MEC Manketsi Tlhape: North West Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development Prov Budget Vote 2017/18

Policy and Budget speech 2017/18 for Department of Rural, Environment & Agricultural Development North West Province presented By Hon. Manketsi Tlhape (MPL) Thursday, 04 May 2017  Bokone Bophirima Provincial Legislature, Mahikeng

Honourable Speaker & Deputy Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature
Tonakgolo  ya  Porofense Ya  Bokone Bophirima,  Rre  Supra  Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo;
Honourable Members of the Legislature & Esteemed Colleagues in the Executive Council;
Distinguished Members of the Portfolio Committee for READ;
Revolutionary Leaders of the Ruling Party, the African National Congress and other political parties represented in this House;
Magosi a rona a a tlotlegang;
Our treasured Executive Mayors, Mayors, Speakers and Councillors;
Delegates of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO); Representatives of our entity, the North West Parks Board;
Brand Ambassadors for Mebala Ya Rona Wildlife Transformation; Representative from the Roma-Nna Legacy Foundation;
Organised Agriculture, Wildlife Industry Formations; Agricultural Unions; Our Farm Workers & Farm Dwellers Fora, Labour and Sectoral Unions; Badiredi ba Lefapha la READ bao eleng baeti ba me gompieno; Respective Councils of Stakeholders in our Rural Communities; Community and Faith Based Organisations;
Youth and Women Formations; Fellow Comrades;
Friends; Esteemed guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Baagi botlhe ba Porofense ya Bokone Bophirima;

Bagaetsho Dumelang!
 
Motlotlegi Mmusakgotla, as we bestow the Policy and Budget Speech 2017/18 for the Department today, we remain standing on the indispensable objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP) which seeks to dismount Poverty, Unemployment and Inequality as well as to unpin Radical Socio-Economic Transformation by 2030 for our people in South Africa.

We also cannot discount the Provincial Vision of the 5th Administration of Bokone Bophirima in the realisation of the NDP through Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal (RRR), anchored meticulously on the big five developmental concretes which are ACT; RHR; Setsokotsane; Saamwerk-Saamtrek and VTSD, blended with other Policy imperatives for this Province.

Madam Speaker, the Department undoubtedly assumes this nexus at a time when the national and provincial economy is lethargic in its performance and as the Hon. Premier Supra Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo bespoke during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) in February 2017, to say: “the Province’s economy bears the risk of submitting to vulnerabilities…” to that end it becomes exigent for all of us to strife to place Bokone Bophirima onto a growth trajectory.

READ, as a progressive team conjoins the Provincial Government in celebrating the centenary anniversary of the birth of Oliver Tambo as made emphatic during the State of the Province Address earlier this year by the Hon. Premier Mahumapelo as he called upon all the people of Bokone-Bophirima to recommit themselves to the project of “increasing the pace of constructing the National Democratic Society whose foundation Oliver Tambo guaranteed”.

Univocally, we are content by the declaration and national command by our State President, His Excellency Jacob Zuma, for the year 2017 to be about “deepening unity” as per Reginald Tambo’s legacy. As he articulates on this, President Zuma said: “In him we find inspiration to encourage the building of one South Africa,
characterised by unity, equality and prosperity”.
 
Madam Speaker, as a Department we feel disposed to create a deliberate link on the prosperity mentioned by our President to the current economic climate of South Africa and the unity and equality that will be required to achieve it. As you are all aware, South African economy has slided into negative territory during 2016 by about 1.2% according to Stats SA. Even more intriguing, is that this contraction is mainly attributed to the low agricultural output as a result of drought.

As a role player in the Sector, READ also attests to other key challenges facing the agricultural environment such as market dominance & concentration, volatile labour relations and costs, level of protection of the sector in an uneven international trade environment; unintended consequence through competing demands and systematic loss of prime agricultural arable land to other economic sectors. All these ending in job losses and limited access to sufficient food where 28.3% of our people are at a risk of going to bed regularly hungry.

The Department remains pledged to position itself in a demeanor that accords the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) targets for 2019 by bringing to fruition
1 million hectares of under-utilised land in communal areas and land  reform projects into production as well as creating 250 000 jobs from both underutilised land and existing production areas.

Madam Speaker, akin to this, READ forges ahead to promote the above fundamentals through Radical Socio-Economic Transformation in three (03) of the pertinent mandates by enhancing Food Security, Rural Livelihood & Environmental Assets in Bokone Bophirima Province.
 
