Mpumalanga Special Executive Council Statement
29 December 2009
Mpumalanga Premier, D. D. Mabuza summoned a special
Executive Council on the 29th of December 2009 to deal with urgent matters.
These included: storm damage, preparations for schooling next year, examination
marking process and progress on the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme at
Mkhondo.
The Executive Council received an impressive report on the
progress made with regards to preparation for the start of schooling in 2010.
The Executive Council was happy to learn that Learner Support materials were
reported delivered in all schools, except in a few areas where principals could
not be found. The Department has to make necessary arrangements to resolve the
problem before the schools begin. The Executive Council was also concerned that
the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for educators and some doctors has
not been paid in full and that this should be resolved as soon as possible.
We must have a seamless start of schooling, and learning material for
learners and better working condition for teachers, including their
remuneration, is what will encourage both teachers and learners to be on time in
class, learning and teaching. “We dare not falter where we have a muscle to make
it happen.” Premier D.D. Mabuza remarked.
The Executive Council was impressed with the progress made
with regards to the marking of exam scripts and the management of the process
thereof. In the same vein, the Executive Council welcomed the
drastic action that has been taken to deal with the leaked Mathematics paper and
the appropriate decision to recall and replace it with a new paper. “We have no
reason not to believe that the process will be concluded with less or no
incidence, come the announcement of the results,” concluded the Premier.
It was reported to the special Executive Council that
adverse weather conditions which included severe storms during November and
December 2009, damaged a number of houses, schools, bridges, disrupting water,
sewage and electricity supply services and damaged roads and streets.
The Executive Council commended the interventions carried out by the
provincial disaster management team, municipalities and Departments.
Further work needs to be done to ensure that the lives of the people
affected by these adverse circumstances are normalized. The Intergovernmental
Disaster Management Political Committee will meet before the 8th of January 2010
to assess the damage and progress made in order to normalize the situation
immediately.
The Executive Council was also impressed with the progress
made with regard to the Mkhondo Comprehensive Rural Development Pilot Project,
which is on schedule.
The Executive Council approved the appointment of Mr. J.M.
Rabodila as the Director General in the Office of the Premier.
Mr. Rabodila has extensive experience in the banking sector and local
government, including being a Municipal Manager of the Merafong City local
municipality from 2005 to date.
