EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

08 AUGUST 2007

The Executive Council met at the Dr. JS Moroka municipality at its fortnightly meeting on Wednesday 08 August 2007 deliberated and took decisions on the following areas:

Enhancing economic growth

The Executive Council discussed and approved the establishment of the Provincial Growth Funds. These funds would be available for use in areas with large potential for economic growth. The funds will focus on building a quality specialized finance portfolio. This would entail a business model that encompasses the principle of transformation and black economic empowerment at all levels. The Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) will be responsible for managing the Growth Fund. It is estimated that the fund will start to make impact on the development and the growth of the economy of Mpumalanga. The executive Council has agreed to work out the contribution of government to the fund.

Providing assistance to areas ravaged by fire

Another important issue discussed and approved by the Executive Council was to provide fodder support to vast areas ravaged by recent fires in the province. The Executive Council was informed about the progress made with regard to the response to the veld fires. In general work is being done through the costing of the damage. However, it was agreed that the Department of Agriculture responds immediately to the challenge of the grazing land by rescuing the remaining livestock through the provision of relief fodder to the value of R16m.

Addressing the situation at Govan Mbeki municipality

The Executive Council commends the police on the breakthrough realized in the investigation on the murder of the former deputy Executive Mayor of Govan Mbeki municipality. Secondly, the Executive Council has noted with regret the inclusion among those arrested councilors of Govan .Mbeki municipality. The Executive Council furthermore commends all members of the public who assisted in the arrest of those who are alleged to be responsible for this criminal act. Cabinet calls for calm in the community and for the due process of the criminal justice system to take its course.

On capacity building in government

In ensuring that the government has capacity deliver on service delivery - the appointment of senior government officials constituted the major focus of the Executive Council in this session. As such the following appointments were approved:

· Mr. Matsobane Themba Matlou to the post of senior manager (director): planning and programme management, in the Office of the Premier. He is currently deputy director: strategic planning in the provincial department of health and social services.
· Dr. Nomsa Veronica Mnisi as senior manager: Animal Health in the Department of Agriculture and Land Administration. She is currently deputy-director in the department of agriculture in the North West Province.
· Mr. Andre Van Niekerk as senior manager: Land Administration in the Department of Agriculture and Land Administration. He is currently deputy-director: land administration in the department of agriculture and land administration.
· Ms Vuyani Joy Baloyi as senior manager: Legal Services in the Department of Finance. She is currently deputy-director: in the legal services of the department of economic development environment and tourism in Limpopo Province.
· Mr Piet Gardner Phakola as senior manager: Construction Management in the Department of Public Works. He is currently deputy-director: construction department of public works.
· Ms Nishi Naidoo as senior manager: Facilities and Property Management in the department of Public Works. She is currently senior legal officer in the department of public works.
· Ms Akhona Majova as senior manager: Programme Management in the Department of Public Works. She is currently employed at Norval Wentzel Steinberg as a quantity surveyor.
· Ms Naumi Mary Chiloane as senior manager: Supply Chain Management in the Department of Public Works. She is currently deputy-director: expenditure/reporting in the department of public works.
· Ms Milani Wolmarans as senior manager strategic planning in the department of health and social services. She is currently a deputy director: rehabilitation and disability services in the department of health and social services
· Ms Sipho Elizabeth Motau as senior manager: provincial programme manager on a three year contract in the department of health and social services. She is currently deputy director responsible for quality assurance in the department of health and social services.
· Mr. Bheki Magagula as senior manager: human resources development in the department of health and social services. He is currently deputy director in the human resources unit in the same department.
· Mr. Winston Thobekani Ngubane as senior manager: as senior manager: internal audit in the department of health and social services. He is currently deputy director in the internal audit unit in the office of the premier.
· Ms Sanna Panna Mohlakoane as senior manager: health programmes in the department of health and social services. She is currently deputy director in mental health programme in the same department.
· Mr. Musandiwa Justice Mudau as senior manager: management accounting in the department of health and social services. He is currently deputy director in the South African Social Security Agency in the province.
· Ms Nomusa Sandra Khathi as senior manager: 2010 FIFA World Cup Project in the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation. She is currently employed in the department as district manager and is the project manager for the Senzangakhona Stadium.
· Dr. Petrus Mafika Lubisi as the general manager (chief director): Cultural affairs in the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation. He is currently head of department of housing at the University of Zululand and is a language expert.
· Mr. Penuel Thabani Biyela as the chief operations officer (chief director): in the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation. He is currently senior management advisor at the department of provincial and local government.
· Mr. Sipho Vincent Gana as the general manager (chief director): Sport, Recreation and School Sport in the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation. He is currently senior manager for sport and recreation in the department since 2000.
· Mr. Andrew Kutumela as the senior manager: labour relations in the department of education. He is currently deputy director labour relations in the same department.
· Ms Nokuthula Varsity Mthethwa as the senior manager for the Gert Sibande Region in the department of education. She is currently employed as a chief education specialist in the project coordination unit at the department of education.

Issued by the Communication Chief Directorate
Office of the Premier
NELSPRUIT
Contact Lebona Mosia at 082 5616465/+27 13 7662244
Email: lmosia@nel. Mpu.gov.za