Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Honourable Premier
Honourable Members of the Executive Council and the Legislature
Executive Mayors, Mayors, Speakers, Chief Whips and Councillors
The Chairperson of SALGA-Free State and the Executive Committee
Heads of Departments
Marena le Dikgosi
Veterans and stalwarts of our Liberation Struggle
Our Stakeholders
Distinguished Guests
Comrades and Friends
Mohlomphehi Speaker, ke lehesheheshe…ke sephethethe....ke lehlanahlana la motima-hlaha….lebelo ke la ntshetsopele ya phano ya ditshebeletso! Molangwana ke o tshwere, ke o amohetse ho tswa ho wamphato
Mohlomphehi Mamiki Qabathe.
Speaker, ka hoo, letsatsing la kajeno re tla teka ditekatekanyo le ho tlalehela ntlo e kgabane ka tseo lefapha le ileng la itlama ka tsona selemong sefetileng.
Speaker, we are committed to a responsive, accountable, efficient and effective local government system that will ensure services to our people.
In the same breath, we are bound to ensure that the poor benefit from integrated and comprehensive human settlements.
We will continue on a path of accelerated basic service delivery with strong citizen participation, and provision of better and quality homes.
Department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs
On elections
Speaker, on May 18, 2011 we successfully held our third democratic Local Government Elections. We would like to congratulate our communities for their commitment to exercising their hard won democratic rights by electing councillors of their choice in a peaceful electoral process.
Speaker, we are managing a transition towards a functional Metropolitan Municipality of Mangaung since the disestablishment of Motheo District, post Local Government Elections. Thabo Mofutsanyana District and Xhariep District were re-established to incorporate Mantsopa and Naledi respectively.
On Local Governance
Speaker, we committed to partner with Education, in conducting Youth Mock Council sittings in all municipalities, and 16 of 20 municipalities held successful debates on various issues.
We have conducted induction training programme for all newly elected councillors in municipalities. We will in this financial year conduct competency assessment which will result in an individual tailor made training programme for councillors.
Speaker, with our partner in local government, South African Local Government Association (SALGA), we continue to position the local government as a single window of coordination by holding successful intergovernmental meetings.
Integrated Development Plans are critical planning implements that are used to tackle development challenges faced by communities living within municipal areas.
We have identified the following municipalities as pilot municipalities for the compilation of the “Simplified Integrated Development Plans”:
- Nala municipality
- Naledi municipality
- Masilonyana municipality
- Tokologo municipality
- Mohokare municipality
- Phumelela municipality
- Ngwathe municipality
- Letsemeng municipality
- Nketoana municipality
- Mafube and Kopanong municipalities.
Speaker, we are pleased to report that 23 municipalities submitted their annual reports and only Naledi Local Municipality could not submit due to their previous challenges but the department will be strengthening this area to ensure 100% compliance in the future.
Speaker, the National Department of Cooperative Governance will be allocating funds to grade 1–3 municipalities for the out of pocket expenses for ward committees from July 2012. This arrangement will give relief and enhance the public participation process at local government level. We call on all our ward committees to rededicate themselves to this important area of work.
On service delivery
Speaker, in collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa through the Siyenza Manje Programme, we deployed 8 Technical Experts in 11 municipalities in order to assist and support municipalities with technical matters. Other technical experts were deployed in the department to service the remaining 8 municipalities.
Through our support programmes, we have monitored, supported and intervened in the implementation of Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) projects in 19 Local Municipalities. An amount of R841 million was allocated to the Free State Province for infrastructure in the 2011/12 financial year.
An amount of R397 million (47% of the Provincial set target of 50%) was spent until the end of January 2012. An additional amount of R17, 4 million was also spent by Matjhabeng Local Municipality from the R24, 8 million MIG approved rollover of 2010/2011.
The total amount spent until the end of February 2012 amounts to R450, 4 million (54% of the Provincial set target of 62%) and was spent on the following services:
- water to 5 715 stands
- sanitation to 9 897 stands and
- 54.97km of paved roads.
Speaker, in keeping with our commitment to job creation, this programme yielded the following employment opportunities: 5 556 temporary jobs from July 2011 to December 2011:
- 1 625 Women
- 13 people with disabilities
- 3 918 men.
