Increasing Efficiency Within Facilities Management

Article by Nelisiwe Mkhize
Images by Sibongile Dlangalala

Department of Public Works officials representing different Provinces.

ETHEKWINI REGION: On Thursday 20 April 2023 the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works hosted the Facilities Management Policy and Strategy Work Stream Sub Committee Meeting at The Natal Sharks board, Umhlanga Rocks in Durban.

The meeting which was directed by the Deputy Director General: Research and Regulation component from the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (NDPWI), Ms Nana Mhlongo and Advocate Nishi Sharma from Facilities Management section was attended by government officials in the Property Management field from all nine provinces.

KZN Department of Public Works’ Deputy Director General: Corporate Services, Mr Phiweyo Duma and Advocate Nishi Sharma from the Facilities Management Branch representing the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure

Speaking on behalf of the KZN Department of Public Works, DDG Corporate Services, Mr Phiweyo Duma, expressed a word of appreciation saying this is a strategic platform which will enable public servants to work together as a collective and share ideas under the leadership of the National Department Public Works and Infrastructure which is renowned for creativity and much-required innovation within the professional space.

The meeting was anchored around a plethora of high-level presentations offered by Advocate Nishi Sharma. Such presentations reflected on, Functions Performed at a Provincial and National levels, Standardization and Technical competencies, Budgetary Alignments and Innovative

Mr Sboniso Majola and Cllr Buthelezi engaging with Omama Bokuzama Communal Garden members

KwaZulu Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube led the provincial Cabinet members as they visited the uMhlabuyalinga Local Municipality under UMkhanyakube District.

The cabinet visit held under the banner of the Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) Cabinet Day was held Sunday, 23 April 2023.

Operation Sukuma Sakhe is a provincial government programme aimed at fast-tracking service delivery in KwaZulu Natal with special emphasis on confronting triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality. This government community outreach programme covers a variety of issues affecting communities across the province. Such issues sometimes range from crime, substance abuse, HIV and tuberculosis.

The Acting Head of Department of Public Works Mr Sboniso Majola was deployed under ward 17 at ENgozini area, where he was scheduled to visit two projects located in that particular area.

Mr Majola started the day at R22 SANRAL Road Construction where he was met by the ward councilor Cllr Buthelezi, representatives for SANRAL, Leomat Construction (Pty) Ltd and officials from various government departments.

The R22 expansion project commenced in September 2020, it boarders Mozambique and Kosi Bay border.

This project when completed will benefit the citizens of UMhlabuyalinga to boost trade, create employment opportunities for local communities.

Given the project latest developments, it emerged that, the completion of Manguzi road expansion project will improve traffic safety and reduce traffic congestion to and from the Manguzi Central Business District.

Some road users expressed their appreciation saying that, the new road will minimize the rate of car accidents as it will serve as an alternative route to Manguzi CBD.

The AHOD Mr Majola also visited the local Omama Bokuzama Communal Garden project which was established in 2021.

A group of elderly women raised their concerns to the AHOD around a few challenges which require some government interventions saying, their intention is to ensure food security, children’s education and to uplift the standard of living.

The communal Garden project comprises of 30 previously disadvantage households. It is made up of 12 females who produce vegetables that are sold at a local market.

Speaking on behalf of Omama Bokuzama Ms Jabu Sibiya thanked the government for visiting their project and for giving them vegetable seeds and garden tools. They perceive this intervention as a vehicle to maximize their food production.

The day’s proceedings were concluded at Engozini Community Hall where the community members sang praises for the provincial government following a Cabinet visit which is aimed at addressing their socio-economic challenges.

Story and images by Siyathuthuka Mthembu

MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba

KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE: On Wednesday afternoon 19 April 2023, the MEC for Public Works, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba tabled a R1, 738, 955 billion Budget which received a smart nod of approval.

Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) representing various political formations in the province hailed the MEC for a succinct and crystal-clear presentation of Vote 14.

Honourable Mahlaba took to the podium when the presiding officer summoned him to make a Budget Speech presentation on behalf of the KZN Department of Public Works (DPW). The MEC directed his focus on outlining detailed budget allocation which has been set aside for key priorities as identified by the Department.

It came to light that, the DPW is in a drive to create more than 17000 job opportunities targeting the youth, women and people with disabilities. The MEC also assured MPLs, invited guests, government officials and the people of KwaZulu Natal that, more than 135 000 job opportunities will be created through the provincial Expanded Public Works Programme.

Among other strategic developments tailor-made for the benefit of the electorate, the speech reflected on three critical good governance programmes ranging from Administration, Property Management and Provision of Buildings, Structures and Equipment.

Programme One: Administration - The budget allocation directed at enhancing the administration pillar of the provincial Department of Public Works was presented as follows:

           • Compensation of Employees: R346 338 million
           • Goods and Services: R92 242 million
           • Transfers and Subsidies: R6 403 million
           • Machinery and Equipment: R3 506 million

In his presentation, the MEC reiterated his commitment to strengthen service delivery citing a recent appointment of 5 Senior Management Services (SMS) members in various occupational disciplines within the Department. On the same token, he alluded to the fact that, the the Department boasts a practical Human Resources Provisioning Plan which seeks to ensure filling of 159 funded posts which have been approved.

Programme Two: Property Management - This programme which holistically encompasses provision of office accommodation and integrated property management received the following allocation:

           • Compensation of Employees: R66 568 million
           • Goods and Services: R56 769 million
           • Transfers and Subsidies: R715 859 million
           • Machinery and Equipment: R0,280 million

Programme Three: Provision of Buildings, Structures and Equipment - The programme shelters implementation of construction related projects, acquisition of buildings, structures and engineering works which further extends to maintenance of buildings in line with client specifications.

Budget distribution for the aforementioned programme is reflected hereunder:

          • Compensation of Employees: R328, 118 million
          • Goods and Services: R104, 744 million
          • Transfers and Subsidies: R2, 009 million
          • Buildings and other fixed structures: R14, 678 million
          • Machinery and Equipment: R 1, 441 million

MPLs APPLAUSE COMPLETION OF CAPITAL PROJECTS WORTH R5, 512 BILLION

A loud round of applause echoed when MEC Dr Mahlaba confirmed completion of 1 273 capital projects. This is indeed a significant milestone recently achieved by the KZN Department of Public Works, under the direct tutelage of the 6th Administration of Government.

The projects mentioned above range from various hospitals, schools, office accommodation, conversion of government garage into office accommodation, installation of boreholes and so forth.

BUSARIES AWARDED TO ACADEMICALLY DESERVING YOUTH

In line with the government priority on youth development, the department has awarded thirty-nine (39) external bursaries to students pursuing various degrees in the Built Environment and other fields related to the applicable functions of the department.

MEC Dr Mahlaba extended a word of gratitude to the acting Head of Department, Mr Siboniso Majola, senior management and all categories of staff at head office, districts and regions. “Your zeal and commitment to serve in government will never gone unnoticed and for that I am grateful,” he concluded.

Elegantly-dressed senior managers representing the Department of Public Works together with MEC’s special guests packed the gallery during the 2023/24 Budget Speech

A bird’s eye view of the main house at the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Legislature. The picture was captured when MEC Dr Mahlaba was on the podium

Article by Siyathuthuka Mthembu
Images by Sibongile Dlangalala and Ntokozo Biyela

From left, Newcastle Provincial Hospital’s Occupational Health and Safety official, S Rajkaran, Clerk of Works, G Hendrikse, Chief Construction Project Manager, S Davids, Deputy Director Programme Management, S Mazibuko, Rapid Builder’s Site Agent, B Msweli, Project Manager, S Khumalo and Rapid Builder’s Foreman, T Gumede

MIDLANDS REGION: The Communications Team from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works recently engaged in a zig-zag tour to capture latest developments around some construction projects currently spearheaded by the Department in the Midlands Region.  

On Tuesday, 28 March 2023, a fully-fledged project site visit was conducted at the Newcastle Provincial Hospital - ward 34, a mother to child facility which is presently undergoing major renovations ranging from construction, maintenance, property management and infrastructure development.

This is a government health care facility which is now at an advanced stage towards completion of renovations and repairs being performed by 3 contractors on site.

The scope of work, among other project facets, consists of replacement of damaged roof sheets and related goods. This also includes replacement of perimeter fencing, lighting as well as upgrading of waste storage area. 

The current project profile further points to the fact that; the Midlands Region has done an outstanding work at the multi-million-rand project which is currently sitting at 95% towards completion.

Our departmental  “members of the fourth-estate,” known as government communicators had a privilege to witness the exceptional work being carried-out.

The brains behind the success of such projects include the relevant Regional Management and Project Leaders who are directly responsible for all departmental projects which stretch over Amajuba, uThukela and uMzinyathi development belt. On the other hand, their area of coverage is, by and large, enveloped in the jurisdiction of uMzinyathi Sub District Office.

Information at our disposal confirms that, the KZN Department of Health as a client, has made a request for additional work – which boasts installation of floor tiles at the staff residences located within the premises.  

The project directly speaks to community development with 12 employment opportunities created. It further boasts a transfer of sustainable skills to local community members who are direct beneficiaries of the provincial Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which is a government initiative aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods in KwaZulu Natal.  

Local sub-contractors are set to benefit from this gigantic project through provision of labour and relevant expertise in business areas such as installation of ceilings, partitioning, plumbing, paving and overall alterations. 

The site was handed over on the 16 August 2021 with a total project budget of R37 971 373.03 which includes imminent project costs Escalation and Value Added Tax. 

In line with government interventions aimed at addressing socio-economic challenges in the area, the Department of Public Works has set aside an amount of R192 623,00 which is intended to benefit sub-contractors who are part of this infrastructure development project.

The departmental officials involved in the implementation of this particular project have worked tirelessly and are confident that the project will reach its revised completion date, the 16 May 2023. The date has been revised as a result of additional work identified by the client department.         

It remains evident that, the Department of Public Works reaffirms its commitment on government priorities directed at changing people’s lives for the better.

Left, A bird’s eye view of the new roof sheets installed across a number of hospital sections where renovations are taking place. Right, Work in progress as replacement of floor tiles nears completion   

Article by: Sane Mbhense and Bonginkosi Nhaca

Images by Sane Mbhense