EXCO CONVEYS CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF HIS MAJESTY, KING MAKHOSOKE II
The Executive Council (EXCO) chaired by the Premier, Mr Mandla Ndlovu has conveyed heartfelt condolences following the untimely passing of His Majesty, King Makhosoke II of the amaNdebele nation. This was during EXCO’s meeting convened by Premier Ndlovu on Wednesday.
EXCO described the passing of His Majesty as a monumental loss to the province’s traditional leadership landscape since King Makhosoke worked tirelessly to dismantle social divisions, bridge systemic communication gaps, and advocated for sustainable rural development. According to the EXCO, Ingwenyama Makhosoke was an exceptional leader who ensured that traditional governance worked cohesively with the Provincial Government as partners to uplift communities, especially in rural areas.
"We are deeply devastated by the departure of our Monarch, Ingwenyama Mabhena. We have lost a profound source of wisdom, a custodian of heritage, and an active facilitator of social cohesion,” lamented Premier Ndlovu.
The meeting further took decisive decisions on governance and community development.
COMMITMENT TO AUDIT INDEPENDENCE
EXCO views the role of the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) as a strategic partner in the Provincial Government’s aspiration for the realisation of sound financial governance practices.
In its commitment to work cohesively with AGSA, EXCO congratulated Mr Ntona Marota, the new Business Executive of AGSA in the Mpumalanga Province. In its commitment, EXCO said it will cement a cooperative relationship with Mr Marota’s office, while upholding the independence of the Audit-General of South Africa.
"We welcome the new AGSA Business Executive to the province of Mpumalanga as we commit ourselves to establish a transparent and a two-way communication. We look forward to a good working relationship that would assist us to impact positively to the citizens of our province,” Premier Ndlovu stated.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVINCIAL PROGRAMME OF ACTION
EXCO received a comprehensive presentation for the 2026/27 Provincial Programme of Action (PPOA). The PPOA is the Provincial Government’s blueprint, guided by clear commitments made during the State of the Province Address (SOPA) and measurable outcomes aligned with the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP).
The PPOA will serve as a performance assessment tool, to measure the extent in which provincial departments are meeting their infrastructure, economic development, and service delivery targets.
The presentation focused on the departmental plans ranging from infrastructure projects such as roads, schools, bridges, healthcare facilities to government services including the rollout of the social grants, public safety and provision of the Premier’s Youth Development Fund.
The PPOA sets targets for all departments to achieve clean audit outcomes, not as an option, but a fundamental baseline of public accountability and ethical governance.
EXCO noted the growing imbalance between the high service delivery demands as opposed to the increasingly limited fiscal resources available to the province.
The PPOA was approved. For the realisation of the targets, EXCO directed all departments to fill vacant and funded positions. Accordingly, this will ensure that the departments are fully capacitated to achieve the set targets.
APPROVAL OF PROVINCIAL ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGY
A revised Provincial Anti-Corruption Strategy for the period 2025 to 2030 was presented during the sitting. The strategy is aligned with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2020–2030, the Local Government Anti-Corruption Strategy, and the Medium-Term Development Plan's Strategic Priority 3, which envisage the establishment of a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
The Provincial Anti-Corruption Strategy sets a tone of intolerance towards corruption and high ethical standards which employees must comply with. It aims to, amongst others, encourage whistleblowing, advance the professionalisation of the state to improve integrity and credibility of the public procurement system and create a corruption-free workplace.
The strategy clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of governance and oversight structures, designed to enhance measures for consequence management. It makes it compulsory for senior government officials in the Provincial Government to undergo a comprehensive security vetting process. This is aimed at intensifying measures to protect state information, to build an ethical, professional, and capable developmental state.
EXCO approved the anti-corruption strategy. The approval marks a significant step to uphold the integrity of the state, whilst ensuring ethical governance and shield government from financial misconduct and administrative manipulation.
PROVINCIAL YOUTH DAY COMMEMORATION
The month of June is dedicated to the youth and youth-focused activities. A plan for the Provincial Youth Day commemoration was presented during the sitting, in line with the annual Youth Day Celebration held on 16 June, in honour of the courage and sacrifices of the youth of 1976.
The Provincial commemoration will take place at Perdekop on the 15th of June 2026, in Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality, Gert Sibande District. According to the plan, the Provincial commemoration will take place on Monday, 15 June 2026 to give credence to the national celebration.
The celebration comes after the launch of the national campaign, the Phanda Thursdays, aimed at mobilising the youth to use their time to hassle for economic opportunities, offered by the state and the private sector.
The launch was held in Secunda, Govan Mbeki Local Municipality in May, and was attended by dozens of young people,
The Provincial Youth Day commemoration this year is linked to the National event, as the country marks the 50th Anniversary of the 1976 Youth Uprising, which is one of the defining moments in South Africa’s liberation struggle.
The 2026 commemoration is held under the theme “RESET@50 – The Future Calls”, with the slogan: “Our National Commitment to the Future, for Freedom Lives in Every Generation”, and is further anchored by the focus: “Mapping the Barriers: Auditing Access for Economic Inclusion”.
EXCO approved the plan for the commemoration, and urged all young people to attend.
APPOINTMENT
EXCO approved the following appointment, to strengthen the capacity building of the state:
- Mr Jelous Musa Nyalunga - Regional Director, Nkangala District: Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
ENDS...
Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Office of the Premier
Contact Person: MEC Thulasizwe Thomo (EXCO Spokesperson)
Enquiries: Mr George Mthethwa (Mpumalanga Provincial Government Spokesperson)
Contact: 013 766 2242/ 083 302 2774.