsed
- Matching and placing in progress and
- Change Agents have been appointed and trained
- 22 departmental policies have been approved during the financial year 2010/11.
As an Executive Authority, I would like to express my gratitude to the cooperative role that was played by organized labour in the DCMPT process and the approval of the Departmental policies.
Honourable members, as of this year, to obviate part of the obstacles to service delivery, the department has committed to paying contractors within 21 days of receipt of relevant documentation, the verification of the quality and quantity of supplies and services. To this effect, the department has employed the requisite human resource capacity, particularly at senior management level.
Regarding skills development, for the financial year 2011/2012, the department will address attendant shortages by implementing the following projects:
- The department will continue to develop artisans and the planned new intake is 200 artisans.
- 100 Bursaries will be awarded to students to pursue careers in the scarce and critical skills fields.
- The department is planning on registering 40 learners on Learnership programs.
- Internships will be awarded to 50 graduates in order for them to gain practical workplace experience.
- The department has planned to enrol 40 Adults on the Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) program.
The department will also continue to provide training programs for its staff and unemployed youth in line with its annual Workplace Skills Plan (WSP). These training programs are linked to the Strategic Goals of the department as well as the Personal Development Plans of the employees.
On property management, amongst others, an amount of R270 million has been allocated for the payment of rates and taxes to municipalities.
We are accelerating the implementation of market-related rentals, as well as prevention of vandalism of state owned residential and commercial properties. Revenue collection from provincial property transactions will be expedited.
This year, DID will, in total, register and verify 1000 provincial properties in the asset register and submit 550 property vesting applications to the Provincial State Land Disposal Committee (PSLDC).
Given the challenges around sub-letting, illegal tenancy and incorrect tenant information on state-owned properties, the department has established two teams to inspect and verify the hijacked and vandalised properties in Gauteng. The teams are presently conducting inspection and door to door verification in the West Rand, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane regions. The teams began this task in May 2011 and have thus far inspected and verified 186 properties and reports are being compiled.
The department is taking firm steps to address these challenges during 2011/12, including the commitment of a budget for the maintenance of residential properties, the establishment of partnerships with private sector estate agents with a view to refer tenants to alternative and affordable available accommodation.
The department submits that, in cases where eviction of illegal occupants of state owned properties is the only option, the department will still adhere to the provisions and prescripts of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction Act.
Honourable Speaker,
R283.5 million has been allocated for infrastructure related projects of which R133.2 million has been allocated to acquire new infrastructure assets such as lifts and generators in some of the Precinct buildings.
We are pleased to report that the construction of the Germiston 300 Bed Hospital is now complete. I am also proud to announce that the work on both the new Natalspruit and Zola hospitals will be completed in the 2011/12 financial year.
The following schools will be completed in the 2011/12 financial year: Sikhulisile Primary School in Metsweding; Diepsloot Primary School in Johannesburg: Sakhisizwe Secondary School in Sedibeng; and Winnie Mandela Primary School in Ekurhuleni.
During 2010/11 financial year, the department has also completed 13 Education projects which included new schools as well as refurbishment of existing schools. The department also refurbished eight incontinence clinics for Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) facilities. The department also completed the Upgrade of Sinaba Stadium, and HM Pitje Stadium.
The planning for the construction of 14 new schools will also commence in this financial year and our teams are already at work on this worthy task.
For the 2011/12 financial year, 164 infrastructure projects will be completed on time and within budget; with the project portfolio consisting of works on behalf the departments of Health and Social Development, Department of Education, the Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Roads and Transport.
Of the 164 projects, a total of 100 projects are EPWP compliant.
Honourable Speaker, in order to sustain the state of public infrastructure, improve accessibility and keep equipment in a functional state, the department will use the R105.3 million has been allocated for maintaining and upgrading existing assets to focus on the maintenance of 549 statutory maintenance projects during 2011/12.
DID has developed a multidisciplinary model and approach. Through this model, each region or municipality is provided with a universal technical team whose composite skills base enables us to respond promptly to the majority of maintenance queries and challenges.
The department’s maintenance plan also entails an annual assessment and financial cost plan which is conducted on all DID Serviced institutions, looking on the best approach to preserve the old and the new buildings.
It also includes the development of work methods and plans for the preservation of facilities through evaluation of various alternative investment options, based on the budget made available by client departments.
This maintenance plan provides a detailed account of physical assets assessments and is called a Green Book. The types of maintenance services that we provide include statutory, condition based, preventative, minor works, day to day and, unplanned maintenance.
Ourselves and the Department of Health have entered into an agreement to fast-track the delivery of hospital infrastructure, maintenance and monitoring thereof.
Honourable Speaker,
R207 million has been allocated to the EPWP programme and projects such as the National Youth Services are funded by this programme.
Our commitment to contribute to the overall national EPWP job creation tally is on course. A total of 122 940 job opportunities that will be created through EPWP in Gauteng are projected for the 2011/12 financial year.
The EPWP youth complement of beneficiaries is 59,714. The total number of women participants is 34,144 and, the People Living with Disabilities make up a total of 1,208 participants.
These jobs will be created across 880 projects and spread over a total of 7,700 employment days or a Full-Time-Equivalent of 230 work days. This includes a CETA accredited training and skills development complement of 7,890 trainees across the projects.
We are also glad to announce that our department has just successfully launched a programme known as the ‘One Job per Needy Household per 100 Days Programme’, so that our government may help improve the quality of life of the residents of our province. This initiative will commence with a flagship chapter in the West Rand District Municipality, after which it will be extended to other Gauteng communities. Its main object is to help create one job for each indentified needy household per 100 days. This programme further extends the GPG social safety network in the fight against poverty.
Our department and the GPG fully believe in the potential of the youth of our province as well as the unlimited contribution that the young people can make to the growth and development of Gauteng. Working hand in hand with local government and the communities, we will succeed.
The DID, its sister departments and municipalities, are enlisting 4, 000 young people under the auspices of the National Youth Service and providing them with short-term employment and skills development opportunities through placement in various sections within the public service in Gauteng. This ensures that they gain the necessary entry level skills and experience to enable them to better access the job market. The NYS Programme takes place side by side with the ‘One Job per Needy Household per 100 Days Programme’.
Government also appreciates the extent of the need for technical skills in the economy, in general, and in the sectors relevant to the area of work serviced by DID, in particular.
In this regard, the department is implementing the Artisan Technical Training and Development Programme (ATT&DP) with a mandate to recruit, train and place 500 Artisans at Further Education and Training institutions for training purposes, and work place exposure within the public and private sector so as to enable the ATT&DP graduates to access job opportunities. The department also liaises with these sectorsfor possible commitment to absorb the participants as they exit the programme.
The ATT&DP has engaged the following training intervention strategies, inter alia, Electrical, Boiler Making, Welding & Fitting and Turning; Motor mechanic; Plumbing, Lift operators, Brick Laying, Painting and Carpentry.
For 2011/12 the planned intake includes 50 Internal Staff training on the Accelerated Artisan Training Programme (AATP); 150 trainees on Continuation for Advance AATP (NCV L4, N4-N6, S3-S4); 150 other trainees under the Section 28 cohort; 100 new intakes in the N3/ Matric cohort; and, lastly, 50 Learnerships in the grade 8-9, N2 cohort.
Honourable Speaker, the department is also involved in the Boipatong Memorial and Youth Centre, a project initiated to commemorate the Boipatong massacre and to also create a youth centre at which young people will be given various life skills. The funding for the memorial and youth centre is provided by Gautrain, as part of their social responsibility programme. The Department of Infrastructure Development is funding the professional skill needed to complete the project.
Project benefits to the community also entail 60 South African Military Veterans Association (SAMVA) members , who will receive training in brick-making and making of paving blocks which will be utilised by the Boipatong Memorial Project. The SAMVA veterans have been assisted in the formation of a co-operative which will facilitate their sustainability once the project is completed. Accredited training in construction skills will also be provided to all project participants and beneficiaries.
Regarding the intergovernmental aspect of EPWP, all municipalities are currently participating and reporting their EPWP statistics for the created work opportunities. Most of the Executive Mayors in the municipalities have recently signed the Protocol Agreement which indicates the targets to be achieved by the end of 2014. The Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development is also continuously providing support across all GPG departments and municipalities.
The Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development, as the overall coordinating department, will be hosting the EPWP Provincial Summit in November this year to consolidate an approach that will ensure that, together with all municipalities, the province achieves all its EPWP delivery agreements and targets.
Regarding assistance to emerging contractors, the 2011/12 financial year will also see the department implementing the Contractor Incubation Programme, with not less than a 100 previously disadvantaged emerging contractors.
These companies will be incubated from CIDB level 2 and will exit the programme after attaining CIDB level Four. And, of these 100 merging contractors, a proportion of 55% will be women-owned, 40% youth-owned and, 5% will be those owned by people with disabilities. The number of the intake will increase in subsequent years, thus ensuring that the designated groups play a meaningful role of the growth of the economy of Gauteng.
The department also achieved 100% ccompletion of the Lakeside Multi Purpose Community Centre (MPCC) in Sedibeng and 98% completion of the Tembisa Multi Purpose Community Centre (MPCC).
In addition, the department successfully implemented 17 Community Based projects, including the Lillian Ngoyi Market in Tshwane, the June 16 Youth Institute in Soweto, and the construction of seven new schools.
This summary of DID programmes, achievements and targeted outcomes reaffirms the seriousness with which our department regards the issue of the accelerated service delivery in our province. It also encapsulates our firm belief that, working side by side with the people of Gauteng, the government of our province can achieve even more than what has already been attained up to this point.
Honourable Speaker,
In the presenting of this Budget, I commit the Department of Infrastructure Development to a year of enhanced service, at an increased pace, towards the fulfilment of our mandate of implementing all the GPG CAPEX budget allocations. This will be coupled with small, medium and large scale infrastructure projects that are part of the broader GPG socioeconomic investment agenda.
The department and all its officials fully understand the importance of the role we play in delivering quality services to the residents of our province. We appreciate the need for a broad social partnership as a firm foundation for the success of government programmes in respective communities.
The Department of Infrastructure Development will deliver on the provision of quality public infrastructure to the people of Gauteng, thereby building a solid foundation for economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation through the facilitation of social infrastructure and immovable asset management.
Whilst we have put all these plans in place for the delivery of services to the people of Gauteng, we acknowledge that it is only through meaningful partnership with other stakeholders in the private sector and civil society that Government can achieve set goals.
Our partnership with the people of Gauteng is a guaranteed formula for success. We rely on their continued support and feedback each time we interact with them through our various platforms such as the imbizos. We value their input as they continue to shape and refine the mandate they have given to us.
I would like to express my gratitude to all the senior managers and staff of DID on how I have been received in the department. I have visited five of the seven regions of DID and what I have found is that whatever issues they raised is in pursuit of how we can better the people. To them I want to exalt with words from Maya Angelou,
“I got the key to the highway.
Booked down and I am bound to go.
I am going to leave here running
‘cause walking most too slow.”
In that quote we can replace “I” with “We”. This is what our people expect from us. Quality service delivery at a faster pace.
I would also like to thank the former acting Head of Department of DID and later Deputy Director-General (DDG) of Infrastructure, Mr Gilbert Martins for his service whilst with the department. We wish him well in his endeavors at the National department of Transport.
Lastly, I would like to thank the Head of Department (HOD), Ms Maggie Modipa for her administrative stewardship of the department.
I thank you.
