Eskom and Mpumalanga Provincial Government sign MOU to strengthen relations
10 October 2013
Eskom and the Mpumalanga
Provincial Government today signed a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) aimed at strengthening their working relationship which was
established in 2009.
The agreement indicates the
two parties’ intent to work together in developing initiatives
geared towards creating decent employment and promoting sustainable
development in the Province.
The Mpumalanga Province is
confronted by high levels of unemployment and poverty. The
Province’s Developmental Agenda endeavours to continuously seek
innovative ways and means to reduce these challenges. And it is in
this spirit that Eskom and the Provincial Government have entered
into this agreement.
Eskom’s acting Group
Executive for Group Capital Mr Dan Marokane said: “The MOU intends
to align Eskom’s initiatives to the Mpumalanga Government’s
strategic priorities with clear outcomes that will be measureable.
These include job creation, the development of small businesses and
cooperatives, urban and rural infrastructure development and
environmental sustainability.”
Speaking at the signing
ceremony, Mpumalanga’s Premier Mr David Mabuza, expressed gratitude
to Eskom for the positive socio economic impact the company has had
in the province.
“Just recently, President
Jacob Zuma officially re-opened the Grootvlei Power Station near
Balfour, which was mothballed more than two decades ago when South
Africa had surplus electricity capacity. The power station will now
continue to play a significant part in Eskom’s efforts to keep the
lights on, given the central role the utility plays in the provision
of adequate and reliable electricity to support economic growth and
the country’s developmental imperatives.
“The project has had a
positive impact on youth employment. Seeing young people running
power stations is very impressive,” said Premier Mabuza.
The MOU will also address
issues of youth development with a focus on nurturing future leaders
and investing in developing maths and science proficiency in the
province through various initiatives including bursary schemes.
The Mpumalanga Provincial
MEC for Education, Mrs Regina Mhaule commended Eskom for having
actively participated in achieving government’s strategic priorities
set out in the National Development Plan and also expressed
gratitude for the 200 bursaries learners from the Province recently
received from Eskom.