Speaker, we will facilitate the successful implementation of MIG projects amounting to R1, 2 billion in the 2012/2013 municipal financial year covering the following modes of infrastructure:
- 17% (R210m) for water
- 32% (R407m) for sanitation
- 29% (R365m) for roads and storm water
- 15% (R190m) for Community Facilities
- 2% (R23m) for landfill sites
- 1% (R12 m) for high mast lights and
- 5% (R64 m) for Project Management Units (PMUs).
Speaker, in the State of the Province Address the Premier committed us to among others infrastructure repairs of sewerage systems, water and electricity supplies within municipalities in collaboration with other stakeholders within the water and electricity industries in the following areas:
- Wesselsbron
- Lusaka (QwaQwa)
- Parys
- Odendaalsrus
- Ficksburg
- Botshabelo, and
- Mangaung in the areas of Isithwalandwe, Khayelitsha and Phase 9.
Working closely with the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency, we will continue to provide leadership and support in refocusing and strengthening the implementation of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy.
On financial management and operation clean audit
Speaker, I am pleased to report to the House that for the financial year under review, we have been able to gradually progress positively on Operation Clean Audit 2014 in the Province. The Fezile Dabi, Lejweleputswa, Thabo Mofutsanyana and former Motheo District Municipalities maintained their Unqualified (with matters) audit opinions, while that of the Xhariep District Municipality improved from a qualified audit opinion to an unqualified (with matters) audit opinion.
The Tswelopele, Mantsopa and Dihlabeng Local Municipalities maintained their qualified audit opinions, while the Nketoana Local Municipality improved to an unqualified (with matters) audit opinion.
In our endeavour to intervene and assist municipalities with their financial management, we paid an amount of R29 million to several municipalities assisting in the following areas:
- Salaries of Chief Financial Officers in Xhariep District, Thabo Mofutsanyana District, Mohokare, Naledi, Nala, Phumelela and Mafube municipalities
- Yellow fleet in municipalities
- Municipal Property Rates Act implementation, and
- Legal costs.
Speaker, we committed to streamline the number of reports required from municipalities, thus in coordination with National Department of Cooperative Governance, we have developed support programme for reporting requirements for municipalities.
Speaker, in our endeavour to strengthen our municipalities we will, in the beginning of April 2012, deploy personnel in technical and financial areas to provide hands-on support to municipalities.
Speaker, we will intensify our support programme to municipalities in our collective venture to ensure that these achieve Clean Audits by 2014. In collaboration with Provincial Treasury and the Institute for Municipal Engineers (IMESA) we will roll out the Infrastructure Management System (IMS) to municipalities in the province. The following municipalities have been earmarked for the piloting of this programme, namely: Moqhaka, Masilonyana and Kopanong.
The financial prospects of some municipalities remain a challenge for the coming financial year, especially in view of the intensified demands from creditors and suppliers such as Eskom and Water Boards. It is therefore expected that the department would continue to support vulnerable municipalities to restructure their financial commitments.
On disaster management
Speaker, in keeping with Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015:
Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters, on 3-4 November, 2011 we hosted the provincial conference in support of the theme “Making Cities Resilient: My City is Ready”. This conference became a platform wherein all spheres of government, civil society, private sector and specialists in various fields relevant to disaster matters discussed, resolved and recommended among others the following:
- The department in partnership with other government departments and institutions, municipalities and all relevant stakeholders should promote building the resilience of communities to disasters and offer solutions for local governments and local actors to manage and reduce urban risk.
- Government at all spheres should assign a budget for disaster risk reduction and provide incentives for homeowners, low-income families, communities, businesses and the public sector to invest in reducing the risks they face.
- Invest in and maintain critical infrastructure that reduces risk, such as flood drainage, adjusted where needed to cope with climate change.
- Ensure that education programmes and training on disaster risk reduction are implemented in schools and local communities.
