The Provincial Executive Council (‘Executive Council’) held its ordinary meeting on Wednesday 4 May 2016 Pietermaritzburg.
1. Key Executive Council Decision
1.1 KwaZulu-Natal Business Bill, 2015
The Provincial Government continues its efforts to build a dynamic economy and expand economic opportunities for all the citizens of KwaZulu-Natal. To build an inclusive economic growth, employment and development, the Executive Council considered and approved, the KwaZulu-Natal Business Bill, 2015 for consultation with stakeholders.
The objects of the Bill are to, inter alia:
(i) Provide for an integrated provincial business regulatory framework in order to promote a conducive environment for economic development in the Province;
(ii) Provide for measures to protect consumers in the Province against unhealthy harmful, and unsafe goods and business practices;
(iii) Provide for a designation of licensing, permitting and registration authorities, committees and officers in the Province and their objects, powers, duties and functions;
(iv) Provide for a standardized framework for the regulation of information trading in the Province;
(v) Provide for a conducive environment to ensure graduation of small businesses in the informal sector into the main stream economy;
(vi) Provide for the establishment of the Provincial Inspectorate;
(vii) Provide for the powers of the responsible Member of the Executive Council to designate twenty-four hour trading zones and small tenancy arrangement;
(viii) Provide for the establishment of District and Provincial Traders Associations; and
(ix) Provide for incidental matters.
All interested stakeholders are encouraged to engage with this process as we continue to build a growing, developing and caring KwaZulu-Natal.
1.2 Progress report on the foreign nationals who were accommodated at Hope Farm
The Executive Council noted the progress report on the displaced foreign nationals who had not yet been re-integrated. The executive Council expressed its appreciation to all stakeholders that worked on reintegration of the displaced foreign nationals emanating from unfortunate violence of 2015.
In particular the Executive Council thanked the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Ms F Chohan and all social partners like UNHCR, KZN Council of Churches, ZOE Life and Diakonia Council of Churches for their role. The Executive Council further noted and expressed its support to the eThekwini Municipality’s commitment that bylaws will be enforced in respect of the foreign nationals who have invaded Jay Sigh Street in Durban.
The Executive Council approved the plan to undertake statutory intervention in respect of removal of the 68 children to a place of safety in terms of section 151 of the Children’s Act, No. 38 of 2005. It further supported the application for an eviction order to remove refugees from the farm.
1.3 Implementation Plan of Action for People with Disability; Senior Citizens and on Widowhood
The Executive Council approved the Disability Action Plan 2016/17, the Senior Citizens’ Strategic Plan and the Widowhood Action Plan 2016/17. These plans ensures that coordination, mainstreaming and monitoring of rights of these interest groups are realised. They further ensure that implementation of policies and strategic interventions particularly for People with Disability and Senior Citizens, improve the quality of life of these interest groups.
2. Progress report on the implementation of the Provincial Academic Improvement Plan
The Executive Council received a report on the progress made thus far in the implementation of the 2016 Provincial Improvement Plan in education. This flows from among others the Premier’s Education Indaba held to discuss the state of education in the Province and how to improve matric results outcomes.
The plan focuses on five key areas namely, Basic school functionality, effective curriculum delivery and learner attainment, teacher development, promotion of reading and stakeholder participation. The Executive Council noted progress that the Department of Education has made in improving the overall pass percentage and quality of such passes across all Districts.
The Executive Council further noted the overall percentage of learners in Core Mathematics, which is 59% when the country averages 35%. The Province thus contributes the highest number of learners with scarce skills in the South African economy and positions KwaZulu-Natal as a Mathematics Province.
3. Outcome of the IEC Voter Registration held on the weekend of the 9th and 10th April 2016 and the associated mobilization plan
The Executive Council was informed of the outcomes of the voter registration which took place over the week of 9 & 10 April 2016. It was reported that the Province of KwaZulu-Natal had the most number of voter registration with a total of 186 933 registrations. The majority of the registrations were the youth between the ages of 20-29. This highlights the interest of the citizens of our Province in public affairs.
4. Upcoming events
4.1 Premier’s feedback Imbizo at Mtubatuba Local Municipality
The Executive Council approved the hosting of the Premier’s feedback Imbizo on 13 May 2016 at uMtubatuba Local Municipality. The event will look at issues raised by the community during the “I do right campaign” event in March 2015.
4.2 KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Council on AIDS (PCA) meeting to be held on 18 May 2016
The Executive Council was informed that the meeting of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Council on AIDS is scheduled for 18 May 2016 commencing at 13h00. The venue is Ground floor Auditorium, Moses Mabhida Building, 300 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg.
4.3 16 Years of Democratic Local Government celebration culminating with the Municipal Excellency Awards
The Executive Council was informed of the 16 years of Democratic Local Government Celebration commencing on 12 May 2016, culminating to Municipal Excellence Awards Ceremony on 28 June 2016 at the ICC in Durban.
The official launch of the celebrations will take place on 12 May 2016 in Ugu District at Umuziwabantu. MECs and HoDs will host related activities in their respective Districts as Champions.
5. Other Matters
5.1 Deaths of Department of Health Employees in UMgungundlovu District
The executive Council was informed of three incidents that resulted in the death of three Department of Health employees within uMgungundlovu District during the months of March 2016 and April 2016. The Executive Council conveyed its condolences to the bereaved families and the entire community of the Department of Health.
Enquires:
Thami Ngwenya
Cell: 060 572 9881
