Date: 28/06/2004
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: G Nkwinti: Public Services & Local Government Budget Vote debate, NCOP
BUDGET VOTE SPEECH BY MEC GUGILE NKWINTI, DURING THE NCOP POLICY DEBATE ON BUDGET VOTES ON PUBLIC SERVICES: LOCAL GOVERNMENT, 28 June 2004
Chairperson
Honourable Members
Ladies and Gentlemen
INTRODUCTION
The celebrations of the first decade of democracy and freedom continue throughout our great nation; The spirit of hope in the future of our land and confidence in the strength of the ANC's leadership were well demonstrated by our people in Elections 2004; and, the world's soccer football authority, FIFA, further acknowledged this confidence in the strength of leadership by granting us the privilege of organising Soccer World Cup 2010. As a nation, we have traversed a road very few have dared to travel. We have embarked on a course of building a truly united, non- racial, non- sexist, democratic and prosperous society.
As a government, we are learning that we cannot survive without public virtue and cannot progress without a common purpose with the public. That is why we are forging a "Peoples Contract".
In the State of the Nation Address by the President and the State of the Province Address by the Premier, the framework and time-frames for service delivery targets for the next decade have been set.
The next decade's challenges arise from lessons learnt from the first decade and new opportunities created by the first phases of transformation. We look at the road ahead with enthusiasm and passion.
The past ten years of democracy and freedom have seen an improvement in the quality of life for the urban and rural communities throughout the Eastern Cape.
The Provincial Growth and Development Plan, amongst other things, highlights job creation, poverty alleviation and public sector transformation. In pursuit of the transformation of local government, the Department will focus on the following key strategic objectives:
* Finalisation of the stabilisation phase
* Continuing with the Consolidation phase
* Strengthening municipal capacity
* Good Governance
* Emergency services and disaster management
* Integrated Sustainable development and
* Facilitate the provision of sustainable municipal infrastructure
Finalisation of the Stabilisation Phase
Having undergone the establishment phase the municipalities need to be further rationalised and stabilised.
Central to this phase is the development of institutional systems and service-delivery oriented organograms. The department will facilitate the development of these organograms in ten municipalities during the current financial year, on completion of the diagnostic study or survey being carried currently. An amount of R2, 500 000 has been set-aside for this purpose.
Consolidation of Municipalities
During the current financial year, the department will facilitate the development of performance contracts for senior managers in municipalities. To enable the assessment of their performance as informed by their IDPs and aligned to adjusted powers and functions using R3, 3m allocated for this purpose.
Strengthen the Capacity of Municipalities
The capacitation of municipalities is regarded as an on-going process and an amount of R44 000 000 has been set-aside for this purpose. The department will facilitate and monitor the implementation of training programmes, seminars and work sessions on amongst others customisation of generic policies and standard by-laws already developed as well as mentoring programmes.
The target group for these will be ward committees, community development workers, councillors and officials. In order for municipalities to be more effective in the implementation of programmes, the department realised the need for the establishment of the Eastern Cape Municipal Development Corporation (ECMDC) as an option. This is still subject to debate in the legislative. We are open to any advice that the Honourable members this Council may want to give us in this regard.
Good Governance
Now that the legislative framework for local government is in place, there is a challenge for municipalities to seriously focus on compliance. This creates the environment for good governance, accountability, transparency and public participation. The department has provided an amount of R5, 400 000 to set up monitoring and evaluation systems.
Emergency Services and Disaster Management
During the current financial-year, a properly functioning Provincial Disaster Management Centre will be established linking with municipalities, organs of state and other role players.
An amount of R19, 900 000 has been set aside for the promotion of effective disaster management programmes in municipalities and part of this amount will be utilised to purchase fire engines and equipment in two District Municipalities namely Cacadu and Chris Hani.
Integrated Sustainable Development
In order to improve the human and infrastructure capacity in the rural areas in particular, the Department will continue with local economic development projects at the ISRDP nodes and Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ). We will target the poor, women, youth and people with disabilities. An amount of R27, 500 000 has been set aside to facilitate this process, guided by the IDPs and Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP).
Facilitate the Provision of Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure
The main objective of the programme is the provision of infrastructure development funded through transfers directly to District Municipalities and the Metro by the Central Government.
The Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) will replace the Consolidated Municipal Infrastructure Programme (CMIP) as from this financial year. An amount of R10 000 000 has been set aside for project management to facilitate monitoring and the implementation of this programme.
In order to ensure the achievement of the above objectives an amount of R195 058 000 has been budgeted for, targeting the following municipalities.
Municipal Turn-Around Strategy
A process has been initiated in identifying immediate challenges facing municipalities. These challenges include, inter alias:
* Poor Revenue and Financial Management
* Establishment-related weaknesses
* Unintended consequences of wall-to-wall municipalities
* Resource migration
* Poor institutional and systems capacity and
* Non-compliance with legality
At its third MUNIMEC during May 2004, the Department tabled a draft turn-around strategy to all municipalities for them to interact with. This is a short-term strategy to address the challenges highlighted above. A consultation process was agreed upon. This is being undertaken over a period of eight weeks from the date of the MUNIMEC. During the first four weeks local municipalities agreed to interact with their stakeholders. Ward committees must be central in deliberating on this draft strategy with a view to deepening democracy and inculcating a culture of democratic participation in our communities and councils.
The last four weeks is for the district municipalities to engage and interact with their local municipalities. At the end of this period, comments and inputs from municipalities will be submitted to the Department for consolidation and improvement on the draft strategy. The next MUNIMEC in August will adopt the Turn-around Strategy for immediate implementation thereafter.
Developmental Municipality Model
The rationale and approach to local government transformation in South Africa is outlined in the white paper on Local Government (1998) and further elaborated and articulated in the various other pieces of legislation. Since the democratisation of local government in December 2000, various steps have been taken towards achieving the intentions of the White Paper. However, assessments done by national and provincial governments show that there are still major challenges. Such challenges include, inter alia, inadequate capacity to drive service delivery programmes, particularly at municipal level.
It is our belief that a Municipality, which is a developmental model, is one that performs its functions effectively, based on the key strategic areas of the sustainable developmental local government model. Such a model has been crafted by the departmental during the last tour, and is now ready for implementation.
The Model's Core Business developmental areas are the following:
* Sustainable service delivery
* Social development
* Community empowerment
* Sustainable environmental management
* Infrastructure development and
* Economic development
Over the next two years, the Department will phase in the implementation of the model starting with the district, Metropolitan and Buffalo City municipalities.
TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS
In order to promote sound relations between the Government and Traditional Leadership and institutions, the department will promulgate Provincial Legislation on Traditional Leadership and Governance during the current financial year. The Development of this policy and legislation is done through collaboration between the House of Traditional Leaders and the Department with the full involvement of the Regional Authorities and Kingdoms in the province.
We have already commenced a process towards the construction of the House of Traditional Leaders as well as Traditional Council Offices. This is part of the process of restoring the dignity, image and integrity of Traditional Leadership.
Institutional and Administrative Capacity Building will be provided to Traditional Leaders so that they have better understanding of government programmes.
An amount of R500 000 has been set aside for the institutional and administrative capacity building for Traditional Leaders to ensure better understanding of government policy and programmes.
An amount of R68 911 000 has been budgeted for this programme.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, our revolutionary challenge as government and the people of the Eastern Cape is still an enormous and daunting one. There is no way that we can let our people down. So let's roll up our sleeves and be a nation at work for a better life for all.
As the Premier of the Eastern Cape Government, the Honourable Premier Nosimo Balindlela has correctly enjoined, we are committed to serving our people and communities with honesty, integrity and humility guided by the "People's Contract" in the service of the poorest of the poor.
Thank You.
Issued by: Department of Housing, Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
28 June 2004
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: G Nkwinti: Public Services & Local Government Budget Vote debate, NCOP
BUDGET VOTE SPEECH BY MEC GUGILE NKWINTI, DURING THE NCOP POLICY DEBATE ON BUDGET VOTES ON PUBLIC SERVICES: LOCAL GOVERNMENT, 28 June 2004
Chairperson
Honourable Members
Ladies and Gentlemen
INTRODUCTION
The celebrations of the first decade of democracy and freedom continue throughout our great nation; The spirit of hope in the future of our land and confidence in the strength of the ANC's leadership were well demonstrated by our people in Elections 2004; and, the world's soccer football authority, FIFA, further acknowledged this confidence in the strength of leadership by granting us the privilege of organising Soccer World Cup 2010. As a nation, we have traversed a road very few have dared to travel. We have embarked on a course of building a truly united, non- racial, non- sexist, democratic and prosperous society.
As a government, we are learning that we cannot survive without public virtue and cannot progress without a common purpose with the public. That is why we are forging a "Peoples Contract".
In the State of the Nation Address by the President and the State of the Province Address by the Premier, the framework and time-frames for service delivery targets for the next decade have been set.
The next decade's challenges arise from lessons learnt from the first decade and new opportunities created by the first phases of transformation. We look at the road ahead with enthusiasm and passion.
The past ten years of democracy and freedom have seen an improvement in the quality of life for the urban and rural communities throughout the Eastern Cape.
The Provincial Growth and Development Plan, amongst other things, highlights job creation, poverty alleviation and public sector transformation. In pursuit of the transformation of local government, the Department will focus on the following key strategic objectives:
* Finalisation of the stabilisation phase
* Continuing with the Consolidation phase
* Strengthening municipal capacity
* Good Governance
* Emergency services and disaster management
* Integrated Sustainable development and
* Facilitate the provision of sustainable municipal infrastructure
Finalisation of the Stabilisation Phase
Having undergone the establishment phase the municipalities need to be further rationalised and stabilised.
Central to this phase is the development of institutional systems and service-delivery oriented organograms. The department will facilitate the development of these organograms in ten municipalities during the current financial year, on completion of the diagnostic study or survey being carried currently. An amount of R2, 500 000 has been set-aside for this purpose.
Consolidation of Municipalities
During the current financial year, the department will facilitate the development of performance contracts for senior managers in municipalities. To enable the assessment of their performance as informed by their IDPs and aligned to adjusted powers and functions using R3, 3m allocated for this purpose.
Strengthen the Capacity of Municipalities
The capacitation of municipalities is regarded as an on-going process and an amount of R44 000 000 has been set-aside for this purpose. The department will facilitate and monitor the implementation of training programmes, seminars and work sessions on amongst others customisation of generic policies and standard by-laws already developed as well as mentoring programmes.
The target group for these will be ward committees, community development workers, councillors and officials. In order for municipalities to be more effective in the implementation of programmes, the department realised the need for the establishment of the Eastern Cape Municipal Development Corporation (ECMDC) as an option. This is still subject to debate in the legislative. We are open to any advice that the Honourable members this Council may want to give us in this regard.
Good Governance
Now that the legislative framework for local government is in place, there is a challenge for municipalities to seriously focus on compliance. This creates the environment for good governance, accountability, transparency and public participation. The department has provided an amount of R5, 400 000 to set up monitoring and evaluation systems.
Emergency Services and Disaster Management
During the current financial-year, a properly functioning Provincial Disaster Management Centre will be established linking with municipalities, organs of state and other role players.
An amount of R19, 900 000 has been set aside for the promotion of effective disaster management programmes in municipalities and part of this amount will be utilised to purchase fire engines and equipment in two District Municipalities namely Cacadu and Chris Hani.
Integrated Sustainable Development
In order to improve the human and infrastructure capacity in the rural areas in particular, the Department will continue with local economic development projects at the ISRDP nodes and Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ). We will target the poor, women, youth and people with disabilities. An amount of R27, 500 000 has been set aside to facilitate this process, guided by the IDPs and Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP).
Facilitate the Provision of Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure
The main objective of the programme is the provision of infrastructure development funded through transfers directly to District Municipalities and the Metro by the Central Government.
The Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) will replace the Consolidated Municipal Infrastructure Programme (CMIP) as from this financial year. An amount of R10 000 000 has been set aside for project management to facilitate monitoring and the implementation of this programme.
In order to ensure the achievement of the above objectives an amount of R195 058 000 has been budgeted for, targeting the following municipalities.
Municipal Turn-Around Strategy
A process has been initiated in identifying immediate challenges facing municipalities. These challenges include, inter alias:
* Poor Revenue and Financial Management
* Establishment-related weaknesses
* Unintended consequences of wall-to-wall municipalities
* Resource migration
* Poor institutional and systems capacity and
* Non-compliance with legality
At its third MUNIMEC during May 2004, the Department tabled a draft turn-around strategy to all municipalities for them to interact with. This is a short-term strategy to address the challenges highlighted above. A consultation process was agreed upon. This is being undertaken over a period of eight weeks from the date of the MUNIMEC. During the first four weeks local municipalities agreed to interact with their stakeholders. Ward committees must be central in deliberating on this draft strategy with a view to deepening democracy and inculcating a culture of democratic participation in our communities and councils.
The last four weeks is for the district municipalities to engage and interact with their local municipalities. At the end of this period, comments and inputs from municipalities will be submitted to the Department for consolidation and improvement on the draft strategy. The next MUNIMEC in August will adopt the Turn-around Strategy for immediate implementation thereafter.
Developmental Municipality Model
The rationale and approach to local government transformation in South Africa is outlined in the white paper on Local Government (1998) and further elaborated and articulated in the various other pieces of legislation. Since the democratisation of local government in December 2000, various steps have been taken towards achieving the intentions of the White Paper. However, assessments done by national and provincial governments show that there are still major challenges. Such challenges include, inter alia, inadequate capacity to drive service delivery programmes, particularly at municipal level.
It is our belief that a Municipality, which is a developmental model, is one that performs its functions effectively, based on the key strategic areas of the sustainable developmental local government model. Such a model has been crafted by the departmental during the last tour, and is now ready for implementation.
The Model's Core Business developmental areas are the following:
* Sustainable service delivery
* Social development
* Community empowerment
* Sustainable environmental management
* Infrastructure development and
* Economic development
Over the next two years, the Department will phase in the implementation of the model starting with the district, Metropolitan and Buffalo City municipalities.
TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS
In order to promote sound relations between the Government and Traditional Leadership and institutions, the department will promulgate Provincial Legislation on Traditional Leadership and Governance during the current financial year. The Development of this policy and legislation is done through collaboration between the House of Traditional Leaders and the Department with the full involvement of the Regional Authorities and Kingdoms in the province.
We have already commenced a process towards the construction of the House of Traditional Leaders as well as Traditional Council Offices. This is part of the process of restoring the dignity, image and integrity of Traditional Leadership.
Institutional and Administrative Capacity Building will be provided to Traditional Leaders so that they have better understanding of government programmes.
An amount of R500 000 has been set aside for the institutional and administrative capacity building for Traditional Leaders to ensure better understanding of government policy and programmes.
An amount of R68 911 000 has been budgeted for this programme.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, our revolutionary challenge as government and the people of the Eastern Cape is still an enormous and daunting one. There is no way that we can let our people down. So let's roll up our sleeves and be a nation at work for a better life for all.
As the Premier of the Eastern Cape Government, the Honourable Premier Nosimo Balindlela has correctly enjoined, we are committed to serving our people and communities with honesty, integrity and humility guided by the "People's Contract" in the service of the poorest of the poor.
Thank You.
Issued by: Department of Housing, Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
28 June 2004
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