Head Office Staff came in numbers to welcome the MEC following his recent development to KZN Cabinet
The Honourable Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Mr Sipho ‘KK’ Nkosi convened a productive face-to-face interactive with Head Office Officials on Tuesday, 6 June 2023 at the Oliver Tambo House in Pietermaritzburg. The visit comes after the MEC was officially sworn-in by the Executive Authority on 23 May 2023.
Leading the meeting was the Acting Head of Department Mr Sboniso Majola who welcomed all employees, he further introduced the MEC along with his staff who assumed their duties at Ministry Office. Mr Majola provided a detailed overview on the operations of the department and outlined the functionality of three (3) departmental programmes; namely Programme One – Administration, Programme Two – Programme Management and Programme Three – Provision of Buildings, Structures & Equipment.
MEC Sipho ‘KK’ Nkosi addressing Head Office Staff
Addressing the officials, MEC Nkosi raised his concerns about the insufficient budget allocated to the department. He indicated that “something needs to be done to beef up the budget of this budget and we are hopeful that KwaZulu-Natal Treasury will listen to our plea of requesting more funds.” He thanked his successor Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba who handed over a baton to him for presenting a credible budget of R5, 512 billion to the Legislature in April 2023. “It is now left with us as the implementers of the budget to ensure that we are doing what we are expected to do.”
In respect of the poor performance by contractors, MEC stressed the importance of appointing capable service providers to avoid the collapse of the government. “We must not keep contractors who are not performing – we need to monitor the implementation of projects.”
He committed himself in assisting all management and staff in achieving the mandate of the department. “We are reminding ourselves that when we joined the KZN Legislature, Dr Zweli Mkhize mentioned that he would like to see Department of Public Works branded as an implementing agent of choice.” Reminiscing MEC during his address.
He applauded the department on the good progress of some projects such as Ilembe offices and JG Zuma School. In his closing remarks, MEC Nkosi called out for the department to empower women in managerial positions as he believes that women are capable and have skills just like males.
