SPEECH
POLITICAL REPORT FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND QUARTER TO THE
LEGISLATURE BY GAUTENG PREMIER, Ms NOMVULA MOKONYANE.
25th November 2011
Madame Speaker
The Chief Whip
Honourable Members of the Legislature
Residents of Gauteng
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
We meet again at a time when the economy of one of the world’s leading economic
bloc, the Eurozone, is in crisis. It is all the more instructive that we allude to this point
since South Africa in general - and Gauteng in particular - is a significant trading
partner with the Eurozone. And therefore, unlike the 2008/ 09 recession which was
the result of the collapse of the American financial and banking system, the present
financial crisis, with all its recessionary hallmarks, is as a result of the propensity to
default by certain governments within the Eurozone.
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Regarded as the economic powerhouse of the South African economy, the
performance of the Gauteng economy has a significant effect on the country’s
economic growth trajectory, creating sustainable and decent employment as well as
initiating interventions to bridge the gap between the formal and informal economies.
Clearly, given its dominant economic position in the country, Gauteng is not immune
to what happens the world-over as was demonstrated by the global and economic
crises of 2008 and 2009. The province’s growth rates from 2002 to 2009 show
similar trends observed in the country’s economy over the same period. Essentially,
what the trends illustrate is the fact that the decrease in the growth rate of the
economy has adverse impact on fiscal stability thus affecting the capacity to deliver
essential services to the people.
The challenges that the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development
(GDHSD) face in the delivery of quality health services are now in the purview of the
whole Gauteng Government. This is in the spirit of our collaborative approach to
governing. While it is public knowledge that the Department has been experiencing
budgetary constraints, what has become more important is how we deal with
correcting that situation as it hampers on one of the most critical service delivery
agents of our government. It has, therefore, become important for us to act swiftly in
accordance with our mandate and rein in the situation.
To this end, ground-breaking and innovative measures have been put in place to
capacitate the Department to function as it should, with excellence. The intervention
areas agreed to, include amongst others, the human resources capacity, change
management, business processes reengineering, and financial injection. As part of a
process toward this intervention, the first step has been, through the Department of
Finance, to identify possible under-spending which should be surrendered to the
Provincial fiscus for reallocation to Health to address those accruals that have
become an albatross around the department’s neck. The long-term approach is that
of having a “hair-cut” across board in the Provincial allocations of the Departments to
ensure that adequate funds are made available for the GDHSD to deal effectively
with all its challenges.
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Honourable Members
In regard to the Gauteng Planning Commission (GPC), we have made important
progress in taking forward its work. The GPC is responsible for short, medium and
long range planning as well as performance monitoring and evaluation.
A key GPC initiative has been the development of a long-term plan and vision for the
Gauteng City Region to 2055 – known as Gauteng Vision 2055.
Since I announced the members of the Gauteng Advisory Council (GAC) during my
Budget Vote speech in this House in July this year, we have had a number of
meetings and have established four working groups, each headed by a Convenor, as
follows:

Professor Firoz Cachalia, who heads the Economy and Employment working
group

Dr Ralph Mgijima, who heads the Governance working group

Ms Lael Bethlehem, who heads the Infrastructure working group and

Professor Peliwe Lolwana, who heads the Social Transformation working
group.
I am also pleased to inform you that Mr Jabu Moleketi has been playing an active
role as the deputy chairperson of the Gauteng Advisory Council.
Madame Speaker
As part of our efforts to benchmark the extent to which we are building a more
prosperous and inclusive Gauteng City Region, we commissioned a Territorial
Review of the Gauteng City Region.
On 30 November 2011, in partnership with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) and the Gauteng City Region Observatory, we will
be launching the OECD Territorial Review of the Gauteng City Region.
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The OECD is an international organisation which uses city region scales to assess
key socio-economic trends and makes high-level recommendations that can assist
government to tackle the economic, social and governance challenges of a
globalised economy. The OECD review will serve as a diagnostic tool towards the
review of the G2055 strategy.
Following the launch, key stakeholders from business, labour, media, youth and
church-based organisations and the public will be called upon to actively engage
with the GAC on matters of public interest. The aim of the public participation
process is to engender the spirit of partnership and attain a common commitment to
work together to advance the province’s development and build a shared future. All
inputs received will be collated and assessed for contribution toward the drafting of a
reviewed G2055 strategy. The GPC will work closely with the GAC to absorb,
synthesise, process and finalise the vision and strategy for 2055.
Madame Speaker,
We gather here today on a date that is quite important to us all. The 25th of
November is a significant date on the calendar of many who are passionate about
turning the tide against the wanton abuse of women and children of this province.
Internationally the 25th of November is officially recognised as the International Day
for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It is also the official start of the 16
Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children – which include other
significant dates such as World Aids Day on the 1st of December; the 3rd of
December – the International Day for People with Disability; and the International
Human Rights Day on the 10th of December.
We observe the campaign this year against the backdrop of encouraging crime
statistics, suggesting that our police are making inroads in the battle against crime.
Despite that, we are aware that some of our communities remain dangerous places
for women and children to live, especially during weekends.
As you know, Madame Speaker, our residents are under siege over weekends and
the period between Friday evening and Monday morning are not happy times for
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women and children in some of our communities. In fact, research has shown that
adult South Africans are three times likely to get intoxicated over the weekend than
during the week. Research also shows that alcohol is the common denominator in
many crimes committed against women and children in our province.
In an effort to deal with all the various challenges related to liquor regulation the
Gauteng Department of Economic Development has developed a Liquor Policy
wherein public inputs were solicited through a public participation process.
Stakeholder engagement on the policy was also conducted. The Liquor policy has
now been finalised and the department is developing a draft Liquor Bill.
Therefore, Madame Speaker, all lovers of this great province of ours will agree with
our stance that the envisaged new Liquor Bill will go a long way in ensuring that
alcohol sales and consumption are regulated even better. We do not take this
posture out of malice nor myopia; rather, as the realisation that while there are other
social factors that may lead to the abuse of alcohol; as government, we need to use
all available tools at our disposal to help curb this scourge.
We call on all of you, in this respected House, to show your support for the 16 Days
Campaign by wearing your white ribbons and fighting the abuse of women and
children, both at work and at home.
Madame Speaker
The City of Durban is abuzz with activity as the world gathers for the 17th Committee
of the Parties (COP17) climate change talks, which will start in three days’ time.
Gauteng, as the most populous province with more than 11 million residents, and the
most industrialised province, will be following the talks with keen interest as they
could have ramifications in how we do things.
Honourable Members
When we came into office in 2009, we made a commitment that ours would be a
government that delivers better for Gauteng communities. We made a number of
real promises to our people in April 2009. We further committed ourselves to
regularly report back to Gauteng communities on the mandate they have given us
through this platform of the Legislature. In this way, we said then, we would respond
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to the needs of our people and mould our strategies accordingly to ensure a
continuous improvement on the delivery of service.
The Office of the Premier is the political nerve centre of the provincial government,
and thus has the responsibility, amongst others, to pull together and harness the
energies of different departments for the achievement of government strategic
priorities, by ensuring the implementation of the Outcomes-Based Approach.
Based on the eight adopted outcomes of the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG),
the development of integrated outcomes plans was facilitated. To this end, an
Intergovernmental Programme of Action (POA) for 2011/ 12 was drafted and
approved by the Executive Council (EXCO), and outlines the GPG’s commitments
for the financial year in achieving the provincial outcomes and in implementing the
2009-2014 Gauteng Medium Term Strategic Framework. It is worth noting that the
POA serve as the foundation of government service delivery, focusing resources into
priority areas and providing the framework for monitoring and evaluating service
delivery.
We are again humbling ourselves in front of this august House, reporting to
Honourable Members on the work done within the period in review, the 2011/ 12
POA, which is structured according to the eight provincial outcomes adopted by
EXCO, which are as follows:

Quality basic education;

A long and healthy life for all South Africans;

Decent employment through inclusive economic growth;

All people in South Africa are and feel safe;

Vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities contributing towards
food security;

Sustainable human settlements and improved quality of household life;

Responsive, accountable, efficient and effective local government system;
and

An efficient, effective and development oriented public service and an
empowered, fair and inclusive citizenship.
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We hasten to say, that through better systems and tighter financial management, we
have ridden the storm of fiscal stability challenges, fairly well. Notwithstanding the
challenges of in-migration and rapid growth of informal settlements, unique to a large
extent to our province, we have showed improved performance against the set
objectives.
The challenge of skill shortage has exposed the stark reality of the issue of quality
education. Latest employment statistics prove yet again that without a stable
educational background, many poor residents of Gauteng continue to be
marginalised and are quickly drifting to the periphery of the mainstream economy.
The majority of those without decent skills are young, black women. As a result, the
importance of education and skills for Gauteng remains a top priority not only for
economic reasons, but also for the general advancement and development of
women. It is only through education that we can compete with other globallycompetitive city regions.
With regard to education, we have continued to invest at the foundation phase as we
have established that with strong grounding, many children stand a better chance of
doing well in later years. We are proud to announce that we have already registered
458 new Grade R sites, which indicates that we are on track with achieving our
annual target of 500 sites.
Our commitment to paying attention to literacy and numeracy skills of our learners
remains. We have, in the period under review, trained 1 600 School Management
and Foundation Phase teachers. We have also ensured that all the relevant teachers
are provided with lesson plans for literacy and mathematics.
While we are well-aware that what our children are taught at our schools is
important, the issue of where they are taught is also valued. That is why we are
happy to report that the procurement processes for the Magaliesburg Boarding
School have begun. We have also completed the construction of one school which
was occupied in July 2011.
As alluded to earlier, our drive towards becoming a competitive city region relies
largely to the extent to which we become a knowledge-based economy. In this
regard, the Maths, Science and Technology (MST) strategy which we have adopted
is very central. In implementing the MST strategy in the under-performing schools by
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supporting and empowering educators, we have trained a total of 1 600 Further
Education and Training (FET) teachers in science content where gaps have been
identified.
Furthermore, with regard to supporting teachers in FET Maths and implementing inschool support to reduce failure in Maths, a total of 2 300 FET teachers have been
trained. A total of 5 400 GET teachers were trained in curriculum content,
instructional skills, assessment and use of resources. Also, a total of 272 teachers
were trained through the Relief Teacher programme.
We have, on the school safety side, lived up to our commitment during the State of
the Province Address earlier this year that we will conduct raids at liquor outlets
identified as being problematic to schools. In that light, we conducted 75 raids in
areas such as Brixton, Dobsonville, Tshepisong and Sunnyside. Undoubtedly, more
still needs to be done to ensure that we reach our desired targets.
Madame Speaker
When our people entrusted us to govern at the last election, it was on the basis of a
manifesto which promised “a long and healthy life for all South Africans”. Delivery of
quality healthcare for all people in the context of shrinking resources is always going
to be a challenge. However, everyday our dedicated nurses and doctors manage to
do just that.
Efforts to strengthen Primary Health Care (PHC) have yielded positive results, with
all planned 24 Community Health Centres (CHC) having extended their hours of
operation to 24 hours against an annual target of 30. We now have 90 clinics with
extended hours of operation.
It is also heartening to note that since last quarter, eight additional clinics extended
service hours in four districts - Lenasia Ext 2; Lawley Ext 1; Kingsway; Itireleng;
Bophelong; Soshanguve 2; Usizolwethu as well as Itumeleng. Five more health
posts have been established, bringing the total number to seven for the period under
review. Additionally, all CHCs and CDCs now have a resident doctor to ensure PHC
clients have access to a doctor's care.
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It is these ordinary healthcare heroes and heroines of our province who have
ensured that we now have 310 ART sites – against a target of 385 for the year. We
are also providing care to thousands living with the HI virus on a daily basis. For
instance, 22 880 people receive daily meals at drop-in centres, 6 826 receive food
parcels and 4 087 caregivers provide care for affected people.
Honourable Members
It is difficult but we have continued with our attempts to plug the skills gap in the
public health sector. In the period under review, we have placed some 644 nursing
community service professionals out of an annual target of 702.
We have also completed the Zola Gateway clinic and construction at the Zola/
Jabulani Hospital is nearing completion. We are building old age homes in
Mohlakeng and Tembisa, both of which are at 95% completion.
Honourable Members,
The National Cabinet Lekgotla, in July 2011, adopted the "Jobs: Next steps and
proposals" that spelled out key priorities for job creation for the remainder of 2011/
12 financial year and beyond. These key priorities were organised according to the
12 Action Plans. Each of these action plans, flagged out challenges in the focus area
and spelled out proposed actions geared towards promoting decent work and
inclusive growth.
For the purposes of our own POA, these 12 Action Plans were customised for the
Gauteng Provincial Government and aligned to the 2011/ 12 consolidated job
creation targets approved by EXCO in June 2011. To drive the electoral mandate of
job creation, all provincial sector departments were to take cognizance of the
following key considerations:

Ensure a common integrated monitoring approach to all job creation in the
province;

All post to be filled in departments must be funded vacant posts;

The filling of such funded vacant posts must focus on critical vacancies across
GPG; and
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
Heads of Department should look at various options to deal with staff
establishment in the GPG and to make collective recommendations to the
EXCO.
To that end, progress to date in respect of the number of jobs created across the 12
Action Plans until the end of September 2011, is encouraging. By the end of
September 2011, a total of 140 868 jobs were created against the annual target of
227 521. Of these 3 668 were permanent jobs against the annual target of 26 140,
whilst 33 064 were temporary jobs against the annual target of 58001 and 104 136
were from EPWP (i.e. work opportunities) against the annual target of 143 380.
In line with National Cabinet Lekgotla 12 Point Plan, more than 70% of jobs created
emanated from the short-run employment schemes or short term employment
creation.
Pursuant to the goals of Gauteng Employment, Growth Development Strategy
(GEGDS) of creating decent work by building a growing, inclusive economy;
strategic partnerships through sector and industry bilateral discussions are currently
underway. These include ACSA on the Aero-City concept around O.R. Tambo
International Airport (ORTIA), Duty Free Zone for the craft market, Industrial
Development Zone (IDZ) Jewellery Precinct and light manufacturing of flight engines
and components. Additionally, similar bilateral discussions with the Jewish Board of
Directors; Consumer Goods Council of SA; and captains took place.
In the period under review, a collaborative partnership between the Department of
Economic Development (GDED) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development (GDARD) was established to jointly and severally explore numerous
projects, including among others, the coal mining deposit in Devon, agro-processing
initiatives and support to cooperatives.
In the same vein, the Department of Economic Development also have a bilateral
relationship with Department of Community Safety (DCS) to establish community
security cooperatives and community patrollers. In this regard, tourism safety
monitors have been deployed at the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site; and
later some will be deployed to Dinokeng Game Reserve.
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Furthermore, DED and the City of Johannesburg are also collaborating to implement
a Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises Incubator through a Business Processing
and Outsourcing Park in Johannesburg. Working in collaboration with the private
sector investors, the development of a Steel Mill in Ekurhuleni (Nigel) with the
objective of becoming a major local manufacturer to bring global consumers to the
local market and ensures that local consumers are serviced adequately and
protected was initiated.
Our commitment to the promise of decent employment through economic growth is
still as strong as ever. In that light we are happy to report that our Expanded Public
Works Programme (EPWP) and Community Works Programme (CWP) are making
good progress.
Four skills development initiatives were supported per sector. Four hundred and
sixty-four (464) people were trained in sector skills including through the following
projects: Ford T6, Ford incubator, Talent pipeline, Taxi LPG, Body shop mentorship,
and Tirisano.
We continue to support the Small, Medium, and Macro Enterprises (SMMEs). Five
(5) micro-finance loans were approved in the second quarter. Additionally, seven (7)
cooperatives were assisted with financial support and non-financial support was
provided to 282 already existing cooperatives.
Public investment in infrastructure remains key in contributing to job creation and
social inclusion and in creating an environment for economic growth. In addition to
the speeding up delivery on the mixed housing developments, we are, together with
municipalities, continuing to drive a range of other provincial flagship projects
including the Aerotropolis, G-link, the Maize Triangle, the Sedibeng Regional
Sanitation Scheme, the Green Economy plan, the further development of
Constitution Hill and the development of three freight and logistics hubs in Gauteng.
Regarding social infrastructure, new ECD facilities in Sharpeville, Munsieville,
Duduza and Tsakane are nearing completion and new old age homes in Mohlakeng
and Tembisa are progressing well.
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Good progress is being made on key health facilities such as Natalspruit hospital
and the new Mamelodi hospital and with the completion of Jabulani hospital. The
Zola Gateway clinic is completed and refurbishment towards the opening of the
Kagiso Community Health Centre is underway. Detailed planning, including on
financing models, is underway with national government on the revitalisation of five
hospitals – Kalafong, Jubilee, Sebokeng, Dr Yusuf Dadoo and Tambo Memorial.
On transport infrastructure, we have successfully completed and launched
Malibongwe Drive and completed the expansion of K15. Work is progressing well on
the R55 between Tshwane and Midrand and the upgrade of William Nicol extension
between Fourways and the N14 has commenced. Construction of taxi ranks at
Bophelong and Zandspruit is also underway.
In the recent times we have seen a number of road accidents where many of our
people lost their lives. In an effort to reduce these horrible fatalities and improve
traffic law enforcement, we conducted three road safety inspections and three road
safety audits.
We conducted 91 road safety awareness campaigns at Moloto Road, Heilderburg
Weighbridge, R21, Golden Highway and other accident “hot spots” in Gauteng.
From a law enforcement perspective, a learner transport operation was conducted in
August with more than 90% of the vehicles from Adelaar Secondary School failing
the prescribed vehicle test. This will go a long way in curbing unroadworthy vehicles
minimise the scourge of accidents especially of these vehicles transporting our
children to schools.
Madame Speaker,
Reducing crime and ensuring that all people of Gauteng are and feel safe remains
our main priority. With regard to social crime prevention, 292 people were trained
through a series of accredited Social Crime Prevention training courses drawing from
clusters across the province. This exceeded the quarterly target and brings the total
close to the annual target of 300.
We have established 25 Men as Safety Promoters (MASP) groups. In addition, 552
MASP volunteers were trained above the quarterly target.
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In regard to youth crime prevention, the target of having 135 functional youth desks
with minimum norms and standards has not been met. However, a Youth Desk
recruitment and revival plan has been developed and there are now 83 functional
youth desks. Challenges have reportedly been encountered in establishing Youth
Desks in suburbs due to a lack of interest and a lack of support from police stations.
Furthermore, a total of 237 youth desk volunteers were trained on street law skills
development, computer skills and on volunteerism.
Monitoring and support was
provided to 18 out of a targeted 22 cluster youth desk POA's.
Honourable Members
The implementation of the strategy for the prevention and effective management of
sexual assault and domestic violence cases has ensured that 119 Victim
Empowerment Centres (VEC’s) are functional. The Department of Community Safety
has partnered with the Department of Health and Social Development in linking nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) with VEC's and this has greatly improved the
functionality of some of the sites in the province.
On the other hand, 240 volunteers and community structures were trained on basic
victim support and client management. This focuses on basic skills for the reception,
assessment and referral of victims that come through the sites. Eight Clusters were
targeted and a total of 389 sexual offences dockets were audited. In addition, 6 sites
have been identified as local safety homes (Green Doors) and planning for the
establishment of 10 safety homes is underway. These are scheduled to be launched
during the 16 Days of Activism campaign which starts today until the 10th December.
In implementing the provincial school safety programme 130 Substance Abuse
Awareness campaigns and talks were held across Gauteng. And a total of 208
school searches were conducted across the province. In addition, more than 130
patrollers were deployed in 22 schools.
As Gauteng Government we continue to have our eyes firmly fixed on the
programme to fight corruption where it manifests itself. In this regard, the Driving
Licence Testing Centres (DLTC) are some of the areas that we are watching closely.
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Pursuant to this approach, the Department of Community Safety developed and
implemented a sectoral strategy to combat fraud and corruption during the period
under review. Four anti-corruption awareness sessions were also conducted
Madame Speaker,
Five Community Food Projects were developed for poverty alleviation at Refilwe,
Orlando East, Vosloorus, Thokoza and Palm Springs. Also, the provision of support
to ensure that households are producing part of their own food has resulted in 1938
Homestead Food Gardens being developed in Tshwane, West Rand and Ennerdale
through the Siyazondla Programme.
We have provided skills development to a total of 332 emerging farmers on poultry
production, piggery production, soil preparation for plant production, pest control,
beef production and small stock production in 75 training sessions. Twenty (20)
small farmers and cooperatives were monitored for performance through training
conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD).
These farmers and cooperatives are from Soweto, Vlakfontein, Zuuberkom, De
Deur, Rietfontein and Orange Farm.
In relation to rural development economic drivers, five farmers have been assisted
with weighing machines for agri-processing in Pretoria and Ekurhuleni. The process
of distribution is in progress to assist farmers in other regions. Nineteen projects
relating to the revised Gauteng Agriculture Development Strategy (GADS) have
been selected for funding.
As government, our commitment to build human settlements and sustainable
communities is still solid as ever. In this regard, the Alexandra Renewal Programme
continues to see more progress as one of the renewal flagship:

Florence Mophosho Bridge is 88% complete;

Upgrading of road intersections is 100% complete;

Jukskei River rehabilitation is 88% complete; and

Extension 10: 17 primary units and 26 rental units were allocated.
In the same breath, there is progress in implementing both the Evaton and
Bekkersdal Renewal Programmes. For the Tembisa Master Plan, the Department of
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Local Government and Housing completed and allocated 515 houses to approved
beneficiaries. Work on Mixed Development Programme continues, with 1042 stands
serviced and 371 houses delivered in the second quarter, bringing to 1638 the
cumulative total of houses built.
The Gauteng Provincial Government is committed to improve access to the delivery
of basic services. Between April and September 2011, 3984 households were
provided with services and electricity. In the quarter under review, 5689 households
were provided with access to basic water and sanitation, making a total of 10 677
since April.
The installation of Solar Geysers has moved beyond the planned target. From April
to September 2011, a total of 21 267 geysers were installed around Gauteng,
against the planned target of 14 500. The implementation of the Sedibeng Regional
Sanitation Scheme still awaits approval by the National Treasury.
With regards to Local Government Support we have recommitted to building a
developmental state, improve public services and strengthened democratic
institutions.
The two most important milestones we must accomplish this financial year if a
determination on how we should tackle the municipal debt and preparing our two
districts to achieve one tier municipalities by the next local government elections in
2016.
In pursuit of our dream of a Metro City Region we continue to work on the building
blocks to that end. After the giant step on incorporating the then Metsweding into
Tshwane, We are now on course to meet the timelines of the Municipal Demarcation
Board and legislative processes in presenting our case for a single municipality in
both Sedibeng and West Rand for 2016. We will also have extensive consultations
with stakeholders and communities on this matter.
We are gradually succeeding in improving financial management and ensuring the
viability and implementation of Operation Clean Audit (OPCA). Sound and effective
management of finances is one of the key cornerstones of running a highly efficient
local government system. Since the implementation of the OPCA project, we have
seen improvement with 11 of 15 Gauteng municipalities receiving unqualified audit
reports
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Madame Speaker,
We have successfully undertaken a range of activities to contribute to national
building, inclusive citizenship and social cohesion in our province. This includes the
provincial celebrations of national commemorative days such as Women’s Day and
Heritage Day as well as the promotion of national symbols.
As part of our efforts to preserve and promote our struggle heritage, important
progress has been made on the OR Tambo Monument through a partnership
between ourselves and Ekurhuleni. The Youth Monument is also progressing well,
whilst we are continuing to engage with national government on the Women’s
Monument.
We have continued to enrich the quality of life of many of our people through the
Siyadlala sports mass participation programme and cultural activities. Over 10,000
people participated in the Indigenous Games in August and September and over
60,000 elderly people participated in the Golden Games. Other activities included
fitness events, fun runs, the Gauteng Youth Games and programmes to support
football and netball development in our communities. Thousands of residents have
also benefitted from our support for theatre, poetry, gospel choirs, contemporary and
traditional dance activities. We also launched the Rugby World Cup Magnificent
Fridays , aimed at drumming up support for the Springboks and ensuring that the we
bring the same excitement that engulfed the nation during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
A highlight of the province’s cultural calendar is the Pale Ya Rona Carnival, which
was this year hosted in Mofolo Park, Soweto, and attracting over 17,000 participants,
including 3000 learners from the children’s carnival and participants from other
provinces. The Carnival has increasingly contributed to skills development,
enterprise development and job creation within the creative industries sector, with
carnival clubs established in 69 communities across the province and close to 2000
The Province also hosted a successful two day Tourism Summit, which we used as
a platform for stakeholder engagement to conclusion the Gauteng Tourism sector
strategy. Gauteng is the first and only province to have adopted this strategy. We
also account for the largest tourist domestic spent in the country. The recent
successful launch of the AmaGeePee campaign seeks to capture this market by
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mobilising the people of Gauteng to be tourists in their own back-yard and proud
ambassadors.
Public participation programmes have been intensified with the Executive Authorities
(EAs) having conducted more than 40 Public participation programmes during the
period under review. There has also being numerous stakeholder engagements with
various sectors, including religious leaders, transport sector and business.
Also, officials from the Office of the Premier are deployed in communities three
times a week as part of strengthening relations with communities and provide
feedback on issues raised by communities during the izimbizo programmes. In
addition, we conduct open days to educate communities about government services
and how to access economic opportunities on a monthly basis, to date we have had
6 open days. The provincial government
has been running civic education
campaigns on the rights and responsibilities of residents, especially with regard to
countering the violent nature of protests.
Furthermore, on issues of maladministration and corruption, I want to assure this
house that our resolve to fight the scourge remains as such. To this end, we hosted
the Intergovernmental Anti-Corruption Workshop on 15 September 2011 with an aim
of sharing best practice as guided by the Gauteng Anti-Corruption Strategic
Framework. The workshop deliberations led to the development of a coordinated
response to anti-corruption both within provincial and local government. It further
formalise the intergovernmental forum which has to meet biannually to report on
progress and challenges with the implementation of sectoral anti-corruption
strategies.
The Minimum Anti-Corruption Capacity Audit is underway for departments who did
not respond to the National audit and we hope to finalise this before the end of the
current financial year. Another key intervention is the training of departmental
representatives on professional ethics conducted from 03 – 07 October 2011 as part
of promoting and ensuring the establishment of Ethics Committees and certified
Ethics Officers as required by the Gauteng Anti-Corruption Strategic Framework.
With regard to gender, youth and disability matters which are the responsibility of the
Premier’s Office as the coordinating centre, the office implemented various key
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programmes to advance the agenda of this sector. These included amongst others
the hosting of the summit for the Young People with Disability which was attended by
350 young people from across Ekurhuleni municipal area. We also hosted the
Summit of Young People in Construction at Turffontein Racecourse aimed at
engaging young entrepreneurs in the construction industry on critical challenges that
constrain them from fully taking advantage of opportunities that exist within the
sector. The Young Women Dialogue which was attended by over 500 young women
from across Gauteng province was a success. The aim was to consult with these
young women for the development of a three (3) years mentorship development
programme to be launched in August in honour of the legacy of Mama Albertina
Sisulu.
In partnership with Airports Company (ACSA) we donated wheelchairs, wheel
buggies and assistive devices, to over 50 long waiting list of young clients and
children with disabilities in West-Rand Municipality, Leratong Hospital. And 10 Braille
printers and 15 voice recognition laptops were also handed over to the ELSON
schools in the area.
Madame Speaker,
Our interventions in the domain of public life have brought visible change in
conditions under which our people live. It is encouraging to observe that the work
that we are doing is really beginning to bear fruits as evidenced by this presentation.
We are steadfastly making inroads in our fight to make Gauteng a better place to live
in. More and more people are now having free and equal access to quality services
that we render. And more and more of our people are now proud residents of
Gauteng which they proudly regard as home because they are partners and
witnesses to a myriad of socio-economic developments that have touched their lives.
This is a long journey fraught with daunting challenges but we always draw strength
from the support and cooperation we are enjoying from this house and the public.
Above all, it would have been difficult to reach this point in our journey if it was not
for the dedication and drive shown by many of our workers who choose to serve
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even under trying conditions. It is for this reason that we want to express our
gratitude to all of you for helping to steer the ship.
Dankie.
Ngiyabonga.
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