1. Household Food Security

Motlotlegi Mmusakgotla, I will now pick at the Household Food Security reforms that the Department has put in place to ensure that the vulnerable people have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. On this subject, Food Gardens were established for 1 030 households across the Province. The Mazista Food Security Project in the Kgetleng Rivier Local municipality was also completed and handed over in partnership with Diageo Consulting Company to benefit 60 households. Plans are afoot to extend the program to Derby in the same Municipality.

Once more Honourable Members, a target of 2 000 households is planned for 2017/18 with a total budget of R8million. Other key projects modelled as Agri- Villages are unfolding in Jagersfontein Farm in  Ramotshere  Moiloa  Local Municipality for the MK Veterans of Luthuli detachment and extending to other communities of Mofufutso and Sione in Tswaing Local Municipality of Ngaka Modiri Molema District. A total of R7.5 million was spent on Food Security Program for the year under review in Bokone Bophirima.

2. Drought Relief and Mitigation

Mmusa Kgotla, Monongwaga re bone dipula tsa medupe fa ngwaga o fetileng o ya bokhutlong le fa ngwaga o ono o simololola. Baitseanape babolela fa dipula di nele ka bonnye, 304mm kwa Bophirima jwa Porofense mme kwa botlhaba di nele ka 718mm. Re santse re solofetse dipula le mo marigeng. Dipula tseno di fitlhetse re ntse re tsweletse go thusa bagarona jaaka leuba le ne le ba padimotse.

As part of our joint efforts with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry  and Fisheries (DAFF), during the year under review, an amount of R38 million was allocated and spent for drought relief through provision of emergency fodder to the
27 268 (Twenty-Seven Thousand, Two-Hundred & Sixty Eight) drought stricken Farmers. Supplementary to this, seven (7) drought and early warning Awareness Campaigns were tackled to empower Farmers on practical mitigation approaches.
 
Madam Speaker, the intermittent rainy weather in the North West Province saw a rise in the multitude of insects and pests. This led to an occurrence of an outbreak of Fall Army Worm (FAW) in Bojanala District which posed a tremendous risk to our crop Farmers. Despite this, the Department moved swiftly and decisively to control the outbreak and to monitor constantly for effective clamp down.

Going forward, the Department will cautiously implement other control measures against veldt fires and other insect transmitted diseases to avert effects of the above-normal rainfall, both for crop and livestock commodities.

Madam Speaker, as part of our decision to engage with various stakeholders on countermeasures for drought mitigations, the Department has heeded this call and will roll-out an AgriFund as part of resuscitating the AgriBank. To this end, preliminary work has already commenced with the repeal of the old legislation, submission of business case to the Provincial Treasury and a call out for strategic partners in the banking sectors for Saamwerk – Saamtrek implementation.

3. Donkey and Horse Value-Chain Enterprise Development

As part of our robust interventions for industrialisation with more focus on the Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD), the Department will pioneer the Donkey Value-Chain Enterprise development in Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Districts. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Juzi Technology Company of the People’s Republic of China has already been signed to this effect. READ will roll-out capacity building and planning programs, with a total amount of R1 million budget allocation for enterprise planning.

As we do this Honourable Speaker, READ is also on the beam about unruly opportunistic elements that wish to tarnish the donkey value-chain enterprise development  through  illegal  and  inhumane  slaughter  of  donkeys  across  the
Province.
 
The Department is on an ongoing basis investigating all the reported incidents and working closely with Law Enforcement and Welfare  Agents to pin down these culprits. READ assures the public and industry that as custodians of the Meat Safety Act and Environmental Management Act, all intended operations will be compliant with the laws.

Madam Speaker, we believe that the Department can play a fundamental role in bringing horseracing to the doorstep of the Bokone Bophirima Province as part of RRR and to claim the rightful market share in the vibrant sport. It is for this reason that the Department has already concluded a pre-feasibility study which guided us to go into a full scale feasibility that will lead to the  development  of  costed bankable business plan, mobilisation for partnerships & funding, planning, design and construction of infrastructure over the next three years.

Madam Speaker, I am humbled that this plan will unfold on an identified land adjascent to Sun City in Moses Kotane Local Municipality. We cannot wait for that moment when our people will reap benefits of transformation in this industry with lack of transformation. READ will work closely with the  North  West  Gambling Board; North West Parks Board; and other National Regulatory Authorities and International Agencies for rapid results.

