PREMIER'S ADDRESS
Mr. Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Honorable members of the Legislature
Their Majesties the Kings
Honorable Amakhosi
Mayors and Councillors
Director-General
Heads of Departments
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Mr. Speaker during the past few days we witnessed images of untold human grief and misery. We witnessed destruction beyond human comprehension. But again we witnessed the resilience of the human spirit as men and women risked their own lives to save those less fortunate.
At times our people could only watch in horror and a sense of helplessness as relatives and loved ones succumbed to the sweeping torrents.
To our people in the province, as well as our neighbours and brothers and sisters in the Northern Province and Mozambique we shall never fully comprehend your grief and total sense of loss.
Mr. Speaker, may you allow me to ask all of us present here today to rise and observe a moment of silence in remembrance of all those who died.
Thank You.
Mr. Speaker, in terms of Rule 198 of the 1997 Revised Edition of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature Rules and Orders, I present to you the Annual Report of the Office of the Premier.
Mr. Speaker, in our State of the Province Address at the opening of this session of the Legislature, we were able to lay before you a programme of action for the year.
Over the next few days Departments will present their programme of action in a focussed way. It is therefore a special privilege for me to come before you; the province's elected representatives, to account within the framework of the budget for the Office of the Premier.
There is no doubt that the budget is the most powerful instrument for the implementation of government policy.
May I, Mr. Speaker, mention that we have managed to foster and build a transparent, accountable, participative and responsive Government. During the past nine months we brought the Provincial Government closer to the people. We have seen Cabinet reaching out to all communities including those in the deep rural areas of the province.
Through our Outreach-programme we were able to understand the issues affecting them. And to report back on the mandate given to us by them as the electorate. The programme has made it possible for us to talk to and listen to communities.
I am glad to see that Heads of Departments have started a similar programme. They hold their meetings in various regions of the province, and thereafter meet with the management of local authorities. And they talk to communities in these areas.
We promised that we would be a government that is in daily and respectful contact with the people. A government that listens to and learns from the people. Because at the centre of our agenda is the creation of a better life for all.
We believed then, as we do now, that government must be responsive and accessible to people with disabilities, women and children, senior citizens, the youth and other marginalised sectors of our communities.
Five years after the first democratic elections, we are still faced with major challenges. The challenge of changing the lives of our people. The challenge of facilitating economic growth and thus release our people from grinding poverty. A challenge of dealing with massive inequalities in income distribution, high crime rate and job losses.
Mr. Speaker, we need to rapidly deal with racial divisions and build one united province. Therefore we call upon all residents of the Mpumalanga Province to positively contribute in the development of the economy. Your province needs you.
When we took office, Mr. Speaker, we had an acting Director- General. We had since appointed Dr Coleman Nyathi as DG of the Province. Heads of Departments have signed employment and performance contracts in terms of the Public Service Regulations except for the Departments of Education and Agriculture, Conservation and Environment.
It is Dr. Nyathi's responsibility to manage the Office of the Premier and to co-ordinate and monitor performance of departments.
Mr. Speaker, the Office of the Premier has undergone major restructuring and rationalization aimed at re-engineering delivery and transformation of the Public Service.
Therefore the budget that I am going to present today will be linked to this new direction. But before I do that allow me to concentrate on the new strategic direction for the Office of the Premier.
We have managed to develop and agree on a clear vision in fulfilling the mandate as alluded to in the Constitution and the New Public Service Regulations.
Our vision is to work towards a strategic centre for co-operative governance in Mpumalanga. Our mission is to ensure equitable transformation, and enhancement of the image of the Mpumalanga Provincial Government through the provision of advice and information, coordination, monitoring and support services.
Mr. Speaker, this vision and mission will give us focus in executing our mandate. Remember that the role of the Office of the Premier is to create a cohesive team and a conducive environment through which service delivery, planning and execution can take place, so as to facilitate the provision of education, housing, healthcare, water and other basic services.
These entail coordination of departmental activities, the provision of advice and information and ensuring that all what this capable team of men and women do is aimed at creating a better life for our people.
That is why our vision becomes the basis for integrated intervention. Operations, Mr. Speaker, will be directed from the Office of the Director-General.
The Inner Office of the Premier; the Cabinet Secretariat; Internal Audit, Research, Intergovernmental Relations and Protocol; Legal Advisory Services, Communications and other Units will all be accountable to the Director General.
THE INNER OFFICE
The Inner Office, whose primary function is the development of a sound administrative support, communications and public relations back up to the Premier, which enables the Premier to interact proactively with all communities and citizens in the province.
The Inner Office of the Premier will dedicate itself to providing enhanced administrative and political support to the Premier, as well as the co-ordination of policy advice to the Premier.
It will also facilitate and co-ordinate policy advice services to the Premier and render efficient security services to the Premier.
THE CABINET SECRETARIAT
The Cabinet Secretariat has managed to render administrative support to Cabinet and Cabinet Ad-hoc committees.
This Office has been in the forefront in the implementation of the Cabinet Outreach Programme – a programme that enabled us to be in daily and respectful contact with the people, to listen and learn from them.
This programme will be strengthened and will continue because this is one method of getting Provincial Government closer to the people.
The Cabinet Secretariat will concentrate on improving the Cabinet Management systems. Implementing the Cabinet Outreach Programme and ensuring and implementing systems for security of Cabinet documentation, conducting research related to Cabinet issues in order to inform decision-making, interventions and the appointment of key officials, their training and capacity building.
INTER-GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND PROTOCOL
The Inter-Governmental Relations Unit in my Office will further develop and nurture the concept of co-operative governance within all spheres of government.
We will continue to encourage interaction and cooperation with other countries. During this period we have dedicated lots of time and efforts in revisiting and renewing twinning agreements with other countries. We are hoping that this will bring lots of investments in the Province that will assist in economic and human resources development.
The co-operation agreement with North Rhine Westphalia, a province in Germany, presents our Province with a lot of opportunities, which will benefit all of our people.
We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Province of Kangwon in the Republic of Korea on the following areas of cooperation namely; tourism, vocational education, sports, recreation, arts and culture and agriculture and this will mutually benefit the two Provinces.
My office in consultation with all Departments and Members of the Executive Council will further enter into twinning agreements with Provinces in other countries within the next year. This will be followed by the presentation of concrete proposals for implementation.
The Inter-Governmental Relations Unit is also aimed at developing and sustaining an integrated intergovernmental system, to manage and monitor inter and intra government relations and facilitate international partnerships.
The Protocol Unit is aimed at providing support and advice on protocol and etiquette related matters to dignitaries. The Protocol Section has played a major supportive role to the functions of Government as a whole.
Through the support of this office proper arrangements of visits to and outside the province by dignitaries including national and international guests have been satisfactorily fulfilled.
COMMUNICATIONS
The Communications Directorate is aimed at facilitating the development of a coherent and coordinated Government communications and information services.
It is also aimed at facilitating education and public awareness that will lead to the empowerment of the public on matters of Governance. Also to improve communication between Government and the public, and to improve marketing strategies in creating a better image for the province.
Mr. Speaker, the directorate has managed to streamline its functions and therefore managed to keep Provincial Government and in particular the Office of the Premier informed on issues of governance.
The launch of the Website was also a measured success in the history of the province. This will enable people from various parts of the world to access information on our province and it is updated on a regular basis.
But we live in a Province where the majority of the people are rural and semi-literate. We therefore have to reach them through a number of media like the electronic and print media and roadshows.
INTERNAL AUDIT
The Unit will focus on strengthening internal controls aimed at curbing corruption. It will also enforce work ethics and conduct performance audits, protect government assets and provide investigative services.
The office has managed to support Government in its anti-corruption campaign. Investigations were conducted and prosecutions were made in an attempt to build a corrupt-free Public Service. More efforts will be instituted in line with the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act.
Mr. Speaker, corruption is an issue that we all have to unite against the scourge of corruption. To this end I have established an Anti-Corruption Hotline in the Office of the Director General, which is fully managed.
It is envisaged that members of the public, including civil servants will report incidences of corruption and maladministration in confidence because all reports will be dealt with the confidentiality it deserves.
We call upon all Departments and members of society to also investigate strategies, which will contribute in uprooting corruption. Integrated to this process is the enforcement of the Code of Conduct.
A Code of Conduct that all officials have to respond to, including treating all people with respect and dignity and that of refraining from utilizing Government assets for their own interest.
Allow me Mr. Speaker to announce that the Office of the Auditor General will be visiting our Departments to check on whether we are implementing the Public Service Code of Conduct.
LEGAL ADVISORY SERVICES
The Office has established itself into a core unit, which is able to respond to requests of the Premier, MEC's and Departments constantly.
The Office has managed to provide legal opinions and draft legislation that enabled Government to operate smoothly.
The Office will dedicate its resources to providing legal support to the Premier, Members of the Executive Council, the Director General and Heads of Departments. It will also ensure that there is adherence to and compliance with policies, processes and procedures by all officers and employees, and provide administrative and legal support for management purposes,
RESEARCH
This unit will provide support to Cabinet based on researched and authentic statistics. It will also ensure that through research, the functioning of the Provincial Government is monitored and evaluated. More importantly the unit will create and maintain an information database for the provincial government.
Mr. Speaker I stand before this house in order to request the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature to approve a total budget of thirty one million, four-hundred and ten thousand and eighty one rands (R31 410, 081) for the Office of the Director-General.
Mr. Speaker, as part of the Strategic Centre we have created three Clusters each with a number of units. These are the Transformation, Corporate Services and the Macro Policy and Strategy Clusters
Mr. Speaker, allow me to detail the workings of these clusters.
THE TRANSFORMATION CLUSTER
OFFICE ON THE STATUS OF DISABLED PERSONS (OSDP)
The Office of the Status of Disabled Persons has managed to create positive dialogue for the empowerment and advancement of people with disabilities in the province.
This resulted with inter-sectoral strategies on Early Childhood Development, Education system reform, facilitation of services from Departments, awareness raising on disability matters and finally facilitating the direct participation of people with disabilities.
At this point in time it is imperative to mention that January 2000 to December 2009 has been declared the Africa Decade for People with Disabilities.
The office will facilitate the formulation of policy and the infusion of disability through the revision of MAP 2000 and locating it within the Africa Decade on Disability by June 2000, it will also facilitate resources for the implementation of the Mpumalanga 2000 Inclusive Early Childhood Development project,
Mr. Speaker, we also see this office facilitating an audit and monitor the recruitment and appointments of people with disabilities in the Public Service,
Above that the office will facilitate the development of a reformation strategy of the Education system to be able to integrate the 80% children with disabilities of school going age that are currently out of school. And to monitor allocation of low cost housing to people with disabilities.
The OSDP in this province will facilitate the development of a strategy for the equalization of opportunities for people with disabilities in line with the recommendations of the African Decade.
OFFICE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (OSW)
The OSW is a dedicated vehicle for the empowerment of women.
The Office has managed to conduct awareness on issues affecting women and children, supported women's projects and empowered the Departmental Gender Focal Points through training and workshops.
The office will facilitate the development of systems for the integration and mainstreaming of gender into government policies and programmes.
It will also raise public awareness and conduct education programmes on gender issues including on existing policies, legislation and to render information and policy advice on gender issues to Provincial Government.
The Unit will endeavour to strengthen Government relationship and partnership with NGOs, Commission on Gender Equality, and the Office on the Status of Women within the Office of the President and in other Provinces.
TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS
Mr. Speaker, from an epoch of humiliation and blackmail, our traditional leaders can now exercise their freedom within the context of a just, non-racial and non-sexist society.
As the Mpumalanga government we recognise that they are our leaders. The Traditional Affairs Unit in my office renders advisory service to the Premier and traditional leaders and their institutions.
They also provide support and capacity initiatives to Traditional Leaders to enable them to perform efficiently. They do this while researching and keeping the Premier and the provincial executive committee informed about Traditional Leadership succession, and indigenous and customary laws.
The Traditional Affairs Unit has enabled us to directly address issues of Traditional Leaders. During this year we have seen a number of cultural commemorations, and the inauguration of Inkosi Mdluli of the Mdluli Tribal Authority.
This Unit has also played a role in mediating and creating a conducive environment for traditional leadership.
TRANSFORMATION
Transformation is a fundamental objective of Government, therefore this Unit has been instrumental in raising awareness on the White Paper on Batho Pele and other related policies.
The office has also assisted Departments in developing Service Standards, establishment of the Departmental Transformation Units (DTUs) and their capacity building.
The Public Service Transformation will facilitate the development of an integrated programme of action on transformation through the participation of all stakeholders to ensure a focused intervention.
The office will continue supporting the Departmental Transformation Units through the coordination and facilitation of training, mentoring and coaching to have increased impact,
It will continue strengthening relationship with the Department of Public Service and Administration and other structures involved in the Public Service Transformation.
We all know that access to service is the most important priority for the masses of our people, therefore improved and accessible service delivery becomes a vital vehicle for human empowerment.
That is why we will continue to fast track and re-engineer transformation of Government to ensure that all bottlenecks are removed. We believe this will ensure that this need is fulfilled.
We are all aware that transformation is not an event. It is an ongoing process. In these constantly changing times and with new entrants into the Public Service there will be an ongoing need for transformation.
THE PROVINCIAL YOUTH COMMISSION
This year the Youth Commission will be restructured. It will then be able to conduct a baseline survey on the situation of young people in our province and facilitate renewal of the provincial youth policy and monitor delivery thereof.
We are all aware that young people are our hope for a better tomorrow and therefore if this hope has to be realized we should invest in them now.
The Youth Commission has, in partnership with other structures, facilitated youth empowerment on economic issues, training and exchange programmes, career guidance and policy formulation.
Mr. Speaker, we have already commenced with the process of restructuring the provincial youth commission. We will ensure that the new commission truly reflects the demography of our society and the geographical wide spread of the province. As required by the Youth Commission Act, the process of nomination should be transparent and open.
I hope to announce the new commissioners on Youth Day, June 16, 2000.
That is why Mr. Speaker I stand before this house in order to implore the Mpumalanga Legislature to approve a total budget of Seventeen million, three hundred and twenty thousand seven hundred and eight rands (R17 320 708) for the Transformation Cluster.
THE CORPORATE SERVICE CLUSTER
Mr. Speaker, this cluster will include Administration, Labour Relations, Human Resource Development and Work Study and Job Evaluation.
ADMINISTRATION
Its function will be to manage Departmental financial resources, render logistical support services and manage human resources for the Office of the Premier,
LABOUR RELATIONS
This Unit renders labour relations advice to management, coordinates and ensures uniformity in Labour Relations practices, promotes sound Labour Relations between the employer and employees and maintains discipline within the Provincial Administration.
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
The Office of the Premier facilitated a national trainers' conference attended by 400 Human Resource Practitioners.
Departmental Training Committees were established in line with the Skills Development Act aimed at giving Departments capacity to address their training needs.
Human Resources Development is surely a very essential subject that we all have interest in because without an empowered human resource base, the economic growth and development and the upliftment of the quality of life, we all wish to see, will never happen.
The Training Directorate will concentrate in setting up institutional arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the performance of Human Resource Development in Departments, as well as establish performance indicators.
The Unit will also set up a Human Resource Development Quality Management System for all Departments, as well as facilitate the provisioning of Adult Basic Education and Training.
WORKSTUDY AND JOB EVALUATION
This Unit has continued playing its role in assisting Departments on matters of organizational development particularly on organograms and linking them to the Departmental strategic objectives.
Job Evaluations are also conducted before senior posts could be filled. During this financial year the Unit will facilitate the development of Job Descriptions for all posts within the Provincial Administration.
This Unit also supports Departments in the development of organograms that enables them to achieve their strategic objectives. The Unit also determines the correct grading of posts through the Job Evaluation system.
Mr. Speaker I request the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature to approve a total budget of twenty million, four hundred and eighty-eight thousand one hundred and eighty rands (R20 488 180) for the Corporate Services cluster.
May I, Mr. Speaker, take this opportunity to announce to the House that in two weeks time the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration from the National Assembly will be visiting our province to assess progress made thus far.
They will be here over a couple of days to see whether departments are implementing their strategic plans, and will also check whether departments are implementing their service delivery improvement plans and to inspect the organisational structures in departments, and finally to check our Human Resource Development plans.
You will remember that these plans were to have been finalised last December, but we were given an extension until the end of March.
I can safely declare that my office is on course regarding these plans.
THE MACRO POLICY AND STRATEGY CLUSTER
In the coming year the Macro Policy and Strategy Cluster will need ten million, fifty-three thousand, six hundred and ninety-nine rands (R10 053 699) to be able to continue providing a vital function in the Office of the Premier.
The cluster will provide a management information service, as well as inform and coordinate policy management processes.
It will also coordinate macro planning processes and the formulation of growth and development strategies, and monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes and projects.
It is therefore imperative that Departments start implementing these living policy instruments.
RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
This office has also performed satisfactorily in executing the principles of the RDP mandate.
The development of systems and policies were conducted particularly on the upgrading of the Perform-Developer, the Rural and Urban Development Strategy and the strengthening of the Regional Development Committees.
SPECIAL PROJECTS AND POLICY UNIT (SPPU)
Mr. Speaker, I earlier mentioned that the Office of the Premier had undergone major restructuring and rationalization aimed at re-engineering delivery and transformation of the Public Service.
This office that operated on a semi-autonomous basis will no longer exist in the new organogram. Allow me to also mention that the Strategic Planning and development Unit will also not exist in its present form.
You may then ask why on the Budget allocation the entries still reflect the old organogram. The reason is simple. The printer's proof was submitted before we could finalise the organogram.
Treasury approval has been sought to align the budget to the new organogram. The budget amounts remain unchanged though, Mr. Speaker.
The SPPU has contributed in building capacity of individual officials, and facilitated policy formulation in support to Provincial Government in areas of Integrated Environmental Management, Economic Empowerment of Informal traders, and the development of policy for the Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
The SPDU has during the year provided support to Government Departments in the area of planning and budgeting in line with the MTEF policy framework.
The office has also set up a Geographical Information System, Integrated Spatial Framework. All these are aimed at aiding planning to ensure informed and integrated intervention. Allow me to mention that this unit in particular has been very instrumental in assisting departments to draw up their five-year plans. For that we are grateful to them.
Mr. Speaker, we are all convinced that this particular way of streamlining functions will ensure us with the most coordinated strategy that will result in maximum impact.
That is why Mr. Speaker I stand before this house in order to implore the Mpumalanga Legislature to approve a total budget of Seventy nine million two hundred and twenty two thousand six hundred and sixty eight rands (R 79 222 668).
CHALLENGES
Mr. Speaker, as we move into the African Century, a number of challenges remain for our province.
One of these challenges is to fast track and expedite the filling of vacant positions to ensure immediate impact and in this process we need to ensure representivity.
The second challenge is to ensure cooperative governance in particular between the Office of the Premier, Legislature and the N.C.O.P. in strengthening our Government.
The other sphere of Government that we have to closely collaborate with is the local authorities and the institutions of Traditional leadership. One other challenge facing our Government is the implementation of Affirmative Action and the Employment Equity Act.
We have no reason as Government not to implement the provision of these policy provisions.
It is important to note that these processes will have to take into account the needs of youth, women, children, people with disabilities and HIV/AIDS.
Mr. Speaker, we are on course. All of us are aware of the calculated and deliberate changes taking place in the province. Particularly with regard to the image of the province.
We hear it, not only from people in the province, but as we attend national gatherings people are full of praise about the manner in which we have handled a very complex situation.
It is therefore appropriate to take this opportunity to thank and commend all those whose efforts have contributed to this change. But I want to specifically acknowledge Ubaba USefako Nyaka for the role he has played in making this possible. Especially in his helping to develop and implement the media and publicity strategy.
May I urge all those hardworking citizens to continue to work even harder so that we can turn this Province into an active achiever in the delivery of services.
Mr. Speaker, the new Strategic Centre in the Office of the Premier must lead to an increased impact in assisting Provincial Government in meeting its objectives. The above-identified objectives will be the new areas of focus for the Office of the Premier within the next year.
We will during the following year table a report to this House detailing progress made in achieving these developmental objectives.
CONCLUSION
Mr. Speaker, indeed it has been an honour for me to present this budget vote.
I also wish to thank all staff members in the Office of the Premier for the support provided to me in fulfilling my mandate. Lets all join hands and march together in building this new province.
I thank you.
2000/2001 BUDGET FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PREMIER
- Inner Office of the Premier R 4,650,763.00
- Director General's R 4,113,740,00
- Communications R 6,302,921.00
- Internal Audit R 7,644,000,00
- Legal Advisory Services R 3,092,503,00
- Intergovernmental Relations and
- Protocol R 2,950,802,00
- Cabinet Secretariat R 1,382,639,00
- Research R 1,222,713,00
• OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL R 31,410,081,00
- CORPORATE SERVICES R 20,488,180,00
- Labour Relations R 3,811,551,00
- Training R 4,260,846,00
- Work Study and Job Evaluation R 1,906,314,00
- Administration R 10,509,469,00
- MACRO POLICY AND STRATEGY R 10,053,699,00
- TRANSFORMATION R 17,320,708,00
- Youth Commission R 6,065,764,00
- Office on Status of Disabled
- Persons R 1,431,780,00
- Public Service Transformation R 893,135,00
- Traditional Affairs R 7,476,016,00
- Office on Status of Women R 1,454,+27 13,00
GRAND TOTAL R 79,222,668,00