2021/22 North West Provincial Government

2021/22

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT,
               CONSERVATION AND TOURISM

               BUDGET VOTE SPEECH 2021/22
       Delivered to the North West Provincial Legislature

                         27 MAY 2021

               HON. Me. KENETSWE MOSENOGI
               Member of the Executive Council:
Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism

              Hon. Speaker, Mme Suzan Dantjie;

      Hon. Deputy Speaker; Mme Viola Ntsetsao Mocumi;

        Hon. Premier, Professor Tebogo Job Mokgoro;

           Hon. Members of the Executive Council;

          Hon. Members of the Provincial Legislature;

        North West House of Traditional Leaders led by

    Representatives of all of our social partner formations;

                  Distinguished guests; and

                    Ladies and Gentlemen.

                      ‘Ke a le Dumedisa’

Honourable Speaker, I stand before this august house under very
challenging economic conditions exacerbated by the global health crisis
imposed by Covid-19 pandemic which has wreaked havoc globally. And
importantly presenting this budget vote as we celebrate and honour the
life of Mme Charlotte ‘Manye’ Maxeke.

She hoped to foster a better understanding of the problems facing urban
Africans and championed their potential, particularly women to stand up
and take control of their affairs. We remember and honour her as the
‘Mother of Black Freedom in South Africa’.

Hon. Speaker, we must commend the stewardship of the South African
Government, under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa for the
decisive policy responses designed to mitigate the impact of the Covid-
19 pandemic.

In the North West Province, the Honourable Premier Professor Job
Mokgoro led the Provincial Command Council with decisiveness in
ensuring that the social relief programmes meant to cushion the
vulnerable   communities      against   the   Covid-19   pandemic   are
implemented.

Hon. Speaker our submission on this policy imperative is premised on
the following outcomes of the Medium Term Strategic Frameworks for
the 6th Administration as follows:

    Fighting corona virus pandemic;
    Accelerate economic growth;
    Implement economic reforms to create sustainable jobs; and
    Fighting corruption and strengthening state capacity.

Hon. Speaker, the positive growth recorded in the third and fourth
quarters was not enough to offset the devastating impact of Covid-19 in
the second quarter when lockdown restrictions were at their most
stringent. Economic activity for the entire year decreased by 7, 0% in
2020 compared with 2019.

It is given that our province is not immune to the economic challenges,
which has registered increased unemployment rate to 28, 3% in Quarter
3 of 2020 from 21, 6% in quarter 2. The unemployment rate further
increased from 28, 3% in Quarter 3 to 33, 3% in Quarter 4 (StatsSA).

Hon. Speaker, the tourism sector being severely affected by the
economic impact of COVID 19 as reported recently by Stats SA made
the situation even worse given its strategic contribution to the provincial
economy. The situation is further exacerbated by;
   limited water and electricity supply,
   the poor state of infrastructure,
   shortage of skilled labourers and
   rigid regulatory and legislative policies

In response to this devastating situation, the Provincial government
resolved to have Premier’s dialogue with key industry leaders, to come
up with an economic recovery plan and to forge strategic partnership in
the implementation of the plan.

DEPARTMENTAL          ACHIEVEMENTS        FOR     THE    PAST   TWO
FINANCIAL YEARS (2019/20 AND 2020/21)

SMME AND INFORMAL TRADERS’ RELIEF FUND

Hon. Speaker, in response to the devastating impact of the hard
lockdown we sought to provide temporary relief to SMME’s and informal
traders to ease the impact of the economic slowdown as a result of the
pandemic. We received 6362 applications out of which 3876 met the
criteria and benefited from the fund.

Incubation Programme

Hon. Speaker, in our quest to support start-up enterprises to create
sustainable entrepreneurs, the department partnered with SEDA to
establish Mahikeng Digital Incubation Hub focusing on digital economy
and Mogwase Township Manufacturing Hub (Leema) focusing on
electronic components, cell phones and tablets.

Empowerment Fund

The Empowerment Fund is an intervention aimed at supporting
qualifying enterprises with machinery and equipment to reduce costs of
doing business. A total amount of R2.7 million was spent on
procurement of equipment for 15 enterprises in the province.
Informal business support
The department further supported 65 informal businesses in the Moses
Kotane and Rustenburg local municipalities with production machinery
and equipment.

Business Turnaround Solutions

Hon Speaker, the department in partnership with Productivity South
Africa implemented turnaround interventions at a cost of R1.5 million, to
improve efficiency for businesses to be sustainable and competitive in
order to create and retain jobs.

Hon. Speaker, I am happy to report that in 2020/21, 3 companies were
successfully placed in turnaround support interventions to retain existing
jobs and improve their productivity

BUSINESS REGULATIONS AND GOVERNANCE

Hon. Speaker, the Department continued to protect the rights of
Consumer's interests on the cases lodged. The Consumer Affairs Court
has played a significant role as businesses become more compliant with
the Consumer legislation.

The Department through the Liquor Board adjudicated 382 applications
and inspected a total number of 1 055 liquor outlets during compliance
enforcements operations with SAPS, SARS and other relevant
stakeholders.

The programme created 144 jobs for youth covering the whole Province
in each Local Municipality to create data base for Liquor outlets,
Business and Consumer related issues.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Hon. Speaker in terms of Environmental Services, the following key
achievements are worth noting:

   environmental authorization

   waste management licences and atmospheric emission

   environmental implementation plan for 2020 – 2025

Hon. Speaker, the department successfully hosted its first webinar in
March 2021 to share the content of the North West Environment Outlook
report. The webinar created awareness on critical issues and trends
outlined in the 2018 North West Environment Outlook        Report.       It
facilitated discussions among expert panel members and stakeholders
around the responses and management actions to address the
environmental issues in the North West Province, and, furthermore,
promoted partnerships between public and private sectors in relation to
environmental issues in the province.

Environmental issues raised in the NW Environment Outlook 2018 report
were actioned in the North West Environmental Implementation Plan
2020-2025,    which    was    gazetted    on   23    March    2021.    The
implementation of the EIP will be monitored during the 2020 - 2025
reporting period and progress reported annually to the Minister of
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, as required by Section
16(1)(b)(c) of NEMA.

During the previous financial year, a total of 1168 compliance
inspections were conducted. The programme also created a total of 236
work opportunities, for the new financial a total of 150 work opportunities
is earmarked in the waste management and biodiversity space for the

current financial year. The programme will focus on clearing of illegal
dumping areas as well as sustainable harvesting of medicinal plant
species.

TOURISM
Tourism sector remains a key strategic thrust despite the fact that it was
the hardest hit sector, it however managed to register progress on the
following key performance areas:

    Online tourist registration
    215 Tourism SMME’s from the NW province managed to access
      the National Department of Tourism (NDT)’s Tourism Relief Fund;
    180 Tourist Guides accessed the Tourist Guide Relief Fund
    More than 60 Tourism Attractions and Accommodation Facilities
      were inspected for compliance with Covid-19 regulations
    Successfully recruited and placed 100 youth on the EPWP
      Tourism and Hospitality program.

BUDGET ALLOCATION

To undertake this mammoth task, our Department is allocated R938 096
million in 2021/22 For the current fiscal year, our budget is broken down
as follows:

Programmes                                     2021/22 Budget
Administration                                 R 199. 959 million
Integrated Economic Development Services       R 96.864 million
Trade and Sector Development                   R 71.260 million
Business Regulation and Governance             R 113.519 million

Economic Planning                              R 16.628 million
Environmental Services                         R 274.435 million
Tourism                                        R 165.431 million
Total                                          R 938.096 million

A total amount of R 334.448 million or 35.6 per cent of the allocation for
2021/22 is earmarked for transfers to the following public entities for the
implementation of the departmental mandate.

Name of Public Entity                          Amount
North West Development Corporation             R 36.588 million
North West Gambling                            R 76.016 million
North West Parks Board                         R 127.192 million
North West Tourism Board                       R 94.652 million
Total                                          R 334.448 million

DEPARTMENT PLANS FOR 2021/22

Hon. Speaker, one of the key mandates of this Department is to
accelerate transformational, inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Whilst we recognize that economic growth and development is a shared
responsibility, we are equally aware of the expectation for the
Department to provide leadership and facilitate strategic partnerships in
this regard.

Hon. Speaker, the department will continue to align its programmes to
the district development model with the view to streamline service
delivery.

Hon. Speaker allow me to acknowledge the work done by previous
administrations by finalizing the Integrated Provincial Economic
Growth Strategy of the province which was earmarked for the
previous financial year. This strategy is underpinned by the need to
strategically recover and grow the economy of the province in order to
create jobs.

In strengthening job creation, we will be hosting the Jobs Summit with
organized labour and industries during this financial year.

Hon Speaker the department in partnership Provincial Treasury will be
finalising the strategic procurement that will inform provincial localisation
strategy.

The department will strengthen and reposition the North West
Development Corporation to ensure that it leads industrial development
and related economic transformation programmes in the province. We
will also strengthen current agreements with the research institutions
such as North West University and the Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research to be on the competitive edge.

Hon. Speaker, Bojanala SEZ Programme entails building an industrial
estate to host investment mixed use zone, capital equipment
manufacturing zone, renewable energy zone, agro-processing zone and
minerals beneficiation zone. The department will during this financial
year revise the business case for the application of the Operator
Licence.
Hon. Speaker, the SEZ Operator Company will be formalised, before the
end of August 2021 and the Accounting Authority will be appointed to
operationalise the company.

The Awarding of the Application for the Fifth Casino license
remains the biggest plan for 2021/22. This will create more
sustainable jobs and lead into more jobs being created in the retail
industry and tourism sectors.

Hon. Speaker, department through NWDC will continue to disperse the
relief fund to support SMMEs and informal traders.         We will further
demonstrate our commitment by setting aside a budget of R10 million, to
rescue the business in terms of recovery programmes.

The department in partnership with SEDA will continue rolling out the
Digital and Township Hubs in the Province. Hon. Speaker, I am
pleased to announce that the department partnered with SEDA to
support Township Incubation on a 50/50 funding basis. These incubators
play a critical role in providing start-up business development support
services in manufacturing and digital solutions. For this financial year we
intend to expand the programme to other remaining districts.

For the 2021/2022 financial year, 10 additional companies will be placed
in turnaround intervention programme to improve their productivity,
retain existing jobs or expand their capacity and job creation.

In supporting SMMEs and cooperatives through Empowerment Funding
an amount of R15 million has been set aside

Hon. Speaker, over and above this, the department will implement
Informal Trade Market Programme at a budget of R10 million targeted

at supporting municipalities to establish informal traders market that will
support the integration of the informal trading businesses into beneficial
buyer groups and distribution networks. The land earmarked for this
Project has been released by Council and consultation with beneficiaries
on designs options are in process. The Project is implemented in
partnership with Mamusa Local Municipality and Dr. Ruth District
Municipality. The approved design will determine the carrying capacity
for the trade market.

Hon. Speaker, the department has also set aside an amount of R8
million in an effort to boost sustainable trade markets and permanent
flea markets in collaboration with key municipalities and stakeholders to
ensure that this sector creates the much needed jobs for our people in
the North West Province. This intervention is intended for the Mahikeng
Trade Market Project.

Hon. Speaker, in the quest of skills development, the department has
partnered with Automotive Industrial Development Centre (AIDC) to
implement Youth Automotive Skills Development Programme at a
budget of R3.8 million. I am happy to announce that to date 120 youth in
Bojanala and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda have been placed in the programme.
We will continue with the programme in this current financial year.

In an effort to create jobs the department will implement Youth
Technical Skills and Infrastructure Maintenance programme at a
budget of R6.7 million. The programme will empower youth skills in road
marking and pothole patching in partnership with municipalities, in 2020
we promoted this intervention with a number of Municipalities that have
already provided budget for Road Marking and Pothole sealing. The

Department will be providing work gear, training on pothole repairs and
stipend for the participating youth. This programme will be implemented
in 2021/22.

Hon. Speaker, the business skills play a huge role on the success and
failure of our SMMEs and Cooperatives, in addressing this, the
department    will   implement    Business     Advisory    Programme.
Department has entered into an agreement with Service Sector
Education and Training Authority (Services SETA) as our implementing
agent to call for applications from unemployed graduates within the
province to be trained as Business advisors. I am happy to announce
that the advert is already published and will close on the 31st May 2021.
The programme will create one hundred (100) business advisors in the
province. The graduates will be empowered with the aim of opening their
own business coaching enterprises and to train 5 SMMEs each as per
contract deliverables.

Hon. Speaker, the department in resuscitating our economy in rural
villages will be implementing Township Bakery Skill Support
Programme at a budget of R1.3 million for its first year of
implementation. Hon .Speaker, will provide support and enhance the
productivity of 10 township and village bakeries and confectionaries. The
programme will be implemented over a three year period.

Additional to this is skills development in the energy efficiency and
green energy space, where in 10 young women will receive training
and be assisted to register their own companies.

Hon. Speaker, in the attempt to contribute towards mitigating the
impacts of climate change, the department is partnering with private
sector in the roll out of mass propagation of Spekboom. The project is
linked to community based and youth owned nurseries in the Four (4)
District Municipalities. The project focus on training, provision of
Spekboom seedlings & related tools of trade to sustain and expand the
work opportunities within the agricultural sector.

Hon. Speaker, the North West Parks Board continues to provide skill
development programme for the CPAs and communities around the
Parks in order to expand their legibility to benefit from emerging
economic opportunities.

Hon. Speaker, the North West province through this department intends
to host Provincial Job Summit aimed at addressing in the main the twin
challenges of slow economic growth and resultants high unemployment
rate. The summit themed “GROWING THE ECONOMY TO CREATE
JOBS” will look at enablers such as quality economic infrastructure to
support advancement of a growing economy that is inclusive, diversified
and competitive. Stakeholders will be expected to identify and develop
implementable and measurable plans to unlock and accelerate
economic growth that is inclusive, transformational and sustainable.
Part of the plan is to develop a measurable social compact between
government, private sector, higher education and organised labour, civil
society on economic growth and job creation.

Hon. Speaker, the summit will also afford the province a platform to
follow-up on commitments affecting the province which were made at
platforms such as National Jobs Summit, National Investment

Conference, Provincial Investment Conference; and the most recent
engagement of the Premier with Captains of the Industries. The summit
will be held in the last week of September 2021.

To demonstrate our commitment, we have reprioritized job creation as
department by making sure that all programmes have an element of job
creation.

Hon. Speaker, provision and maintenance of economic infrastructure
continues to be one of the main challenges confronting emerging and
existing business in the Province which constrain their production
capacity and the ability to benefit from the production economies of
scale. This dearth of economic infrastructure in turn leads to business
being uncompetitive.

The available retail and industrial space is often priced to the exclusion
of many business in the Province. In an attempt to alleviate the
operating economic infrastructure challenges, the North West Province
resolved on the process to work towards the completion of all
outstanding projects and refurbishment of old industries        in various
district of the Province.

Hon. Speaker, this financial year we will be finalizing the two outstanding
projects at Taung Hotel School, Student Residence on a budget of R14
million and 2 Lecture halls and Demonstration kitchen is projected at
R18 million, and we have just finalized the bulk earthworks, water
pumping system and sewer treatment facility. We will also be finalizing
the Orkney Hotel School on a budget of R11 million. These facilities
has a potential to boost tourism by increasing more economic

opportunities to the surrounding community and young people and
women in the hospitality.

National Department of Tourism have committed to finalize Manyane
and Letlamoreng Dam as Development Bank of South Africa has been
appointed to assess the current state and to develop an implementation
plan. Tourism infrastructure and tourism supporting infrastructure are key
to the growth and development of the tourism sector.
Hon. Speaker, despite the poor financial situation of the North West
Parks Board, three key infrastructure development projects in protected
areas are earmarked for this financial year viz. Staff accommodation &
ablution facilities in Bloemhof dam, A 40 bed electrified tented
camp site with conference facility at Borakalalo Nature Reserve and
Tourism infrastructure at Vaalkopdam. Infrastructure projects inside
protected areas create the much needed work opportunities and also
support SMME within communities surrounding protected areas. The
entity commenced with the final planning phase of the Vaalkopdam
Tourism Infrastructure development project, at a budget of R15million.

Hon. Speaker, we need continue to set aside 30 percent of our
provincial goods and services budget to procure from our local SMMEs
without fail. We should also undertake to pay our SMMEs within 30 days
as the law dictates, and there must be consequences for those who fail
to comply. Working with Provincial Treasury, we will monitor this closely
and report this to the Executive Council on a monthly basis.

Hon. Speaker, the Department will implement a programme to localise
sourcing of products from local SMME’s Supplier. In 2020/21 the
department together with Provincial Treasury appointed the University of

the Northwest to conduct a research on identifying key products that
government procures from within and outside the province. The research
findings will be made available by the end of the first quarter in 2021/22.
For financial year, the focus will be on localising ng 30 most procured
products.

The Provincial Treasury has already revised the Provincial Procurement
Strategy to deepen local sources to support local SMME’s and
Cooperatives that are registered in the province to retain, sustain and
grow jobs.

Hon. Speaker, the department has created an efficient and effective
regulatory environment that allows businesses to operate within the
prescribed legislations. The department will be implementing new
business licencing Act this financial year across the province which will
assist in improving the compliance of business in various municipalities
and revenue generation for the province. The awareness on the
implementation has already been conducted,

The department will continue to be 100% effective in finalising
Environmental Authorisations (Environmental Impact Assessments
(EIA), Waste Management Licenses and Atmospheric Emission
Licenses) within legislated timeframes.

Hon. Speaker, there is a huge non-compliance by the municipalities to
manage their land fill sites. 1060 inspections will be conducted and 26
administrative enforcement actions will be undertaken resulting in more
visibility   of   Environmental   Management     Inspectors,   compliance
monitoring and enforcement of environmental legislation. While

strengthening compliance of Municipalities in their management of
Landfill sites, the Department will continue to coordinate and implement
clean up campaigns throughout the province. Municipalities that are
failing to comply with the conditions of their Landfill site licenses will
have to face the consequences of noncompliance. Those who have
exhausted the mercy of administrative enforcement will have to face the
criminal enforcement process.

Hon. Speaker, service delayed is service denied to the populace of this
province. It is about time that the people of this province must enjoy
living in a clean and healthy environment that poses no danger to their
wellbeing as is clearly stipulated in the Constitution of South Africa.

Environmental Cleaning & Awareness Campaigns will continue in
support of the Good Green Deeds programme to ensure the creation of
sustainable youth jobs and alleviation of poverty.

Hon. Speaker, tourism is among the sectors most affected by the
outbreak of Covid-19 and therefore urgent support is required given the
millions of jobs that are at risk. Travel and Tourism is also uniquely
equipped to be part of global recovery efforts going beyond tourism.
Specific mitigation packages are further required to sustain jobs and
ensure capacity in the market in the immediate aftermath of the
emergency. Tourism’s economic and social footprint dwarfs that of any
other economic sector.

Hon. Speaker, as alluded earlier that Tourism Industry was the most
hard hit and negatively impacted, as we have lost international tourist
due to closures of the borders, even locally, domestic tourism numbers
have gone down tremendously as in general there is a phobia to travel,

but we continuing to engage with industry players. In collaboration with
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr Fish Mahlalela we engaged industry in a
2 week long programme within Bojanala District Municipality as the hub
and center of Tourism in the Province, to try and understand the
challenges the industry experienced, but also to contribute their
proposals as part of the Tourism Economic Recovery Plans as launched
by the National Minister of Tourism

Hon.Speaker, in resuscitating the sector department will host Cultural
Tourism Guiding Content Development seminars in the four districts.
The outcome of this project will be booklets which inform the product
knowledge that about tangible and intangible heritage in the North West,
including but not limited to cultural histories and practices of various
people as well as cultural attractions such as monuments and museums
in the province.

Hon.Speaker, department will also implement Illegal guiding awareness
inspections in compliance to Covid 19 regulations across the province to
educate all accommodation facilities, tourism attractions, tourist guides,
tour operators etc, the importance of registering as tourist guides and
using services of qualified and registered tourist guides by tourists and
using compliant facilities.

Hon.Speaker, despite all the challenges, we have empowered and
capacitated 30 tour operators in Digital Marketing, which is using the
latest social media platform to market their Business. Hon.Speaker, it
was as if we predicted that we would find ourselves in the new normal of
digitized world based on the current pandemic we all find ourselves in.

In collaboration with National Department of Tourism we successfully
placed 100 Tourism safety Monitors across the four districts of the
Province, in all the tourism crime hot spots, this assisted as the levels of
crime were reduced and Tourism industry was eased to opening its
doors.

Hon. Speaker, the Hartebeespoort Dam is an area enjoying international
recognition. As such, the department, together with other relevant key
stakeholders, is implementing the Hartbeespoort Dam Action Plan. This
Department will, specifically, chair the Hartbeespoort Dam Coordinating
Committee, which has been resuscitated during the past financial year.
Support will also be provided with the biomass- and debris management
of the dam, where 20 EPWP contract workers have already been
appointed to assist with the cleaning of debris in and around the dam. A
fish population assessment will be done to inform future management
actions of the dam. The Implementation Protocol among NW DEDECT,
DFFE and DWS on the remediation and management of the
Hartbeespoort Dam and catchment area will be finalised and
implemented during the 2021/22 financial year

Whilst we appreciate that our role as the department is to market the
province as a destination of choice, we are also cognisant that in doing
so we must offer quality product and experience. Having noted the
decline due Covid 19 and other challenges. There is a need therefore to
massively invest in maintenance of existing tourism facilities and
development of new tourism products.

The tourism industry among others thrives on competency, innovation
and partnership. Therefore, North West Tourism Recovery Plan has

been developed to revitalize the competitiveness of the destination. The
outbreak of covid-19 has exposed some industry weaknesses as well as
lack of systems in place to manage the crisis. It now calls for more
innovation within the industry as well as strong partnership to rebuild the
tourism economy.
Hon. Speaker, the department has public entities that are expected to
play an important role in the provincial economy. They are significant
vehicle for achieving economic growth and poverty reduction in the
province. Also contribute for promoting tourism, promoting the
development     of   biodiversity   economy,    industrialization,   SMME
development, youth development, property management and the
creation of an enabling environment for investment facilitation and
promotions in the Province. In terms of the PFMA, the Department has 4
listed entities, of which one (1) is listed as schedule 3D entity and three
(3) as schedule 3C entities.

Hon. Speaker, it is a common knowledge that most of the state owned
entities are faced by various challenges, more on financial management
and good governance. In addressing this the National Treasury advises
the national, provincial and local government to consider rationalization
of entities in order to get value for money. As most of our entities are
characterized by poor performance, poor financial management, and
poor governance, low levels of accountability as well as lack of
consequence management as demonstrated in the Audit Opinions of the
Auditor General of South Africa. Furthermore, government is inundated
with a lot of request for additional funding (bail out) and yet no
consequence management is being implemented in the entities.

Hon. Speaker, in addressing the rationalisation, the province responded
through the pronouncement by the Hon. Premier of merging parks and
tourism Board. We were expecting that the merger should be finalised
before the beginning of the 2021/22 financial year to ensure that the
merger of the two entities into one is effective from beginning of April
2021. However, due to other challenges the merger is not yet
implemented, the department will continue to work together with the
oversight structures (Portfolio Committee) and Legislature to ensure that
this pronouncement get implemented.

Hon Speaker, We will not tolerate the dismal state of affairs existing in
our entities. We are going to strengthen our oversight over the entities
for which we are responsible. We will tighten our shareholder compacts
to hold the boards to account for the performance of the entities.
Furthermore, we will ensure the that the shareholder compacts, as well
as performance agreements of the Executive Management are revised
during this quarter so as to incorporate the action plans on the audit
outcomes. In this way, we will be able to effectively monitor the
implementation of corrective measures and this will further enable us to
take timely decisions.

Hon. Speaker, this department carries the hopes of many. It carries the
hopes of those looking for opportunities for employment, for trade and
for investment. This Department is expected to play a leading role in the
transformation of the provincial economy in steering skills development,
job creation, SMMEs and Cooperatives development, infrastructure
development and promote localization. It is therefore vital that it is
properly resourced and positioned to carry out this mandate to the
benefit of the people of the province.

We have now completed the reconfiguration process that was meant to
align the mandate and functions of the department. The process has an
impact on the vacancy rates, where a total number of 192 posts linked to
the Tourism functions, total number of 203 filled posts attached to the
Environment and Conservation Services function, and total number of
218 filled posts attached to the former EED Department have been
transferred to DEDECT. Which resulted to 613 vacancy rate in the
department. The matching and placing was finalised and 23 employees
were found to be in excess of operational requirements and 21
employees were transferred to the Department of Human Settlements at
their request. The other 2 officials were absorbed within the Department.
The department has also developed an ideal organisational structure
which will allow the department to perform its functions effectively and
efficiently. The departmental and entities APPs aligned to avoid
duplication.

In this regard, we are confident that the Department and all our entities
will be able to address gaps in our service delivery model to improve
economic development and investment in the province.

Hon. Speaker, in affirming the commitment that we make today , would
like to close by a quote(translated from isiXhosa to English)from our
stalwart   Mme Charlotte   Maxeke suggests that in order for Africa’s
problems to be solved, the movement to freedom needs leadership who
lead by example, she said, “Our salvation lies in the leadership by
men who lead by example, men who love Africans more than they
love themselves, men who preach unity and not discord, men
whose actions are a lesson and do not simply say empty words”

I wish to take this opportunity to thank the stewardship of the Hon.
Premier and the wise counsel of colleagues in the Executive Council,
Portfolio Committee, my family, Chairpersons and Board members of our
entities, and CEO of our entities, Management and staff of the
Department and entities, as well as the staff in my office for their support
and commitment towards the realization of a pragmatic vision that we
have shared with you today.

Moreover, I thank my organization, the African National Congress, for
having given me an opportunity to serve the people of our province in
this capacity.

I thank you all.