PREMIER THABANG MAKWETLA’S WEEKLY ITINERARY

03 NOVEMBER 2005 - PROVINCIAL YOUTH AWARDS
Premier Thabang Makwetla will deliver the keynote address during the Mpumalanga Provincial Youth Excellence Awards.
Venue: Witbank Civic Centre
Time: 19h00

04 NOVEMBER 2005 - PRESIDENTIAL MUNICIPAL IMBIZO
The Premier will accompany Deputy President Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as part of District Municipal Izimbizo.
Venue: Nkangala District Municipality (Witbank Council Chamber)
Time: 9h00

BMW SEED AWARD CEREMONY

DEPARTMENT AND BMW TO HONOUR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUS SCHOOLS.

As part of its Environmental Education Programmes, the Department of Agriculture and Land Administration will hold the BMW School Environmental Development Programme (S.E.E.D). The programme is a sustainable exercise in responsible citizenship undertaken by the company and the schools. The initiative is aimed at enabling the department and its partner (BMW) to bring schools on board in terms of environmental awareness.

The programme which runs on an incentive basis aims at amongst others, awakening the youth on environmental issues, forcing the spirit of community involvement and empowering both the schools and the communities in enhancing their quality of life. Just before the actual award ceremony, the BMW S.E.E.D team visits the schools to establish the environmental situation and evaluations then take place. The other integral part of the adjudication is the cascading of the information to the neighboring partners and rippling effects to the community. This year’s prize giving ceremony will be preceded by a visit to two school projects to inter-alia demonstrate the success that government and the business can come up with

Incentives:

Schools, depending on their performance are grouped into three basic categories:
Category A - Consistent excellent and growth in the overall project.
Category B – Ongoing effort and progress towards achieving the principles of the programme
Category C – Recognition of schools who are making an effort on environmental issues.

Cash incentives are awarded annually, the amount obviously depending on the category achieved, hence assist at facilitating schools’ development. The criteria upon which the judges’ decision is based on amongst other things, sustainability, and social impact, level of research, participation and project presentation. The MEC for Agriculture and Land Administration, Mr Madala Masuku, HOD, Ms Maureen Sithole and Senior Managers in the department are to grace the event scheduled as follows:

Venue : Lowveld Botanical Gardens
Date : 11 November 2005
Time : 11H30 AM

As this is on an ongoing basis, the BMW S.E.E.D team will monitor the progress and provide support to the schools on environmental issues. There are also a number of workshops that are available to participating schools, to ensure that schools finally become community resource centers.

Issued by the Communications Sub-Directorate
Department of Agriculture and Land Administration
Contact: Freddy Ngobe – 013 766 6086 or 082 821 4148

PREMIER PARTNERS WITH STUDENTS

NESLPRUIT-Mpumalanga matriculants stand to benefit from their former senior peers following an agreement of partnership between the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and representatives of the Mpumalanga Students Association (MSA), based at the University of Johannesburg, formerly known as Wits, earlier today.

The announcement was made today after Mpumalanga Premier, Thabang Makwetla, who was accompanied by the MEC for Education, Mr. Siphosezwe Masango and the Chairperson of the Provincial Youth Commission, Mr. Sipho Shongwe, held a meeting that was described as “fruitful”.

According to the agreement, the Mpumalanga Government will partner and provide support to students who originate from Mpumalanga but study at Wits and other tertiary institutions when they embark in voluntary work to provide career advices and winter schools class to under performing schools in the province. The Department of Education will identify under performing schools that require intervention.

The Mpumalanga Students Association is a voluntary organization formed in 2004 by Mr Johannes Monamate, a third year B. Com student studying at Wits University. Mr.Manamatla, who hails from Pienaar, 26 KM east of Nelspruit, describe today meeting as groundbreaking.

“We were offering winter classes on a voluntary basis with no systematic support. We are now challenged to work harder and more professionally in order to win the confidence of government with regard to proper financial management processes in order to attract other potential sponsors” said Mr. Zakhele Maya, chairperson of the MSA.

The MSA currently has 120 members who study at the University of Johannesburg and it plans to recruit fellow Mpumalanga students in other tertiary institutions in South Africa.

Makwetla described the students association as a “resource that the Mpumalanga Government must take full advantage of. It is a weakness we must urgently address,” cautioned Makwetla.

According to Makwetla, the Mpumalanga Students Association is an “organization with a mission beyond (personal) interest of its members.”

“It would be sad that such youth enthusiasm is not optimally utilized to address other youth challenges because the needs of the youth constituency are varied, ranging from sports to education” said the premier.

