MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL'S DECISIONS
08 MARCH 2006
The Executive Council (Cabinet) of Mpumalanga Province at its fortnightly meeting held this week approved the report on the Provincial Departments' Employment Equity Status for 2005-06. The report states that there are 41, 386 public servants and a total number of 212 senior management services members, which is composed of 143 males (67.5%) and 69 females (33.9%). The Executive Council has also approved a recommendation that those departments that are below the statutory 30% target should ensure that female senior managers are employed as a matter of urgency.
The Executive Council also took note of the new employment equity targets of 50% for females by 2009. In order to be complaint the Executive Council will monitor and evaluate departmental employment targets on an annual basis.
Similarly, in relation to the employment equity targets in respect to disabled persons, the Executive Council noted that departments are still below the statutory 2%. However, it was also noted that it is difficult to find appropriately qualified individuals for senior management posts. Departments were tasked to consult with the Office of Disabled Persons to headhunt highly qualified people with disability.
The Executive Council also approved the convening of the Conference of the Mpumalanga Province on the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD), which is to be held tomorrow 9 March 2006 at Ingweyama Lodge in Nelspruit.
The anticipated outcomes include:
• Identification of challenges to sustainable development.
• The development of a specific plan for the implementation of the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and
• The establishment of the provincial Decade of Education for Sustainable Development Forum.
Other issues to be discussed at the Conference will be waste management, pollution control; water, wetland and sustainable development; sustainable economic development including sustainable tourism and corporate responsibility.
The Executive Council was also informed on a series of activities to disestablish Bohlabelo District Council and the preparations to hand over Greater Sekhukhuni and Metsweding District Councils to Limpopo Province and the Kungwini Local Municipality to Gauteng Province.
In terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Premiers of Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, namely, Thabang Makwetla and Sello Moloto respectively, both Provinces must continue to provide services in the disestablished Bohlabela for the 2006/2007 financial year.
Limpopo Province will continue to provide services in Maruleng Local Municipality and Mpumalanga will provide services in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality for the 2006/2007 financial year.
Furthermore, the sector departments must enter into bilateral agreements to provide continued services until the end of the 2006/2007 financial year, for all committed projects.
The Executive Council also approved the publication of the Mpumalanga Liquor Licensing Bill, 2006, in the Provincial Gazette, for public comment. The objective of the Bill is to increase social responsibilities by licensees and create a platform conducive for all, especially the previously disadvantaged communities.
The National Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor has turned down the request by the Executive Council to establish a university in the Province. The Minister has instead advised the Province to establish a National Institute for Higher Education. The University of Pretoria, the Tshwane University of Technology, the Vaal University of Technology and the University of South Africa have agreed to participate in such an Institute. The next phase is to appoint a board to facilitate the coordination of the activities of this Institute.
Issued by the Communication Chief Directorate
Office of the Premier
NELSPRUIT
Contact Lebona Mosia at 082 5616465/+27 13 7662244 lmosia@nel . Mpu.gov.za