MyPE

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I am so Embarrassed

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After being sent a Facebook link to the Western Province State of the Province address on Friday 18 February 2011 I have been keeping an eye out for the public release of a copy of the State of the Eastern Cape Provincial address which also took place yesterday morning.

I am embarrassed to say that I have FAILED. Yes, my dear Longhair I am admitting defeat.

A quick visit to the official web site of the Eastern Cape Government this morning (Saturday) revealed the following:

  • The last media invite was issued on 21 October 2010.
  • The last what’s new item was posted on 4 February 2011 dealing with the provincial elective conference
  • The last press release was published on 7 December 2010
  • The last news gallery was published on 16 November 2010

Aluta Continua.

BUT, I do have a series of comments from the Democratic Alliance on the State of the Province address presented by the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Noxolo Kiviet, in the Bhisho Legislature on Friday morning:

  • The Premier correctly focused on jobs and development. However, she did not make any game changing announcements. One would have expected something very substantial in relation to the education crisis in this province.  For example, we would suggest a skills audit to root out the poor management in that department.
  • There was also nothing said about the possible financial over-expenditure in the province of R3.7 billion.
  • There was also nothing said about the water crises in this province. The Nelson Mandela Metro could run out of water in August if there is no intervention.
  • She simply glossed over the problems at local municipal level.
  • Although she correctly focused on improving the attitude of civil servants to service delivery she said nothing about cadre deployment, which is the root of many of the problems in this province.
  • With regard to rooting out corruption one would have expected something significant in relation to tender reform. The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape has outlawed provincial civil servants from doing business with the government.
  • What this province needs is a cohesive vision that can galvanise all roleplayers to putting it on the high road to prosperity.

So my dear Longhair there you have it – a big fat damp squib.

Come on Noxolo we CANNOT let old godZille beat us again!

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.