Premier Kaobitsa Bushy Maape: North West Office of the Premier Prov Budget Vote 2023/24

Budget speech delivered by Premier Bushy Maape: North West Office of the Premier Budget Vote: 2023/24

Hon Speaker, Mme Basetsana Dantjie Hon Deputy Speaker, Lenah Miga Members of the Executive Council present Chief Whip of the Majority Party Chairpersons of Portfolio Committees Leaders of Opposition Parties
Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders Chairperson of SALGA North West
District Mayors
Executive Mayors & Mayors Director General
Provincial Heads of Departments Municipal Managers
Executive and Senior Managers in the Public Service Ladies & Gentlemen

Bagaetsho Dumelang

INTRODUCTION

Madam Speaker, the tabling of this budget takes place when there are dark clouds hanging over the country due to the deaths of over 20 people in both Gauteng and the Free State provinces following the outbreak of cholera.

We have moved with speed to activate our Provincial Disaster Management Centre to deploy personnel in areas of risk and to prepare stand-by alert capacity, to respond in cases of any detection or reporting of new cases in any part of the province.

I wish to take this opportunity, on behalf of the provincial government and the people of the North West, to convey our condolences to our sister Provincial Governments of Gauteng and the Free State, the bereaved families, friends, families of those who died as a result of this outbreak.

Hon Speaker, we hang our heads in shame for the humiliation and indignity suffered by our infants who were placed in boxes at the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital.

I wish to take this opportunity to send my unreserved apology to the mothers, their families and the people of the province for this insensitive deed. We can do better than this!

I have directed the MEC for Health not to rush into quick conclusions, but to conduct a comprehensive inquiry which shall not only determine who is to take responsibility, but most importantly to inform us of the steps we must take to prevent a repeat of the same or similar neglect of those who need service of hospitals.

STABILISING THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Hon Members, yesterday we announced the extraordinary intervention in the Department of Social Development, by placing the MEC, Honourable Ms Boitumelo Moiloa on special leave as well as the Head of the Department in order to allow stability to be restored in the department.

In the intervening period, Honourable Kenetswe Mosenogi will act as MEC for Social Development, while playing her responsibility as the MEC of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation. She will be supported by a team of technocrats led by Mr Obakeng Mongale who will be Acting as Head of the Department.

MANAGEMENT OF PLANNING ACROSS GOVERNMENT

Honourable Speaker, the Office of the Premier is the centre for policy, research and planning in the North West. This Office also coordinates the functions performed by National Departments which do not have corresponding provincial counterparts in areas of policy, planning, monitoring & evaluation, research, human resource practices, International/Intergovernmental relations, youth, women, children, and people living with disabilities etc.

We have now emerged from the Section 100 intervention period, and the Office has now conducted a proper budget structure alignment, shed off some of the functions not suited to the operations of the Office.

We are now closer to the ideal structure and functionality required of the central coordinating Office. The Office of the Premier will continue to strengthen monitoring and evaluation within the province to ensure that departments and SOE's implement provincial and national priorities. This include providing oversight to matters relating to post audit action plans, service delivery by departments and municipalities. The Premier will continue to provide this leadership role through one-on-one meetings with MECs including oversight committees created for this purpose.

Madam Speaker and Honourable members, in an effort to promote policy coherence and integrated planning across government, the Office of the Premier will continue to assess the Annual Performance Plans of Departments to ensure they are aligned and responsive to service delivery needs of our people.

We have designed a Provincial Geographic Information system (web-based application) in order to capture, store, integrate, analyse, present and disseminate spatial or geographical data. This GIS web application is triggered by the District Development Model approach, as it will be able to collect and store demographic and district profiles. Communities of the province will be able to raise and report service delivery challenges through this web application.

This work will be linked to our commitment to establish a command centre to monitor service delivery challenges. For example, the communities of Kokomeng and Amalia will no longer have to travel to provincial capital to get their service delivery interruption attended to.

PROMOTING INVESTMENTS AND JOB CREATION

Hon Members, we will continue our efforts to attract investments through interactions with mining houses, tourist promotion stakeholders, agricultural sector, chambers etc. We will extend our investment efforts to foreign governments.

Hon Speaker, later this year, the Premier will lead a mission to Thailand. South Africa is Thailand's largest trading partner in Africa, while Thailand is South Africa's largest trading partner in ASEAN region.

The province will also host the BRICS Ambassadors as part of the National Mandate, to create awareness of the next 15th BRICS Summit that will be held from the 22nd- 24th August 2023. The province will use this opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest, especially potential investments from the BRICS countries.

I have mandated the leader of government business to work with Departments of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Agriculture and Rural Development, Arts, Culture Sports and Recreation, Public Works and Roads as well as Community Safety and Transport Management to prepare North West investment opportunities for the BRICS summit.

South Africa is focusing on opportunities that will generate economic growth on the continent, particularly through the African Free Trade Area and Infrastructure. The North west Province is looking at alternative investment opportunities that will bolster infrastructure development, marketing the Special Economic Zone, and creating job opportunities.

BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE AND CREATING JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Honourable Speaker, we are moving with speed to prioritise infrastructure development and expenditure. We are driving this through the Premier Infrastructure Coordinating Council. The re-establishment of the Premier Infrastructure Coordinating Council (PICC) is another milestone to unlock bottlenecks in the infrastructure planning and delivery across departments. We have already convened the first meeting to look at the plans for the financial year.

The Mega Infrastructure Projects identified by the province will be processed through the PICC working together with Infrastructure South Africa (ISA). ISA and Treasury have been engaged to secure funding to deliver these strategic projects that will create much needed jobs for the youth.

PROCUREMENT AND SUPPORT TO LOCAL BUSINESSES

Hon Members, we are awaiting with anticipation the passing of the National Procurement Bill, which is currently undergoing various stages of legislative processes. We believe that this bill will go a long way towards creating a more effective and transparent procurement system that will help boost our economy.

We have approved our internal Preferential Procurement Policy that guides strategic sourcing during the year under review. We understand the importance of supporting small and emerging businesses in our communities and are committed to creating equal economic opportunities for all. We remain committed to procurement expenditure spending on set targets for women, youth, and people with disabilities.

STRENGTHEHING THE CAPACITY OF THE STATE

Hon Members, we have institutionalised capacity in the Office of the Premier for the management of the entire value chain for the recruitment and appointment of Heads of Departments in the province. Much progress has been registered in reducing the turnaround time for the filling of positions of HODs.

All positions currently vacant have been advertised and will be filled before the end of the second quarter of the current financial year. The Office of the Premier will coordinate and support departments in the recruitment and appointments of suitably qualified and experienced senior public servants.

Bagaetsho, we have directed departments to reduce current vacancy rate in the provincial administration including other state entities, by filling posts required for service delivery and opening entry level positions for unemployed graduates.

Honourable members, the final draft of the Memorandum of Understanding with the North West University will be signed soon to bolster ongoing partnerships and cooperation on a number of strategic projects. This includes the research project on installing a gasifier at Kgora Agricultural college in partnership with University of the Michigan in the US.

Hon Speaker, we have agreed to extend the work of the panels of experts for the next four months to conclude final round of consultations with stakeholders and communities, before finalizing their reports. We have agreed to have one single integrated panel of experts to finalise the PGDS strategy, Mega Projects blue print and review of SOEs.

Honourable members, I announced during the 2023 SOPA the re-activation of the Premier Economic Advisory Council. It is intended that the work that the Council will have would have a major impact on the economy of the province. These reports and interventions will provide a foundation for the coming administration.

OUR FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION AND STRENGTHENING ACCOUNTABILITY. 

The Office of the Premier will initiate a series of consultation meetings with the Traditional Leadership, the mining sector, faith-based organisations, and government departments to participate in the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy during the financial year 2023/24. We are creating the necessary capacity to drive this process in the Office of the Premier.

Honourable members, we will convene the Premier's Accountability Session which will bring together senior officials such as the Heads of Departments, Chief Financial Officers, Heads of Corporate Services, Heads of Supply Chain Management and Heads of Communications. The purpose of the session is for the Premier to set a leadership tone for good governance in the North West. The session will culminate in the signing of an anti-corruption commitment pledge by senior public servants.

We will have regular interaction with law enforcement agencies like NPA, the Hawks and the Special Investigation Unit to urge them to expedite the investigations in the province.

Hon Speaker, the framework to guide the enforcement of financial disclosures for Members of the Executive Council has been finalised and shared with members. Final consultations will be conducted soon in order to start with required disclosures in the 2023/24 financial year.

SUPPORT TO OUR MUNICIPALITIES

Hon Members, as part of our role to support municipalities, we have already held our first quarter meeting with all municipalities. The focus was to track expenditure and performance as well as prepare for the end of 2022/23 financial year.

We have refined and revised a performance reporting tool which has been shared with and will be used to monitor and measure performance of municipalities. The North West Premier Coordinating Council (NWPCC) reporting tool is guided by the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme, which focuses on fixing of potholes, cleaning of dumping sides, cleaning of graveyards, removal of sewerage spillage, provision of water, and refuse collection.

The Premier has established an oversight committee comprising of the MEC's of COGHSTA and Treasury, which meet regularly with the Auditor General to discuss post audit plans of municipalities. I have also appointed an oversight committee to oversee the cleaning of towns in various municipalities. We are impressed by the work done so far other municipalities with the cleaning and fencing of cemeteries. We urge other municipalities and communities to emulate this good work.

Honourable Members, in our quest to address the water challenges in the province, we have established the provincial steering committee co-chaired by the Premier and the Minister of Water and Sanitation. The steering committee has finalised a provincial plan to address water challenges in the following identified "water hotspots areas", which are Ditsobotla, Tswaing, Ramotshere Moiloa, Naledi, Mamusa, Maquasi Hills and Matlosana. We will soon be launching operation "Bulela Metsi" in these areas.

Honourable Members, the Office has recently communicated with District Development Model champions to ttake the lead in convening and institutionalising DOM meetings at local level. These meetings will also teal with matters relating to post audit actions plans, budgeting of municipalities and prioritisation of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme.

TOWARDS 30 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY

Honourable members, we are finalising the establishment of a Provincial Team that will work on the development of the provincial 30-Year Review Report Project. This report will be used to feed into the national government report and will also become the provincial report for the past 30 years.

IMPROVING CONNECTIVITY AND ICT GOVERNANCE

Hon Members, we have developed a six-month plan to stabilise our information and technology environment, which for many years has been very unstable. We are working with SITA to finalise the migration process to the new mainframe. As part of providing stable and uninterrupted power, Department of Public Works is completing the commissioning of new generators to stabilize the ICT system operations. New Uninterrupted Power Supply machines have been procured to provide power supply when current generators fail. We have appointed a trouble shooting team of senior officials to monitor potential outage of the ICT system.

Honourable members, the Office of the Premier, has started with the network modernization program in collaboration with the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports, and Recreation (DACSR). The programme is intended to provide internet services to one-hundred and twenty-three (123) libraries, allowing communities to access the internet in the libraries.

Furthermore, the program includes an upgrade of the network for one hundred and two (102) administrative sites, ensuring that provincial departments have enough network capacity to provide an efficient and effective services all over the province.

We are dedicated to ensuring that this programme becomes a success and that it provides real benefits to our communities.

IMPROVING COMMUNICATING THE WORK OF GOVERNMENT

Honourable members, we are improving our communications to keep our communities informed about the work of government. For this financial year, the Executive Council supported by the Office of the Premier will hold regular media briefings to inform the public on EXCO decisions on various programmes and projects. We are encouraging our communities to follow and get accurate information through our various communication platforms including our live streaming facilities.

Hon Members, our country opted for participatory democracy to give effect to the constitutional commitment to ensure the centrality of the people in governance. The North West Province hosted the relaunching of the lmbizo Program through the Presidential lmbizo held in March 2022 in Mahikeng.

The Office of the Premier has developed a Framework for the Premier's Outreach Program. The Framework for Premier's Community Outreach provides for three Programs to be convened namely the Premier's lmbizo by each District, Roving Exco in identified areas and the Premier's District Visits hosted by each District.

For this financial year we will rollout at least sixteen (16) Service Delivery Outreach Blitz in service deprived areas. We will also reactivate the Thusong Centre program to ensure provision of regular government services to remote and rural areas in a manner that will reduce the burden of travelling and costs on service consumers.

PROMOTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Honourable members, the province facilitated the participation of our Provincial Children's Ambassador, Ms Mary-Ann Pretorius, a learner from Mahikeng High School to represent the voice of the children during the National Summit on Gender­ based violence and femicide.

For the current financial year, the Office of the Premier will facilitate the establishment of Children's Rights Councils at Local, District and Provincial Levels to strengthen leadership and accountability across the three spheres of government.

We will increase spending on Women, Youth and People with Disabilities to an amount of R29.6 million, which is more than the threshold of 25% of the designated groups. We will also continue to pay special attention to the socio-economic conditions of military veterans, older persons, and liberation struggle stalwarts.

EFFECTIVE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ON AIDS

Honourable members, the fight against HIV and AIDS remains one of the key focus areas of this administration.

We have strengthened the capacity of the Provincial Council on AIDS Secretariat by approving the structure. We have commenced with the filling of vacant posts, including that of the Head of Secretariat. We have further strengthened civil society support by matching sector departments with civil society representatives who share a common goal in line with the National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS, STls & TB.

We have recently hosted the Deputy President, His Excellency Paul Mashatile during the World TB Day as part of our work. We are improving our interventions and coordination of the multi-sectoral AIDS response in the province. We will monitor the work of the departments in relation to HIV and AIDS. This will be cascaded to district and local municipalities.

ADDRESSING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND SKILLS

Hon Speaker, in partnership with the NYDA, the province will be hosting the National Youth Opportunities Roadshow on the 02 June 2023 in Setlagole, Ratlou Local Municipality, as part of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention. The intervention seeks to transition young people along multiple pathways into employment and the economy.

Honourable Members, the National Youth Opportunities Roadshow will also afford all the implementing partners in the National Pathway Management Network (NPMN) and other stakeholders the opportunity to create awareness around important work being done within the youth development space to address youth unemployment.

During the month of June, the Office will lead major initiatives working with various SETAs to fund critical skills development initiatives by the province. We are in discussions with MERSETA to fund training of youth in the installation of solar panels. We will further use the SETAs to train engineers for local municipalities. We are targeting at least more than 3000 young people for these programmes. In addition, some of these initiatives will include funding student bursaries, and assistance to some students with payment of outstanding debts.

MORAL REGENERATION AND SOCIAL COHESION

Hon. Speaker, we remain committed to the implementation of the Charter of Positive Values and we have over the last financial year worked in collaboration with the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) to revive the Program on Moral Regeneration and Social Cohesion.

A Provincial Interim Moral Regeneration structure has been appointed. We plan to convene District Moral Regeneration festivals across all the four Districts with focus on fighting teenage pregnancy, gangsterism, drug and substance abuse as well as gender- based violence and femicide. We will also strengthen our partnership with religious formations and where practical have joint developmental programs.

We will proceed with the implementation of the Desmond Tutu memorial site and honor our commitments related to the joint programs with the Saint John's Church of Prophesy in Motlollo. Other churches and religious formations will also be engaged to ensure developmental partnerships for moral regeneration and social cohesion.

POSITIVE AUDIT OUTCOMES

Motlotlegi Mmusa-Kgotla, let me share with the House some of the key highlights of the financial performance of the Office of the Premier for the 2022/23 financial year:

• Audit outcomes of the Office of the Premier continued on an upward trajectory with an unqualified audit opinion for the 2021/22 financial year with reduced audit findings as compared to the previous year.
• The total spending for the Office at the end of the year under review amounted to 97% of the total budget of R433,111 m (Four hundred and thirty-three million, one hundred and eleven thousand). This performance depicts a 14% improvement from 83% recorded during the past financial year.

Honourable members, whatever this house had allocated to the Office of the Premier, we have ensured that it is utilised prudently and for the benefit of the people of the province.

BUDGET FOR THE 2023/24 FINANCIAL YEAR.

Madam Speaker and Honourable members, the budget for the Office of the Premier for which we seek the support of this honourable House for the 2023/24 Financial year is as follows: