Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University vice-chancellor Derrick Swartz managed to get the name of the new Eastern Cape Premier wrong when he introduced him ahead of the Raymond Mhlaba Memorial lecture delivered by President Thabo Mbeki.
Swartz introduced the premier as Mbulelo Goniwe rather than Mbulelo Sogoni.
Goniwe, for those who incredibly short memories, is the former ANC chief whip in the National Assembly found guilty of sexual harassment by a party-appointed disciplinary committee – “abuse of office by trying to obtain sexual advantage from members or others, and charges related to bringing the ANC into disrepute".
Goniwe's ANC membership was suspended for three years; and the penalty suspending his membership was also suspended for three years, conditional on his not holding office in any structure of the ANC for three years. He was also barred from being an ANC public representative for that period.
No wonder Sogoni looked shocked.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Eastern Cape jobs up but we're not out the woods
The unemployment rate in the Eastern Cape according to the survey declined by 3,3 per cent and now stands at 24,8 per cent, the third highest along with Mpumalanga after the Free State (25,9%) and Limpopo (20,6%).
Between the first and second quarter the labour force (population 15-64 years) grew by 12 000 to 3,949 million or 0,3 per cent. Figures for the various sectors are:
Agriculture – an increase of 9 000 (12%) to 84 000
Manufacturing – increase of 1 000 (0,6%) to 174 000
Construction – decrease of 12 000 (9,7%) to 112 000
Trade – increase of 16 000 (5,3%) to 391 000
Transport – increase of 16 000 (23,5%) to 84 000
Finance – increase of 19 000 (15,8%) to 139 000
Community and Social Services – increase of 15 000 (4,6%) to 341 000, and
Private Households – decrease of 15 000 (12,4%) to 106 000
The decrease in private household employment indicates that domestic workers and gardeners are being laid off as interest and fuel and food hikes bite.
Between the first and second quarter the labour force (population 15-64 years) grew by 12 000 to 3,949 million or 0,3 per cent. Figures for the various sectors are:
Agriculture – an increase of 9 000 (12%) to 84 000
Manufacturing – increase of 1 000 (0,6%) to 174 000
Construction – decrease of 12 000 (9,7%) to 112 000
Trade – increase of 16 000 (5,3%) to 391 000
Transport – increase of 16 000 (23,5%) to 84 000
Finance – increase of 19 000 (15,8%) to 139 000
Community and Social Services – increase of 15 000 (4,6%) to 341 000, and
Private Households – decrease of 15 000 (12,4%) to 106 000
The decrease in private household employment indicates that domestic workers and gardeners are being laid off as interest and fuel and food hikes bite.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The answer is blowing in the wind
Extraordinary revelation at a briefing on renewable energy in Nelson Mandela Bay last week concerning methane obtained from sewage at the rather quaintly named Fish Water Flats.
It would appear that even if the size of the sewage works is the same, the amount of methane that can be harnessed for electricity generation will not be the same because it will depend on what people in the area eat and therefore what they dispose of (I must resist the temptation to be too anal while writing about this subject).
The methane contribution of sushi one presumes may be less than boerewors, steak and a dollop of oily chips liberally splashed with some rather cheap and nasty tomato sauce.
The thought had crossed my mind that rather than going to the huge expense of testing the methane level at sewage plants around the world, a flatulence-testing mechanism might well short cut the process. Without being unkind to Bob Dylan the answer would be “blowing in the wind”.
Given the level of debate on many occasions, the Bhisho Legislature might not be a bad place to start the testing.
It would appear that even if the size of the sewage works is the same, the amount of methane that can be harnessed for electricity generation will not be the same because it will depend on what people in the area eat and therefore what they dispose of (I must resist the temptation to be too anal while writing about this subject).
The methane contribution of sushi one presumes may be less than boerewors, steak and a dollop of oily chips liberally splashed with some rather cheap and nasty tomato sauce.
The thought had crossed my mind that rather than going to the huge expense of testing the methane level at sewage plants around the world, a flatulence-testing mechanism might well short cut the process. Without being unkind to Bob Dylan the answer would be “blowing in the wind”.
Given the level of debate on many occasions, the Bhisho Legislature might not be a bad place to start the testing.
Friday, August 8, 2008
High tech house built on shifting political sands?
These (left and below) are artists impressions of how the newly revamped Eastern Cape legislature's main chamber will look when it is officially opened next year.
THE R33-million state-of-the-art Bhisho Legislature that will have the latest technology so allowing MPLs to play solitaire or obtain the latest cricket score during sessions will be officially opened when Premier Mbulelo Sogoni delivers his State of the Province address in February next year. Coincidentally the Provincial and Local Government department committee investigating among other things the future of the provinces and provincial legislatures will report at the same time and there appears to be a consensus emerging that the role of provinces will be downgraded.
That could result in functions such as primary health care and housing being devolved to local government level. The process will, however, be gradual and anyone betting on the seats on the provincial legislature gravy train being jettisoned is probably smoking the same substance as filtered into the Legislature on one occasion when Gugile Nkwinti was Speaker. On that occasion, two workers were sharing an, ahem, pick-me-up of the less than legal sort and the fumes appeared to have been sucked into the chamber by the airconditioning. Amazing how everyone there was able to identify that smell.
That could result in functions such as primary health care and housing being devolved to local government level. The process will, however, be gradual and anyone betting on the seats on the provincial legislature gravy train being jettisoned is probably smoking the same substance as filtered into the Legislature on one occasion when Gugile Nkwinti was Speaker. On that occasion, two workers were sharing an, ahem, pick-me-up of the less than legal sort and the fumes appeared to have been sucked into the chamber by the airconditioning. Amazing how everyone there was able to identify that smell.
The new chamber (above) under construction last week and (below) as it was in the early days of Nosimo Balindlela's tenure.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Do unto others ...
Got to thinking around Nosimo Balindlela’s unhappiness about the way that her “forced removal” was handled and particularly the fact that the news was in the media before Luthuli House informed her she could return to her farm in Stutterheim.
That would have brought some wry chuckles from some of the people she fired during the four years she was Premier.
Take Johnny Makgato, for example, who was initially appointed Finance MEC in 2004 in Balindlela’s first cabinet but before he was even sworn in received a note stating that his services were not required when Balindlela was forced to retain Enoch Godongwana.
And then Godongwana who was at a meeting when a “flunkey” arrived with a terse note telling him that he had been fired. And in a foretaste of what was to eventually come in the Pillay Commission, the statement issued at the time said:
“The Honourable Premier, Mrs Nosimo Balindlela, wishes to announce the removal of Mr Enoch Godongwana as the MEC for Finance with immediate effect.
“This action is taken in the light of the Executive Council decision last week that an investigation into the provincial finances be instituted.”
Take that Enoch!
Not to mention big Andre de Wet who served in the provincial cabinet with Billy Nel who had defeated him in the 1989 election in East London for the House of Assembly and who was, depending on how charitable one is feeling, either the hatchet man of the Balindlela administration or its “useful idiot”.
Having created general havoc in the provincial parastatals from which some have still to recover, but removed as many perceived enemies of the administration as possible De Wet found himself out in the cold. The telltale signs were there when Balindlela refused all his requests for meetings and in due course the axe fell.
Put in that perspective does Balindlela really have any reason to gripe?
That would have brought some wry chuckles from some of the people she fired during the four years she was Premier.
Take Johnny Makgato, for example, who was initially appointed Finance MEC in 2004 in Balindlela’s first cabinet but before he was even sworn in received a note stating that his services were not required when Balindlela was forced to retain Enoch Godongwana.
And then Godongwana who was at a meeting when a “flunkey” arrived with a terse note telling him that he had been fired. And in a foretaste of what was to eventually come in the Pillay Commission, the statement issued at the time said:
“The Honourable Premier, Mrs Nosimo Balindlela, wishes to announce the removal of Mr Enoch Godongwana as the MEC for Finance with immediate effect.
“This action is taken in the light of the Executive Council decision last week that an investigation into the provincial finances be instituted.”
Take that Enoch!
Not to mention big Andre de Wet who served in the provincial cabinet with Billy Nel who had defeated him in the 1989 election in East London for the House of Assembly and who was, depending on how charitable one is feeling, either the hatchet man of the Balindlela administration or its “useful idiot”.
Having created general havoc in the provincial parastatals from which some have still to recover, but removed as many perceived enemies of the administration as possible De Wet found himself out in the cold. The telltale signs were there when Balindlela refused all his requests for meetings and in due course the axe fell.
Put in that perspective does Balindlela really have any reason to gripe?
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Province awash with EIAs
There were 354 environmental impact assessment applications “pending” in the Eastern Cape at the end of March, Environmental Affairs and Tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has told the National Assembly.
Van Schalkwyk revealed that 93 applications were “pending” in terms of the 1997 EIA regulations and 261 in terms of those promulgated in 2006.
In reply to a written question from Gareth Morgan (DA), the minister said that there was a shortage of staff and even in provinces such as the Eastern Cape where there were only two vacancies at the end of March “a significant percentage of filled posts are occupied by case officers with limited experience”.
Nationally, Van Schalkwyk said the situation was improving with applications in terms of the 1997 regulations that were pending standing at 998 on March 31 this year as opposed to 5 859 at the end of June 2006..
With regard to the 2006 regulations, he said that some 70 per cent nationally were dealt with in the prescribed timeframes and “provincial authorities have started to express concerns that a new backlog might be forming … primarily due to capacity considerations”.
Van Schalkwyk revealed that 93 applications were “pending” in terms of the 1997 EIA regulations and 261 in terms of those promulgated in 2006.
In reply to a written question from Gareth Morgan (DA), the minister said that there was a shortage of staff and even in provinces such as the Eastern Cape where there were only two vacancies at the end of March “a significant percentage of filled posts are occupied by case officers with limited experience”.
Nationally, Van Schalkwyk said the situation was improving with applications in terms of the 1997 regulations that were pending standing at 998 on March 31 this year as opposed to 5 859 at the end of June 2006..
With regard to the 2006 regulations, he said that some 70 per cent nationally were dealt with in the prescribed timeframes and “provincial authorities have started to express concerns that a new backlog might be forming … primarily due to capacity considerations”.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Huge underspending holds Eastern Cape back again
THE Eastern Cape underspent on several of its conditional grants during the first quarter of the current financial year. To date, the province has spent only R192 million of the R1,25 billion it has been allocated for housing in the current financial year.
In the last financial year, the Eastern Cape forfeited R500 million of its conditional grant for housing that was allocated to other provinces able to spend the money and still did not spend what was left.
The Community Library Services Grant has also been underspent with only R3,6 million of the R9.2 million allocated for the first quarter actually spent.
The HIV/AIDS Life Skills grant administered by the Education department is also under-spent with R2,6 million of the first quarter allocation of R7,1 million paid out to date.
In the last financial year, the Eastern Cape forfeited R500 million of its conditional grant for housing that was allocated to other provinces able to spend the money and still did not spend what was left.
The Community Library Services Grant has also been underspent with only R3,6 million of the R9.2 million allocated for the first quarter actually spent.
The HIV/AIDS Life Skills grant administered by the Education department is also under-spent with R2,6 million of the first quarter allocation of R7,1 million paid out to date.
- Full report in The Herald tomorrow.
Wanted: R24 billion to fix education
The Eastern Cape Education department requires R21,2 billion to eliminate backlogs and bring all buildings up to the required standard. In addition, it needs R2,2 billion to wipe out mud structures and a further R1,4 billion to address the maintenance backlog.
But, the department’s Infrastructure Plan tabled in the Bhisho Legislature last weeks shows that the budget for the next financial year (2009/10) is only R1,3 billion and for the next two years a total of R3,2 billion. The department states that while this is “a significant improvement on previous years, these budgets are still wholly insufficient to begin addressing backlogs”.
Currently, only 621 (11%) of the 5 704 schools in the Eastern Cape are described as being in a “good condition” with a further 237 (4%) being housed in new buildings.
The condition of 1 060 (19%) is described as “very weak” and of 1 601 (28%) as “weak” with a further 2 088 (37%) being in need of repair. Just 71 schools are currently being upgraded.
But, the department’s Infrastructure Plan tabled in the Bhisho Legislature last weeks shows that the budget for the next financial year (2009/10) is only R1,3 billion and for the next two years a total of R3,2 billion. The department states that while this is “a significant improvement on previous years, these budgets are still wholly insufficient to begin addressing backlogs”.
Currently, only 621 (11%) of the 5 704 schools in the Eastern Cape are described as being in a “good condition” with a further 237 (4%) being housed in new buildings.
The condition of 1 060 (19%) is described as “very weak” and of 1 601 (28%) as “weak” with a further 2 088 (37%) being in need of repair. Just 71 schools are currently being upgraded.
- Full report in The Herald today
Qwase's challenges
Anyone doubting the challenges facing new Education MEC Mahlubandile Qwase need only look at a document tabled in the Legislature last week that provides departmental responses to the education committees visit to schools in March this year.
The first two entries in the report:
LOWER CULUNCA JSS
Enough stationery but not all textbooks received – intervention: meet with the supplier
No electricity and water facilities , school depends on water tanks – intervention: none (the space for intervention, whose responsibility it is and time frames are left blank)
Toilets were in bad condition – intervention: none (the space for intervention, whose responsibility it is and time frames are left blank)
and
UPPER CULUNCA JSS
60 per cent of learner support material still outstanding – intervention: meet with suppliers
Only dilapidated temporary structure, no toilets, school not fenced, no sports facilities – intervention: provincial office to be informed as soon as possible
School Nutrition Programme – supplier providing stake bread twice a week- intervention: meet with supplier as soon as possible
And it goes on and on and on…
The first two entries in the report:
LOWER CULUNCA JSS
Enough stationery but not all textbooks received – intervention: meet with the supplier
No electricity and water facilities , school depends on water tanks – intervention: none (the space for intervention, whose responsibility it is and time frames are left blank)
Toilets were in bad condition – intervention: none (the space for intervention, whose responsibility it is and time frames are left blank)
and
UPPER CULUNCA JSS
60 per cent of learner support material still outstanding – intervention: meet with suppliers
Only dilapidated temporary structure, no toilets, school not fenced, no sports facilities – intervention: provincial office to be informed as soon as possible
School Nutrition Programme – supplier providing stake bread twice a week- intervention: meet with supplier as soon as possible
And it goes on and on and on…
Sogoni broom denies Cosatu/SACP a clean sweep
Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni announced his cabinet on Friday afternoon leaving Alliance partners Cosatu and the South African Communist Party decidedly unhappy with the final outcome.
Cosatu and the SACP wanted a clean sweep with almost all the existing members of the provincial cabinet axed but in the end had to be satisfied with what was a compromise with some of the old guard being retained. Thobile Mhlahlo, who had been one of those targeted for what is euphemistically described as “re-deployment” survived and while he lost Roads and Transport he did get the major portfolio of Housing to go with Safety and Liaison.
Deputy-Speaker Gloria Barry gets Roads and Transport.
Housing has been separated from Local Government that is retained by Thoko Xasa who was also a target for re-deployment.
Phumulo Masualle becomes the most powerful MEC in the cabinet taking control of both Finance from Billy Nel, and Economic Development and Environmental Affairs that was held by Sogoni.
Health will now fall under Pemmy Majodina and Education goes to Mahlubandile Qwase replacing Nomsa Jajula and Johnny Makgato respectively.
Cosatu and the SACP wanted a clean sweep with almost all the existing members of the provincial cabinet axed but in the end had to be satisfied with what was a compromise with some of the old guard being retained. Thobile Mhlahlo, who had been one of those targeted for what is euphemistically described as “re-deployment” survived and while he lost Roads and Transport he did get the major portfolio of Housing to go with Safety and Liaison.
Deputy-Speaker Gloria Barry gets Roads and Transport.
Housing has been separated from Local Government that is retained by Thoko Xasa who was also a target for re-deployment.
Phumulo Masualle becomes the most powerful MEC in the cabinet taking control of both Finance from Billy Nel, and Economic Development and Environmental Affairs that was held by Sogoni.
Health will now fall under Pemmy Majodina and Education goes to Mahlubandile Qwase replacing Nomsa Jajula and Johnny Makgato respectively.
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