PREMIER'S INPUT
Master of Ceremonies Dr Coleman Nyathi
Heads of Departments
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen.
Let me from the outset take this opportunity to again wish you all the best this year.
We are gathered here today to chart the way forward and to reaffirm our commitment to accelerating change and working for a better life.
We are here to work out ways of removing the blockages to change and to sharpen our resolve and commitment to improving the lives of our people, especially the poorest of the poor.
On Saturday we gathered about a hundred kilometers away from here to recommit ourselves to that vision of a better life for all. We recommitted ourselves to speeding up delivery of basic needs like housing, health care, education and social security.
We also recommitted ourselves to building the economy and creating jobs, combating crime and corruption, transforming the State and building a better Africa and a better world.
These are noble ideals. It is because of these ideals and vision that on June 2 1999 we were once again mandated to govern this country. But on that day our people told us that the massive social and economic inequalities created over many decades had to be removed.
They also told us that in too many areas the state machinery still hosts systematic corruption, ranging from large-scale fraud and nepotism to extortion and bullying of ordinary citizens.
So on Saturday we had to take stock of how far we have traveled. But then another important celebration took place on Saturday. Together with the Muslim community we celebrated EID, which is the culmination of a month of struggle during which they care for the less fortunate in our communities.
A month of Ramadaan - a month of fasting.
The month of Ramadaan brings to the fore the noble, sublime and pristine qualities of social responsibility and charity. During this time they embrace the hungry and care for the poor the hungry, the sick and the destitute.
I tell you these not because I want to convert you to the teachings of Islam. I tell you these because there are valuable lessons we can learn from these sacrifices.
During the month of Ramadaan the Muslim community renews their moral spirit while at the same time cultivating the moral virtues of honesty, humility, compassion, charity, courage and patience.
These qualities are essential for the cultivation of a society free of the evils of pride, ego, greed, selfishness, envy, jealousy, anger, fear and hatred.
In a way one can say they underwent an RDP of the soul. Maybe what our province needs is an RDP of the soul so we can put our communities first instead of stealing from them.
We need to rid our government – at both local and provincial level – of those corrupt and opportunist elements that weaken our capacity to continue the struggle for the total emancipation of our people.
A few days ago I sent a New Year message to you in which I posed certain challenges. Allow me to refresh our memories.
Ladies and gentlemen, we asked you to work out your departmental plans in detail. Let me once again reiterate that this year must be a year of delivery. We must have plans that will ensure that we deliver on the promise of a better life for all. We asked that these be ready by February 28.
These plans should be informed by a co-ordinated approach at local, provincial and national level. It is possible that some of us will claim that we do not have sufficient information to help us draw-up annual and long-term plans.
At the opening of Parliament in June last year President Thabo Mbeki spelt out the vision and program of this government very clearly. I also spelt out the vision and program of action for this province very clearly at the opening of the Legislature on July 6, 1999.
Some of you were not yet on board. Maybe those of you who were in government then were still reeling from the problems in the province.
In the New Year message we also appealed to you to beef up our report-back systems. Ensure that there is a bottom up reporting system in place, which will assist you in compiling reports to the MEC, and to us and to cabinet. We must guard against planning and working out programs only for these to gather dust on our shelves. We must ensure that programs are carried out and adhered to.
If they need to be changed we need to do that only when we are informed by conditions. We also appeal to you to monitor progress in your departments.
Ladies and gentlemen, we should also monitor all projects and programs - those inside our offices and those in the field. Let us stop being desk-bound and go out and see if officials in our department are reporting on real or imaginary projects - mirages.
We appeal to you to make use of the Strategic Planning Unit in our office. They have a mine of information and a wealth of experience that will assist you in planning your programs.
In order to give credence to our commitment to integrated service delivery there must be an exchange of plans between local authorities, district councils and provincial departments.
We also appealed that our planning must be such that by 2004 we must have touched all towns, villages and informal settlements in the province particularly those poverty pockets in our province where children go for days without a proper meal. Those areas where there is a lack of adequate shelter, medical care, water and sanitation and education, training and knowledge.
This year must be the year of delivery. We must continue pursuing anti-poverty programs focussed on the poorest in our country. Of course this should happen within the constraints of our budget. It is for this reason that we will not tolerate any over-expenditure.
We also appealed to you to vigorously fight corruption, fraud and all other crimes at al levels of government including parastatals. There must be zero-tolerance of all forms of misconduct by officials and politicians alike. I bank on the co-operation of all citizens in this province to ensure that these become a reality.
Domestic violence and violence against women and children must also be fought with every ounce of strength in our bodies. We must encourage communities to report such incidents. We must fight the HIV/AIDS scourge with renewed vigour and determination.
Our province cannot and should not enjoy the dubious distinction of being the second province with the highest cases of HIV/AIDS infection. We must change the habits of our people with regard to issues that relate to sexual behaviour and life style. There is something else that is very worrying.
Our province has become the butt of sick jokes. We have been called all sorts of derogatory names. Of course some of the names are derived from what one can describe as endemic corruption in some departments. We appeal to you to work relentlessly and tirelessly towards eradicating the negative image our province has been burdened with for so long. Those amongst us who believe that that there is something to be gained from giving our province a bad name, should be exposed and isolated.
No one can deny that the past six months in this province - especially the months in the run-up to and those following the elections - have been extremely traumatic. It was to be expected. In any situation where there is a change of guard there is bound to be uncertainty which often leads to some form of paralysis.
In some instances, particularly where alliances of convenience were formed, there was bound to be resistance to a change of leadership. This is often the result of people realising that there is going to be a stop and in some cases a curtailment of undeserved privileges.
I am going to be brutally frank with you. As public servants you need to be reminded that you are there to serve the government of the day.
It can only happen when one relegates to the back of one's mind prejudices about the government of the day or those mandated to act on behalf of that government.
Some of us were and still are party officials in the areas where we live. Let me take this opportunity to remind you that as heads of department you are not HODs of card-carrying ANC members or sympathisers in your department.
You are a government official expected to serve all regardless of race, colour, gender, political- affiliation etc. So your empire as chairperson of your branch or region does not extend to government offices.
Maybe as chairperson the MEC reports to you. But here it is different. In short don't let your political ambitions interfere with your job as HOD. If you do you are going to run into serious trouble.
Let me remind you that this government is committed to continually improving the lives of the people of South Africa by a transformed public service, which is representative, coherent, transparent, efficient, effective, accountable and responsive to the needs of all.
This transformation must be people-driven. The masses of our people must be the principal motive force of this change and transformation. As HODs your responsibility is to fulfil attain that vision.
Ladies and gentlemen, as HODs you are directly responsible to the MEC for the Department's performance, operation, the realisation of the Performance Agreement.
But specifically for:
- Preparing a strategic plan for the Department;
- Preparing draft business plans, including key performance targets and submitting them to the MEC for approval;
- Achieving key performance targets;
- Managing resources efficiently, effectively, economically and in accordance with the principles of fairness and equality as outlined in Government Policy.
- Ensure the availability of adequate funds from Government and the donor community as is reasonably possible, to execute the core responsibilities set out in your performance agreement.
Ladies and gentlemen, the relationship between the MEC and the HOD is pivotal to good government. Within this relationship, the HOD shall act with integrity and professionalism, within the law and with respect for the MEC's role.
You are also expected to respect the collective Cabinet process in which MEC's participate and to loyally execute the lawful policies of the government of the day.
As HOD you shall be responsible for managing the Department and the MEC has a right to assume that the Department is being run in compliance with the law, prescripts and within its budget.
You shall be responsible to the MEC for carrying out the functions and duties of the Department, tendering free and frank advice to the MEC and other MEC's of the Government.
Of course the general conduct of the Department and the efficient, effective and economical management of the activities of the Department are your responsibilities as HOD.
You are expected to be responsive to the MEC policy, information and support requirement and priorities in respect of public service transformation issues taking into account the Department's capacity and budget.
If you delegate, as you are expected to do, you shall do so without lessening responsibility and accountability for actions taken on your behalf. I know that this may at times force you to be extra careful in delegating. Yes, we need you to delegate responsibly. Please don't use this as an excuse for not delegating and thus empowering those working with you.
As HOD you shall report to the MEC against all parts of the performance agreement, particularly, where performance varies from expectations. The HOD shall alert the MEC to any emerging factors that could lead up to the achievement of any performance agreement undertakings.
You are also expected to alert the MEC if there are any factors that could help establish and maintain appropriate internal controls and reporting systems in order to meet performance expectations.
You are also expected to provide quarterly reports to the MEC on revision of targets if necessary and progress towards the achievement of performance agreement undertakings.
That ladies and gentlemen, is an agreement I expect you to sign before the end of the month. Once the contract had been signed we would be able to judge you on what you deliver towards improving the lives of our people.
A lot of people look at you to get the job done. Ask yourself if you are that person who can ensure that government programs translate into bringing water to those who for years had to travel long distances to fetch water.
For you, ladies and gentlemen, the waters are going to be rough. The seas will be rough. The current will sweep away those who are accustomed to corruption, lack of performance and stealing from the people. We can no longer allow people in our midst who are bent on holding back the tide of progress. We need a people with a passion to succeed.
I mentioned earlier that our province has been vilified. In most cases these has been the result of people allowing personal ambition to blind them to an extend where they are prepared to fabricate stories about their colleagues.
This they do in order to get their honest colleagues out of a job so they can steal money undetected. At times this is done to get into positions they had been eyeing.
Selective and damaging information gets out to easily. There are people who boast that they have spies planted in government offices.
As HOD you shall treat as confidential all confidential information which is given to you in the course of your duties and not divulge it to anyone.
Any documents or records, including written instructions, notes or memoranda, relating to your work or which you develop during the period of your employment shall be deemed to be the property of government and will be surrendered to the MEC or government on demand.
In the event of the termination of your employment you will not retain any copies thereof or extracts there from. here is something else I want us talk about. Last year lots of money was spent on overseas trips. From this year we will ensure that we carefully scrutinise these trips.
Only those trips that will benefit the people of the province would be allowed to go head. And after the trip has been undertaken there shall be quarterly monitoring on whether these benefits to the province are indeed realised.
When I delivered my closing speech at the last session of the Legislature last year I said we had reached the calm seas. But I cautioned that we are not yet home and dry. We will only be home and dry when we reach the shores of a better life and an improvement of the lives of our people. Only when we had been able to strengthen our links with the masses of our people on a sustained basis will we say we have landed.
Only when we have sufficiently ensured that the masses of our people are mobilised to engage in active struggle instead of becoming passive recipients of the positive results of the process of positive change, will we be able to say we have gone some way.
Ladies and gentlemen only when we have ensured the active and consistent implementation of our program of action by all members and structures of government will we be able to anchor.
In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, let me put this challenge to you. Let us consider the following:
- How far have we gone in developing an integrated delivery strategy regarding the delivery of health, education, welfare and social services?
- Have we been able to implement our co-ordinated approach to providing housing and transport?
- What about rural and youth development?
- Are our strategies of combating crime and corruption in place and working?
- Are we accountable to the people?
- Do we put the people first in line with the Batho-Pele ethos?
These questions need honest answers. These are the things that brought us here today. But there is another challenge I wish to pose to you. I am saddened by the lack of involvement of some of the best brains in our province and our country in the processes of fundamental social transformation in which we are involved.
The President highlighted this anomaly last Saturday. May I call upon you, Dr Nyathi, Dr Mkhize, Dr Carrim. I give you the task of organising an IMBIZO with our intelligentsia and professionals in the province.
You are best placed to work out the details. We have in this room some of the best brains in the province. Use them. There are able and competent people in this workshop, see how best you can utilise them.
But above all I appeal to all of you here today to do whatever is humanly possible to actively encourage a culture of learning, teaching and discipline. I know that you are honest people who love your country; people who are determined to place the interests of the people above self-interest and personal glory. For that reason I believe you will not allow personal ambition to blind you in whatever you say or do here.
You will do everything guided by the best interests of the poorest of the poor. I wish you well in your deliberations.
Thank you very much.
Let's get down to work !