Article and Images by Bheki Khawula & Neliswa Nhlabathi
Above: The Acting MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Hon. Amanda Bani-Mapena speaking on behalf of MEC Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba. She was pictured here addressing delegates who represented various social sectors who attended the Stakeholders Engagement in Ixopo recently IXOPO: On Tuesday, 24 January 2023, the KwaZulu-Natal Public Works Portfolio Committee hosted the first edition of a joint session held in collaboration with Members of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. The stakeholder’s engagement held at the Peace Initiative Hall in Ixopo, was convened with an intention to present a benchmarking platform that could help enable Members of the Gauteng Legislature’s Infrastructure Development Portfolio Committee to extract strategies used by the KwaZulu Natal government in ensuring sound delivery of services to the general electorate.
Senior departmental officials took to the podium to reflect on community development projects implemented by the Department of Public Works (DPW) in the Harry Gwala District when concerns raised by community members and relevant stakeholders were raised. This engagement attracted a number of people from as far afield as Kokstad and other areas which fall under the jurisdiction of the Harry Gwala District family of municipalities, some of which are located in the south-western boundary between KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape. People from the following municipalities were afforded a fair opportunity and a platform to interact with their leaders: uMzimkhulu, Greater Kokstad, Ubuhlebezwe and Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, respectively. The DPW under the banner of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works led by its Chairperson, Hounourable Makhosazane Zungu requested the Acting Head of Department, Mr Siboniso Majola to report on the departmental 2023/24 Draft Annual Performance Plan and the 2023/24 Draft Budget presentations which were tabled for public consumption.
He further indicated that, bursaries focusing on engineering and property development will be awarded to 25 deserving and qualifying beneficiaries. This will on the other hand benefit the DPW which normally equips such professionals with relevant work experience derived from the nature of work vested in the department. It also emerged that, the 2 percent government provision which is in line with the Employment Equity Act will directly cover the suitably quailed beneficiaries from the Disability Sector. Women representation in senior management will consist of 50 percent. Youth will make up 30 percent of total staff. This sounded like good music to the ears of many audience and they responded to the utterances with a loud clapping of hands, whistling and nodding. Speaking on behalf of the MEC for Human Settlements Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, the Acting MEC for Hon. Amanda Bani-Mapena touched on strategic interventions and positive strides made by the Department where 5000 permanent and temporal jobs were created to address socio-economic challenges facing the District. MEC Bani-Mapena also alluded to the fact that, the people of Harry Gwala continue to benefit from infrastructure maintenance including police stations, clinics and schools among other many buildings or constructed structures.
