Limpopo Provincial Government’s Executive Council (EXCO) held a meeting chaired by Premier Chupu Stanley Mathabatha on the 03 December 2019 in Polokwane. This was the last Executive Council meeting for the year. The Premier reflected on the year that was, and thanked everyone for their contribution towards improving the lives of the people of Limpopo. He wished them well and implored them to come back rejuvenated.
1. Social Grants Payment report
EXCO noted a progress report from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Limpopo region, on social grants payment model. Limpopo Province has 497 pay points where social grants beneficiaries continue to receive their money on a monthly basis. Although Twenty Seven (27) of the aforesaid pay points consistently recorded 0 – 10 beneficiaries since May 2019, the Agency has developed a plan on how to address such. The plan will be implemented next year. Other challenges highlighted in the report included:
- Fraud
- Long queues at South African Post Office outlets
- No cash dispensing machines
- Late arrival of cash
- Connectivity challenges
- Lack of security at SAPO outlets
EXCO directed that the above stated challenges be discussed at the Social Development MINMEC meeting.
2. Stabilisation of Mogalakwena Local Municipality
Members of the Executive approved the intervention in the Mogalakwena local Municipality in terms of section 139 (1) (b) of the Constitution of South Africa. This is subsequent to the appointment of a multi-disciplinary team which was tasked to conduct a rapid assessment at the municipality in October 2019. Some of the findings include:
- Collapsed governance with lawlessness superseding legal prescripts,
- Poor records management,
- Illegal appointments of staff
- Noncompliance of Supply Chain Management regulations
- Noncompliance to municipal policies
- Volatile working environment
The state of affairs will be reviewed in six months’ time thus empowering the Provincial Executive Council to take informed decisions in that regard.
3. Turnaround Strategy for the Department of Education
The Executive noted with appreciation the progress reported by the Department of Education in critical areas such as distribution of Learner Teacher Support Material (LTSM), delivery of textbooks at schools which is almost complete (99,1%) , training of Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners and appointment of 650 subject advisors. Other managerial positions such as Circuit Managers will be given priority in the last quarter of the financial year. Winter enrichment classes were conducted in 269 centers across all ten districts of the province. Reading and spelling competitions were also held in a quest to improve reading for meaning particularly for learners in lower classes.
Limpopo province is still leading the pack with more than 90 000 learners enrolled for Maths, Science and Technology (MST) stream. Saturday MST classes have been running since the beginning of the year and this is attested to by quality results yielded by Limpopo learners in the fields of Mathematics and Physical Science every year.
4. Capacitating Infrastructure Delivery in Education and Health
The Executive approved the establishment of Infrastructure Technical Units in the departments of Education and Health. The rationale behind this is to provide advisory services in complex projects such as construction of hospitals and sanitation programmes to name but a few. Furthermore, EXCO approved the establishment of a Programme Management Support (PMS) Unit in the Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure. This unit will serve as an Infrastructure Strategic Professional Hub for the province, which will be a shared service.
5. Festive Season Road Safety Campaign 2019
The Executive Council noted a report on the campaign for road safety during this festive season. Limpopo’s roads are busier than usual at this time of the year as visitors, migrant workers, holiday makers and pilgrims travel to and from the province. It is therefore imperative that the Department of Transport and Community Safety is ready to deal with high volumes of traffic. Highlighted pillars of the campaign were: visible policing, road safety education, traffic law enforcement and awareness campaigns.
6. Recognition of Senior Traditional Leaders
The following Acting Senior Traditional Leaders were approved by the members of the Executive Council in terms of Section 15 (2) of the Limpopo Traditional Leadership and Institutions Act No.6 of 2005 and will be remunerated accordingly:
- Maserumule Malegobe Ivy of Phokwane Traditional Community.
- Nkanyani Mangava Irvin of Nkanyani Traditional Community
7. Mapungubwe Arts festival
EXCO noted and applauded the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for the concerted effort displayed in preparation of the annual Mapungubwe Arts Festival. This year’s edition was launched on the 21 October 2019 at the Mapungubwe Heritage site and will run from the 12th December to the 15th December 2019.
This year also marks the inaugural Mapungubwe Cup Challenge where four local soccer teams from the province will battle it out to be crowned champions. The Executive Council directed that in the future instalments of the tournament, consideration be given to host a soccer match between PSL Limpopo based players and those in local development structures. Other activities include: Comedy show, Beauty Pageant, Diva’s show and the Cherie on top, the Jazz Festival.
8. International Civil Aviation Day
The annual International Civil Aviation Day (ICAD) will be hosted by Polokwane International Airport on the 6th – 7th December 2019. The event will be hosted in partnership with the Department of Transport and Joint Aviation Awareness Programme (JAAP).
The purpose of the annual celebration is to establish and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of International Civil Aviation and its role in promoting the safety, efficiency and regulation of international air transport. Entrance to the airshow is free. Attendees, particularly learners will be exposed to different career options in aviation and what to study to achieve that.
Media enquiries:
Mamogo Ntuli
Cell: 079 490 6322
