MEDIA RELEASEMEDIA RELEASE
Department of health. North West Province
Tel: (018) 387- 5135.  Fax: (018) 387- 5322
 
 
14 November 2000
 
MEC WARNS AGAINST NON-PERFORMANCE
 
DR Molefi Sefularo, MEC for Health in the North West Province, has warned 
managers at a Departmental Lekgotla (Bosberaad) that he will be uncompromising 
in dealing with those who do not attempt to improve their performance even when 
given the opportunity to do so.
 
The senior leadership of the Department of Health is meeting over two days 
(13and 14 November 2000) in Rusternburg to review the department 's performance 
and to do strategic planning for next year. In his opening address, the MEC said 
that it was about time managers performed at the level they are placed. He said 
that the department should have a performance management and development system 
fully in place by January 2001 so that we begin to measure our responsibilities 
and obligations to one another.
 
DR Sefularo said that the department must be able to define a performer and a 
non-performer. " Performance management must not be an instrument to punish 
non-performance, but to help improve performance, However, you must expect an 
uncompromising approach towards those who consistently fail to improve their 
performance despite being given ample opportunity to do so". He added: " The 
department should enter the next financial year with delegations fully defined. 
However, these delegations should go hand in and with greater accountability. 
The MEC pointed out that our priority for next year will also include greater 
care of our personnel, The department will do all we can to increase the skills 
base of its personnel and inculcate a culture of ethics and accountability.
 
Reflecting on the department's achievements to date, he said the department may 
have reason to be proud of itself, but a lot still needs to be done. " It is 
still a source of unhappiness on our part that our weakest area remains 
financial accountability for the budget. We have successfully reduced 
corruption, but we must also do all we can to reduce unauthorised expenditure", 
he said. The MEC said the key priority in this regard must be to achieve value 
for money, crush poverty and accelerate rural development within the context of 
integrated service delivery.
 
 
 
 
DR Sefularo said that the cluster committees created by the Provincial Cabinet 
remain correct and must be maintained. " Our department must align itself with 
this arrangement. It is indeed difficult for the people to break away from 
sectoral habits. The result is missed opportunities in relation to delivery and 
better outcomes, We must continue to force people to move outside their little 
silos and pigeon holes".
 
Looking back to the last six years, DR Sefularo noted huge improvements in the 
provision of basic amenities in the health facilities across the province. More 
clinics and health centres now have running water, electricity, telephones, 
water borne sewerage, etc. However a lot still needs to be done. The trend 
towards the improvement of drug supply is continuing.
 
 
END
 
Issued by:                               Cornelius Monama (082 578 4063)
 