Speaker, the Provincial Disaster Management Centre established the Provincial Joint Coordinating Committee (Prov JOCOM) to deal with relief and recovery during the floods disaster of 2010/ 2011. The Committee had to do assessment and verification on the impact of floods in affected communities and submitted a report to the National Disaster Management Centre and the Provincial Head of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
This culminated in the three district municipalities -Thabo Mofutsanyana, Xhariep and Fezile Dabi- being declared disaster areas. As a result the National Department of Cooperative Governance declared these areas disaster areas thereby allocated funds, which were distributed for disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation among affected departments as follows:
- Human Settlements : R 44.1million
- Police, Roads and Transport : R 21.7 million
- Education : R 6.4 million
- Health : R 2.09 million
- Agriculture : R 4.7 million
We have established a project team comprising all stakeholders whose mandate is to monitor the progress and spending patterns of the departments on the allocated disaster funds.
Speaker, we would like to thank all stakeholders who participated in the Provincial Joint Coordinating Committee during the African National Congress Centenary Celebrations in Mangaung. We want to extent our appreciation to South African Police Service (SAPS), Health Emergency Services and Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality on the pivotal role they played. Your commitment ensured peaceful and incident free festivities, involving over 150 000 people. Le ka moso bahaeso!
Ho tsa setso
Mohlomphei Speaker, ditaba tsa tsamaiso ya borena ke karolo ya bohlokwa ya puso ya rona. Re ikemiseditse ho tshehetsa le ho matlafatsa makgotla a rona a merabe hore a tsebe ho phetha mesebetsi ya yona ka bokgabane.
Speaker, re ile ra itlama ho sebetsa le lefapha la Bophelo bo Botle,ho ntshetsa pele lenane la mmuso la lebollo la dipetlele le dingaka mme re e ntse matsholo a atlehileng dibakeng tsa marena.
Speaker, re bile le ho dula ha makgotla a mampapadi a batjha mane Tsheseng, Makwane, Kholokoeng le Thaba Nchu ho tsoseletsa moya wa tlhompho ya setso le botjhaba batjheng ba rona.
Speaker, re se re le mothating wa ho phethela ho fumantsha Batlokoa ba Mokgalong mane Vrede, lefatshe la bona ba tle ba ntshetse borena ba bona pele jwalo ka ditjhaba tse ding. Mosebetsi ona o tla phethelwa pele ho mafelo a Lwetse selemong sena.
Speaker, re kopa ntlo e kgabane ho re thusa ho potlakisa ho fetisa melao ena e mmedi ya bohlokwa hore re tle re hlomamise Ntlo ya Marena ya Profensi le Matlo a Marena Mahaeng:
- Free State Traditional Leadership Act, Amendment Bill
- Free State Provincial and Local Houses Bill
Speaker, re ikemiseditse ho matlafatsa tshebetso ya marena ka ho fana ka disebediswa tsa tshebetso, mme re motlotlo ho tsebisa hore re fumanetse ditho tse hlano tsa phethahatso tsa Ntlo ya Marena makoloi a maemo ho phetha mosebetsi wa bona. Re se re fanne ka dikomporo bakeng sa Marena a Maholo (Kings) le Marena a Dihloho (Senior Traditional Leaders) ha mmoho le mehala ya thekeng ho matlafatsa dikgokahano.
Speaker, re beheletse tjhelete ka thoko ho etsa meralo selemong sena sa ditjhelete ba keng sa Dipaleisi tsa Marena a Maholo a le mabedi. Re hlokomela le ho ananela kgatelopele e entsweng mane Kholokoeng ka paleisi ya morena.
Department of Human Settlements
Speaker, we remain committed to the provision of decent shelter and settlements wherein people have access to clean water and proper sanitation. Through our housing projects, the principles espoused in the Freedom Charter “There shall be Housing, Security and Comfort for all” are being realised.
In his State of the Province Address of 16th February 2012, the Honourable Premier of the province made the following remarks:
“The integration of our communities must be the starting point that drives Human Settlements, because it will inadvertently lead to sustainability in economic development and social inclusion. The government of the Free State is mindful of the legacy of Apartheid’s Spatial Development that continues to haunt the democratic South Africa and the Free State Province.”
On housing demand database / housing needs register
Speaker, selemong se fitileng re ile ra phatlalatsa hore re tla reka diteraka tse tlang ho hokelwa mobile Housing Subsidy System le Housing Needs Register (HNR). Diteraka tsena di tlo re thusa ho fihlella le dibaka tse hole moo ka nako le motsotso re tla fihlella lesedi lohle la motho ya hlokang ntlo, e ka sita le dipotso le ditletlebo tsa batho ba entseng dikopo re tla dirarolla hang hang.
Speaker, re se re hlomamisitse diteraka tseo hona mona bohlokong ka laboraro le na le fetileng, la di 21 Hlakubele 2012. Re bone batho ba phethesela mona lekeisheneng e ka sita le mane Polasing ya Daljosafat, moo mokete o moholo o neng o tshwaretswe teng. Ena ke yona tabakgolo ya ditokelo….” There shall be Housing, Security and Comfort”
On beneficiary management
Speaker, credible data is key to planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all human settlements projects. We acknowledge that there is beneficiary information lying dormant on the Housing Subsidy System (HSS) which necessitates a rigorous and concerted effort of cleaning the data.
We are working on an improved Housing Subsidy System to ensure that the right people benefit with particular emphasis on the vulnerable social groups such as the aged, 70 and above, child-headed households and people with disabilities.
On municipal accreditation and consumer education
In the previous financial year, we reported to the house that in line with the proclamation of the metro status, we have awarded Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality level 1 accreditation to implement housing programmes such as beneficiary management, subsidy budgeting and planning, infrastructure installation and priority programmes.
We remain committed to providing the necessary support to ensure that this municipality achieves level 2 accreditation, which will enable it to administer housing programmes. We will in the current financial year continue to support other municipalities in attaining readiness for level 1 accreditation.
These will include the following municipalities:
- Metsimaholo
- Dihlabeng
- Matjhabeng
- Moqhaka.
Key Housing officials in all our municipalities were trained to conduct consumer education of our housing programmes’ beneficiaries. The department will continue to support these Municipalities through mentoring and coaching programmes, with the aim of decentralising the Consumer Education programme to municipalities.
In order to further disseminate information on our housing programmes and policies, we will utilise Local radio stations more frequently as outreach channels.
On informal settlements upgrading and infrastructure installation
The Upgrading of Informal Settlement Programme (UISP) is key in addressing access to urban opportunities for the poor as well as the inhumane conditions imposed on our people by the previous dispensation.
Speaker, credible data is key in the e planning processes. We are therefore working with our strategic partners such as the Housing Development Agency (HDA) as well as National Urban Reconstruction and Housing Agency (NURCHA) on this programme. All this is done within the parameters of the National Upgrading Support Programme (NUSP) championed by the National Department of Human Settlements. We remain committed to working with municipalities to ensure the provision of security of tenure, basic services and other facilities in these settlements.
Speaker, we are pleased to report that the Free State Provincial Forum for Informal Settlements Upgrading Programme, Implementation and Monitoring which comprises all municipalities in the province, was established during November 2011. This structure will play a facilitation role for development of municipal upgrading plans as well as monitor the progress on formalisation of tenure rights for residents within informal settlements, the provision of affordable and sustainable basic municipal engineering infrastructure and other facilities.
In line with the informal settlement upgrading processes, in the financial year 2011/12, we have planned and surveyed 9 047 sites in various areas of the province as follows:
- Petrus Steyn (Mamafubedu): 600 sites
- Reitz (Petsana): 800 sites
- Harrisminth (Mahaseng and Tsele): 1461 sites
- Bethlehem (Bakenpark): 1421 sites
- Sasolburg (Mooiplatz): 2614 sites
- Lindley: 1001 sites
- Maokeng:150 sites
- Rammulotsi: 1000 sites.
We are also finalising the appointment of service providers for the creation of 26 915 sites in 19 areas of the province within the next three years. The affected areas are as follows:
- Nyakallong: 300 Erven
- Thabong/Bronville T13: 130 Erven
- Thabong/Bronville T15: 180 Erven
- Thabong/Bronville T15: 800 Erven
- Thabong/Bronville Phokeng : 680 Erven
- Thabong/Bronville: 500 Erven
- Broville/Freedom Square: 210 Erven
- Mamahabane: 500 Erven
- Phomolong : 500 Erven
- Kutlwanong : 2900 Erven
- Phumelela : 6000 Sites
- Ngwathe : 5300 Sites
- Maluti- A-Phofung (Intabazwe): 1029 Sites
- Dihlabeng Clarens (Kgubetswana) : 300 Sites
- Mafube : 2000 Sites
- Letsemeng : 3400 Sites
- Kopanong (Reddersburg): 500 Sites
- Tswelopele (Phahameng): 1100 Sites
- Tswelopele (Tikwana): 616 Sites.
