Dear MyPE Libraries across the province, which serve as cornerstones for reading and learning, are at risk of permanent closure as much needed funding has been delayed by a broken bureaucratic system. Not one municipality in the province has received their 2020/2021 library subsidies from the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC). These subsidies total R73,9 million. DSRAC MEC, Fezeka Bayeni, in response to a parliamentary question, said the delays in funding … [Read more...] about Libraries at risk of collapse as funding delayed
Nomvano Zibonda
Ten years and R24 million later, still no swimming pool for Butterworth
Dear MyPE Ten years have passed and more than R24 million spent on upgrading the Butterworth Swimming pool that has, to date, still not opened its doors to the public. The swimming pool has become a bottomless money pit, with the costs for the upgrade more than doubling from the initial R10,1 million initially quoted. This is just one more mismanaged project in a province that is drowning in maladministration and corruption. This was revealed in response to a parliamentary question … [Read more...] about Ten years and R24 million later, still no swimming pool for Butterworth
Disgraced ANC Raymond Mhlaba Councillor must be removed as public representative
Dear MyPE https://youtu.be/FRlBxtlxx-s The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the removal of Raymond Mhlaba Municipality Ward 20 Councillor, Cllr Lindelwa Penisi, as the Chief Whip of Council, but is shocked to learn that the ANC has decided to keep her on as a public representative. This follows after a video was circulated of Cllr Penisi shouting and swearing at residents whose only plea was for water. The DA highlighted yesterday that no public representative should ever conduct … [Read more...] about Disgraced ANC Raymond Mhlaba Councillor must be removed as public representative
DSRAC must assist athletes and artists secure relief funding during lockdown
Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture must urgently intervene and assist the many sportsmen and women, as well as artists and entertainers in the province, who qualify for relief funding. This follows the announcement by Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, has set up a relief fund, with R150 million allocated, to assist those affected by the lockdown. The sporting and cultural sector has been severely affected by this pandemic, … [Read more...] about DSRAC must assist athletes and artists secure relief funding during lockdown
Alice Residents High and Not Dry
Two weeks have passed and no help for residents of storm ravaged Alice Dear MyPE It has been two weeks since heavy storms ravaged the town of Alice, with major flooding and strong winds that led to major property damage and claimed the life of a young mother. On a recent oversight inspection, I found that there has still been no assistance from government for the families who have had their homes destroyed. Although a team was despatched by the Amatole District Municipality, which is … [Read more...] about Alice Residents High and Not Dry
Magwa and Majola Tea Estates in financial trouble, again
Dear MyPE The Magwa and Majola Tea Estates are proving to be an ongoing drain on the Eastern Cape’s finances, providing no return for the hundreds of millions of rands of taxpayers’ money that have been sunk into the estates for decades. These tea estates are sucking the lifeblood out of the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform’s funding, which could be far better spent on supporting drought relief for viable farms. Last week the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency … [Read more...] about Magwa and Majola Tea Estates in financial trouble, again
More Municipal Libraries Shut Down
Dear MyPE The failing ANC government has shown that it has no interest in providing their communities with much needed resources to help give the people a fighting chance of securing jobs and improving their education. This after the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality announced that it would be closing all 12 of their libraries from Monday, 4 February, because the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture has failed to pay over grant funding of R2,4 million that has been due for … [Read more...] about More Municipal Libraries Shut Down
Dutywa Agri-park “irreparable”
Dear MyPE The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform have said that the vandalism of the Dutwya Agri-park has caused irreparable damage to infrastructure. The fact that the Dutywa Agri-park has been allowed to be vandalised to such an extent that it is inoperable, has thrown emerging farmers to the wolves. DRDAR MEC Xolile Nqatha must account as to how officials could allow a valuable asset like this to degenerate to the extent that it has. Heads must roll. The Agri-parks … [Read more...] about Dutywa Agri-park “irreparable”
Drought could cripple Eastern Cape farmers
Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape is facing the possibility of deepening drought conditions that could decimate an already crippled Eastern Cape agricultural system. I will be writing to the MEC of Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Xolile Nqatha, to request details on what plans, if any, they have put in place to assist farmers in the face of an extended drought, as well as what steps they are taking to preserve the province’s scarce water resources and mitigate against water … [Read more...] about Drought could cripple Eastern Cape farmers
DSRAC fails community libraries
Dear MyPE The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture has failed dismally in meeting its targets for its community libraries programme in the province. The recently tabled 2017/18 Annual Report shows that of the 10 000 additional curriculum learner support materials that were supposed to be purchased to assist learners, the department only managed to purchase 296. That is 9 733 less than their intended target. The department further failed to provided 16 196 of its targeted … [Read more...] about DSRAC fails community libraries
Wi-Fi Failure deprives communities
Dear MyPE The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) is failing in the roll-out Wi-Fi services to libraries across the province, despite having been responsible for the implementation thereof for more than a year now. This lack of implementation is taking opportunities away from communities that are most in need, who cannot afford the high cost of data and rely on public access to the internet. The shift to digital is growing at a rapid pace, with everything from … [Read more...] about Wi-Fi Failure deprives communities
