100 days report

24 August 2004

The Economy, Investment and Employment Cluster, which comprises of the Departments of Agriculture and Land Administration, Economic Development and Planning , Finance, Public Works and Roads and Transport has made major strides in achieving the targets set by the Premier of Mpumalanga, Mr Thabang Makwetla, in his State of the Province Address.

In order to enable Departments to procure goods and services according to the PFMA Act of 29 of 1999 (as amended), as required, the following has been done:

  • The Tender Board Act (Eastern Transvaal) Repeal Bill, 2004 has been published for public comments before being referred to the Provincial Legislature for approval
  • Workshops to train Departmental Bid Committees were held on 17 June 2004. Follow-up trainings are continuing as per request from Departments (NIA, Department of Public Works, Department of Finance, Agriculture and Land Administration)

The following achievements were also made with regards to industrial development zones:

  • A task team comprising of the Department of Economic Development and Planning, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and Mbombela Municipality was formed to investigate the establishment of an Industrial Development Zone at the KMIA
  • Major progress has been made to develop a critical skills base in the province

Amongst the achievements in this regard is government’s commitment of R600 000 towards the establishment of a R9, 5 million Furniture Technology Centre in White River. The centre will offer skills development, business incubation and technology demonstration.

Regarding farmer training, the Lowveld College of Agriculture presented a training course on the production of essential oils to 50 community members. The college also presented certificates to 13 farmers on completing a course in Irrigation Systems Management.

A programme for capacity building in municipalities regarding Environmental Management and Waste Management Systems was launched in June 2004.

Seven municipalities were trained in waste management practices to ensure compliance with legislation on all existing general waste landfill sites.

The cluster is supporting the Second Economy through the following measures:

  • Access to financing for SMME’s was improved by launching an Equity Fund with an initial injection of R50 million. To date the fund has received 30 applications. One application was successful and allocated R6 million
  • The NICRO Finance Umsobomvu Youth Fund was established to assist young entrepreneurs with access to finance. The average funds allocated per recipient is R1 270.00 and to date 102 loans have been allocated, of which 75% were given to female recipients
  • The Nkomazi Economic Development Unit approved 7 micro-loans to businesses amounting to R23 000 at an average of R3000 per loan
  • To ensure the safety of tourists in the province, 124 youth safety monitors are working closely with SAPS

In order to address the question of Lack of PPP projects in the province:

  • A Business Women’s Dialogue Gala evening was held on 06 August 2004, to explore ways in which more women can participate in the mainstream economy
  • Clustered Departments would also be encouraged to identify projects to be procured through PPP
  • A total of 5 200 vegetable starter packs were distributed as part of a programme to provide food production support. The recipients receive gardening tools, fertilisers and vegetable seeds. They are also trained and capacitated in production enhancing technologies
  • Twenty-five Land-Care projects have already started and have created jobs for 1132 people. The total budget for this programme is R5, 5 million

To develop technology and research, the provincial agricultural research centres have established partnerships with the Agricultural Research Council, the Boran Breeders Association and the National Wool Growers Association.

As a result of a partnership with commercial farmers, 21 Sanganer cattle were handed over to members of the Mpumalanga Agricultural Farmers Union, who come from previously disadvantaged communities.

As part of cooperative governance, the province assisted Limpopo Province in controlling an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

There has been a 15% improvement in road markings in the province and road sign consultants have been appointed.

Talks were held with SANRAL (South African National Roads Agency Limited) to look at the possibility of joint operations in upgrading the Barberton to Nelspruit Road as well as to upgrade the N17 Oshoek to Leandra from provincial to national road.

Progress is being made to address road conditions in Gert Sibande Region with 22% of planned road maintenance completed.

A successful Provincial Taxi Indaba was held in July 2004 to discuss issues facing the taxi industry, e.g taxi recapitalization, taxi co-ops, BEE and public transport subsidies.

A consultant has been appointed to do route designs in order to implement the new bus contracts. The purpose of the new route designs is to open up opportunities for emerging bus contractors to enter the bus industry.

In order to reduce lawlessness, overloading and improve the visibility of traffic officers on provincial roads, 75 traffic officers were appointed in July 2004 and shift work introduced. This has led to a decrease in traffic offences by 5% and overloading by 24%.

The coordinating and management structures for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in the province have been established. All relevant provincial departments have identified suitable EPWP projects that will be implemented in conjunction with learnerships. The first 45 contractor learnerships in the road construction field were advertised and will be filled soon. The planning for the launch of the provincial EPWP on 30 August 2004 at Ntwane near Dennilton – is complete.