During the recent budget vote presentations in the North West Province, three major departments outlined their proposals for the upcoming financial year. ### Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism
On a sustainable path: stabilizing SOEs in South Africa The presentation given by Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr. Pravin Gordhan and Deputy Minister, Mr. Obed Bapela, on the department’s budget vote for 2023/24 was an important event for numerous reasons. SOEs play a crucial role in the South African economy and their stability is vital for the country’s economic growth and development.
The North West Provincial Legislature Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts has scheduled MFMA public hearings for May 24th, 2023. The hearings will focus on the 2019/20 audit reports of Mamusa, Kgetleng, and Ditsobotla Local Municipalities and aim to promote transparency and accountability in local government.
The Gauteng Geographical Names Committee (GGNC) plays a critical role in preserving the cultural and historical heritage of Gauteng Province. As one of eight provincial geographical names committees in South Africa, it guides local authorities in the naming and renaming of geographical features within the province.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been investigating fraudulent claims submitted to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) under the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS). The investigations have uncovered a web of deceit and exploitation, emphasizing the significance of transparency and accountability in the allocation of public resources.
The University of South Africa (Unisa) is currently facing intense scrutiny over allegations of excessive spending on nonessential items. This has raised concerns about governance failures and misplaced priorities at the institution. ## Controversy Over the Curtains
The South African Information Regulator has taken a major step towards increasing transparency and accountability within the country’s political parties. In a recent announcement, the Regulator revealed plans to conduct a series of assessments of political parties’ compliance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2, 2000 (PAIA).
The Cape Town government and Garden Cities have partnered to provide affordable housing for the city’s residents, with the Greenville Phase 4 project in Fisantekraal, Durbanville, being a notable milestone. The project has recently handed over keys to 28 beneficiaries and aims to complete 1,050 homes for qualified residents and their families by the end of 2025.
The North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA) is scheduled to hold a series of virtual Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) public hearings. These hearings aim to scrutinize the 2021/22 audit reports of various key organizations. The primary objective is to provide a platform for indepth discussions and gather essential insights into the responses to questions arising from the Auditor General’s reports.
On May 18, 2023, Minister Maropene Ramokgopa and Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana will deliver the budget vote speech for the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluations (DPME) in Parliament, Cape Town. This speech will provide an outline of the department’s plans for the current fiscal year and evaluate the government’s performance in achieving developmental goals under the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030 and the MediumTerm Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2019 – 2024.
In a recent session led by Nono Maloyi, the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs, South African municipalities gathered to address crucial progress reports on service delivery and infrastructure grants spending. This special session witnessed the attendance of Mayors, Municipal Managers, Chief Financial Officers, and other stakeholders, reflecting the urgency to improve service delivery in local communities.
On May 19, 2023, Minister in the Presidency, Ms. Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, will present the budget policy statement for the State Security Agency (SSA) to the National Assembly of Parliament in Committee Room S12A. This event will showcase the progress made by the SSA in the previous financial year and outline its targets for the 2023/24 financial year.
On January 27, 2023, the Electoral Commission marked a significant milestone with the implementation of the Political Party Funding Act. This Act requires political parties to disclose their sources of funding and sets out the framework for public funding of political parties. The Commission tabled a report on political party funding in the National Assembly, which included the AuditorGeneral’s statement. The report pertained to the financial year 20212022.
The government of South Africa has taken an important step towards transparency and inclusivity by releasing comprehensive information on the collection of media accreditation for the upcoming Presidential Imbizo. This public event aims to foster dialogue and cooperation between the government, the media, and the public and is set to take place on Friday, 19 May 2023, at the Dal Josafat Stadium in Paarl, Western Cape Province.
On May 16th, Minister Maropene Ramokgopato and Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana led a monitoring visit to the Saldanha Industrial Development Zone in the Western Cape Province. Their objective was to evaluate socioeconomic catalytic projects within the zone and ensure that they are on track to drive economic progress.
Cape Town is taking bold steps towards embracing the growth of the mobile business sector, with an initiative that allows residents to shape its future. From May 15 to June 15, 2023, the City is inviting the public to weigh in on the proposed locations for 69 mobile business trading areas that would cater to food trucks, trailers, and other portable services. This initiative is a crucial step in the City’s plan to support various business sectors and stimulate economic growth.