4. Crop Production

Honourable Speaker, our Crop Massification programme continues to yield inarguable outputs. A case in point, is the 13 309 hectares which were planted for Maize and Sunflower against the set target of 12 500 hectares during the year under review, through an investment of R43 million. According to the latest yield estimates, prospects are good for the Sector, with an expected average yield of 2,5tons/ha on Maize and 2tons/ha on Sunflower respectively. A further investment of R46,4 million is budgeted for the season ahead with a target of 13 000ha, for a total of 227 Farmers anticipated to benefit. The Department will “saamtrek” with GrainSA in implementing Crop Massification
 
5. Agri-Parks

During the year under review, Springbokpan Grain Silos became operational and the milling plant construction is advancing. An official launch of the Springbokpan Grain Value-Chain AgriPark was carried out in July 2016 to mark the readiness of grain storage.

About R25 million was allocated for the finalisation of damp proofing, input warehouse and milling plant, intended to bring the AgriPark into full operation. Focus will also be drawn on the resuscitation and rehabilitation of the Vryhof and Kraaipan Silos as part of the Grain Value-Chain as part of the AgriPark. The Department will go ahead to finalise Business Plans for Vryburg, Moretele & Maquassi-Hills AgriPark Sites.

In line with the Hon. Premier’s SOPA, READ will enter into strategic partnership with the North West Development Corporation (NWDC) for implementation of the AgriParks. All efforts will be observed to leverage public and private funding for these crucial developments.

6. Tshimo ya Kgosi

Motlotlegi Mmusa Kgotla, mo ngwageng o o fetileng wa ditšhelete, ke Dikgosi di le lesome le bongwe (11) tse di ungwetsweng mo lenaneong leno, mme re dirisitse R7.25 million. Ga re kitla re khutla ka lenaneo leno go fitlhelela Magosi a rona otlhe a akarediwa. Monongwaga re beetse kwathoko bokana ka R7.25 million go tsweletsa lenaneo leno pele. Dikgosi tse di tla bonang didiriswa tsa temothuo le leruo mo ngwageng ono ke Kgosi Monnakgotla; Kgosi Shongwane; Kgosi Sefanyetso; Kgosi Ramokoka; Kgosi Motsatsi; Kgosi Mogagabe; Kgosi Mooketsi; Kgosi Sedumedi; Kgosi Lebatleng; Kgosi Mamogale; Kgosi Molotlegi; mo tikologong ya Bojanala, gammogo le Kgosi Mothibi go tswa kwa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati.

7. Livestock Production and Improvement

Mmusakgotla, we have during the year under review, spent R3 million on Development Livestock Breeding Material that will raise progenies for smallholder Farmers. R3.3 million was spent in 2016/17 to purchase breeding stock in this regard.

Madam Speaker, the Departmental Livestock Improvement Schemes will be enhanced to improve genetic potential of livestock resources in the Province. This will be achieved through the expansion of NW Nguni Cattle Development Project which is in its 10th year and the Sire Subsidy Scheme which is in its 4th year during 2017/18, to the tune of R2.5 million.

Mmusakgotla, Animal nutrition can be improved through proper planning for grazing, hence a Fodder bank will be established in Taung with a total budget allocation of R2 million.

8. Marketing

Honourable Members, in pursuit to improve market access, READ will implement Strategy aimed at removing market access barriers by establishing Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure, provision of Marketing Information and access to Government led Markets. To date, eighteen (18) Farmers’ Markets were organised in Taung, Mahikeng & Mogwase, with a total of 147 Farmers who participated as Sellers in these markets.

READ is currently working with other Sector Departments including Health; Social Development, Education; Correctional Services; the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to promote access to markets for Smallholder Farmers.
 
As part of Livestock Marketing programme, Auction Pens were launched in the Greater Taung Local Municipality with a turnover of R2,5 million. This follows the successful launch of the Livestock Auctions in Driefontein (Morokweng, Ganyesa, Bona-Bona) & Kgora Farmer Training Centre resulting in a turnover of R1.3 million.

The Bokone Bophirima Agricultural Growth and Investment Show (BBAGIS) has expanded as an avenue for Smallholder Farmers to bring to view their agricultural products and innovation. The Department is set to undertake a benchmarking mission to Brazil prior to hosting of the upcoming BBAGIS event as scheduled for October 2017.

In the same light, READ has planned to roll-out further two (02) Livestock Auction Pens in Mabeskraal (Bojanala) & Tshidilamolomo (Ngaka Modiri Molema), with a total budget allocation of R2 million. R5 million will also be spent on the empowerment of 50 Black Commercial Farmers on trade related matters.

9.Agro-processing

Honourable Members, Agriculture and Agro-processing are spotted as priority sectors for development and investment largely because of potential job creation to meet increasing demand in domestic and global markets. Madam Speaker, in order to advance the VTSD pillar of the Bokone Bophirima Province, our focus has been to support the existing Cooperatives and SMME’s in the Villages to develop skills and to promote Youth Entrepreneurship .

The Department is still catalytic on multi-year projects entered into since 2015, to foster planning & infrastructural development in ensuring that primary agricultural products for smallholder Farmers are processed within the borders of the Bokone Bophirima Province. R28 million is earmarked for these enterprise development. This includes Milling plants, Vegetable processing and Abattoirs.
 
Madam Speaker, as READ we have acquired a suitable business property to house Zeerust Fresh Produce as part of VTSD Industrialisation through Agro-Processing, with an expenditure of R6 million to date. The Department will consolidate the venture into a commercial production and retail in partnership with North West Development Corporation (NWDC) for a total cost of R2 million.

Indeed, we are delightful of the SOPA 2017 pronouncement by our Hon. Premier on the interrelations between READ and NWDC. READ is in the saddle to implement partnership on possible acquisition of Country Bird Holdings for the development of poultry value chain and infrastructure. The collaboration with NWDC extends to concerted implementation of Large Scale Aquaculture Production, Large Scale Agribusiness enterprises such as processing plants, feedlots, Agri-Fund Programme, North West Province - Nigerian Partnership Program and Goat Value-Chain Enterprise Development, BBAGIS; Taung Agro-Hub and Zeerust Fresh Produce Facility. The Saamwerk - Saamtrek will leverage both private and public investment to expand the funding envelop for the identified anchor projects.

10. Landcare

Madam Speaker, for the year under review, 120 Junior Landcarers and Educators from Bokone Bophirima showed up at the 7th Biennial Landcare National Conference in Kimberley, Northern Cape. As Team READ we wish to compliment the triumph of one of our Young Farmers Boitumelo Shole of Putfontein Farm, Ditsobotla Local Municipality for raising the bar and winning the Best Landcare Entrepreneur Award during the Conference. In many respect, this serves as an impetus for the future where more Young people can be motivated in their endeavour to reach greater heights.
 
Mmusakgotla, as you warrant this opportunity, let me share other achievements wherein the Department completed five (05) Landcare projects in Ratlou, Tswaing, Ramotshere Moiloa and Moretele Local Municipalities. A total of R7.1 million was spent for bush control on 4 814 hectares of ranch land.

READ will implement 06 Landcare projects and 03 Awareness Campaigns, all to the tune of R8.03 million. These projects are located in Madibeng, Moretele, Kagisano- Molopo, Naledi, Ditsobotla, Mahikeng, Tswaing, Ratlou  and  Ramotshere  Moiloa Local Municipalities. A basket of strategic focus areas for these projects include Veld care, Soil care, Water care, Junior Landcare, Conservation Agriculture, Awareness Campaigns and Training & Capacity Building.

11.Comprehensive Rural Development Programme(CRDP) sites

Madam Speaker since initiation of the CRDP Policy, the Department has now declared 08 CRDP sites across the Province.The coordination on provision of Basket of Services at these sites has been sustained.

In 2016/17, a total expenditure of R7 million was realised on the establishment of Bakeries at Mooifontein & Ventersdorp; Fencing at Mokgalwaneng, Bloemhof & Manyeleti; Poultry for Youth in Matloding and on high mast lights in Christiana.

The focus of the CRDP for the coming year is to compose synergy and linkages with the Agriparks development. All selected AgriPark sites will be developed using the CRDP mode of development for maximum impact. The foregone work in the identified sites will be consolidated in line with the Provincial CRDP Framework. An amount of R5 million is earmarked for the programme.
 
12. Land Reform

Honourable Speaker, in reversing the legacy of the 1 913 Native Land Act, the Provincial Land Commission has in the past financial year spent R234 million on land restoration as opposed to R43 million spent on financial compensation and R11 million on Land Development Grant.

Following SOPA pronouncement by our Hon. Premier, S.O.R Mahumapelo, the Department is highly excited for milestones delivered to the People of Makweteng in Tswaing Local Municipality, wherein 121 households recently received about R26 million collectively as a financial compensation.

The Commission has now in its coffers R248 million to be spent mainly on land acquisition. Claims for this financial year, will comprise of Middleton Estate in Atamelang, Tswaing Local Municipality (R25 Million); Uitgevonden, Ditsobotla Local Municipality (R22 Million), to benefit in total 201 households. The communities to benefit from this will include, namely: Bahurutshe Boo Moiloa; Barolong Boo Phoi; Barolong Boo Rapulana in Ngaka Modiri Molema District; Barolong Boo Mariba; Barolong Boo Maiketso in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and lastly the Mekgareng Community in Bojanala District.

