EXCO Media Statement
14 December 2024
EXCO APPROVES PLAN TO LINK MIFPM WITH CHINESE MARKETS AND APPOINTMENTS TO IMPROVE STATE CAPACITYThe Mpumalanga Premier, Mr. Mandla Ndlovu has convened a sitting of the Executive Council (EXCO) on Friday, to take decisive measures aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the citizens. This as the 7th administration intensifies measures for the realisation of the apex priorities to drive inclusive growth and job creation, reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living and build a capable, ethical and developmental state.
Infrastructure development and service delivery improvement are among the focus areas of the 7th administration, in an effort to create the much-needed jobs. These include the completion of major capital projects, such as the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM) and public facilities to improve access to basic services, including health and education.
- OUTBOUND MISSION TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
The construction of the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM) has been completed and the Provincial Government is putting measures in place for operationalisation. It is the first large scale market infrastructure to be built in Mpumalanga, and will create direct and indirect employment opportunities through the export of agricultural commodities to international markets.
To achieve these objectives, Premier Ndlovu will undertake an outbound mission to the People’s Republic of China to establish cooperation with major players in the food industry and logistics for the MIFPM. The Premier’s entourage will include MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Ms. Nomphumelelo Hlophe and senior officials.
Premier Ndlovu’s outbound mission, which starts on the 14th to the 20th of January 2025 will focus on Tianshui City and Longricunan City in Gansu Province, and Xiamen City in Fujian Province, where bilateral agreements with reputable trade institutions such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, will be signed.
EXCO approved the outbound mission. - LIQUIDATION AND DERIGISTRATION OF MRRT ROYAL HOTEL
EXCO deliberated on the process to liquidate and deregister the Royal Hotel as a company from the MRTT Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest (Pty) Ltd. The hotel, with 50 rooms, has thirty five (35) permanent employees. It was leased to the Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust (MRTT) in 2012 by the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (PWR&T) until it expired in 2022.
The process to liquidate and deregister the hotel as a company from the MRTT Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest (Pty) Ltd, emanate from the resolution of the Board of Directors in 2022. It is in line with Section 54 (2) (e) and (f) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
Loss of profit due to COVID-19 and the decision of the previous tenant to abandon business operation, with no payment for the employees, and without giving notices, are among the factors which prompted the decision for the liquidation process.
Efforts to revitalise business operation were unsuccessful when Kruger on Sabie management company took over the hotel in 2022, on a lease agreement and later abandoned it. This left business operation in the hands of the employees.
Negotiations between various stakeholders, mainly, PWR&T, Kruger on Sabie management company, MRTT and Organised Labour resolved that the department will renovate the hotel to improve its condition. In addition, the management company will be allowed to operate the business, with effect from 1 March 2025.
EXCO approved the liquidation and deregistration of the hotel as a company from the MRTT Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest (Pty) Ltd, in accordaThat the Boarding school will accommodate deaf learners pending the completion of Mpumalanga school for the Deaf at Emalahleni areance with the regulations of the Companies Act. Furthermore, the renovation of the hotel and the role of the management company to operate the business, were also approved.
- REPURPOSING OF SHONGWE BOARDING SCHOOL
EXCO discussed extensively measures to repurpose the Shongwe Boarding school, in the Nkomazi Local Municipality. The school was established as one of the six education facilities in the province to provide access to quality education for learners in farm areas. This led to the merger and closure of several schools with low enrolments.
EXCO analysed an assessment report which indicate that the current enrolment is 890 and that the hostel facility is not in a good condition. Furthermore, EXCO observed that some of the learners accommodated at the school, are not eligible for enrolment, based on set requirements.
As such EXCO resolved the following:- That the Shongwe Boarding school should be repaired to improve the conditions of the hostel facility
- That after the finalization of repairs, the school may in the interim be used to accommodate deaf learners who attend at Bukhosibetfu school
- That the Boarding school will accommodate deaf learners pending the completion of Mpumalanga school for the Deaf at Emalahleni area
- That deserving learners drawn from farms schools, be relocated to Emakhazeni Boarding school and that those coming from local communities, be integrated at the local schools
- APPOINTMENTS
EXCO approved several appointments to improve the capacity of the state.
- Office of the Premier:
- Chief Director – Strategic Human Resource Management: Mr. PJ Jiyane
- Chief Financial Officer: Mr. NC Sibande
- Health
- Director- Special Projects: Mr. GR Chiloane
- Director - Institutional Performance Management: Ms. MS Mahlalela
- Director – Management Accounting: Ms LC Mkoko
- Director – Legal Services: Advocate C Ndlovu
- Director – Forensic Health Care Services: Ms. HO Mpangane
- Director – Research and Epidemiology: Ms. CK Mavimbela
Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Enquiries:
Executive Council’s Spokesperson: Mr Thulasizwe Thomo
Provincial Government’s Spokesperson: Mr George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile:083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za
