With an ever increasing health care infrastructure backlog of more than R19 billion, there is realistically no chance that the Eastern Cape Department of Health (EC DoH) will EVER be ready for the planned roll-out of the NHI (National Health Insurance) unless drastic measures are taken immediately. In a sitting of the Eastern Cape Health Portfolio Committee in the Provincial Legislature on 15 May 2012 it was confirmed by the Department of Health that the current health care infrastructure … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape will never be ready for NHI
democratic alliance
Cosatu is an obstacle to job creation
Dear Editor The massive publicity surrounding the Democratic Alliance's march on Cosatu House has placed the youth wage subsidy-proposal of the DA firmly in the public domain. This proposal will create 400 000 jobs for young South Africans who are desperate to find employment. There is R5 billion in the current budget to fund this proposal. It should also be noted that President Zuma supported this concept in his 2009 State of the Nation Address. The obstacle to this proposal being … [Read more...] about Cosatu is an obstacle to job creation
Clear picture needed of provincial finances
A chaotic picture of the Eastern Cape's finances is being painted in the media with contradictory reports surrounding the true state of the province's finances. Treasury is reported as saying the Department of Health could be R2,5 billion in deficit while the department claims it has different figures. If the Health and Education departments continue to overspend, it will create further instability in the province's finances. This will derail service delivery, not only in these two … [Read more...] about Clear picture needed of provincial finances
Payment of EC Temporary Teachers now Guaranteed
The DA is delighted to announce that some 600 teachers appointed on a temporary basis in the province and who have not been paid since the beginning of this year, will receive their money on 15 May 2012. This follows DA interaction between the DA and the acting Superintendent -General of the Department of Education, Mthunywa Ngonzo, on 3 May 2012 during a legislature portfolio committee meeting. During a follow-up conversation between myself and Mr. Ngonzo this morning, he informed me that … [Read more...] about Payment of EC Temporary Teachers now Guaranteed
East Cape Job Loss Bombshell
The fact that employment in the Eastern Cape has dropped by 46 000 according to statistics released by Statistics SA yesterday, when one compares the first quarter of January-March 2011 to the period January-March 2012, is devastating news for the Eastern Cape. (See: Eastern Cape Unemployment at 28.3%) This is going to have a shattering impact on those families who are dependent on the 46 000 breadwinners who have lost their jobs. The knock-on effect will be felt throughout the Eastern … [Read more...] about East Cape Job Loss Bombshell
Ward 9 Newsflash 9 May
To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 9 councillor, Heinrich Muller’s newsletter below. Scroll down to see the contact Details for Ward 9. Kragga Kamma Transfer Site Update: On Saturday morning, 6 May 2012, the Metro started cleaning up the Kragga Kamma transfer site. I have been informed that other Directorates in the Municipality have made some trucks available to help with the clean-up operation and, although the problem is still not sorted out, some … [Read more...] about Ward 9 Newsflash 9 May
Stop-go provincial payments must cease
Hundreds of teachers and now doctors are suffering the adverse consequence of non-payment by provincial departments. This callous approach causes immense stress on the individuals and their families as a result of the financial hardship that they are suffering. The Democratic Alliance is continually raising this matter in the various portfolio committees in the provincial legislature. We are determined to ensure that justice is done. The double practice of non-payment to individuals and … [Read more...] about Stop-go provincial payments must cease
Ward 9 April 2012 News
To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 9 councillor, Heinrich Muller’s newsletter below. Scroll down to see the contact Details for Ward 9. REFUSE COLLECTION: Kindly take note that the Metro will be delivering notices to all residents indicating when refuse collection will take place from the residences. Please take note that it is an offence to place refuse in the street prior to the day of collection - broken glass causes injuries (please wrap … [Read more...] about Ward 9 April 2012 News
EC DoH must pay R52 Million to Nelson Mandela Metro by Friday to ensure clinics stay open
Since taking over the running of the municipality's clinics last year, the EC Department of Health (DoH) has had to pay the city in excess of R90 million, of which only R19 million has been transferred. The city has not budgeted for the running of these clinics, yet is still footing the bill. The Democratic Alliance has received information that if the DoH does not pay by this Friday (04 May 2012) all the clinics will effectively be shut down. In October last year the Eastern Cape Department … [Read more...] about EC DoH must pay R52 Million to Nelson Mandela Metro by Friday to ensure clinics stay open
No real freedom without decent education
The following is an extract from a Freedom Day speech, delivered by Bobby Stevenson at the West End Community Hall, Port Elizabeth, Friday, 27 April 2012, at 11:00: Life is better in South Africa since we obtained freedom in 1994. For this we celebrate and rejoice. We must at all times never take this freedom for granted and must be vigilant in protecting our rights under the Constitution. It is one thing to enjoy the freedom that we have under our Constitution. It is another thing to … [Read more...] about No real freedom without decent education
Temporary Appointment of Mthunywa Ngonzo as Education Superintendent General Supported
The Democratic Alliance supports the temporary appointment of Mr. Mthunywa Ngonzo as the superintendent-general of the Eastern Cape Department of Education in the place of Adv. Modidima Mannya. He has a long record of serving in a senior position in the department, which includes deputy director-general in 2007 and acting superintendent-general in 2009. I believe that Mr. Ngonzo is the best person currently available among the senior management in the department.He has the necessary … [Read more...] about Temporary Appointment of Mthunywa Ngonzo as Education Superintendent General Supported
Half of EC municipalities have senior manager vacancies
Local government in the Eastern Cape is in crisis. In response to a parliamentary question I asked regarding the vacancy rate of senior managers in municipalities, the MEC for Local Government said that 21 of 45 municipalities (including District Municipalities) have vacancies for Municipal Managers, Chief Financial Officers, Technical Directors and Corporate Services Directors. For the reply, click here. Three of the six District Municipalities in the province namely Cacadu, Amathole and … [Read more...] about Half of EC municipalities have senior manager vacancies
Sadtu Drives EC Head of Education out
Sadtu has finally succeeded in driving out the head of education in the Eastern Cape. The DA has learned with regret that Adv. Modidima Mannya, Superintendent-General of the Department of Education has succumbed to the undue pressure exerted onto him by Sadtu and has stepped down with immediate effect. This is not in the interest of education in the Eastern Cape, in view of some of the successes achieved and implementation of programmes which would have taken the department forward. Sadtu … [Read more...] about Sadtu Drives EC Head of Education out
Health Portfolio Committee Must Investigate Hospital Overcrowding
Recent reports by the media have surfaced allegations of maltreatment and how the dilapidated infrastructure within our psychiatric hospitals may be affecting the wellbeing of patients. I have written to the Chairperson of the Health Portfolio Committee, Mxolisi Dimaza MPL, to request an immediate investigation by the committee on these matters. Some of the issues that need to be investigated are: Why the Eastern Cape Department of Health (EC DoH) allows severe overcrowding that … [Read more...] about Health Portfolio Committee Must Investigate Hospital Overcrowding
Ward 9 Easter News
We wish you a very blessed Easter. Please drive safely and enjoy this special time of the year with your family and friends. Ons wens u graag ‘n geseënde Paasfees toe. Veilig ry en geniet hierdie spesiale tyd van die jaar saam met u familie en vriende. PAINTING OF ROAD SIGNS / STREET NAME SIGNS I have noticed and received complaints that a number of the street & road signs in Ward 9 have faded and need to be repainted. The municipality informed us that we should provide them with a … [Read more...] about Ward 9 Easter News
