EXCO APPROVES PLANS TO ADVANCE THE LIVELIHOODS OF COMMUNITIES IN MPUMALANGA
The Executive Council (EXCO) of the Mpumalanga Provincial Government convened a session recently to approve plans for the improvement of the livelihoods of communities in Mpumalanga. The plans are aligned with the priorities of the 7th Administration, of driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing the high cost of living, as well as building a capable, ethical and developmental state.
During the session, several plans were presented to EXCO, among them, the Mpumalanga Provincial Research Agenda (PRA), which outlines the research priorities and focus areas in the province for the next five years from 2026-2030.
1. MPUMALANGA RESEARCH AGENDA
The Research Agenda is a five-year strategic plan that identify areas of research and resource allocation to areas such as education, human development skills, and inclusive economies.
Mpumalanga’s 12 power stations in a country with 30 power stations, signifies the province’s significant role in the country’s energy supply. EXCO noted the critical need of investing in energy research projects, to generate evidence-based solutions that will guide the province’s sustainable energy supply for the growing demand.
EXCO approved the Research Agenda strategic plan. It was resolved that the province is prone to natural disasters with devastating effects to human beings,
nature and infrastructure. Therefore the research agenda is crucial to produce evidence-based responses to disasters caused by the climate change phenomenon.
2. REPORT ON CLEANING SERVICES IN THE PROVINCE
The Executive Council considered a comprehensive report which analyses the cost benefits of insourcing cleaning services in the Provincial Departments. The report provides an analysis of the management, procurement, and standard of cleaning services across provincial government facilities.
The report signifies the benefits of insourcing of cleaning services through shifting away from contract reliance. EXCO noted that insourcing will provide direct employment opportunities for the unemployed, thus restoring their dignity, provide job security, and fair remuneration to the workers who will maintain government facilities daily.
It was further observed that in sourcing strengthens in-house operational capacity and aligns routine support functions with public service values and accountability.
EXCO approved the report and directed Departments to roll out implementation in line with budget availability and cost benefit analysis.
3. REPORT ON THE REVIEW OF MPUMALANGA PUBLIC ENTITIES
In a major step towards building a capable, ethical, and developmental state the Executive Council considered a review report of the five Public Entities in the province. These are Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of Nkomazi, the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA), the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER) and the Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust (MRTT).
The report provides a comprehensive structural review and performance of the entities since their establishment. Furthermore, the report seeks to eliminate functional duplication and to enforce fiscal discipline.
In its conclusion, the report highlights the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator’s good performance as an exemplary institution, robust corporate governance, and rigorous oversight of the provincial gambling and liquor sectors. The entity’s strict enforcement, has assisted in collecting revenue through its gambling activities.
In the final analysis, the report provides recommendations for the improvement of performance by all the entities.
For MEGA, the report directed the Board and Management to aggressively manage its loan book through strict credit assessments, decisive debt-recovery protocols., enforce credit discipline and recovering defaulted funds.
For the MTPA, the report recommends a realignment, through the transfer of some functions from the entity to the Department of Agriculture, Rural and Land Administration (DARDLEA), in order to focus on its core mandate of tourism promotion, destination marketing, and biodiversity conservation.
4. FILLING OF COGHSTA’S POSITION FOR HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
Efforts to strengthen the effective functionality of the Provincial Government are intensified. Filling of strategic positions is among these efforts, and EXCO is adamant that this approach is an essential pillar to bolster the capacity of the Provincial Government, in a quest for the delivery of services.
Currently, the Department for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) is the only institution with a vacant position at this level, since the contract of the previous incumbent expired.
During the sitting, EXCO resolved to re-advertise the position and expressed optimism that this will attract an adequate pool of highly qualified candidates to select from, for the recruitment process, compared to previous efforts.
4. APPROVALS:
EXCO has approved the participation of Mpumalanga from the following activities:
4.1 Umhlanga festival
- EXCO approved the participation of 86 Mpumalanga maidens, at the annual Umhlanga festival in the Kingdom of eSwatini, at the end of August 2026. The festival promotes arts, heritage, social cohesion, and cultural exchange.
4.2 Gold Panning Championship
- EXCO approved the participation of a delegation from Mpumalanga at the 2026 Gold Panning in Central Otago, New Zealand. The annual Gold Panning will start from 29th September to 3rd October 2026.
4.3 2026 ICP Council
- EXCO approved the participation of four school Principals at the 2026 International Confederation of Principals in Auckland, New Zealand. The function will start from 13 to 18 September 2026.
4.4 Educational Assessment Conference
- EXCO approved the participation of Dr Mkhwanazi of Education at the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa Conference, to be held in Arusha, Tanzania, from 17-24 August 2026.
4.5 Respite Care Services
- EXCO approved the participation of five officials from the Department of Social Development at the training of Respite Care Services in Japan, from 22 September 2026 to 9 October 2026.
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.