13.Women, Youth and Disabled people

Madam Speaker, READ still rallies behind the commitment on inclusion of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities (PWD), in the mainstream economy through skills and enterprise development. The Department has made ecstatic strides in building the capacity of Youth in Rural Agricultural Development (YARD) & Women in Rural Agricultural Development (WARD) institutions.
 
During the SOPA address, Premier Mahumapelo quoted the following words of Oliver Tambo “A country and nation that doesn’t nurture its Youth doesn’t deserve its’ future”. The Premier urged us to heed the call for support of our Youth.

To substantiate this Statement Honourable Speaker, READ has already called on our Youth to participate in the Annual Agricultural Youth Awards which will be staged during the Youth month this year. We will roll-out program of Youth in Waste together with YES in the Office of the Premier to protect the environment and create jobs in the Sector.

Madam Speaker, the Department will collaborate with Mafikeng Innovation Hub and the North West University (NWU) on a Youth project of producing fertilizers as well as staging exciting Youth agricultural products. In the same  breath,  our Women will cease a moment through the Female Entrepreneur Awards (FEA) in August 2017. Considerably, the role for YARD and WARD still endure constructive advocacy for the designated groups as they rightfully contribute to mainstream commercial Agriculture, Food Security & Rural Development.

Madam Speaker, to date, READ has witnessed the triumph of a young Female Farmer, Nthabiseng Kgobokoe from Tsetse Village, here in Mahikeng, who has recently returned from Kenya on an international excursion trip after winning the National DAFF Female Entrepreneur Awards on Subsistence Farming last year. Re tsweletse go tshegetsa lenaneo leno thata ka re bone le neela bomme tśhono ya go itshupa ebile le tshegetsa dikgwebo tsa bona. Re rotloetsa bomme ba Porofense ya rona go le tsaya tsia mme ba tie thata mo kgwebong. Monongwaga re beetse bokana ka R3 million go tsweletsa lenaneo leno pele, ka jalo ra re "bereka mosadi"! Re beetse kwa thoko bokana ka R3,4 million go thusa basha, bagodi le digole kathupello le manaane a mangwe.
 
14.Agricultural Training and Capacity Building

Honourable Members, as I seek your indulgence, let me state that the investment on infrastructure for our centres of excellence at Taung & Potchefstroom Agricultural Colleges as well as the Kgora Farmer Training Centre are visible following the appreciable revamp carried out during 2016/17, which saw the Department spending R23 million on training and capacity building.

The first Graduation ceremony for Taung Agricultural College took place in the month of May 2016 with an output of 10 Graduates in line with the new Accreditation Curriculum on Irrigation Agriculture, whilst the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture added another 49 Graduates during 2016, with  1  034  Farmers trained at Kgora Farmer Training Centre.

Madam Speaker, the Department has plans to continue to use Agricultural Colleges to enhance the performance of the Agricultural Sector and prospects in terms of the National Development Plan (NDP) are afoot. READ remains resolute in making the Taung Agricultural College a Centre of Excellence in the Irrigation Agriculture. This happens to be the only College in the Country which is accredited to offer a National Diploma in Irrigation Management. To achieve this, READ has commissioned a total amount of R17.8 million for training and capacity building in 2017/18.

Motlotlegi Mmusakgotla, “Sedikwa ke ntšwa pedi ga se thata”. The Department is currently in the process of engagements with various Stakeholders in both Public and Private Sectors in order to raise the required R5 billion to implement the Provincial Irrigation Strategy through the North West Development  Corporation (NWDC).
 
15. Aquaculture and Fisheries

Madam Speaker, despite the slothful growth in the Sector, Aquaculture, in particular Freshwater Aquaculture, has the potential to be the most efficient and sustainable method of farming, especially in the arid regions where water is scarce. Hence, the Department has deemed it imperative to centralise the Provincial Programme to develop Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture, due to the inescapable potential for adoption of cage net-farming on six (06) Dams to assure massive production output. The same will generate more Job Opportunities, alleviate Poverty and address the issue of Food Insecurity.

In pursuance of taking advantage of Local resources and Government led markets, the Department has partnered with Rhodes University Rural Fisheries Programme and have to date developed a model for hatcheries as well as Fish grow-out for intensive & extensive production systems.