Makwetla described the student youth as an important constituency that will help address the skills challenge that is facing the province, in order to grow and share the economic benefits across society.

The premier advised the students to balance their educational mission stands with the entrepreneurial interest, and in doing so, they must at all times adhere to ethics and integrity.

Mpumalanga Youth Commission has been tasked to work closely with the Mpumalanga Students Association on expanding the partnership to include provincial parastatals in order to provide non-educational support. Makwetla and Masango will also serve as patrons of the association.

CONTACT:

Ntime Skhosana (Premier's spokesperson 0846730415 or 0137662055)
Mr. Zakhaele Maya (M S A 083 513 2420)
Mr. Johannes Monamathe (M S A 072 135 7335)
Issued by : Office of the Premier- Mpumalanga Provincial Government

BURSARIES FOR VETERINARY NURSES

The Department of Agriculture and Land Administration in Mpumalanga is once again inviting interested students to apply for bursaries in the field of Veterinary Services. The department is offering three bursaries for Matriculants to study the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing on full time basis at the University of Pretoria.

The selection of candidates is based on the following criteria:

The bursary includes the following package.

1. Cost
Costs for the period of study will cover tuition, accommodation and meals.

2. Admission requirements
Matric exemption with Mathematics and either Biology or Physical Science with a minimum of 40 % in Higher Grade or 50 % in Standard Grade.

3. Closing date
Applications for bursaries close on 22 November 2005. Successful candidates will be awarded bursaries to study for the 2006 academic year.

Enquiries: Mr. J.R. Mokgotho, tel: (013) 741 3218.
Dr. P.E.L. Kloeck tel: (013) 741 3218

Applications must be submitted to:
The Head Human Resource Development
Department of Agriculture and Land Administration
Private Bag X11219
Nelspruit
1200

For Attention: Mr. Matthews Mathebula.

Issued by the Communications Directorate
Department of Agriculture and Land Administration
Contact: Freddy Ngobe – 013 766 6086 / 082 821 4148

Executive Council Decisions at Mbombela Municipality

The Executive Council (Cabinet) of Mpumalanga province at its fortnightly meeting in Nelspruit Wednesday, 23 November 2005 approved the appointment Mr. Monwabisi Raymond Tywakadi as the Superintendent-General for Department of Education with effect from 1 December 2005.

He is currently a senior education advisor at the Department of International Development (DFID) in southern Africa in Pretoria. Mr Tywakadi is a seasoned public servant with 9 years of experience in the Eastern Cape where he has worked as deputy director, director and chief director. He has wide experience in education dating back to 1980 when he was a member of the National Education Crisis Committee (NECC) in the Eastern Cape. He has recently completed the impact assessment and reviews of the Primary Reading Programmes of the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Zambia and Ethopia.

In a similar development, Mr. Jacob Simon Mgidi's appointment as executive manager, corporate strategy in the Office of the Premier was also approved by Cabinet with effect from 1 December 2005. He was a member of the negotiating team at CODESA (1992-94), subsequently he was a member of the National Assembly, Constitutional Assembly and later became a member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature. He also worked as an administrator general at Ndzundza Traditional and director general in the then KwaNdebele administration.

Issued by the Communication Chief Directorate
Office of the Premier
NELSPRUIT

Contact Lebona Mosia at 082 5616465/013 7662244 lmosia@nel. Mpu.gov.za

MPUMALANGA LAUNCHES THE UN DECADE OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

Mpumalanga Agriculture and Land Administration MEC, Madala Masuku has launched the United Nation's - Decade of Education for Sustainable Development in Nelspruit.

The launch comes after the UN has declared the period 2005 – 2014 as the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. The underlying aim behind the launch of the programme is for government and civil society to join hands in achieving sustainable development in the province.

For the DESD to be successfully implemented in the province it is essential that co-operation and commitment from economic sectors, social and institutional driving forces be secured. The department through the Directorate Environmental Awareness and Education has already established good co-operation with several government departments, business sector representatives and community-based organisations.

The Decade of Education for Sustainable Development programme for Mpumalanga will take shape in the following phases:

• Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Departments of Education and Agriculture and Land Administration.
• General awareness programme on – Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.
• Launch of the – Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.
• Implementation of – Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

To this end it has become evident that poverty and inequality are undoubtedly major contributors to environmental degradation. Governments and civil societies globally responded in terms of agreements and resolutions from world conferences to provide goals and courses of action required to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. Amongst the wide-ranging responses, there is consensus that education at all levels is central for giving impetus to sustainable development.

