Noxolo Kiviet, the Premier of the Eastern Cape, will deliver the annual State of the Province Address in the Bhisho legislature on Friday, 17 February 2012. The Premier must decisively spell out how the Provincial Government is going to improve governance in the Eastern Cape so we can create the right climate for economic growth and job creation. A job is the best passport out of poverty. Corruption, maladministration, irregular tender practices and general inefficiencies are a turnoff to … [Read more...] about Expectations for State of the Province Address
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East Cape Province Caves in to Union Pressure
The provincial government has caved in to union pressure which is a further setback to the state of education in the Eastern Cape. As a result of the compromise made between the Eastern Cape provincial government and unions including Sadtu and Nehawu today. Education in the Eastern Cape is not the winner and the interest of the unions has once again been put ahead of our learners. An agreement was also made that the redeployment of additional teachers will be put on hold until such time that … [Read more...] about East Cape Province Caves in to Union Pressure
Education Department Must Seek an Urgent High Court Interdict
The Eastern Cape Department of Education has no choice but to seek the help of the courts if it wants schooling for the 2012 academic year to get going in this province. I agree that a complaint should be registered against Sadtu with the South African Human Rights Commission, but the investigation may be time consuming with no immediate resolution for the impasse. I would strongly suggest that the MEC for Education, Mandla Makupula, and his Superintendent-General, Adv. Modidima Mannya,on … [Read more...] about Education Department Must Seek an Urgent High Court Interdict
Education is grinding to a standstill as a result of SADTU illegal action
Education is grinding to a standstill in the Eastern Cape following the latest illegal action by Sadtu which has swept across the province this morning. The latest information I have received from the districts is that Sadtu has instructed - and in some cases forced - officials at these offices to vacate the premises. This behaviour should be condemned by all of us who has the education of our children at heart. By illegally closing these offices numerous school-related issues will not be … [Read more...] about Education is grinding to a standstill as a result of SADTU illegal action
Update: Secrecy bill hearings: legislature chooses only ANC MPLs
In a shocking abuse of power and state resources the Eastern Cape Legislature has selected only ANC MPLs to officially accompany the National council of Provinces ad hoc committee when they hold public hearings in the province on Thursday on the Protection of State Information Bill. For the notice, click here. This is a huge deviation from the normal procedure where all official delegations that embark on public hearings are of a multi-party nature. This undemocratic move portrays the ruling … [Read more...] about Update: Secrecy bill hearings: legislature chooses only ANC MPLs
Complete Overhaul of EC Healthcare Needed
The Democratic Alliance notes, sadly with no suprise, the Provincial Treasury's demands that the Department of Health (DoH) cuts its budgetary expenditure by over R200 million. Year on year, the DA has warned departmental officials that unless they immediately implement financial austerity measures, the department would find itself in the position it is today. The cost cutting measures that have now been put in place are ones that should have been reviewed and considered years ago and now … [Read more...] about Complete Overhaul of EC Healthcare Needed
Department of Education Action Welcomed
The Democratic Alliance, through its persistent and continuous debates and interaction with the Department of Education, is pleased to announce that more than 1 500 of 2 103 temporary educators have, as an interim measure, been appointed in substantive vacant posts. This will relieve the pressure on those schools with a dire shortage of teachers responsible for teaching critical subjects, such as Mathematics, Physical Science, Accounting and English. We appeal to the Department to have … [Read more...] about Department of Education Action Welcomed
Ward 9 News December 2011
To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 9 councillor, Heinrich Muller’s newsletter below: Service Delivery Call Centre Information We have received the following information from the Metro should you have problems/complaints with regards to: burst & blocked pipes electricity non-compliance with building regulations illegal dumping sewerage problems illegal businesses environmental health by-law infringements Kindly take note that the … [Read more...] about Ward 9 News December 2011
DA Ward Committee Motion Defeated
The DA motion to have ward committee elections in the province declared null and void was defeated by the ruling ANC on 6 December. All opposition parties supported the motion. My motion sought to annul ward committee elections in wards where due process in terms of section 73(3) of Municipal Structures Act was not followed. Section 73 states that a council must make rules regulating the process to elect ward committees. This requirement had not been adhered to in many municipalities in … [Read more...] about DA Ward Committee Motion Defeated
Ward 2 Report December 2011
Dear Ward 2 Friends The end of another significant year for the Democratic Alliance draws near. It has certainly been an eventful 12 months and the collective efforts of all our public representatives, staff, activists, members and supporters has helped make 2011 our most successful year as a party since inception. I would like to extend a warm word of thanks to all of you who supported me in my bid to retain the Ward 2 seat. I want to say a special thank you to my long suffering wife Lynne, … [Read more...] about Ward 2 Report December 2011
Call on EC schools to Adhere to 2012 Post Provisioning
Schools that refuse to adhere to directives about post provisioning for 2012 are on a collision path with the Eastern Cape Department of Education. In the Port Elizabeth District there are 324 additional educators in 89 schools. The DA was reliably informed that only 17 out of the 89 schools have complied with Collective Agreement 2 of 2003, in identifying and submitting the names of excess educators to the department. In the province we have 6 793 additional educators and 8 896 … [Read more...] about Call on EC schools to Adhere to 2012 Post Provisioning
Under Expenditure Results in Happy Centenary for the ANC
The R1,683 billion Adjustments Appropriation Bill tabled in the Eastern Cape provincial legislature today has an amount of R27,5 million for transfers to all political parties for the political party fund, constituency and caucus funds. This Christmas bonus has come as a result of under expenditure in the legislature for the 2010/11 financial year. This money is now being rolled over. There is no doubt that this unexpected additional allocation is because of the ANC centenary celebration. … [Read more...] about Under Expenditure Results in Happy Centenary for the ANC
Life saving medication left to expire by the ton
In the last six months the Eastern Cape Department of Health has destroyed almost 50 tons of medication, most of which is expired goods. Allowing vast amounts of medication to expire and go to ruin is the same as withholding treatment and is paramount to a human rights violation. Stock control policies need to be re-looked to ensure that this does not happen again. Along with the medication that was damaged in the recent Mthatha medical depot fire, more than 13 tons of recently expired … [Read more...] about Life saving medication left to expire by the ton
Government is its own worst enemy when it comes to job creation
The massive under expenditure on conditional grants and capital which is largely for infrastructural spending flies in the face of government's attempts to create jobs. It is common cause that infrastructural spending results in job creation. Government is its own worst enemy when it comes to job creation. People are crying for houses. People are crying for decent schools. Yet the Eastern Cape continues to under spend capital expenditure and conditional grants. According to the six monthly … [Read more...] about Government is its own worst enemy when it comes to job creation
Additional R520 million for Eastern Cape Education Welcomed
The DA welcomes the additional allocation as well as the prioritisation to the Eastern Cape of R520 million out of R700 million for educational infrastructure in the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill tabled last week in the National Assembly. However, with effectively four working months left to the end of the financial year, the department will have to step up a gear and burn the midnight oil if it is going to successfully spend this money. Its track record has been dismal to date. Last … [Read more...] about Additional R520 million for Eastern Cape Education Welcomed
