THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

06 DECEMBER 2007

The Executive Council held its last meeting of the year at Nelspruit yesterday Wednesday 05 December 2007.

Moloto Development Corridor
A final feasibility report on the Moloto Rail Development Corridor was discussed and noted by the Executive Council. This is a provincial ASGISA programme and also one of the five provincial flagship projects. The Executive Council welcomed the report and endorsed the recommendation by the political committee chaired by Jeff Radebe, the Minister of Transport, which includes amongst others that the first phase, which is the section between Siyabuswa and Tshwane, be commenced with by 2008. The infrastructural rail design will be a standard gauge to allow high speed double-deck locomotives to be used, given the distances to be covered and that further work with regard to phase two of the project will also commence soon.

MACfest International
The Executive Council discussed a comprehensive report on the MACfest International that was held at Emalahleni on November 24 to December 2 2006. Identified the following areas for improvement:
· Institutionalization and tightening of monitoring of the service providers
· Scale down the activities to focus on areas that have shown potential to maximize the impact of the intended outcome.
Finally, the Executive Council approved the report and endorsed the continuation of the festival. The Executive Council also approved the hosting of the festival towards the end of next year; with preparations starting henceforth. The festival will have to be structured in a manner that seeks to maximize the benefit of local artists and the people of Mpumalanga.
Other Work in progress in various departments aimed at advancing transformation of society
The Executive Council was also briefed on the following work in progress in various Departments:
ICT rollout by the Department of Education
The Executive Council noted the initiative and progress made by the Department of Education roll-out plan of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at all schools by 2013. Two schools in the province, namely Maripe and Lomahasha Secondary Schools, are part of the 6 schools identified as demonstration schools in the country. The National Department of Education released a White Paper on e-Education in 2003. In the province about 30000 teachers out of 330 000 are computer literate. About 70% of schools in the province are seriously challenged in terms of ICT capacity.

Water Supply to Delmas
A progress report on the situation in Delmas was presented by the Department of Local Government and Housing to the Executive Council. The report indicated that a sewage pipeline; a water purification plant and a pipeline from Rand Water Board to Delmas will be constructed within the next two years. This will be a permanent solution to alleviate the situation of water supply to the Delmas municipality. The Executive Council has approved R30m during last month’s budget adjustment for this project in the current financial year. Additional funding to complete the project will be sought from other funding sources.

New school designs by the Department of Education
The Executive Council noted new prototype layout and architectural designs for new primary and secondary schools for historically disadvantage areas. The Department of Education intends to start building in 2008. The new designs include:
· Covered walkways and access for people with physical disabilities
· Computer room and library
· Indoor sports halls at primary and secondary levels
· Fencing and security
· Sports fields
· Forty learners per classroom for primary schools
· Thirty five learners per classroom for secondary schools
The Department of Education also presented an assessment report of about 500 unfinished schools dating back to 2001 which will cost the department about R70m. The Department is to embark on a rigorous process to complete these unfinished schools. The report was noted by the Executive Council.
New EXCO approved senior management appointments

The Executive Council approved the following appointments:
· Ms Joyce Noluvuyo Pakade-Nombeleka- General Manager (Chief Director) trade and industry development in the Department of Economic Development and Planning. She is currently working for the department of foreign affairs as acting chief director: Foreign Affairs Institute.
· Mr. Letshela Jonas as the Senior Manager (Director) communication in the Department of Economic Development and Planning. He is currently (Manager) Deputy Director: strategy and media liaison in the Office of the Premier – Gauteng Province.
· Mr. Mntuwani Paul Shongwe as the General Manager business regulation and governance in the Department of Economic Development and Planning. He is currently working for the Mbombela Local Municipality.
Mr. Lemmy Makomanyane Mduli as the General Manager: Integrated Economic Development services in the Department of Economic Development and Planning. He is currently Senior Manager and acting head of department in the same department.
· Mr. Johan Doctor Mdluli as the Senior Manager:Tourism in the Department of Economic Development and Planning. He is currently working for the Metsweding District Municipality in Gauteng province as local economic development and tourism coordinator.
· Mr. Teboho Nicolaas Chabeli as Senior Manager: human resources management in the Department of Economic Development and Planning. He is currently working for the North West Education Department as manager for human resources.
· Mr. Sibusiso Matsebula as Senior Manager: financial accounting in the Department of Roads and Transport. He is currently working for the same department as manager: management accounting.
· Ms Florence Molatelo Dhlamini as Senior Manager: development implementation support services (social) in the department of health and social services. She is currently manager in the same department responsible for community development.
· Ms SE Botha as Senior Manager: population development and trends in the Department of Health and Social Services. She is currently employed as manager in the same department.
· Ms Thembeni Mhlongo as senior manager: planning and information in the Department of Health and Social Services. She is currently appointed as manager in the same department responsible for HIV and AIDS programme.
· Mr. David Mtembu as the Senior Manager for the Bushbuckridge Region in the Department of Education. He is currently SADTU provincial secretary.
The Executive Council commended the police for the speedy arrest of the four thugs who recently shot a tourist in the province. They include two South Africans and two Mozambicans, however three Mozambicans escaped to their country of origin and the South African Police together with their Mozambicans counterparts are hot on their heels.
The Executive Council also commended the Department of Education for holding incident-free matriculation examinations. The department also wishes to inform the public that the matriculation examination results will be announced on December 28, 2007.
The Executive Council wishes all the people of Mpumalanga a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. It however appealed to all motorists and pedestrians to be extra careful when driving and crossing roads during the festive season. Lastly, it made a passionate plea to all motorists – “DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE”

Issued by the Communication Chief Directorate
Office of the Premier
NELSPRUIT
Contact Lebona Mosia at 082 5616465/+27 13 7662244 or LMosia@mpg.gov.za