/ 19 February 2010

Premier looks to tackle Mpumalanga’s problems

The many service-delivery protests in Mpumalanga have revealed problems with financial management, institutional capacity and leadership, Premier David Mabuza said on Friday.

“Such manifestations of poor performance, poor communication and perceived social distance between the servants of the people and people themselves should become focal points of attention as we continue to turn our local government system around into a better-performing machinery,” he said in a speech prepared for delivery on the state of the province.

While the province respected people’s right to protest, violence and intimidation would not be tolerated.

Mabuza conceded there were “some individuals” in government positions who did “very little or nothing”.

“As the provincial government we shall work with speed to either capacitate all those who are incapable, needing such assistance, or replace them with more capable people.”

He called for a public servants who were honest, professional and caring.

The province had no choice but to place some municipalities under administration and effect leadership changes in others.

In the short term it would help municipalities respond to problems raised by residents and help municipalities communicate with their constituencies. In the long term, the province would develop a “comprehensive turnaround strategy”.

A local government summit would be convened before the end of the month to craft programmes to help municipalities be more people-centred and delivery-driven.

The province lost 53 000 jobs during last year’s recession. The dependence of its citizens on social grants also increased dramatically.

Mabuza said the number of grant beneficiaries grew 77%, from 579 907 in 2004 to 1 030 095 in 2010. The number of children accessing grants increased 110% from 368 500 in 2004 to 774 176 in 2010.

Dismal matric results
On the province’s dismal matric results last year, Mabuza said it reflected a “serious weakness” across all grades.

“Once again, a drop in the grade 12 pass rate to 47,85 % in 2009 calls for extraordinary measures to turn around the situation for the better.”

This was attributed, in part, to a “limited capacity to manage matric exams”.

“Last year, we pulled all stops to ensure that we put in place systems and management processes to protect the integrity of our grade 12 examinations. Despite these efforts, our name and the integrity of our examinations were compromised by some unscrupulous elements …”

To strengthen security, management and integrity of exams, the province would establish a new examination centre. With the help of the Basic Education Department, the province’s examination unit would be reconstituted, he said.

“We will ensure that all officials appointed into this new unit are vetted before assumption of duty.”

Mabuza wanted a 60% matric pass rate during his administration. — Sapa