Cabinet Outreach Media Statement
12 June 2013
The Mpumalanga Cabinet held its ordinary meeting today [Wednesday, 12 June 2013] in the Bushbuckridge Municipality as part of its outreach programme.
Rebranding of Mpumalanga
Cabinet was briefed on the new company, Bluefame, appointed to review and evaluate communication, branding and marketing for Mpumalanga province. Cabinet expressed satisfaction on the company’s presentation and its vision on how it would rebrand the province.
Although Cabinet welcomed the company’s new pay-off line for Mpumalanga province as "The Place of the Rising Sun" it however insisted that Bluefame should consult the learners at schools through competitions to develop other features besides the sun for the provincial logo. The new pay-off line was considered by Cabinet as giving positive energy for change.
Report on Comprehensive Rural Development Programme on Bushbuckridge
Cabinet appreciated feedback by communities as members met with various stakeholders at different meetings yesterday [Tuesday, 11 June 2013]. Communities commended the provincial government for the strides it was making in bringing about development in their communities.
Communities further identified and notified members of the executive council on issues identified for improvement such as piped water, construction of roads and a need for the houses.
The provincial government was further commended for its support to the farmers and various cooperatives through its comprehensive rural development programme projects. During the meeting today, cabinet welcomed progress made by CRDP projects especially the creation of jobs as government was recognised as the biggest employer within the municipality.
A total of 5 324 new jobs were created in the previous financial year through these projects and government intends to increase the numbers to 7 945 in the current financial year. t least three departments, COGTA, Human Settlements and Education were criticised for not spending effectively in the implementation of the CRDP projects.
Customised learner attainment Strategy for Bushbuckridge
Cabinet further approved the 2013 Learner Attainment Intervention Strategy which is aimed at improving the matric results at the end of 2013. The municipality’s socio-economic profile states among others that although the matric results have improved over the years, it remains the least performing municipality.
The provincial Department of Education has developed a customised intervention programme to improve learner attainment and the quality of education provision in the 2013 school year because municipality previously registered a low performance in both Grade 12 and in annual national assessments.
The strategy is therefore intended to drive the performance of the municipality from 61.7 percent to 75 percent in Grade 12. It also aims at improving Mathematics and Language to 57 percent. It also provides for interventions which will improve performance in the medium to long term.
The strategy involves conducting of winter schools for 39 schools which performed below 50 performance, provision of support by the performing schools to poor performing ones during weekends and on holidays. There would be radio broadcasts and exam preparation camps for the Grade 12 classes.
Report on upgrading of roads in Bushbuckridge
Cabinet was briefed on the audits of the provincial roads within the municipality and was satisfied with the current road networks. Cabinet however stressed that the Department of Public Works Roads and Transport should consider prioritising the roads that connect the villages.
Progress Report on the provincial government’s intervention on Emalahleni Local Municipality
The executive council received reports on two municipalities which are under administration. The Administrator of Emalahleni Mr Theo Van Vuuren explained how he has been able to turning the situation around.
Cabinet further stressed that the assessment of Emalahleni municipality showed positive response even from the citizens within municipality. The executive council was dissatisfied about the lack of progress in administering Bushbuckridge Municipality to an extent that it has called for a review of its management systems.
Cabinet also authorised the following:
- Establishment of a second Consumer Court for Mpumalanga Province
- Extension of the term of office for Consumer Court members
Appointments
- Dr V J Dlamini – horizontally transferred from KZN Health Department to the post of DDG: Mpumalanga Clinical Services [Department of Health]
- Mr S W Mnisi – appointed General Manager: Integrity Management and Forensic Audit [Office of the Premier]
- Mr M G Masinga – appointed Senior Manager: Mpumalanga Provincial Aids Council [Office of the Premier]
- Ms N M Shabangu – appointed Senior Manager: Strategic Planning [Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport]
Issued by Zibonele Mncwango
Spokesperson: Mpumalanga Premier
Tel: (013) 766 – 2453
Mobile: 079 491 0163
E-mail:
zmncwango@mpg.gov.za