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Executive Council Media Statement

03 August 2023

EXCO TAKES DRASTIC DECISIONS TO INTENSIFY JET INITIATIVES AND PROVINCIAL PROGRAMME OF ACTION

The Executive Council convened a sitting on Wednesday to consider several reports for approval and implementation. This as the Provincial Government is intensifying service delivery measures and infrastructure improvement. The recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the Government with TVET colleges to train students for technical skills, was marked as a significant step to achieve the 90 000 job massification plan, by the end of the 2023/24 financial year.

During the session on Wednesday, the Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane and Members of the Executive Council (MECs) resolved to intensify measures in support of the Just Energy Transition (JET), implementation of the Provincial Programme of Action (PPOA), Skywalk Project, the drug master plan, among others.

  1. Just Energy Transition (JET)

    2. Mpumalanga is the home of the grid, with eleven (11) of the country’s power stations, established in the Province. As the country transits from coal to solar generated energy to reduce emissions, the process to decommission power stations gets underway. EXCO noted the adverse effect this will have on the livelihoods of communities.

    EXCO resolved that an economic summit be coordinated to attract investments, in support of programmes such as skilling and re-skilling of employees, who will be adversely affected by the process. The envisaged outcomes of the summit include, among others, setting of clear time lines of investments and areas to invest in. The participation of the mines is of paramount importance, to determine the course of action once the power stations are decommissioned. The training of students, based on the signed MoU, was also viewed as part of the measures to contribute towards the energy transition.

    EXCO further resolved to improve communication with the communities and stakeholders, such as labour unions, to bridge the information gap. This will keep them updated on government intervention measures and progress.

  2. The Skywalk PPP Project

    3. The God’s Window Skywalk project is a massive tourism development that comprises a cantilever glass walkway in the Blyde River Canyon. It will give visitors a unique view, with the possibility of restaurant amenities.

    It is envisaged that the project will fortify Mpumalanga’s position as a premier choice of destination for international and domestic tourists. Its geographic location, brings closer key stakeholders such as the Blyde Communal Property Associations (CPAs), to participate meaningfully in the economic development of the area.

    EXCO is satisfied that all necessary steps have been undertaken to resume the construction project in January 2024, with the completion deadline of January 2026.

  3. Drug master plan

    4. EXCO views substance abuse, identified in various communities and local municipalities in the Province in a serious light. Seven Municipalities have been identified among those with a high prevalent cases of substance abuse. These municipalities are Nkomazi, City of Mbombela, Emalahleni, Thembisile Hani, Govan Mbeki, Chief Albert Luthuli and Msukaligwa.

    The rising cases of substance abuse, hinders the envisioned drug-free society. The government has developed a drug master plan for the realisation of the vision. The plan sets out demand reduction and related measures, effective law enforcement, related to drug crime, identify and control of new psychoactive substances.

    During the session, EXCO approved the plan and its implementation thereof. Furthermore, a multi-disciplinary approach for the implementation, was adopted in order to locate the role of the education sector, local government and Traditional Leaders.

  4. Implementation of Provincial Programme of Action

    5. The period under review will be marked by the finalisation of infrastructure projects, jobs massification programme, intensification of crime prevention measures, improvement of health and education systems, as part of the Provincial programme of action.

    An array of infrastructure projects, in the health, education, housing and roads sectors, will be implemented and handed over to the communities. The projects are designed to improve access to health and improve life expectancy, access to education, and accord citizens their dignity of living in decent houses.

    The implementation of the programme of action is premised on the 2030 National Development Plan, 2019-24 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), the State of the Nation Address (SONA) as well as the State of the Province Address (SOPA) and the nine point plan.

  5. Appointments

    6. Several key appointments to improve the capacity of the administration, were made. These include, but not limited to the following:
    • Mr Hekzin Vilakazi – Chief Executive Officer of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA).
    • Mr Vusi Mtsweni – Chief Executive Officer of the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER).

    Ends...


Issued by Mpumalanga Provincial Government

Enquiries:

Provincial Spokesperson: Mr George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile: 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za