EXCO ADVANCES KEY GOVERNANCE, SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICE DELIVERY PRIORITIES OF THE 7th ADMINISTRATION
Members of the Executive Council (MECs) in Mpumalanga attended a sitting convened by the Premier, Mr. Mandla Ndlovu on Wednesday, to discuss developmental issues. The sitting comes amid the implementation of aggressive measures to improve the capacity of the state, through filling of vacant posts. This was Premier Ndlovu’s commitment in his inaugural speech, to mark the term of the 7th Administration in the legislature.
On Wednesday, Premier Ndlovu emphasised the need to advance gender equality through the appointment of women into Senior Management positions, in line with the country’s transformation agenda. He implored departments to develop employment equity plans as a blueprint to guide the recruitment process, and ensure compliance to applicable legislation.
He further condemned strongly the recent killings of nine (9) women in Ekurhuleni, in Gauteng and elsewhere in the country. Among them, is Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo, originally from Phaka village, Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality, in Mpumalanga, whose body was found in Kempton Park, recently.
Premier Ndlovu said that these killings are a direct attack to the entire nation, and called on all communities in Mpumalanga, especially men, to intensify the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), which was declared a crisis by the President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa last year.
The discussions during EXCO were robust, as the province is implementing plans to achieve developmental imperatives. The regional spatial planning, is one of them.
MPUMALANGA EASTERN ESCARPMENT REGIONAL SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
EXCO noted progress on the compilation of the Mpumalanga Eastern Escarpment Regional Spatial Development Framework (RSDF), which covers 11 municipalities across the province's eastern escarpment region. The RSDF seeks to transform the economies of rural areas through agrarian value-chain development, green economy, strengthen network of nodes and corridors, and the progressive restructuring of settlements, to improve access to services and opportunities.
The Minister of the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has published a notice to embark on a 60-day public participation process, as required in terms of Section 18(4) of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA). EXCO views this as a significant step in support of the plan.
The public participation process will give municipalities, traditional authorities, business and residents across the 11 affected municipalities a direct opportunity to shape the framework before it is finalised, ensuring the RSDF reflects the needs and realities of the communities earmarked for development.
The plan is anchored on development around a network of nodes and corridors, and aims to bring services and economic opportunity closer to communities that have historically been marginalised. EXCO noted that the plan is a deliberate step toward correcting long-standing spatial and economic imbalances in the region.
The plan was approved for implementation.
ENERGY INVESTMENT ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
The Provincial Government convened a roundtable discussion in the energy sector, in line with the province’s aggressive plans to expand investment opportunities for economic growth. The function, held in July this year in Middelburg, became a practical platform to unlock energy and Just Energy Transition-related investment in the province. An array of key stakeholders participated in the discussions, among them, developers, investors, development finance institutions, organised labour and industry bodies, such as the South African Wind Energy Association and South African Photovoltaic Industry Association.
A presentation which illustrate value-added investment opportunities in Mpumalanga’s energy sector was presented to the EXCO sitting. It highlights investment opportunities that were deliberated on, mainly the industrial demand centres and existing energy infrastructure, the industrial diversification and just transition projects, as well as the coal grid nodes.
EXCO noted that the function was timely. It comes at the time when the country is investing resources for the realisation of the Just Energy Transition programmes, and coordinating opportunities in the investment pipeline.
A number of ground-breaking resolutions were also adopted. They include, among others, the following:
- Delivery infrastructure, which emphasizes the establishment of central contact point for energy developers and green investors.
- Unblock constraints, which stresses land availability, community participation, local worker and micro, small and medium enterprise opportunities, and social licence.
- Inclusive implementation, which centres around mobilisation of finance through finance institutions, commercial funders and investors on feasibility, infrastructure, micro, small and medium enterprises and blended finance.
In approving the presentation, EXCO expressed commitment to support the resolutions of the roundtable discussions, including the coordination of all stakeholders to unlock identified constraints, a collaboration with provincial departments, municipalities and national institutions to resolve bottlenecks and the role of the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency, as a coordination structure for the implementation matrix and compilation of progress reports.
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE
A feedback report based on a study tour to Nairobi, Kenya, was presented to the EXCO sitting. The study was undertaken by officials from the Department of Health to gain practical exposure to the governance, coordination and sustainability mechanisms of an established Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC). The Department is implementing a broad range of measures to improve access of communities to primary healthcare, the number of people who are on the antiretroviral programme, and the reduction of transmission of communicable diseases.
The department is already implementing practical solutions drawn from the visit, to strengthen the operationalisation of the Mpumalanga Provincial PHEOC, including its governance framework, standard operating procedures and integrated surveillance systems.
EXCO’s observation is that Mpumalanga has achieved 74 percent implementation progress in establishing the PHEOC, and as such, is ranked second among all provinces, which indicates a strong commitment to building a health system capable of detecting and responding to emergencies swiftly and effectively. With plans for the official launch of the centre now underway, Mpumalanga has joined provinces whose health systems are resilient and capable to protect communities before crises escalate.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
EXCO noted a feedback report on the participation of a Community Health Worker from Mpumalanga in the International Conference on Primary Health Care (ICPHC), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The conference, held under the theme: "Advancing Primary Health Care in the 21st Century: Putting People First," was an assembly of health experts representing over 64 countries, to share strategies strengthening Primary Health Care, as a foundation for a resilient and people-centred health systems.
EXCO noted that lessons drawn from the conference are aligned with the province’s aspirations of establishing a people-centred health system, which can be achieved through strengthening of Community Health Worker participation. In addition the lessons can be replicated in Mpumalanhga to advance digital innovation in community health services, and building climate-resilient Primary Health Care delivery.
These insights are fundamental in strengthening Ward-Based Primary Health Care Outreach programmes, to improve community engagement through the deployment of frontline health workers where people live.
EXCO approved the report and recommended its implementation.
COOPERATION PROJECT BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND DENMARK
EXCO approved the participation of Dr K.R. Singh, a Veterinary Public Health expert from the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARLEA) to attend a Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) mission between South Africa and Denmark in the fields of agriculture and food control.
The mission will focus on the digitalisation of primary meat inspection, the development of a meat inspection recording and reporting system for disease control and risk analysis, and the review of current inspection procedures to develop risk-based meat inspection product procedures.
The mission is aligned with a broader bilateral government-to-government cooperation programme between South Africa and Denmark, and reflects the confidence placed in Mpumalanga's veterinary public health expertise, to represent the country at this level.
Denmark is internationally regarded as a benchmark for food safety and veterinary public health systems, making this mission a valuable opportunity for the province to adopt world-class practices in meat inspection and disease surveillance.
It is envisaged that Dr Singh will provide the much-needed support to Mpumalanga’s livestock and meat producers, in meeting the inspection and traceability standards that are required to access more domestic and international export markets, which will boost the province's agricultural economy.
APPOINTMENTS
EXCO approved the following appointments to strengthen the capacity of the Provincial Government in various departments. They are as follows:
Office of the Premier (OTP)
- Mr. SP Shabangu – Director: Internal Human Resources Management
- Mr. SG Maseko – Director: Community Outreach Services
- Mr. AO Bota – Director: and Evaluation Monitoring
Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA)
- Ms. LC Mlambo – Chief Director: Financial Management
- Dr BC Ntiwane – Chief Director: Development and Planning
Department of Health
- Mr. DS Malatji – Chief Director: Nkangala District
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.