The Department is on course to achieve the Strategy to leverage Malaysian partnership for Technical exchange, Research, Capacity building as well as to solicit for international donor funding for Aquaculture & Fisheries programs in the Province. As part of the Aquaculture Development Programme, READ has developed designs for the establishment of the Barberspan Aquarium as the First Phase of this massive Agro-Tourism Hub in Tswaing Local Municipality.

This calls for other ACT Departments, the Municipality and the Private Sector to join hands and contribute to this noble initiative. R3 million was spent on initial Feasibility, Planning and Design Phases, with a further R8 million to complete this Phase.
 
16. Veterinary Services

Mmusakgotla, READ Veterinary Services has delivered 13 167 epidemiological visits to Farmers across the Province in order to promote effective disease control and surveillance, whilst 167 684 tests were conducted in line with ISO 17025 Standards for Disease Status Assurance. Trade of animal and animal products was also advanced through issuance of 1 568 export permits during the year under review.

The Department will continue with the Annual Abattoir Hygiene Rating Scheme for compliance promotion in relation to essential National Standards under the Meat Safety Act, Act No. 40 of 2000. Actual performance of 73% was registered against a national planned target of 60% in Abattoir compliance. Further to this, a total of
10 Veterinarians in the Compulsory Community Service Programme were placed throughout the Province to address the need of this scarce and critical skill, in collaboration with DAFF.

17. Environment Management

Motlotlegi Mmusakgotla, as READ, we pride ourselves with the auspicious inauguration of the historic Mebala Ya Rona North West Biodiversity Conference that took place in October 2016. The Department is glad to announce that the people of this Province have embraced Mebala Ya Rona as a vehicle to achieve Biodiversity Transformation towards the Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal of the Wildlife Sector and have mandated the 5th Administration to institutionalise this noble Vision.

Mmmusakgotla, I can impetuously make known that in the short space of time, READ has subsequently hosted the  Mebala Ya  Rona Wildlife Auction earlier in March this year. To be proactive, systems are also in place to host the second Auction during October 2017.
 
In addition to this Madam Speaker, it would be of critical importance for the House to note that the Mebala Ya Rona Advisory Committee and a Roma Nna Legacy Fund were ignited to independently mobilise resources for Biodiversity Transformation. Mebala Ya Rona Cooperative will be registered in this regard to  oversee  the business aspect of the Transformation Agenda throughout the entire Wildlife Value- Chain and to create linkages with other business enterprises for Black Economic Empowerment in the Wildlife Industry.

Madam Speaker, READ is overjoyed and give thumbs up to the Advisory Committee under the leadership of Dr Obakeng Mfikwe (Chairperson) and Mr Mike Engleziakis as his Deputy to lead this Committee. We therefore place our confidence on their guardianship on programs for empowerment in this regard.

As a Department, we undertake to avail and utilise part of the facilities in Kgaswane Mountain Reserve to house the Mebala Ya Rona operations and to tie up partnership with the South African National Parks (SANPARKS) for Transformation purposes during this financial year, in a manner that will make the people of Bokone Bophirima to participate in these opportunities.

Honourable Members, READ would like to further acknowledge the support of the Executive Council in the Kgetleng Game Transformation project. The project is being monitored and implementation is proceeding well through mentorship of the project members. The Department remains univocal and unrepentant about Wildlife Transformation and has in collaboration with the National Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) intentions to expedite the strategic acquisition of additional land for viable expansion of Transformation projects. Moreover, READ will continue with the Tuberculosis Eradication Program in Madikwe Game Reserve, which started in May last year for a period of 18 months.
 
Madam Speaker, the Taung Skull World Heritage Site will live up to its World Heritage status once all the Infrastructure Development projects have been completed. Plans and designs for the additional infrastructure projects as well as provision of ICT connectivity on the site advanced during the year under review.

An amount of R33 million is currently allocated to continue with developing the infrastructure on-site, of note will be the commencement of the Museum that will house the SKULL. Our prayers are that the Department will be able to fasttrack the return of the SKULL atleast during the Term of the 5th Administration. READ will engage all stakeholders in this regard.

Mmusakgotla, in the Department’s endeavour to support Municipalities and ensure the attainment of the Provincial Integrated Waste Management Plan, READ has acquired a Buy-back Centre within the Mahikeng Local Municipality, which is intended to create about 48 Jobs for the Youth.

