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Mpumalanga Executive Council Media Statement


21 August 2014

Thank you members of the media for coming to this press conference.

Yesterday, Wednesday, 20 August 2014, the Executive Council held its normal meeting and deliberated on a number of issues. We are pleased to share with you and communities out there decisions taken.

Progress Report on Section 139.1 (b) Intervention in Bushbuckridge and Emalahleni Local Municipalities

The Executive Council was briefed on the state of affairs in the two municipalities following the intervention by the provincial government in terms of Section 139.1 (b) of the Constitution in April 2013.

The Executive Council was pleased with progress made thus far but conceded that there are still few leadership and administrative matters to be resolved in both municipalities before the Interventions are lifted. The Executive Council accordingly approved extension of the Interventions to afford the municipalities time to prepare for a seamless transition which includes the filling of critical posts.

State of readiness for the Provincial Women’s Day Celebration

The Executive Council noted the state of readiness for the Provincial Women’s Day Celebration taking place on Saturday, 30 August 2014 at Masoyi near Hazyview in Mbombela Municipality.

This year’s theme is: “Celebrating 60 years of the Women’s Charter, and 20 year of democracy: Moving Women’s Agenda Forward”.

A basket of services will be delivered to the community (mainly to women beneficiaries) by various departments on the day of the event. These include healthcare, housing, agricultural support, etc.

2014/15 Provincial Integrated Early Childhood Plan

The Executive Council approved the 2014/15 Provincial Integrated Early Childhood Development [ECD] Plan. The Plan responds to national and provincial early childhood priorities as reflected in the State of the Nation Address, the State of the Province Address as well as the National Development Plan.

Among others, the Plan seeks to increase access to ECD centres to the 0-4 age cohort as well as moving towards a two-year compulsory pre-school education and fuller integration of Grade-R educators in the post and remuneration structure of the Department.

In order to realise the successful implementation of the plan, EXCO further noted developments in preparations for the establishment of the ECD Institute in the Province. The Institute is expected to be operational by January 2015 as pronounced by the Hon Premier during his 2014/15 State of the Province Address.

2014/2015 Integrated Youth Skills Development Implementation Plan

The Executive Council approved the 2014/2015 Integrated Youth Skills Development Implementation Plan.

The Plan seeks to utilize various initiatives such as short courses, skills programmes, youth cooperatives development, incubator programmes and work integrated learning to develop skills among the young people of the Province.

The Executive Council emphasized that skilling should be relevant to the demands of the provincial economy to enhance absorption by the labour market as well as encouraging entrepreneurial skills.

Provincial Bursary Policy

The Executive Council approved the revised Provincial Bursary Policy that seeks to promote access to financial assistance to deserving internal and external stakeholders. EXCO emphasized the need to be cost-effective in the current environment of a shrinking fiscus. Bursary holders must take full advantage of the opportunity offered to them. Learners who fail will forfeit their bursaries.

State of Affairs at MEGA

The Executive Council noted recent developments in the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) where the Interim Chairperson Mr Siyabonga Mahlangu stepped down after accepting fulltime employment with Telkom as well as the consensual termination employment agreement with the Chief Executive Officer, Advocate Boyce Mkhize.

Mr Davies Mculu has since been appointed Interim Chairperson by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. The Executive Council approved the appointment of Mr Thulani Nobela, the Acting Head of Business Enterprise at MEGA as acting CEO for a period not exceeding six months or until a permanent CEO is appointed as recommended by the Interim Board

Extended Public Works Phase 3 Provincial Municipal Summit

The Executive Council approved the hosting of the Extended Public Works Provincial Summit at Gert Sibande District from 28 – 29 August 2014 by the Department of Public Works Roads and Transport.

The objectives of the summit are to bring together all EPWP stakeholders to strategise on how best the Province can implement EPWP and to further assist in reflecting on performance targets, achievements, under-reporting, minimal reporting and implementation challenges across different sectors.

Appointments

Mr Mduduzi Zitha – appointed Director: Executive Council Secretariat [Office of the Premier]

Mr Godfrey Sibusiso Ntombela – appointed Chief Director: Municipal Support [Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs]

Ms Vuyelwa Euphemia Shongwe – appointed Director: Business Support [Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs]

Issued by Zibonele Mncwango
Spokesperson: Mpumalanga Premier
Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Office of the Premier
Tel: (013) 766 2453
Mobile: 079 491 0163
E-mail:
zmncwango@mpg.gov.za OR zibonelemncwango@gmail.com


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