The Acting Mpumalanga Premier, Mr. Speed Mashilo convened a sitting of the Executive Council (EXCO) on Thursday to discuss among others, the state of readiness for the Provincial Youth Day Celebrations and support for the effective functionality of the administration. This as the 7th Administration put measures in place to deal with climate change and energy transition in Mpumalanga.
YOUTH DAY CELEBRATIONS
Youth Day serves as a powerful reminder of the pivotal role played by the youth in the liberation struggle and continues to inspire their potential in accessing opportunities availed by the government. The historic moment is significant in South Africa, as the country celebrates the courage and sacrifice of the young people who fiercely fought against the apartheid regime during the Soweto Uprising in 1976.
During the sitting of EXCO on Thursday, the state of readiness for the Provincial celebration of the Youth Day was presented. This year’s Provincial Celebration will be held on Monday, 16 June 2025 at Mangweni, in the Nkomazi Local Municipality.
The celebration will be held under the theme: “Skills for the changing world – empowerment for meaningful economic participation”. The Acting Premier, Mr. Mashilo will deliver the keynote address. He told the EXCO sitting about the Provincial perspective for the commemoration. “We will not only honour the brave youth of 1976, but we will also reiterate our commitment to create an enabling environment where young people can thrive on empowerment initiatives we have created for them,” said Acting Premier Mashilo.
EXCO supported plans for the commemoration.
PARTICIPATION OF MEC MAJUBA AT THE ANNUAL ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE SCHOOL IN THREE AFRICAN COUNTRIES
The Mpumalanga Provincial Government will participate in a capacity programme, the Economic Governance school, initiated by the National School of Government in 2020. 45 participants selected from various African countries, will attend.
The programme is intended to enhance leadership and oversight capabilities, and seeks to create a public service that thrives in a digital world and develop anticipatory capabilities for the future. It offers the participants an opportunity to re-examine governance challenges that constrain inclusivity and sustainable economic growth locally and continentally.
The objectives and the outcomes of the programme were presented to EXCO. MEC of Finance, Mr. Bonakele Majuba will lead a delegation of senior government officials from various departments, to attend the programme. The delegation is expected to develop shared perspectives on policy and implementation imperatives, as well as strengthening strategic capabilities of government, at the end of the programme.
The programme is structured into three-modules, which will be held in three African countries, namely: Ghana, South Africa and Kenya. The first module will be hosted in Ghana (June 2025). South Africa will host the second module (August 2025), while Kenya will host the last module (October 2025).
EXCO approved the participation of the delegation, to be led by MEC Majuba.
STUDY TOUR ON MINING REHABILITATION IN SOUTH KOREA
The Mpumalanga Provincial Government has established a collaboration with the World Bank to deal with critical challenges of climate change and just transition. The collaboration is crucial to guide the management of the mining sector, especially the use of rehabilitated land, once mining has ceased.
Mining is the cornerstone of the Provincial economy, and most of the mines are located in the Nkangala and the Gert Sibande Districts. These mines produce coal which is significant to produce the country’s electricity.
In line with the collaboration with the World Bank and its partner, the Korean Green Growth Trust, the Provincial Government has been invited to a site visit of rehabilitated mining sites in South Korea. This will give the government a first-hand information that is valuable to deal with cases of rehabilitated mines in Mpumalanga.
A high powered delegation of five officials from the Provincial Government will undertake a study tour to gain valuable knowledge on the matter. The delegation comprising of the Deputy Director-General from the Office of the Premier, Ms. Nonhle Mashinini-Nkosi, include senior managers responsible for environmental and land management from various departments, will travel to South Korea next week.
EXCO approved the World Bank-funded study tour by the five senior officials, focusing on the rehabilitation of mining land.
ENDS…
Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Office of the Premier
Contact Person: MEC Thulasizwe Thomo (Spokesperson - EXCO)
Enquiries: Mr. Zibonele Mncwango (Acting Provincial Government Spokesperson)
Email: zmncwango@mpg.gov.za
082 616 6698