Madam Speaker, READ has appointed a nine-member management authority to provide strategic direction & leadership for Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve jointly with the Gauteng Province. An Implementation Protocol will be signed  to  this effect. The Declaration process of Molopo Oog and Rusoord Nature Reserves were also completed and an Application will be submitted to DEA during the course of the financial year for consideration by UNESCO.

READ has emplaced an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Flowchart and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for effective management of the EIA processes. All Applications relating to EIA, Waste Management and Atmospheric Emissions were finalised within Legislated timeframes. Madam Speaker, further to this, READ conducted 1 944 Inspections and has vigilantly enforced 136 actions to lawbreakers, and in the process concluded strategies for the North West Climate Change Adaptation.
 
18. North West Parks Board

Madam Speaker, I am proud to announce that the CEO for North West Parks Board Ntate Mothobi Mothobi has received the Top Empowered: Public Service Leader of the Year Award 2017 at the Oliver Empowerment Awards held recently in Boksburg.

The North West Parks Board (NWPB) has further conducted a Client / Visitors Satisfaction Survey in 14 Game and Nature Reserves. The computed Tourist’s satisfaction index is 53.9% within all the Parks, which is way above the Global Visitors Satisfaction Index of 45%. An Employee Satisfaction Survey for personnel was also done in this respect. The North West Parks Board overall Index is found to be at 47.09%, which is above the acceptable norm.

Honourable Speaker, as part of our deliverables, the Department would also like to bring to the fore, that the NWPB has now been listed as a Provincial Public Entity as of the 24th February 2017. As a year-old public entity, the Board has made great strides to move from a Disclaimer to a Qualified Audit Opinion during 2015/16 and has managed to achieve 15 Videos of Parks on YouTube and Where Are You Now (WAYN) digital platforms, as part of the NWPB Marketing Strategy. To date, this generated 2 950 000 hits of YouTube Park Video packages that are viewed globally.

Amongst other projects  that  are  earmarked  for  the  Board  in  2017/18,  is  an R8 million Grant project by the  Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to purchase 18 Game drive vehicles (10-seater) which will enable the Pilanesberg CPAs to fully participate in the Game Viewing Business inside Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. The project stands to generate R38.8 million in revenue and is expected to create 50 permanent jobs. In addition to the above, another grant of R30 million is allocated for infrastructure development at Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve, with a total of 206 temporary jobs to be created and 51 SMMEs contracted.
 
Honourable Members, as part of the Provincial earmarked funds, the Department is illustrious to combat Rhino poaching in our Game Reserves. To achieve this, an amount of R9 million will be invested for rendering of anti-poaching equipments, Game Management Solutions, Parks Administration Support Systems as well as the construction of Mafikeng Game Reserve Security Wall to curb encroachment into the protected areas.

In unlocking the economic potential within our Game Reserves, NWPB will conclude feasibility for the Ecotourism City between Madikwe Game Reserve & Pilanesberg Game Reserve as pronounced by Hon. Premier S.O.R Mahumapelo. The economic opportunities will be championed as part of Mebala Ya Rona for effective Wildlife / Biodiversity Transformation. Similarly, the Heritage Walk will also be brought to life during the Heritage month as part of Mebala Ya Rona, to showcase the pulse of Transformation through Mebala Route within the envisaged City.

We wish to further announce Madam Speaker that we trained 32 Game Rangers through the Southern Wildlife College last year in partnership with the National Empowerment Fund. As I speak, Trainees are being absorbed by NWPB for permanent employment in the Parks and this year will also witness the recruitment of about 40 Learners from VTSD areas across Municipalities, enrolling as Game Ranchers with the Bokone Bophirima Wildlife Academy anticipated to be opened in Taung during July 2017.

Members of the House, one cannot understate the economic spins-offs that the Department envisages through partnerships for the beneficiation within our Parks. I pause to announce through you Madam Speaker that as part of Mebala Ya Rona (MYR) geared for Transformation, the Department has concluded the external processes to appoint partners in this regard for the co-management of Molopo Game Reserve in Kagisano-Molopo and the establishment/operational planning for Modimong Game Reserve in Greater Taung Local Municipality.
 
On the same note Madam Speaker, READ wishes to express the observable inconsistencies pertaining to some of the existing concession agreements between North West Parks Board (NWPB) and the Concessioners.

These agreements will be reviewed to bring them into alignment with the Post- democratic Legislations and Prescripts, which we believe Madam Speaker, that in doing this, prospects to have new entrants for empowerment will increase.

Supplementary to the above, the North West Parks Board participated in the recent World Travel Market Africa 2017 held in Cape Town to promote the importance of travel to our Parks and Reserves to increase the number of visitors in the Province and subsequently, in May this year, the North West Parks Board will showcase our Parks and Product Portfolio at the Annual Tourism Indaba in Durban in collaboration with the Tourism Department.

