Issued by: North West Communication Service
INTRODUCTION
Following the 1994 National and Provincial Elections, as well as the November 1995 Local government Elections, the African National Congress in the North West consolidated its control of the structures of political power.
As elsewhere, expectations have been high among the public at large that the new democratic government would provide accelerated delivery on development and transformation for the benefit of the majority.
This is a brief critical assessment as to whether the government is on track in relation to development in general, and the transformation of the economy and institutions of governance.
TRANSFORMATION OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE
A strong emphasis was placed on the transformation of the public service with a provincial transformation steering committee, comprising MEC's and officials, having been established to oversee the process, several transformatory projects have been initiated. They include:
Remarkable progress has been made in this connection.
- In relation to affirmative action and the need to achieve representativity, the racial balance in the North West administration is relatively healthy with 70% of top management echelon posts being black and 30% white. However only 14% of these are held by women. There is clearly a need to improve participation by women in the coming year. The provincial government will in collaboration with the new established commission on gender equality formulate a programme to enhance women's participation in the public sector.
- With respect to the restructuring of parastatals, the executive council on 19 June 1996 adopted a policy framework following an exhaustive process of consultation.
- Rightsizing is proceeding very well. a significant number of civil servants have applied for voluntary packages. We have also placed a moratorium on new appointments. We are confident that our target of downsizing by 3,000 workers will be realised. However, the transformation of the public service remains a singularly most difficult task.
BUILDING THE ECONOMY
Various North West deputations have visited 15 countries to stimulate foreign investment while there is an international focus on the Republic of South Africa. However there has been a weak follow-up to these investment promotion initiatives due to the protracted restructuring of the North West Development Corporation. However, the restructuring of the North West Development Corporation has now been completed and initiates to establish an INVESTMENT PROMOTION CENTRE well under way, we expect a more aggressive approach to the issues of Trade and Investment.
There is not yet a structured partnership between government, Labour and Business to drive economic growth. Organised formations of business and labour are still at a nascent stage.
The government has provided the enabling framework for the building of institutional capacity within civil society as a first step towards achieving economic development.
The provincial government is deeply committed to the development of SMMES.
- Budget allocation for the promotion of SMME's in the manufacturing sector have been increased from R10m for the 1994/95 financial year to R40m for the 1996/7 financial year.
- During the period October 1994 to June 1996, over R1 billion worth of government tenders in the construction and engineering industry were awarded to emerging entrepreneurs. This represents approximately 60% of the total value of the amount of the contracts.
- In the Agricultural sector Agribank has financed 1307 small farmers to the tune of R58,5m during the 1995/6 financial year.
- During July 1996, 365 state farms were advertised for leasing by hitherto excluded groups. These account for 300,00ha of land. A further 500,000ha will be advertised for redistribution to the disadvantaged communities in the coming period.
- The tourism sector is performing very well at approximately 10% of the GGP. It compares favourably with the international average. It represents a critical growth point. There is a tremendous potential in the Hartebeespoortdam/Magalies/Pilanesberg/Madikwe axis. A holistic development plan is still being hatched so that this rich site of paleo-anthropological tourism can begin to contribute to job creations and economic growth.
MEETING BASIC NEEDS
Health Care Delivery - The clinic building programme has yielded 25 new clinics and 24 which are still under construction.
- The primary school nutrition scheme is benefitting 300,000 pupils this exceeding the target by 24%
- The provision of basic health care has been transformed from a curative system to a preventive orientation.
- Free basic health care to all pregnant mothers and children under the age of 6 is proceeding without hitches.
Education Provision - Access to schooling has been increased with 150,000 new entrants per year. The province achieved the best results for African pupils in 1995 with a 63% pass rate.
- 1,000 new classrooms and 759 toilets have been built in the first and second phases. 86 special schools are under construction for the coming year. The November examinations this year proceeded without problems.
JOB CREATION
The community based public works programme has created 200,000 person months of direct and indirect employment (the equivalent of 16,000 people for a year). 6 resettled communities have been assisted through special development projects, which have resulted in the creation of 1026 jobs.
- Classroom building programme has provided 5,000 jobs through the stimulation of SMME's. We estimate that a total of 22,000 jobs were created through government programmes and other public services.
HOUSING DELIVERY
As of 30 September 1996, of the 30 798 subsidies that had been approved, 6,200 houses had been built. The total payout at this stage is R112m, and another 579 units are still under construction. Slow progress is due to problems relating to adequate financing systems.
WATER PROVISION
There are 360,000 people who have been provided with access to clean water within 200m since April 1994. This accounts for approximately 100 villages.
ELECTRICITY AND TELECOMMUNICATION
Since the democratic government took over thousands of people who live in rural areas and informal settlements are increasingly accessing electricity and telephones.
UPGRADING OF GRAVEL ROADS
Twenty four projects totalling 319,63km were implemented under this programme at the total cost of R83 815 000,00. These projects cover areas like Mankwe, Madikwe, Kudumane, Moretele, Odi, Molopo, Lehurutshe, Ditsobotla, Taung, Ganyesa.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Crime is on a decline in the North West. Of 32 categories of serious crime, there has been a substantial decrease in 9 and an increase in only 3. These are stock theft, assault and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
- There are 200 community policing forums attached to 92 police stations province wide. Works is underway to finalise the establishment of forums at a further 6 stations. The province is witnessing unparalleled levels of co-operation between the SAPS and the public.
- Political stability is satisfactory as a result of the reconciliation and nation building effort of the government.
NORTH WEST 2020
Government has produced a North West Development Perspective, within the context of the National Strategic Vision and the Macro Economic Strategy for growth employment and redistribution.
- Sustainable economic growth of 3,1% pa by the year 2000
- Basic services to all by 2005.
- 8% of revenue to go to the poorest 40% of the population by 2005.
- Human development index to increase from 57 to 69 by 2000.
- Full implementation of the National Qualifications Framework.
During 1997 several major development initiatives will be announced as part of the general drive to grow the economy.
CARLTON HOTEL 20 DECEMBER 1996