We have also installed basic municipal infrastructure in respect of 7 193 sites in the following six municipalities:
- Dihlabeng- 831 Sites
- Mangaung Metro-3685 sites
- Moqhaka- 2000 sites
- Maluti-A-Phofung- 50 sites
- Kopanong- 222 sites
- Phumelela- 405 sites.
In addition to the development of this infrastructure, we have also completed:
- 2km of 6.2km of roads and storm water project in Viljoenskroon (Rammulotsi) with 4,2km outstanding
- 3,5km of 4.3 km of roads and storm water project in Warden (Ezenzeleni) with 800 meters remaining, and
- The Sewer Pump station in Schoonplaatz Land Restitution development in Harrismith. The bridge and the access road are in progress and expected to be completed in the 2012/2013 financial year. This will service 981 sites including the 226 housing units to be constructed as part of the Land Restitution Programme.
A total of R181 903 716 million has been set aside for installing various modes of infrastructure such as water reticulation and sanitation in the following areas:
- Moqhaka-Viljoenskroon
- Ngwathe-Parys
- Matjhabeng-Thabong, Calabria, Kutlwanong and Hennenman
- Masilonyana-Brandfort
- Mangaung
- Setsoto-Ficksburg
- Mantsopa-Ladybrand
- Nketoana-Reitz
- Phumelela-Warden,Vrede and Memel
- Naledi –Van Stadensrus and Dewetsdorp
- Kopanong –Reddersburg, Bethulie, Springfontein and Phillipolis
- Dihlabeng –Vogelfontein.
Speaker, because Human Settlements is provision of more than shelter alone, we have also appointed service providers to install high mast lights in Van Standensrus and Henneman as one of the crime mitigation measures. There will be 2 and 1 units installed respectively. These 3 high mast lights will be installed by the second quarter of the financial year.
On land restitution and special housing programmes
We committed ourselves to construct 1 400 units for the Land Restitution beneficiaries who lodged claims in terms of the Restitution Act of 1994. We have experienced challenges in this regard as we could only build 337 units out of the set target. These units are in the following areas:
- Herschel (Thaba Nchu): 71 units
- Hennenman: 22 units
- Bethany: 119 units
- Lindley: 9 units
- Wesselsbron: 4 units
- Senekal: 2 units
- Hoopstad: 1 unit
- Blesbokfontein (Bultfontein): 15 units
- Warden: 94 units.
Some of the challenges faced by the department were families refusing to relocate to new areas identified by the municipalities as well as lack of infrastructure in some areas.
Speaker, in our previous budget vote speech we undertook to bring some level of rejuvenation to the distressed area of Van Stadensrus. To that end, we have allocated 650 houses in the greater Naledi area with 150 set aside for Van Stadensrus. We must however report that we have to date managed to build 40 houses in Van Stadensrus owing mainly to the non-availability of serviced sites.
With the view to realising these sites, we have appointed a service provider who will finalise the installation of a new innovative alternative technology for 350 sites in the form of the Vacuum Sewer System which is more suitable for the area considering its scarcity. The acquisition of land in the area is also being finalised to accommodate this development.
Speaker, during the Women’s Month, in August 2011, we hosted the National Minister of Human Settlements, Mr Tokyo Sexwale and our struggle icon Mme Nomzamo Madikizela-Mandela in Majwemasweu in Brandfort. The department, in partnership with the different stakeholders in the construction industry, allocated 256 housing units to commemorate the 1956 Women’s March.
A further 100 subsidies were allocated in Mafube Municipality in Villiers, and is nearing completion. The project for 100 units is due to resume in the Rouxville area of the Mohokare Municipality. Work is in progress for the construction of the remainder of the 1 956 houses.