19.Job creation

Madam Speaker, let me also mention that during the execution of our mandate, the Department in alignment to addressing triple challenges of the NDP, specifically Unemployment, created a total of 1 007 EPWP Work Opportunities against  a planned target of 887 Work Opportunities, with a further 1 025 Work Opportunities to be created in 2017/18. All Work Opportunities are registered & reported on the EPWP Reporting System (ERS).

20. Corporate Governance, Departmental & Entity Performance

Honourable Members, I’m jubilant to mention that READ has developed a control system specifically tailored to administer the Departmental goals and resources. This allows us as a Department to reflect on our Service Delivery achievements and positive contributions to effective governance in driving the organisational success.

Madam Speaker, may I also take this opportunity before the House to proudly annunciate the recently appointed additional members of the North West Parks Board (NWPB). As the Department, we believe that the calibre of these Men and Women will take our entity to the next level and ensure optimal performance and accountability in the implementation of programs assigned to the Board.

Honourable Speaker, READ has significantly moved to Departmental restructuring since the reconfiguration as implemented by the 5th Administration during 2015. Consultations are ongoing with Office of the Premier en route to the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) for final approval. The Department will implement the new Organizational Structure on a Phase-In Approach to allow for efficiency in the delivery of services to our respective clients.

Subsequent to this Madam Speaker, READ also admits to the overall monitoring role that it bestows upon the NWPB and the limited resources available in this regard. The Department assures to pursue a Shared Service Model on some of the Corporate/Administrative functions between READ and NWPB without derailing the Statutory mandate of the Board. READ believes this exercise will streamline performance, accountability and save the vital costs necessary for Service Delivery.
 
Honourable Speaker, Employment Equity statistics in relation to Women at the Senior Management Services (SMS) level for the Department have once again improved in the past year. READ now stands at 48% Males to 52% Females, vis-à- vis 39% Females & 61% Males as reported previously. The Department continues to encourage recruitment of suitably qualified Women on vacant SMS positions.

Equivalently to this, efforts in maintaining and/or exceeding the 2% demographic target of People With Disabilities (PWD) in the employ of the Department remains a priority. To this end, READ stands at 2.3% achievement on People With Disabilities, from 1.8% vacant posts.

Madam Speaker, as a Department our call for a competitive workforce is addressed through the adoption of Workplace Skills and Training Plans comprising of Learnerships, Internships, Bursaries, Training, Induction as well as Extension Recovery Plans. Honourable Speaker, the Internship and Learnership programmes are an integral part of our Department and we continue to offer our Students personal exposure to the real world as an experiential, foundation to their career choices. 30 Interns were recruited in 2016, for a total budget of R1.6 million, whilst
40 Students were appointed on Learnerships, with an additional intake of 19 Learnerships from Food and Beverages and Insurance SETAs.

READ will continue to strengthen expenditure contribution that relates to the Villages, Townships & Small Dorpies (VTSD) through capital projects and services. Resources have been directed to VTSD areas and 81% target achieved on the basis of project location, with 90% targeted in the next level. Out of 18 matters raised by the Auditor General’s Report in the Audit Action Plan 2016/17, all matters were resolved in totality, attaining 100% compliance. Further on, as  a  preliminary finding, the Department has in two (02) consecutive Financial Years maintained 99% expenditure performance.
 
In as far as Revenue Management is concerned, READ collected R12 million against a target of R15 million yielding 78%, mainly from Students fees. The Department intends to increase its revenue base and Revenue Enhancement Plan is in place to incorporate other sources of revenue such as Mebala Ya Rona Conference; BBAGIS and Parking space for MMS & SMS at Agricentre Building as key drivers.

Madam Speaker, Monitoring Performance Assessment Tool (MPAT), as championed by Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), is a measuring stick to our performance in certain strategic key focus areas. This has led to READ obtaining an overall Departmental score of 3.3 out of 5 against planned score of 3 out of 5 in 2016/17. Further to this, we have developed an MPAT Improvement Plan in order to raise performance in the new financial year.

Honourable Speaker, the total Departmental Budget Vote 13 amounts to R1,370,636,000 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy Million, Six Hundred and Thirty Six Thousand Rands) for 2017/18. This amount comprises of R1.1 billion as Equitable Share, R243 million Conditional Grants and R16.6 million own Revenue as encapsulated in the following nine Departmental Programmes: