
=====================================================================
Achievements review
=====================================================================

Speeches and Media Releases
 Premier's Office

[         w

 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
SPEECH BY PREMIER MA STOFILE
 AT FORT HARE IN ALICE ON 3 - 5 DECEMBER 1999.

A REVIEW OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND AN ASSESSMENT OF PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING DEPARTMENTAL STRATEGIC PLANS

1. In five short years, the Government of the Province Eastern Cape has had a significant impact on the seemingly intractable problems of 
underdevelopment that were inherited from the previous regime. Steeped in racial segregation and a grossly uneven distribution of access to 
resources and wealth, the sheer dimensions of the development challenge were, indeed daunting. Nevertheless, through the concerted 
application of commitment and determination, the Government embarked on a steep learning curve that has resulted in a broadly-based 
distribution of RDP benefits and advances that have established a sound foundation for the future. A great deal has been achieved in terms 
of groundwork, particularly as far as infrastructure and service delivery in the rural areas of the Transkei and Ciskei areas of the 
Province, are concerned. Access to water, electricity, housing and telecommunications has improved drastically, often under difficult 
circumstances associated with the remoteness and isolation of most of the communities that have been serviced, and an acute shortage of 
development finance. In this regard, we have received welcome assistance from National Development Programmes, projects and strategic 
Instruments, from many foreign government sources and from domestic and foreign NGOs. Development and advancement has not only been 
measured in terms of taps, telephones and water-pipes, however, there has also been a significant increase in the competence and capacity 
of local authorities, who are charged with the responsibility of development at the local level.

2. There is no question, however, that we still have an enormous development agenda ahead of us. In many ways, the successes we have 
forged, are but the beginning of long and difficult road that we still have to negotiate. The instruments, the mechanisms and the 
commitment are in place. That impetus must now be sustained in a concerted effort to maintain the development momentum. The key to success 
in doing that lies in sound governance.

3. On the 25th of June following the election victory of the 2nd of the same month the President of South Africa addressed the nation on 
various priorities and challenges facing us for the next five years. Based on those priorities the Province of the Eastern Cape arranged a 
strategic planning workshop on the 11th of July 1999 to ensure that these priorities are shared by the provincial administration and put 
into a 5-year programme.

4. The approach of the Province has been to utilise the basic documents that guide our transformation and give a mandate to this     
government starting from the Reconstruction and Development document, the Election Manifesto, the Provincial Growth and          
Development Strategy and the Presidents speech on the opening of Parliament.
 In the Strategic Planning workshop the vision of the Province was revisited. The Provincial Growth and Development Strategy pillars were 
reconfirmed as they were still a priority and were not contradicting the priorities in all the documents listed above. These pillars are: -

* Job creation
* Rural development
* Meeting the basic needs
* Investment in people
* Sustainable use of our natural resources
* Crime prevention
* Redistribution of income
* Efficient and effective civil service

5. Following the workshop there was an emphasis on a co-ordinated approach to service delivery and ensuring an Executive Council that had 
effective cabinet committee to avoid working in silos. To ensure a link between the EXCO and the administration the heads of the 
administrative clusters are allowed to sit in the cabinet committees. The cabinet committees sit fortnightly on alternate Wednesday to 
Executive Council meetings.

6. a)  Top facilitate integrated approach to our work, we have established a Chief Directorate that will focus specially on this. Dr 
Mazibuko who heads the policy, research and planning section has been charged with this responsibility. This is to make sure that all 
departments comply with the strategic plans. We have already signed an agreement with the legislature and the EC Local government 
Association on how to co-operate. This way Chapter 3 of the constitution is made a reality. But a number of National Departments are also 
operating in the Province. So we established another Inter Governmental Forum (IGA) with them and the Provincial Government. This is to 
ensure joint planning and sharing of resources for we are one government. We are in the process of consolidating all these forums into an 
Integrated Forum of all spheres of government and Service Providers (e.g. Telkom, Eskom etc.). The Local Government is an important sphere 
for service delivery. Our Department of Local government and Housing is a co-ordinator of another IGA between the Province and Local 
Authorities. Our approach is that we should assist TLC/TRCs as much as we can. Intervention in terms of Section 139 will only be resorted 
to as the last remedy. Even here, all stakeholders will be assisted to get to a position which avoids us invoking section 139. Butterworth 
was a sad lesson after a prolonged process.

6.b) In order for a co-ordinated approach in development to take place the Office of the Premier has drafted a Spatial Development Plan for 
the Province. The Draft is ready for presentation to the EXCO. This plan will lay a foundation for integrated development plans and the 
rural development strategy.

7. The president also enjoined us to build a caring society that guarantees the dignity of every citizen. Our integrated approach to 
poverty alleviation and infrastructural development is designed to do that. So are our enthusiastic efforts to combat crime and corruption. 
We encourage all efforts by the police, scorpion and ordinary citizens to nail down criminals. A lot of break-through are being registered 
in this respect.

8. The workshop then identified provincial priorities as follows:

* Restructuring and development of the state
* Transforming and developing the economy
* Developing our human resources
* Rebuilding the moral authority within the communities
* Infrastructural development
* Antipoverty focus
* Strengthening leadership
* Co-ordination of government activity
* Effective cabinet system
* Improved communication
* Effective information systems with a clean data
MISSION STATEMENT

An Eastern Cape which is devoid of the inequalities of the past, unified through an integrated an sustainable, economic, social, and 
cultural development, thus providing expectable quality of live for all its people in the context of a united, non-racial, non-sexist and 
democratic S A.

9. To promote contact with rural and peripheral communities the Executive Council. Also agreed to hold some of their meetings outside the 
Provincial Capital.

10. The provincial government is committed to a five-year strategic development process, reflected in the mission statement and plans that 
have been formulated by the various Departments. The question that arise are what we intend to achieve, and how we intend to proceed.

11. Improving Safety and Security of all citizens

* Strengthening the Community Police Forum

To improve capacity to mobilise the people against crime and improve co-operation with the law enforcement agencies the Department of 
Safety and liaison has been reconfigured to include a section that deals with the National Crime Prevention Strategy. This has been done 
without unnecessarily increasing personnel but by abolishing another section on legal services, which can be soured from the sister 
Department of Transport under the same MEC.

    b.Intervention in Tsolo and Majola

The President highlighted certain flash point areas affected by crime and violence amongst which was Tsolo in the Eastern Cape. The 
initiative in Tsolo and Qumbu precedes the Presidents speech but the intersectional and intergovernmental approach in that area to combat 
crime has been very successful. All spheres of government have been co-operating to ensure the rebuilding of that community which has been 
ravaged by crime for such a long time. The other flash point of Majola has been prioritised by the Province for a similar action. However, 
we have to avoid a situation where communities perceive government to be intervening to promote development only when violence erupts.

  c. Fight against Corruption

An Anti-corruption Summit has been held in the Province this month as a follow-up to the national conferences. The aim of the summit was to 
come up with an action-oriented programme and we think we have achieved that. This brought together various stakeholders and has once more 
indicated our intolerance for this scourge. Meeting the targets in the programme of action will be monitored directly from the Office of 
the Premier.
 The Public Finance Management Act is being introduced to employees, especially management in preparation for its implementation in April 
2000. This Act brings to the fore the critical needs to manage our finances properly and is linked to the fight against theft and 
corruption which results from lack of control.The strategy to popularise the Code of Conduct has been drafted and after further 
consultations will be rolled out.

12. Our economic activity has improved. A number of high-profile investments have been announced. But unfortunately job-creation in this 
province also depends on what happens in other provinces. When people get old or are retrenched from Gauteng, KZN and Western Cape, they 
return to the Eastern Cape. Their budget (in terms of statistics 96) are left where they come from. So our merger budget gets stretched 
further. This also offsets our Welfare projections.

Job Creation

Various departments have taken up this challenge to ensure that they embark on programmes that will lead to job creation. Amongst these we 
can mention the following-:

* Agriculture in their rural development programmes are encouraging communities to embark on agricultural activities that are creating 
jobs.
 Five projects have been implemented on integrated livestock and crop production creating jobs and increasing economic activity in the 
rural areas.

* The Department of Economic Affairs in its investor-wooing attempts and the promotion of the SDIs has led to more potential jobs being 
created in various industries.
* Public Works is engaging in labour-intensive programmes and is encouraged to avoid the use of heavy machines wherever possible.
* Welfare is involved in creating self-sustaining livelihoods as part of the poverty alleviation strategy.
Transforming the Expenditure patterns in the Public Sector in favour of capital
Expenditure will also encourage job creation and in this regard the Department of Finance in the Province is ensuring that the Department 
bear this in mind as we prepare the budgets for the 2000/2001 financial year.

[Promoting private public partnerships]

13. Gaining Global Support

* Twinning programmes are being strengthened and more co-ordination of these is envisaged. The Province is also getting more exposure 
through the national agreements with countries like Sweden and Great Britain.

* Promotion of tourism is taking place through activities like the most recent Cultural project launched in the Wild Coast District 
Council.

14. Delivery to the Poorest of the Poor

To comply with the priorities of rural up liftment, we have identified the Wild Coast Region for integrated development. This does not mean 
that nothing will be done in other regions. But we want to make a lasting mark in one area at a time and move away from the sprinkling 
approach to development. Urban renewal will not be abandoned. The violence ridden area of Majola will also get special attention in respect 
of curbing crime.

The Integrated Rural Development Strategy launched with the pilot in the areas of Bizana, Lusikisiki, Flagstaff and Port St Johns is aimed 
at ensuring effective service delivery to the poorest of the poor. This is gaining momentum as we see agricultural projects springing up 
with support from the improvement of roads infrastructure, Welfare flagship programmes and the focus on the Wild Coast SDI.
 The Tombo multi-purpose community centre initiative will also be a major boost for the integrated rural development strategy and an 
integrated approach to development with a one-stop shop. Access to government information will be made easier through such a centre.
 The poverty alleviation programmes from Welfare with the provision of life skill, educare, income generating programmes and village 
projects programmes in areas like Lusikisiki and Mqanduli have all started in vigour. The housing projects are being reprioritised to serve 
the poorest sectors of our communities through the peoples housing process and refocusing subsidies to the poor.
 The consolidated municipal infrastructure programme with bulk water supply, water reticulation and roads has an impact in areas like Tsolo 
and the Wild Coast priority area.

15. HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is receiving an intersectional approach with the various departments engaged in programmes spearheaded by the social needs 
cluster. The Department of Health structure has been reconfigured to have a dedicated programme manager for AIDS/HIV. Distribution points 
for condoms have been increased. There is more training of personnel on the management of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS/HIV. There 
are now five AIDS training centres in the Province. The cabinet committee on social needs has prioritised AIDS/HIV and interacts with the 
youth structures in the campaign against the spread of the disease.

16. Special Programmes

Special Programmes for the youth, physically challenged and gender issue are led from the Office of the Premier by the creation of special 
Programmes Units in all departments.
 There has been a delay in this process but we aim at ensuring that by the beginning of the new financial year these units will be in 
place. Departments like Public Works have to prioritise the structuring of buildings to ensure access for the physically challenged. In 
this regard all buildings that are renovations will receive priority attention. The poverty alleviation programmes from welfare are 
targeting especially the youth.
Women and the physically challenged. Similarly Agriculture has developed a Rural Renaissance Policy Document promoting integrated rural 
development and sustainable economic growth amongst the youth, physically challenged and women.

17. Opening the Doors of Education

Prioritising books and learning material on the first day at school in the year 2000 has been approved and arrangements made for this to 
happen. This will ensure that learning takes place early in the year.
 In order to ensure that learners learn, educators educate and managers manage various initiatives have been taken including conflict 
management capacity building, quality assurance etc. The emphasis on district management with the abolition of regions and empowering of 
the district managers will ensure accountability to the communities.

18. Serving the People

Batho Pele was launched at provincial level and in all the regions of the province. This was aimed at popularising this new ethos of 
putting our people first. However changing the mindset of civil servants needs more that the mere launches. We are looking at other 
alternatives to enhance and supplement the Batho Pele campaign and link it to the performance management system.
 Skills and Service Delivery audits were finalised in the Province. However, we have since learnt that there is no go ahead for the final 
report to be written by the consultants who were contracted to do this until there is finalisation of the Integrated Implementation 
Programme. These consultants have not been paid to prepare that final report.

Improving management in the Public Sector is undertaken through various initiatives. The Integrated Implementation Programme through the 
DPSA has been one such initiative with linkages formed with SAMDI. Use of the agreements with SIDA and DFID, and twinning arrangements with 
Lower Saxony and British Columbia to build capacity is accelerating. These still needs to be better co-ordination of these initiatives, 
however, with proper evaluation of the effectiveness of the training programmes.
 Stenghening local government for service delivery is taking various forms. We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the local 
sphere of government through their representative association, the Eastern Cape Local government Association. The Department of Local 
government and Housing also has a municipal support programme to build capacity in local government. We believe that the application of 
Section 154 of the Constitution as a first option would go a long way in strengthening the co-operatives ties.

We have also utilised the services of the Presidential Project team through its Eastern Cape Municapality Support services to empower local 
authorities in targeted areas.

Promotion of the cultural linguistic and religious rights of our people has been embarked upon with pride and dignity being restored for 
the Khoisan people. Cultural awareness programmes have been organised by the Department of Sports Arts Culture and Recreation. 
Interdepartmental efforts with the Department of Education will see curricula on arts, drama, music and physical education being extended 
to schools where they never were offered before. Mobile libraries and museums are organised for the rural population.

19. Traditional Leaders and Communities

Working with the traditional leaders is yielding more positive results. There are more co-operations with the institution of traditional 
leaders with the Premier ensuring accessibility even though the structure is located within the Department of Local Government and Housing. 
Our reason for locating the traditional leaders structure in that department I that with they become closer to the local sphere of 
government. We have also revised the salaries of traditional leaders and rationalised the remuneration of headmen. The audit of traditional 
leaders is, however, still a necessary exercise. The is also a need to deal decisively with the notion of agency function for provinces in 
the payment of traditional leaders. National Government is conducting an Audit of Traditional Leaders. This process is rather slow and we 
would like to see it speeded up. Wit the new salaries these also needs to be clear job-descriptions and salary structures for traditional 
leaders.
 This will help define what the Government expects traditional leaders to do with the salaries. A sequel of this will be better clarity on 
whose responsibility it is, for instance, to provide transport, housing etc. for traditional leaders.
 Also the question of justice in traditional areas need better attention. It seems to be an orphan now after the department of Justice had 
declared they were restructuring and upgrading justice institutions in traditional communities. At the moment the matter keeps being tossed 
about between the Department of Justice and the Department of Provincial Local Government.

20. Infra-Structure:

The huge backlogs in terms of basic infra-structure in rural areas cannot be addressed adequately through a regular budgetary process. 
There is simply not enough resources for the shortages in schools, clinics, proper roads, electricity, clean water, modern toilets etc. 
Whilst these must be on our priority list, we believe that better use must be made of private / public partnership. Here the B O T T 
strategy seems suitable. We are negotiating with Central government to buy this idea. But we also hope that our integrated planning 
approach will eliminate parallel planning and maximise the allocation of resources to infra-structure provisioning. Unfortunately 
government alone cannot cope with the vandalism that our people conflict on available infrastructures.

21. Focusing on the African Renaissance

* Contributing towards our pride and dignity is linked to some of the issues raised in cultural and linguistic rights mentioned above. 
Promotion of indigenous sport is receiving priority in the Province. It is our vision that traditional sport will one day make it to the 
Olympic games.
* A new order responding to the needs of the poor is being inculcated at our civil servants through the Batho Pele campaigns and the 
popularisation of the code of conduct. The rural development focus is also part of that.
Promoting the notion that all rights are accompanied by obligations is one of the thoughts challenges we are faced with both from 
communities at large and the civil servants in particular. For the first time since it was formed four years ago this year we had a annual 
general meting of the Provincial Bargaining chamber and the Premier was invited to amongst other things emphasise the point that rights are 
accompanied by obligations. This theme was carried to the provincial anti-corruption summit to remind all stakeholders that whilst we have 
one of the best constitutions in the world highlighting the rights of citizens we should not forget the obligations in it. The Masakhane 
campaign has also been one forum to reach out on this matter when it comes to the obligations of citizens to pay for the services they 
receive.

22. a) Obviously e cannot succeed in doing all these thing alone.

The organs of civil society are being consulted. We are also exploring an institutional approach to working with them. This is not easy, 
given the diversity of their interests even within one given sector.

    b)Guaranteeing or Democracy

The President raised the priority of selflessly working to respond to the needs of the people bearing in mind the resource limitations. One 
of the failures of our managers has been in having a wishlist of priorities or strategic plans without linking those to the resources.

At the same time we have been guilty at various spheres of government of giving or accepting unfunded mandates. To avoid unfunded mandates 
especially at MINMECs we have worked out an EXCO program which requires MECs to report on the agenda of their MINMECs and on the minutes of 
those. This ensures that the MEC gets a mandate before the meeting and accounts on coming back. We, however, also need to examine the 
priorities we set ourselves as we wish to address all the imbalances of the past and ask ourselves whether the resources we allocate match 
those priorities. With the limited resources we have there has been an emphasis to departments that their strategic plans in the mid-term 
must be linked to their MTEF budgets.

23. DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR PRIORITIES:
     OFFICE OF THE PREMIER

* Co-ordination of policy development and implementation. Also to monitor and guide governance in the Province.
* Build a sound track record of achievements in strengthening financial management system and building business confidence in the Province 
has culminated in increased investment, such as the Dalmier-Chrysler Investment of R1.3 bn, accounced recently;
* A number of Executive Council committees, and associated Clusters, have been established to ensure better co-ordination and effectiveness 
of government development plans and programmes.
* Established an approach based on the view that key development objectives are best achieved through building partnerships with the 
people: particularly to reinforce the new patriotism in pursuit of an "African Renaissance";
* A determination to reverse the scourge of poverty, underdevelopment, abuse of women and children, HIV/Aids, crime and corruption;
* A particular emphasis realising opportunities in rural development, establishing and extending infrastructure networks, agricultural 
development, promoting economic growth and development [especially in tourism], improving social services, preventing crime and corruption, 
and promoting an ethos of sports and culture;
* Early childhood development is a fundamental aspect of the new development challenge, in order to ensure that young people have a sound 
grounding in order to build better lives for themselves in the communities of the future.
* Improve the calibre of the civil service so that quality service is rendered its out people.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

* The core business of the Department is to improve the actual teaching and learning experiences in the classroom;
* But this must also include building Departmental efficiency, stopping electricity, cuts to schools, and unblocking payments to temporary 
teachers and service providers;
* It is imperative to turn the Department around from a crisis-driven operational mode to a dynamic driving force to ensure the development 
of the youth to their fullest potential;
* With the support of stakeholders in education, the challenge can be met to ensure that education builds confidence in the nation.

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT AND TOURISM

* The key to economic growth and development lies in sustainable investment promotion and job creation: particularly in industrial 
development;
* Mechanisms adopted to achieve this include SDIs and IDZs: The East London and Coega IDZs, and the Wild Coast and Fish River SDIs, 
represent significant advances towards this end.
* The recent Tourism Indaba to promote the realisation of the potential of the tourism sector is also part of the thrust towards economic 
growth and development;
* These are not isolated initiatives, but must be seen as part of a holistic, strategic development thrust based on National economic 
policy;
* Forward momentum based on the key resolution of the Presidential Jobs Summit has been maintained, especially in terms of SMME promotion; 

* A broad spectrum of economic development support systems has been established through the ECDC, CIMEC, and ECTB parastatal agencies;
* These will be consolidated and extended through closer association with the Department on the basis of clearly defined projects and 
programmes managed by Joint Project Teams;
* A new Research, Policy and Planning Programme has been established in the Department to ensure that proper consideration is devoted to 
these vitally important aspects of the economic development process.

WELFARE

* Objectives include ensuring efficiency in provision of social welfare services; including planning, regulating, co-ordinating, and 
evaluating welfare and community development services;
* Design and implement an integrated anti-poverty strategy based on programmes that will render people less dependent on the state;
* Imperative to resolve operational problems associated with social grant delivery processes;
* Priority is to enhance management capacity so that government programmes and policies are well managed for the benefit of communities, 
and to root out corruption and mismanagement;
* Must address backlogs without compromising new entrants into the system.

HEALTH

* The essential task of the Department is to bring normality to the Provincial Health Care System, and to resolve problems of corruption, 
inefficiency, theft and looting!
* First priorities are to address Primary Health Care [PHC] and HIV/Aids. Both need well planned and properly co-ordinated programmes, 
which will have positive effects on the economy and also on the lives of ordinary people;
* Many aspects of health services are inefficient and resources are mismanaged and poorly distributed  especially in rural areas;
* It is imperative to introduce sound management practices to promote efficiency and the compassionate delivery of services, ensuring 
accountability to users, clients and the public at large;
* The legacy of apartheid has skewed the distribution of resources, and caused many anomalies which must be redressed: especially amongst 
rural communities where clinics are chronically short of drugs and equipment, and many have had to be closed down.

HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

* The core business of the Department is to provide all citizens with shelter and related services, and to address the challenges posed by 
the rapid growth of informal settlements;
* Also has a fundamental role in co-ordinating and managing planning and development initiatives in terms of IDPs/LDOs;
* Active participation in the Spatial Development Planning process for the Province, especially in terms of managing the urbanisation 
process;
* Necessary to develop key strategies to strengthen the developmental role of local government structures.

SPORTS, RECREATION, ARTS AND CULTURE

* The main objectives of the department are essentially about investing in humanity, and upgrading the moral, spiritual and material 
aspects of human beings in order to enhance economic development;
* Imperative for sustainable development to be based on community participation, and to reduce high levels of expectation on limited 
Provincial Government resources.

SAFETY LIAISON AND TRANSPORT

* Major priority of the Department is to ensure the implementation of the National Crime Prevention Strategy, particularly through 
developing a wider responsibility for crime prevention and a shift of emphasis from reactive crime control to proactive crime prevention;
* It is imperative to strengthen links and co-operation between government, the South African Police Service [SAPS] and communities;
* Must also develop an integrated criminal justice system, based on closer co-operation between the judiciary and the SAPS.
* Imperative to plan, develop and introduce efficient transportation systems through co-ordination of taxi and bus services;
* Facilitate access to transport-related small business opportunities.

ROADS AND PUBLIC WORKS

* Improved infrastructure is the key to economic growth and success, and the immediate challenges lie in the state of the Provincial road 
network, especially in rural areas;
* Development is measured by the extent to which people have reliable and safe access to areas of economic activity and development;
* Thus, the more infrastructure is put into place, the greater are peoples opportunities for economic development and increased wealth;
* Public works facilities, in the form of social overhead capital, such as schools, clinics and hospitals, are also an important 
responsibility for the Department;
* Community involvement and participation is essential in order to ensure that they are empowered towards contributing towards their own 
governance and economic livelihoods;
* Must also maximise the involvement of women and the youth in the poorest of rural households to create resources and facilities such as 
water supply and sanitation;
* A proper planning foundation is necessary in order to achieve goals: thus it is crucial to involve associated stakeholders, such as 
District Councils and Local Authorities, and to encourage participation by traditional leadership structures and CBOs/NGOs;
* Public works is not narrowly concerned only with roads: it must be part of a larger perspective to ensure rural economic development and 
the creation of new, sustainable job opportunities, thus reducing the flow of people to urban areas, where there are few jobs available;
* Planning also means co-ordinating the supply and delivery of schools and clinics, particularly in terms of the logistics of access and 
services, such as roads, electricity, water etc;
* Priority areas for development must focus on the previous bantustan areas which were excluded from appropriate infrastructure 
development.

AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS

* The resource base of the Province is conducive to agricultural development for economic and social benefit.
* Realising the potential of these resources requires financial investment, training, management and technology development in order to 
promote food security, and to form a platform for commerce, processing industries and exports;
* But realising potential also depends on a paradigm shift in the attitudes and practices of people involved in primary agricultural 
production: viz., a shift away from subsistence-based agriculture towards the market-oriented production of primary commodities;
* These fundamental changes in attitudes include:

* Recognition that time is valuable and that farming is a business and not a lifestyle or tradition,
* So-called resource-poor rural people have access to valuable indigenous skills and natural and human resources which can be developed for 
their economic benefit,
* Incorrect utilisation of sensitive and fragile agricultural resources will destroy their economic value,
* Properly planned and organised small farming units can be competitive, modern and profitable,
* Farming requires efficient technology and the intelligent management of human, financial and natural resources in sustainable systems 
which reduce risk,
* Indigent and failed job-seekers do not necessarily become successful farmers, and
* Farmers require careful nurturing, training and information support systems

* To implement these changes requires strategies in education and training, institutional development, technology transfer, and innovative 
and adaptive research; together with enabling legislation, infrastructure development, accessible credit and business information;
* Towards these ends, the Department has four broad policy objectives:

* To promote the sustainable utilisation of natural resources;
* To encourage increased food and fibre production towards food security;
* To stimulate increased economic activity from agriculture;
* To formulate enabling legislation.

* Farming must be developed in a multi-disciplinary project environment conducive to strategic alliances with other role players and 
service providers; and must also consider the role of public-private sector partnerships wherever appropriate.

FINANCE AND PROVINCIAL EXPENDITURE

* The key responsibility of the Department is to manage the Provinces financial systems so as to ensure proper control over expenditure 
and revenue;
* It is also imperative to ensure that the principles of the Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework are built into the planning and 
implementation procedures devised by the Provincial Government Departments.

Several common themes can be identified in the above plans and intentions. These include the following:

* Sustainable Job Creation,
* New Investment Promotion,
* Infrastructure Development,
* Integrated Rural Planning and Development,
* Community Participation and Consultation, and
* Co-ordinated Planning for Development.

These are all cross-cutting themes that require carefully planned and co-ordinated inter-departmental co-operation amongst all public 
sector institutions and agencies in the Province. It is clear, however, that the degree of co-operation required is unlikely to materialise 
unless there is unequivocal commitment to the principles of co-operation.

Towards this end, the Provincial Government has established a system of Executive Council Committees [Cabinet Committees] which consider 
the merits and priorities associated with development programmes and projects. The Committees are structured so as to focus on particular 
aspects of the development process and their composition is designed to ensure that decision-making is based on inter-departmental co-
operation for integrated implementation. The Cabinet Committees that have been established are indicated in Figure 1. The Cabinet 
Committees are supported in their deliberations by four Cluster Committees which deal with specific aspects of issues that may arise during 
the Cabinet Committees deliberations. These are also shown in Figure 1.

The composition and basic terms of reference of the Cabinet Committees, together with the composition of the Cluster Committees are 
indicated below:

---------------------------------------------------------------------
1. BUDGET COMMITTEE

Chairperson: Hon E Godongwana MEC: Finance
 Members: Hon E Godongwana MEC: Economic Affairs, Environment and

Tourism
 Hon Dr B Goqwana MEC: Health
 Hon G Nkwinti MEC: Housing and Local Government
 Hon S Sizani MEC: Education and Training
 Secretary to the Treasury
 The Director-General

Scope of Work: Prioritise Budget Allocation
 Assess the Needs of the Province
 Analysis of Periodic Departmental Performance
 Bank Reconciliation
 Provide more Money to Line Function Ministries
 Overhaul Finance Directorates

2. ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Chairperson: Hon E Godongwana MEC: Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism
 Members: Hon E Godongwana MEC: Finance
 Hon M Mamase MEC: Agriculture and Land Affairs
 Hon P Masualle MEC: Roads and Public Works
 Hon Dr B Goqwana MEC: Health
 Hon G Nkwinti MEC: Housing and Local Government
 Hon N Balindlela MEC: Sport, Arts and Culture
 Mr L N Vanda Cluster Head

Scope of Work: Implementation of the Growth and Development Strategy
 Oversee SDI Programmes and Local Economic Development
 Development of a Provincial GIS
 Assist the Agricultural Development Framework
 Mobilise Domestic and Foreign Direct Investment
 Facilitate the Adoption of a Spatial Development Framework
 Facilitate a Development Planning Framework
 Develop an Implementation Strategy for the Province

3. SOCIAL NEEDS COMMITTEE

Chairperson: Hon N Kondlo MEC: Welfare
 Members: Hon Dr B Goqwana MEC: Health
 Hon G Nkwinti MEC: Housing and Local Government
 Hon S Sizani MEC: Education and Training
 Hon D Neer MEC: Provincial Safety, Liaison and Transport
 Hon N Balindlela MEC: Sport, Arts and Culture
 The Director-General
 Dr Stamper: Cluster Head

Scope of Work: Focus on the Provision of Social Infrastructure and Services
 Develop Implementation Strategies
 Programme Different Forms of Infrastructure
 Consolidate these into a Common Provincial Programme
 Secure Outside Assistance in Implementation
 [where there is a lack of capacity in the Government]

4. PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

Chairperson: Hon G Nkwinti MEC: Housing and Local Government
 Members: Hon E Godongwana MEC: Finance

Hon E Godongwana MEC: Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism
 Hon N Kondlo MEC: Welfare
 Hon D Neer MEC: Provincial Safety, Liaison and Transport
 Hon P Masualle MEC: Roads and Public Works
 Hon Dr B Goqwana MEC: Health
 Hon S Sizani MEC: Education and Training
 The Director-General

Scope of Work: Finalise Rationalisation
 Produce a Provincial Personnel Structure
 Conclude the Right-Sizing Approach and Strategy
 Mandating Structures
 Conditions of Service

5. COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION

Chairperson: Hon M Mamase MEC: Agriculture and Land Affairs
 Members: Hon G Nkwinti MEC: Local Government and Housing
 Hon N Kondlo MEC: Welfare
 Hon D Neer MEC: Provincial Safety, Liaison and Transport
 Hon N Balindlela MEC: Sport, Arts and Recreation
 The Director-General
 The State Law Advisers
 Mr Malghas Cluster Head
 Departmental Legal Advisers

Scope of Work: Produce a Legislative Programme for the Province
 Design House Business in line with Implementation
 Assist the Premier in the Appointment of the Delegation Leader to the NCOP
 Assist the Premier with Business to Cabinet

6. COMMITTEE ON SERVICE DELIVERY
 Composed of all Chairpersons of all Cabinet Committees
 Mr Salie Infrastructure Cluster Head

COMPOSITION OF CLUSTER COMMITTEES [Permanent Secretaries]

a] ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CLUSTER

Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism [Convenor]
 Housing and Local Government
 Agriculture and Land Affairs
 Finance and Provincial Expenditure

b] SOCIAL NEEDS CLUSTER

Health [Convenor]
 Welfare
 Education and Training
 Sport, Arts and Culture

c] SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT

Housing and Local Government [Convenor]
 Office of the Premier
 Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism
 Agriculture and Land Affairs
 Safety and Security
 Eastern Cape Local Government Association

d] INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Public Works [Convenor]
 Transport
 Health
 Safety and Security
 Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism
 Education and Training
 Housing and local Government

The effective functioning of the Cabinet Committee System depends on the extent to which the Committees are adequately serviced with 
relevant and timeous information through the Cluster Committees. Equally imperative is the quality of the servicing linkages to the Cluster 
Committees from Provincial Government Departments, Parastatal Organisations, Local Government Structures and other internal and external 
resources.

The operational process upon which the system is based is indicated in Figure 2. The diamond-shaped icons indicate two possible sources of 
input into the Cabinet Committees: one from Provincial Government Departments, based on their Quarterly Pending Issues Lists, and the other 
from external sources, through the Premiers Office. It is imperative that both tracks should be routed through the Cabinet Committees in 
order to maintain consistency in procedure.

The Cabinet Committee system is based on four essential Guiding Principles; viz.,

* Accelerated Service Delivery,
* Confidentiality,
* Consensus, and
* Collective Responsibility

In the interests of good governance and promoting the principles of improved service delivery, it is imperative that sound co-operative 
procedures and practices should be adopted by the Provincial Government. The mechanisms, systems and procedures for doing this have now 
been put into place. The challenge is to implement them towards establishing a Province with the economic strength and capacity to realise 
the vision of an African Renaissance.

23. CONCLUSION

We do believe that the President set priorities that are shared by the whole nation. Indeed they are based on the manifesto on which we 
were given a mandate to govern for the next five years. It is, therefore imperative that we do not let our people down.

Movement forward is noticeable but there is still a long way to go. What is important about having set these priorities from the start is 
that we are developing indicators against which to measure ourselves. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms need to be put in place.
 For the first time in our Province we can say that departments have been able to develop four critical outputs in a space of about three 
months, namely, organisational structures linked to strategic plans, service delivery plans and human resource plans. We are not by any 
means saying that these are perfect but these are charting the path ahead with deliverables that can be measured and they have occurred in 
an integrated and co-ordinated manner.
 It is our hope and wish that by the time we make our second report we shall have moved significantly forward in the implementation 
process.



---------------------------------------------------------------------
Home | About the Eastern Cape | Economy
 Structures | International Relations | Documents
 Premier's Office | Speeches & Media Releases
 Top of Page

---------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Eastern Cape

Premier's Office

Structures

Documents

Speeches & Media Releases

International Relations

Economy