Phase four, which is the implementation stage of the initiative, will see the establishment of Mpumalanga Education for Sustainable Development Forum (MESDF). The purpose of the forum will be to initiate – through an annual plan - implement and monitor Education for Sustainable Development in all spheres in the province. This will be done through networking, sharing ideas, resources and co-operation resulting in action that will reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development.

Issued by the Communications Directorate

Department of Agriculture and Land Administration

Contact: Freddy Ngobe – 013 766 6086 / 082 821 4148

LAUNCH OF THE UN DECADE OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The United Nations has declared the period 2005 – 2014 as the – Decade of Education for Sustainable Development . To honour that, the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture and Land Administration in partnership with the Education Department will on 15 November 2005 launch the provincial programme of – UN' s Decade for Education for Sustainable Development. The underlying aim behind the launch of the programme is for government and civil society to join hands in achieving sustainable development in the province.

The Decade of Education for Sustainable Development programme for Mpumalanga will take shape in the following phases:

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Departments of Education and Agriculture and Land Administration.

General awareness programme on – Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

Launch of the – Decade of Education for S ustainable Development.

Implementation of – Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

To this end it has become evident that poverty and inequality are undoubtedly major contributors to environmental degradation. Governments and civil societies globally responded in terms of agreements and resolutions from world conferences to provide goals and courses of action required to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. Amongst the wide-ranging responses, there is consensus that education at all levels is central for giving impetus to sustainable development.

Phase four, which is the implementation stage of the initiative, will see the establishment of Mpumalanga Education for Sustainable Development Forum (MESDF). The purpose of the forum will be to initiate – through an annual plan - implement and monitor Education for Sustainable Development in all spheres in the province. This will be done through networking, sharing ideas, resources and co-operation resulting in action that will reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development.

The launch will take place on the following date:

VENUE : Mpumalanga Parks Board

DATE : 15 November 2005

TIME : 12H00 PM

Issued by the Communications Sub-Directorate
Department of Agriculture and Land Administration
Contact: Freddy Ngobe – 013 766 6086 or 082 821 414

PROVINCIAL LAUNCH OF 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM FOR NO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

Members of the Executive Council, Political parties, Mayors, Government Officials, businesses community, NGO's and important interfaith organisations will tomorrow, 25 November 2005 converge at Elandshoek, near Ngodwana to launch the 16 Days of Activism for no violence Against Women and Children. The launch starts at 10h00.

The 16 days of activism of no violence against women is a United Nations campaign. It takes place annually on the 25 November declared as the International day of no violence against women to 10 December that is the international Human Rights day. The campaign period includes the 1 December, which is the World Aids day and international Disability day on 3 rd December.

The South African Government runs a parallel campaign that includes issues relating to children . This campaign focuses primarily on generating an increased awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children.

The campaign draws its support from the civil society, government, faith based organisations and private sector. Although the campaign runs for 16 days it is wished that the practise might be a yearlong. The campaign provides an ideal opportunity to sensitise all citizens with regard to the involvement of men and boys in the fight against violence and abuse directed against women and children.

THEME
Since this year the country is celebrating 50 years of the adoption and the existence of the Freedom Charter, the theme is developed such that it articulates the aspirations of the Freedom Charter and Convention on the elimination of all forms of violence Against Women (CEDAW).

The theme is.
“ Building South Africa that truly protects women and children”

“Break the silence against all forms of abuse”
“Act against abuse”

THE PURPOSE OF THE CAMPAIGN

• To generate an increasing level of awareness amongst South Africans pertaining to the incidents of violence perpetuated against women and children, how it manifest itself within South African society and the negative impact on vulnerable groups.

• To challenge perpetrators of these offences to change their behaviour.

• To enhance and increase partnership between government, the private sector, civil society, organised labour, sectoral groups, faith based organisations, media (electronic and print) and the diplomatic community in an effort to spread the message.

• To align events in the national programme with that of the international theme.

• To raise funds for NGO's that work within the sector, providing invaluable support to victims and survivors of violence.

• To communicate through the most effective and appropriate channels aiming to reach the maximum number of people across the country, particularly women and children residing in rural areas.

• To engage actively with men and boys in the discourse about combating violence in our homes, communities and in the work place.

• To highlight the stories of survivors of gender based violence and the impact that the campaign has had on their lives.

Enquiries : Lebona Mosia 082 561 6465

Issued by Mpumalanga Provincial Government,
Office of the Premier