Address by MEC Makoma Makhurupeptje on the occasion of the Budget Vote 11 of the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs to the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, Lebowakgomo Legislative Chambers
Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker,
Honourable Premier Stanley Chupu Mathabatha,
Colleagues in the Executive Council,
Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Your Worship, Executive Mayors and Mayors of our municipalities,
The Leadership of SALGA in the Province,
Provincial Leadership of CONTRALESA,
Chairperson of Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders,
Members of the Housing Advisory Panel,
Members of Rental Housing Tribunal,
Our esteemed Majesties, Kings and Royal Highnesses present,
Leadership of the IEC and other Chapter Nine and Ten Institutions present,
Leaders of Opposition Parties,
The leadership of the Ruling Party, the African National Congress and Alliance Partners,
Stalwarts and Veterans of our struggle,
Leadership of various Religious Denominations,
Representatives of ESKOM, NHBRC and HAD,
Coghsta Staff led by the Acting Head of Department,
The Members of the Media,
Invited Guests and Stakeholders of the Departments,
Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning, Thobela, Avuxeni, Ndi matsheloni, Goeie more.
Madam speaker,
It is indeed an honour and privilege for me to present this budget vote 11 of the Department of Cooperative Governance Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs. As I present this budget today, I am reminded that, 22 years ago, a day from today, our struggle hero and one of the first crops of our Liberation Army and Leader of the Congress Movement, Cde Chris Hani was brutally killed at his house in Dawn Park- Gauteng, Boksburg.
Surely, this is a day I am convinced all of us in this country we will never forget. A day indeed plotted to provoke and plunge our country into a crisis and thereby reversing our move to a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic prosperous South Africa. Guided by the intelligence and wisdom of our glorious movement, the African National Congress, the opposite indeed happened.
His assassination, instead let to the resoluteness of the revolutionary movement to demand and forge ahead our agenda for the establishment and creation of non-racial, non-sexist and democratic government we enjoy today.
Madam Speaker,
Once again, I am also reminded that, 36 years ago during this month, the apartheid regime robbed the South African nation one of its gallant sons, Kalushi Solomon Mahlangu, who was inhumanly executed on the 06th of April 1979. Comrade Mahlangu was a cadre whom we at present acquire words of inspiration from.
It was during his execution that he uttered, and I quote: “My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom” closed quote. Mahlangu reiterated these words during a time whereby it was critical to continue with the struggle. We are now carrying a torch that will ensure better human settlements in honour of this fallen hero of the people.
Drawing from this quote by Mahlangu, I really feel honored, that his contribution to the struggle has never and will never be in vain.
We are on course, as government in pushing ahead with the solid foundation laid before us, to realize a South Africa where all live in harmony and peace. In the same breadth, Madam Speaker, it is in this regard that, this month has been declared” freedom Month” following our first and ever democratic elections held on April 27, 1994.Twenty one years in this democracy this year, we can still stand tall and say we are proud of our country, South Africa.
Madam Speaker,
As we celebrate our twenty one years in freedom and democracy, we continue to remind ourselves that, the freedom charter remains our base to gauge ourselves if we are still on course. In respect of the budget vote I present here today, the Freedom Charter expresses itself in unequivocal terms when it says “there shall be Houses, Security and Comfort”.
Sixty years of the existence of this freedom charter expression and twenty one years of its actualisation, we continue to find it even more relevant than ever. Credit should therefore go to those who laid this solid foundation for us to always can refer and judge ourselves from. This should remind us of the key leaders in the crafting of the freedom charter of the likes of Chief Albert Luthuli, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Ben Turok just to mention a few.
Madam Speaker,
This budget vote speech is presented to cover the services rendered by the department as categorized under three core programmes and one support programme in line with sector specific structures of the vote eleven (11); the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs.
Underpinning these programmes, is realization of Co-operative Governance and Support , Democratic Governance and Disaster Management, Municipal Infrastructure Development, Development Planning, Traditional Affairs, Housing Needs, Research and Planning, Housing Development, Implementation and Planning, Housing Asset Management and Property Management.
The three departmental core programmes and one support programme will cumulatively address the final allocation for 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period. The budget is distributed as follows: Administration (R287 million), Human Settlements (R1, 385 billion), Co-operative governance (R249 million) and Traditional Affairs (R349 million).
Programme 1 – Administration
Madam Speaker,
In August last year, when we presented our budget vote, we reported that we were in the process of filling vacant posts at senior management and operational levels of our organizational establishment. More worrying at the time, was that we had a high vacancy rate at senior management level which impacted negatively on the performance of the department.
This vacancy rate was as a result of expulsions following disciplinary cases and resignations of other senior managers. I am happy to announce that we have so far filled 81 vacant posts within our establishment, with 90% at senior management level filled.
We have as well got additional capacity of 3 Cuban Engineers to assist with the technical expertise in the human settlements. In our contribution to the job creation strategy, we are providing an opportunity to the unemployed graduates through internship programme. In this regard, we have appointed 120 interns who are being trained by the department from the 1st April 2015 to the 31st March 2016.
All this Madam Speaker is done in heeding to our call for building a capable state of which for us by now, is no longer an option but a prerequisite for a developmental state. It is incumbent upon the department to ensure that sufficient capacity exist to implement core priorities and programmes, hence we are recruiting high calibre professionals.
Madam Speaker,
We do this to maintain our commitment to clean bill of our department as confirmed by the Auditor General Audit findings of the 2013/14 financial year. We continue to pride ourselves that we are the only department with clean audit finding in the province.
We will therefore do all in our power to maintain this clean audit finding by amongst others maintaining a fair presentation and absence of significant misstatements in our financial statements, performance in respect of realizing our objectives and compliance with laws and regulations governing finances.
Programme 2 – Integrated Sustainable Human Settlements
Madam Speaker,
Building cohesive, sustainable and caring communities with improved access to work and other economic activities is a precursor for the development of integrated sustainable human settlements. Human settlements must be understood in the context of social development and radical economic transformation as well as meeting the objectives of rolling back the quagmire of underdevelopment.
Undoubtedly, our department is poised for development trajectory that reflects the steady progress in infrastructure investment. It is within this context that of the R1, 385 billion allocated to the programme, 92% (R1, 285 billion) is the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG). This is earmarked to fund the Human Settlements programmes as guided by Outcome 8 of Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF).
Outcome 8 Chapter states that “Our human settlements trajectory proposes that, ‘by 2050 visible results from effectively coordinated spatial planning systems shall have transformed human settlements in South Africa into equitable and efficient spaces with citizens living in close proximity to work with access to social facilities and necessary infrastructure’.
By 2030 we strive to achieve measurable progress towards breaking apartheid spatial patterns with significant advances made towards retrofitting existing settlements offering the majority of South Africans access to adequate housing, affordable services in better living environments, within a more equitable and functional residential property market”.
Our priorities as a department stems from the provincial objectives of the Limpopo Development Plan, as outlined by the Premier, Chupu Stanley Mathabatha during the State of the Province Address. The objectives will amongst others contribute towards building a developmental state, infrastructure development as well as ensuring integrated sustainable rural development and sustainable human settlements.
I can assure this august house Madam Speaker that, these objectives resonates from the National Development Plan which directs on the following actions to be taken:
- Respond systematically, to entrenched spatial patterns across all geographic scales that exacerbate social inequality and economic inefficiency
- Review housing policies to better realise constitutional housing rights, ensure that the delivery of housing is used to restructure towns and cities and strengthen the livelihood prospects of households
- Develop a more coherent and inclusive approach to land i.e. develop overarching principles for spatial development
- Revise the regulations and incentives for housing and land use management
- Radically revise the housing finance regime
- Build capabilities for transforming human settlements
- Develop bolder measures to develop sustainable human settlements.
All these Madam Speaker, will be done within the context of fulfilling the letter and spirit of our Constitution (Act 108 of 1996) which in Section 26 states that: ‘Everyone has the right to have access to adequate housing. The state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of this right’.
Madam Speaker,
Within this context, since 1994, the department managed to build and handed over 301 382 quality houses through the rural and urban housing programme. Over 1, 4 million people benefited from these housing units.
Madam Speaker, we have however experienced a decline in housing delivery from the previous two financial years as result of the withholding of the human settlements development grant and the subsequent housing pilot procurement project by the Section 100 intervention task team which could not yield the results on the appointment to contractors to build 10500 but only for 1500 in August 2014.
We might be aware by now that, following that situation, R 559.5 million in Limpopo meant for Human Settlements development has been re-allocated to other provinces. As the Premier has indicated during the State of the Address, we indeed regret this kind of a development and cannot allow a situation where funds meant for providing shelter to our people are lost in this fashion.
No amount of words and excuses can assist in explaining or changing this situation. We are however, delighted by the fact that the decision to have a human settlement procurement pilot project had since been reviewed and set aside. The Provincial Treasury allowed the Department to re-run the process for the allocation of the units.
This process was only concluded in October 2014 and yielded contractors to build 9000 units. To date, unlike in 2013/14, when the grant was withheld, the Department has committed the entire budget for the rural housing projects. By March 2015 over 1900 units were completed while others were at foundation, wall plate and roof level. All 20 contractors are on course to complete the houses within the contract period.
The department welcomes the announcement made by the Premier during his State of the Province Address of 2015 to establish a team comprised of COGHSTA, LEDA, Provincial Treasury and the team from the National Department of Human Settlements to deal with this challenge. The team will focus on the turnaround strategy to fastrack procurement process, enhancement and improvement of project management processes and accelerate project implementation.
As the Department, we commit ourselves to working closely with this team, to change the situation for the better. We will work tirelessly to ensure that the target set for 2014/2015 of 10500 houses & that of 8500 houses in 2015/2016 is realized.
Plans have been put together and we indeed hope not to fail in this commitment. We dare not fail in this commitment as our people cannot wait beyond now. In preparation for 2015/16; the Department has appointed all the Bid Committees for Human Settlements Programs to ensure that procurement process is concluded during the first quarter of this financial year.
As at the 1st April 2015 we have contractors on site, who are continuing with the 2014/15 projects and by the end of the first quarter we would have started with the 2015/16 projects. We will be moving with greater speed in ensuring a seamless process of roll-over contracts and at the same time making new appointments for the outer years based on our Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) targeted projects.
This Madam Speaker, will be done within the context of forward planning as one measure to address the challenges we experienced in the last two financial years.
In the year under review, we planned to reduce housing backlog by 8 565 units in addition to the 2014/15 financial year target of 10500 housing units as alluded to supra. In addition to this figure, we have planned to rectify 1500 housing units. These are the houses that were abandoned or found with poor workmanship by some of our contractors in the past.
The dignity of our people who find themselves in this predicament have to really be restored. In this regard, an amount of R1.5 million has been budgeted for further conducting forensic audit by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC).
Madam Speaker,
We don’t only build and give houses to our people. We as well ensure that these houses are enrolled with the NHBRC. For the purposes of this,R16 million has been budgeted for NHBRC Enrolment. We have as well; ring-fenced an amount of R34,million for disaster relief.
Madam Speaker,
We have planned to transfer 3,700 housing units to beneficiaries through our Enhanced Discount Benefit Scheme and Registration and Endorsement Programme. This figure, will be adding to the 21 543 housing units, which have already been transferred to the Beneficiaries. We have also planned to transfer 13 500 units over the MTEF period. An amount of R7, 2 million has been set aside for the purposes of these transfers.
Madam Speaker, the Seshego Community Residential Units Project is ready for official hand over to the deserving beneficiaries and the Polokwane Local Municipality. The project is poised to benefit 756 household and business people. This is a paradigm shift from the single sex hostel to family units which will assist in our social cohesion agenda. Construction of the Bendor extension 100 has commenced.
The project is set to yield 661 units to benefit mixed income beneficiaries, from low, middle and high income levels. Most important in this project is to get the gap market people being able to access shelter. These are the people who earn more to can qualify for low cost house and less to can qualify for finance from financial institutions like banks.
Madam Speaker,
Last year during our budget vote presentation, we reported that we were compiling a database of Military Veterans to benefit from our housing subsidy called housing assistance under the special programme.
I am happy to report that we have finalized this database and accordingly have budgeted for the roll-out of 175 of these housing units at the tune of R14,million this year. This allocation excludes co-funding from Department of Military Veterans. As we have said last year, in deed we continue to be convinced that housing units to military veterans of the struggle remains key and central.
We would like to thank the National Department of Human Settlements, Municipalities and the Department of Military Veterans for the cooperation displayed as we are implementing this programme in collaboration each other.
Madam Speaker,
Land acquisition especially in well located land is key in the implementation of our integrated sustainable human settlements agenda. Consistent with this strategy, to date we have acquired 663 Hectares of land for human settlement development. This year we will be purchasing 40 Hectares of land at R57 million.
This land will mainly be purchased from the mining towns of Greater Tubatse, Elias Motsoaledi, Lephalale, Thabazimbi and Musina. An amount of R13 million has also been budgeted for the servicing of 3 000 sites allocated to Informal Settlement Upgrading (ISU) projects in mining towns.
This, Madam Speaker, will require that funding be allocated to projects assessed in informal settlements which may not have bulk services particularly in the mining towns. An amount of R17 million is meant for the formalization of these informal settlements. This will be implemented in those projects that are ready, especially with council and community resolutions.
Madam Speaker,
The issue of level two accreditation of the Polokwane Local Municipality is long overdue. We would like to move with speed to ensure that this municipality is given more responsibility on the human settlements development in the province. In this regard, we have set aside R1, 5 Million for Level 2 preparation for Polokwane Local Municipality and level 1 capacity enhancement support for other municipalities that will be ready in the financial year.
Madam Speaker,
On the overall, we reiterate and re-commit ourselves to the target we set for ourselves last year of creating and making available 80 thousands housing opportunities by 2019. This, Madam Speaker, will be done in keeping ourselves in line with our comprehensive plan for development of sustainable human settlements known as the Breaking New Grounds (BNG) Policy.
The plan brings about a strategic shift from giving away houses to the creation of integrated and sustainable human settlements, thereby bringing the historically disadvantaged from rural areas into towns and cities for easy access to socio-economic benefits like jobs, education, health, sports, etc.
Madam Speaker,
In implementing these projects, over 5 000 job opportunities have been created in the current and running projects in the province. In the year under review, we have as well planned to create over 5 000 job opportunities. In addition to this, through our Community Works Programme, we will be creating 2000 job opportunities in this financial year.
This will bring the total number of job opportunities created to 23 000 since we have started with the Community Works Programme five years ago. Creation of these jobs will in deed go a long way in addressing some of the challenges brought about by poverty, inequality and unemployment.
We seize this opportunity to congratulate the newly appointed human settlements statutory bodies viz Limpopo Housing Tribunal led Mr Robert Mokgalabone and Housing Advisory Panel led by Professor Muxe Nkondo. The Limpopo Housing Tribunal is appointed to harmonise relationship between landlords and tenants and the Housing Advisory advises the department on viability of all housing development plans in the province for the next 3 years.
Madam Speaker,
Our department is committed to overcome all the obstacles hindering housing delivery by engaging constructively with all relevant stakeholders and philanthropists to develop and strengthen strategic partnership with all role players in Human Settlements delivery value chain.
Given the magnitude of the acute housing backlog we are experiencing, as government we have made it explicitly clear that it will be impossible for us to meet the needs of our people. We have to enter into sustainable partnership with other stakeholders if we are to mount a serious challenge against poverty and underdevelopment.
While the work is still huge, we should rejoice if we manage to provide anyone with decent shelter because what it means is that we have less family living in squalor. It is against this backdrop that we congratulate the following deserving families which are beneficiaries of the donated houses: Mrs Baloyi in Lepelle Nkumpi , Mrs Makgobatlou in Polokwane and Mrs Mohlabafase in Letaba municipality.
Just like Mandela said, “like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by actions of human being. And overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity, it is and act of justice.
Today we celebrate the spirit of ubuntu demonstrated by the following sponsors in pushing back the frontiers of poverty: C Hoxani Construction, HGM Steelboys cc, Rapitsi Bricks, Zohra Khan Developers, Somandla Trading and Mahlehle Equipment. We need more great people in our communities who can selflessly use their limited resources to improve other’s lives. I am convinced and believe that should we master this unselfish way of doing things, we will intensify our war against poverty and provide as many of our people with decent quality housing and other important services.
Programme 3 – Cooperative Governance
Madam Speaker,
The dynamic nature of our province requires us to comprehensively address the overwhelming needs and expectations of our people. Undoubtedly, the scarcity of water resources hamstrung developmental agenda of our province.
In the main Madam Speaker, the department recommit itself to the 10 high level development targets presented by the Premier during the State of the Province Address. Key amongst these development plans to the department is the following:
- Increased access to basic water from 83% in 2014 to 90% by 2020;
- Increased access to electricity from 83% in 2014 to 90% by 2020; and
- Increased access to sanitation from 43% in 2014 to 50% by 2020.
It is in this regard that we are delighted with some of the developments regarding provision of water in the province. Amongst some of the developments noted are the following:
Intervention by Department of Water and Sanitation in the Mopani District and the completion of work on the Water Treatment Plant:
- Work on repairs, refurbishments and extension within the 55 villages in and around Giyani to ensure sustainable supply;
- R954 million & R528 million provided through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and Municipal Water Infrastructure Grant (MWIG) for water services infrastructure;
Projects earmarked to be implemented through the RBIG are: - Giyani Bulk Water Supply,
- Mametja Sekororo Bulk Water,
- Nzhelele Valley Bulk Water,
- Mutash Hub (Musina),
- Polokwane Sewer Plant,
- Aganang Bulk Water,
- Mogalakwena Bulk Water,
- Moutse, Nebo, Mooihoek Bulk Water and Sekhukhune Regional Water Scheme (De Hoop Bulk Reticulation.
Work on the Valdezia to Mowkop (in Makhado) bulk pipeline has begun; this is one of the main projects lagging behind to supply water from Nandoni to Makhado, Sinthumule, Kutama and the Airforce base.
Madam Speaker, our municipalities in the province in the 2015/2016 financial year received an amount of R3, 2 billion provided through Municipal Infrastructure Grant to provide infrastructure for basic services to poor households. In an effort to address all blockages to access portable water the Premier has directed that we convene Provincial Water Summit.
I must report that, preparations for this summit are underway and is scheduled to take place in May 2015. The summit will deal with all water related challenges including where there is infrastructure but people cannot access water. Indeed water is life.
Madam Speaker,
The Provincial Government continue to ensure that many of our people have access to electricity. In collaboration of both municipalities and Eskom, we are accelerating the electrification programme to reach far flung areas which did not enjoy the fruits of our democratic dispensation. During the 2013/2014 financial year, Eskom has added about 40 495 new households to the grid.
That is in addition to the 10 712 connections by the municipalities across the province, bringing us to a total figure of 56 167 households with access to electricity. In this current year 2015/2016 financial year, municipalities and Eskom plan to electrify a further 56 167 households, with a split of 26000 and 31 167 connections respectively.
Madam Speaker,
As the Premier reported during the State of the Province Address, Eskom is expediting its programme of building the Medupi Power Station which is scheduled to add additional Megawatts to the grid starting from June 2015. We should all be pleased that the Medupi Unit 6 turbine commissioning has reached a critical milestone with its running at the optimum speed of 3,000 revolutions per minute.
This comes after the synchronization of unit 6 been delayed for more than six weeks after Eskom embarked on a cautious route to ensure that all systems were in place before synchronization of the unit. This milestone now paves the way for the synchronization of Medupi’s unit 6 and as the Minister of Public Enterprise has indicated in parliament, we expect it to take place within weeks. We are forever grateful that the project of Medupi size is located within our beautiful province and even more grateful of the number of economic and job opportunities it created.
Madam Speaker,
The Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, (SPLUMA) was signed into law by the President on 02 August 2013. The Act has repealed legislation that are:
- Development Facilitation Act, of 1995
- Physical Planning Act, of 1967
- Removal of Restrictions Act, of 1967
- Physical Planning Act, of 1991
- Less formal Township Establishment Act, of 1991.
The Regulation on the Act has been finalized and a tentative date for the implementation of the Act is set to be the 1st July 2015. The Action plan with key tasks to be undertaken by the Municipalities has been developed and coupled with the generic Modalities on Agreements for the Joint District Municipal Tribunal format.
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has also appointed a Service Provider to assist municipalities in the development of modalities regarding, by-laws; delegations; tariffs and the drafting to the Memorandum of Understanding in preparation for the implementation of the Act. Commitment from our Traditional Leaders and both the District and Local Municipalities is vital to move this process forward towards the implementation of this National Act.
Madam Speaker,
Local Government continue to be the most important and critical sphere of our government. As the coalface of service delivery, this sphere is critical in getting us to realize provision of services and a developmental state in general. Consistent with this, is to get this sphere to realise the objects of the establishment of Local Government Sphere as enshrined in the constitution of the Republic (Act 108 of 1996) which is:
- To provide democratic and accountable government for local communities
- To ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner
- To promote social and economic development
- To promote a safe and healthy environment
- To encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in the matters of local government.
Considering these noble objects, it becomes clear that we have moved a long way in getting this sphere of government to where it is today. The province and the country celebrate 15 years of achievement of this sphere of government.
Key amongst the highlights of local government and its historical activities are: the pre - local govt phase was the establishment local government structures; (Transitional local councils 1995 -2000); then it was followed by the establishment phase of Municipal boundary alignments and the democratically elected local government 2000 – 2006, consolidation phase from 2006 - 2011 whereby through project consolidate municipalities were assessed and there was an Introduction of the Local Government Turn Around Strategy as well as Local Government Strategic Agenda and we are now at sustainability phase where municipalities are expected to be viable and sustainable.
Madam Speaker,
I will not have done justice to this budget vote if I don’t address to both myself and this august house on the issues relating to the spending of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant in detail. An amount of R3 billion was allocated to the Municipal Infrastructure Grant in the current year, of our municipalities in the province.
As at end of February this year, R1, 068 billion (out of R3 billion) was spent (34.9%). I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Bela-Bela, Greater Giyani and Maruleng Local Municipalities for their good performance and spending of this grant. Performance of these Municipalities as at February 2015 was as follows: Greater Giyani 87%, BelaBela 82% and Maruleng 63%. In collaboration with Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA), we are putting up measures to assist municipalities with planning and implementation of projects. We are also intensifying and strengthening monitoring and support to all our municipalities.
Madam Speaker,
The achievement of “Clean Audit” has been of a particular concern and poor financial management as a factor for poor audit outcomes. Through our targeted and focused intervention there has been a remarkable progress on the audit outcomes of 2013/14.
We have managed to move from 9 disclaimers in 2012/13 financial year to 6, from 3 adverse opinions to 1, from 18 qualified to 11 and what was quite notable was moving from zero unqualified opinion to 12. We give accolades to the following municipalities which have raised bar in terms of audit opinion: Waterberg District, Mogalakwena, Bela-Bela, Lephalale, Makhado, Musina, Thulamela, Capricorn District, Blouberg, Sekhukhune District, Makhuduthamaga and Maruleng.
Although the picture is promising more efforts should be made to turn the situation around. We call upon all and sundry to establish system of financial management and internal control to ensure effective, efficient and economic use of resources and to prevent fruitless and wasteful expenditure. We congratulate all municipalities for heeding our call to establish oversight committees i.e. Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC).
We call upon our oversight committees to enhance their capabilities and ensure much tighter accountability with firm consequences where supply chain management processes are deliberately undermined. What it means therefore is for all of us to commit to effective, efficient and development oriented institution of local government.
Madam Speaker,
In order to obtain an in-depth understanding of the state of each municipality a classification assessment was conducted in collaboration with National Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. This assessment has assisted in determining the state of municipalities to inform direct interventions. The goal is to improve the functionality of municipalities to better serve communities by getting the basics right in this current term of government.
We have all of us agreed that, the implementation of the “Back to Basics” programme to improve the quality of services in all municipalities is non-negotiable. It is therefore goes without saying that, provision of basic services remains central and of outmost importance. In an endeavor to actualize this ground breaking approach, the province managed to launch “Back to Basics” programme.
The launch followed the national launch by the President of the country during the Presidential Local Government Summit last year. The campaign is about doing first things first. “Back to Basics” programme acknowledges that even though there is progress made on delivery of basic services, there is still much to be done to support, educate and enforce implementation of local government mandate.
The programme comes handy in amongst others identifying areas to focus on, as addressing the collapse in core municipal infrastructure services in some communities, ensuring adequate response to service delivery, bridging the social distance between public representatives and communities, conscious work to ensure the viability of certain municipality especially on collections of revenue, getting appropriate skilled personnel and fighting fraud and corruption.
Madam Speaker,
“Back to Basics” means, working tirelessly to ensure that municipalities provide water, electricity, parks, street lighting, refuse removal, repairing of potholes, dealing with frustrating interruption of services and the problems with billing systems. Changing strategic orientation is no mean-fit and requires leadership and political will. At the same time, we need collective efforts and unity of purpose and partnership in Local Government for the actualization of Back to Basics Programme.
It is in this context that the political management of municipalities has to change to a higher gear and be responsive to the needs of our communities. We desperately need a leadership with a vision to change and a caliber to implement a change programme. We need leadership that will inspire and organize for our common purpose for improving service to our people.
Our actions need to move from intent to generating impact on the ground. Our immediate task is to get our municipalities out of a dysfunctional state, support municipalities that are at minimum basic level of performance to a higher trajectory and continuously support and incentivize those that are performing well to stay there.
Our clarion call is that good governance is the heart of effective functioning of our municipalities. Measures will be taken to ensure that municipalities engage with their communities and that proper planning and maintenance of basic infrastructure is critical for sustaining basic standards of living and economic activities.
Madam Speaker,
The system of local government is maturing, but however we regret the unpalatable situation where some of our municipalities are unable to pay salaries of their employees. The affected municipalities should ensure that this gloomy situation does not repeat itself and we do not expect any municipality in our province to fail to pay their employees.
Collectively we have to double our efforts to improve accountability and governance. Needless to say, if local government fails, service delivery fails, and the Province fails. This is an important sphere of government and we must sharpen and deepen our understanding as we continue to tussle the challenges of compliance with prescripts and applicable pieces of legislations.
It is in this context the Provincial Executive Council (EXCO) has evoked section 139 in Ba-Phalaborwa and Mogalakwena Municipalities in order to assist them to comply with Municipal Property Rates Act. I am happy to report that Mogalakwena Local Municipality is beginning to show some significant improvements.
We have as well seconded senior officials in the following municipalities in order to stabilize and support municipalities to ensure that there is improved, effective and efficient service delivery: Mopani district, Vhembe district, Tubatse, Lepelle- Nkumpi, and Ephraim Mogale, Makhuduthamaga municipalities and Mogalakwena.
Madam Speaker,
We continue to commit ourselves to deepening democracy by encouraging active citizenry. I will therefore like to encourage all our Municipalities, Mayors, Ward Councillors, Ward Committees and Community Development Workers to take active part in our public participation and Imbizo programmes. Participation in this programmes, will go a long way in minimising the protest actions we experience daily in our communities.
As the 2016 local government elections is looming, cognisance should be taken that the Municipal Demarcation Board is consulting with key stakeholders on process of ward delimitations in different municipalities in the province.
Over and above, the Minister has intervened through section 22 of the municipal demarcations act to request the municipal demarcation board to relook at certain municipal boundaries in order to have more viable and sustainable municipalities in the province and reconfiguration of non-viable municipalities which are not sustainable. Final outer municipal boundaries will be announced before 2016 elections.
The Municipal Demarcations Board has issued a notice in terms of section 28 of the Municipal Demarcations Act to call the key leaders of community structures for the affected municipalities in different districts from the 14-21 April 2015, to partake in this epoch making development as it has far reaching implications in their livelihood. We anticipate that this cumbersome process might result in merging of some municipalities in an endeavour for optimisation of service delivery.
Programme 4 – Traditional Institutional Development
Madam Speaker,
As a caring and responsible government, we take the plight of our Traditional Leaders seriously. We therefore call on communities to do same, by supporting and give respect to this institution of Traditional Leadership. We must be united as we move forward in dealing with day to day challenges confronting our communities.
Collectively we have a responsibility to commit in word and deed to ensuring that our communities are getting proper services “Kgonthe thobela, tau tsa hloka seboka di shia ke nare e hlotsa. Seo se kgonthishisha gore monwana o tee ga o sware kgobe”.
Madam Speaker,
We say all this because Traditional Leaders continue to play an important role in the development of our communities. As a department and government as a whole, we will continue to support the development of this institution of governance. During the 2014/15 budget vote, we committed ourselves to dealing with the challenges faced by this institution.
Amongst some of the challenges we committed ourselves to address was recognition of Headmen/Headwomen, provision of office space and replacement of vehicles for traditional leaders. In keeping with our commitment, an amount of R349 million is allocated for Traditional Institutional Development programme.
In the province, we have 2111 headman and women of which 1480 were recognised before the previous financial year. Through the engagements with Provincial Treasury we are now in a process to ensure that the outstanding 631 are recognised and paid. To date the number of recognised Headmen/Headwomen has increased to 1509.
We have as well processed the outstanding arrear payments of our Headmen/Headwomen, adjusted their salaries and at the same time we are exploring all the available avenues to ensure that we address all challenges regarding tools of trade.
As directed by the Premier during the State of the Province Address we had several meetings with the executive committee of the provincial house of traditional leadership in the province and we are at an advance stage in dealing with the process of purchasing vehicles for the Traditional Leaders.
Madam Speaker,
Our province is inundated with teething problems of Traditional Leadership claims and disputes; hence the Kgatla Commission was established to adjudicate over these disputes. The Commission is on track in the resolutions of these cases; to date 508 cases were referred to the Commission since its establishment in 2012. By February this year, the commission had finalized 173 cases.
We have beefed up the commission by appointing two additional commissioners and added full time appointment in order to ensure that all cases are finalized with speed. We have as well allocated an amount of R11 million for Goods and Services to cater for the following: Kgatla Commission on resolving traditional leadership disputes, Traditional Leadership capacity building as well as operational costs relating to support to Traditional Councils.
As we are committing ourselves to doing all this Madam Speaker, we call on all to avoid as much as possible fights over traditional leadership. Sepedi sere “ ntlo lerole ga e tswale kgoshi”
Madam Speaker,
The 2015 Initiation School Season is around the corner. As the ANC led government, we are alive to crucial role played by our Traditional Leaders in ensuring that our province runs incident free initiation schools. A committee chaired by Hosi Chauke, the deputy chairperson of the provincial House of traditional leadership is responsible to run with this programme.
Preparations are at an advanced stage and a call is made to all interested to take part in the 2015 schools to apply. An appeal is made for all and sundry, to comply with the law governing this initiation schools. We will continue to work closely and tirelessly with the leadership of Traditional Leadership and the Department of Health to ensure protection of sacred and heritage culture.
Madam Speaker,
In conclusion, I take this opportunity to thank the Honourable Premier of our Province, Honourable Chupu Stan Mathabatha for his tireless support, motivation and for providing leadership to our work. My fellow colleagues, Members of the Executive Council for the spirit of collectivism in transforming the lives of our people. Honourable Members of this august house, legislature, particularly Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs. I single out Chairperson Mme Johannah Aphiri and members of the committee for their unwavering support and commitment on their oversight role.
Members of the Housing Advisory Panel and Rental Tribunal led by Professor Muxe Nkondo and Mr. Robert Mokgalabone, our esteemed Majesties, our Traditional Leaders, SALGA, Independent Electoral Commission and the NHBRC your support is always welcomed.
My deepest gratitude goes to the Acting Head of Department, Mr Gregory Makoko and his Executive Management for outstanding work and the entire staff of the department for their commitment and resilience for keeping this ship afloat. My family for always giving me the excellent support in the execution of my duties. Mahatma Gandhi notes,
“I offer you peace
I offer you love
I offer you friendship
I see your beauty
I hear your need
I feel your feelings
My wisdom flows from the highest source”
I salute that source in you. Let us work together for unity, love and sustainable development of our beloved country and its people.
Madam speaker,
I therefore table the 2015/16 budget for the department of Co-operative Governance, Human settlements and Traditional Affairs.