Speaker, the R44, 1 million allocated for houses in areas declared disaster areas was received, though it is inadequate for our needs. As a result we are in constant consultations with both the National Department of Cooperative Governance as well as the Department of Human Settlements for a further allocation. To date, an amount of R11, 6 million has been spent.
On socio-economic amenities
Speaker, if we are indeed to realise the concept of human settlements as places where we can ‘live, work, play and pray’ as envisaged in the new Human Settlement Agenda, the issue of amenities becomes critical. We have accordingly completed a multi-purpose Hall in Warden with two other halls in Bothaville and Wesselsbron nearing completion. We will continue working with other sister departments including Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation with the view to making provision of amenities a reality.
On rural and farm worker housing
Speaker, it pleases us to report to this house that we have completed all the 50 housing units in Diyatalawa. These houses have the requisite water and sanitation infrastructure. During the Presidential visit to this area, a need for teachers’ cottages was identified; we commit to building 6 teachers’ cottages in this financial year. This programme will yield an additional 19 teachers’ cottages in this financial year in the following areas:
- 7 units on the Farm Ons Anker in the Hennenman district, and
- 12 units on the farm Weiveld in the Parys district.
On land acquisition
Speaker, in collaboration with our strategic partner, the Housing Development Agency (HDA), we continue to acquire strategically located land as part of our quest to address the apartheid spatial distortions and thereby advance our human settlement agenda. We have in the previous financial year accordingly acquired 6 land parcels in the following areas:
- Ngwathe (2 properties)
- Metsimaholo (3 properties), and
- Naledi (1 property.
We will in this financial year acquire 10 well located strategic land parcels for Human Settlements purposes.
On social and rental housing
Speaker, in line with the Premier’s commitment to transfer government owned properties, we will this year transfer the remaining 104 properties, notwithstanding the challenges experienced regarding the legal status of some of the occupants.
During the previous financial year we allocated 402 Institutional Subsidies towards the first phase of the Brandwag Social Housing Project in Mangaung. This project is aimed at developing a total of 1 051 rental housing units for households that earn below R7 500 who would ordinarily not afford to participate in the private rental housing market. The first phase of the project is due to be completed in August 2012 whilst the second phase of the project which is aimed to yield 495 rental units has commenced.
The department, in partnership with the Harmony Gold Mines and the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, embarked on a project through the Community Residential Units (CRU) Programme that will provide rental accommodation to 456 households. The project is almost complete and will be the first of its kind to be undertaken by the department.
We are in the final stages of feasibility studies on the two hostels in Mangaung i.e. Silver City and Dark City, and one hostel in Matjhabeng, the G-Hostel. The feasibility studies have been finalised for Zamdela Hostel 4 in Metsimaholo, and the processes leading to the appointment of a suitable contractor will be finalised.
Speaker, all of these projects which were committed from September 2010, will be implemented with the total budget of R1, 058 billion which includes R961, 6 million of the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) for 2012/2013. It is important to note that the grant (HSDG) for 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 will be used to complete all the incomplete projects.
Skills development
Speaker, during the financial year under review, 20 local municipalities (including the Mangaung Metropolitan) were provided with technical capacity and on-going support to use the HSS online to ensure the successful approval of each application form within the reasonable turnaround time for each entity. We have purchased 20 computers for municipalities as part of the capacity building process referred to above.
Speaker, skills development and training of departmental officials is an on-going process aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness as enshrined in the Batho Pele Principles and Outcome 12.
In conclusion, Honourable Speaker let me restate the words of the French novelist, Jean Giraudoux, “Only the mediocre die always at their best.
Real leaders are always improving – and raising their bar on how superbly they can perform and how quickly they can move.”
Let me take this opportunity to thank the Premier and Members of the Executive Council for their continued support, members of the Portfolio Committee and the Legislature, the House of Traditional Leaders and the entire Traditional Leadership; Heads of the two Departments and Staff, all Municipalities, SALGA Free State and my organisation, the African National Congress.
Let me also thank my family for always being by my side. On this note, Honourable Speaker, I hereby present the budget votes of the Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and Human Settlements as appended.
Ke a leboha.
