TABLING OF THE POLICY AND BUDGET SPEECH

2017/2018

Hon. BT ShongweSpeaker: Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature

Constitution and the NCOP

Celebrating

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1. SALUTATION

� Honourable Deputy Speaker of the Legislature, Ms V.S Siwela;

� Honourable Premier of the Mpumalanga Province, Mr DD Mabuza;

� Honourable Chief Whip of the majority party, the African National Congress in the Legislature, Mr JM Mkhatshwa;

� Honourable Members of the Executive Council and Members of the Legislature;

� Distinguished Executive Mayors, Speakers, and Councillors of District and Local Municipalities across the Mpumalanga Province;

� Secretary to the Legislature, Mr. LJ Mwale; � Director-General of the Mpumalanga Government, Mr. T Mdakane; � Inkosi KN Mkhatshwa� Inkosi EM Shongwe� Heads of Departments, Parastatals and Chapter 9 Institutions; � Provincial Secretary of the ANC, Comrade M Ndlovu and and Alliance partners; � Leaders of Political Parties represented in the Legislature DA, EFF, BRA; � Members of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature Audit Committee present;

� Representatives of the different media houses in our Province;

� Leaders from business, sports and religious sectors;� Special Guests � Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning all

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2. INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT

Hon, Deputy Speaker, it is an immense honour to table the 2017/18 Policy and Budget speech of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature. The main strategic and political objectives of this policy and budget speech is to articulate our priorities for the year-ahead as we continue to advance our efforts towards building a united, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous society.

In this year of Oliver Reginald Tambo – “a true servant of the people”, we as the Legislature, remains steadfast in our collective commitment to contribute towards further harnessing and consolidating our hard won freedom for the realisation of a better life for all our people in the province. In line with our constitutional mandate, the Legislature is certainly committed to moving the province forward towards a more prosperous path. This path of progress we are yearning for, and in commemorating the selfl ess life of OR Tambo, will include deepening unity and cohesion of all our people in a radical programme to transform the structure of our economy and to achieve inclusive growth.

OR Tambo eloquently stated; “We seek to create united democratic and non-racial society. We have a vision of South Africa in which black and white shall live and work together as equals in conditions of peace and prosperity” We therefore welcome the leadership demonstrated by the Premier Hon DD Mabuza, where he actively promotes the unity and cohesion of our province as an important instrument to foster nation building as we build a united, non- racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa. In this context, the imperative to continue dismantling the remnants of the colonial legacy of apartheid which created an unequal society should remain at the centre of our on-going struggle in this radical phase of democratic transition.

Honourable Deputy Speaker, our young democracy cannot fl ourish and become resilient if our people continue to be affl icted by the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

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It should be the conscious resolve to build a better South Africa in resolving the three interrelated societal contradictions of race, class and gender that our National Development Plan requires us to collectively address regardless of our political affi liation. More specifi cally, peace, freedom and democracy cannot be sustainable when there is a pervasive wide economic gap between the small minority and the large majority.

In his state of the nation address, President Jacob Zuma characterized radical socio-economic transformation as the fundamental change in the “structure, systems, institutions, and patterns of ownership, management and control of the economy in favour of all South Africans, especially the poor…”.

As the Legislature, we are delighted that also our provincial government, through the Hon, Premier, during his state of the province address, made a commitment in this august House towards “leveraging state power for the radical socio-economic transformation agenda”. As the preamble of our Constitution enjoins us all, we ought to ensure that we work together in improving the quality of life of our people and free their potential. In fulfi lling our constitutional mandate, the Legislature is committed in becoming an active partner in this regard. We will work tirelessly as the true representative body of our people to ensure that the critical mission of radical socio-economic transformation is addressed in our life time. All our

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efforts will therefore continue to be guided by our collective commitment towards ensuring effective oversight and public accountability as we take our Province forward towards a new development trajectory.

Hon, Deputy Speaker, the Legislative Sector has prioritised this year to celebrate 20 years since the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, and since the inception of the National Council of Provinces. This particular celebration provides a platform to recognise the contributions made by the people of South Africa who fought gallantly in order to achieve the freedom we are enjoying today. It also enables us not only to honour the pioneers of the Constitution, but also to celebrate the ideals in the Constitution which resulted in changing our society and its people. In keeping with the spirit of OR Tambo, it is necessary to continue to foster greater patriotism, nation building and social cohesion through a renewed momentum embolden by the aspirations of the world renowned Constitution.

Accordingly our celebration seeks to reinforce and remind the electorate the signifi cant transformational changes introduced by the Constitution, to encourage dialogue and the sharing of experiences of what these transformational changes meant to different generations of our society. Deputy Speaker, the Legislature is part of Africa and the global parliamentary community. Consequently, we recently celebrated Africa Day on the 23rd of May 2017 under the theme - building a better Africa and a better World. As part of addressing African challenges by African themselves, and to further advance the African progressive agenda, the Pan African Parliament (PAP) which, is the legislative arm of the African Union, recently convened in Midrand (Gauteng Province). Parliamentarians spoke in one voice to imagine a better future from a hostile present. Inspired by the renewed narrative of Africa rising, there is a need for greater agency which compels us as the legislative sector, to work together towards strengthening the fulfi lment of our constitutional mandate for improved public accountability and service delivery. This collective task is of paramount importance if Africa is to rise again. The words of black civil rights activist and global icon Brother Malcom X, are quiet compelling in this regard, when he said; “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today”. Our task as public representatives in the fulfi lment of the promise to the people is to build a better continent and better world today. The late O.R Tambo, our struggle hero and icon, from whom we draw much inspiration stated: “The fi ght for freedom must go on until it is won; until our country is free, happy and peaceful as part of the community of man, we cannot rest”. We therefore cannot rest until our freedoms are enjoyed by all here and beyond our borders.

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3. INSTITUTIONAL STRATEGY

Since the inauguration of the Fifth Mpumalanga Legislature, we collectively conceptualised and articulated, through our inclusive strategic planning processes, an overarching long term political and strategic journey for our institution with the people of Mpumalanga Province in mind. That initial direction-setting process, spanning the electoral term from 2014 to 2019, was informed by the Provincial and National Medium Term Strategic Frameworks, the National Development Plan and mainly the governing party’s manifesto priorities.

Consequently, in response to the strategic and political objectives of the country and the province, the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature developed a Five-year Strategic Plan. We believe that our institutional strategic posture is in line with the country’s Outcomes and Results-based Approach which the South African Legislative Sector has endorsed as part of international good practice.

We believe that all these efforts , were, and are imperative in ensuring that the Legislature continues to position itself as an activist and responsive institution that embraces the challenges of a developmental state.

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4. REFLECTION ON THE PREVIOUS POLICY AND BUDGET SPEECH

In the previous policy and budget speech, we highlighted mainly fi ve key priorities. Alignment of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature strategic goals for:

� 2014 -2019 and the Legislative Sector strategic goals for 2014-2019;

� Reduction of non-critical expenditure;

� Intensify oversight and enhance public participation;

� Investment in human capital development; and

� Support to Members and Committees.

As highlighted below, we have certainly made progress in the achievement of these priorities pronounced in the policy and budget speech for 2016/17 fi nancial year.

In terms of aligning strategic goals, in the Legislature’s annual performance plan of 2017/18, we have ensured that we aligned our strategic initiatives and priorities with those of the legislative sector and will continue to monitor developments in this regard.Regarding our commitment to reduce non-critical expenditure, we want to report that through the cost curtailment measures that the Legislature implemented, some savings were generated we were able to direct fi nancial resources in support of the core business of the Legislature.In line with the commitment to intensify oversight and enhance public participation, we are happy to report that much progress has been made. In the context of the Oversight Model of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature (MPLOM), our administration established and implemented cross functional teams in order to provide a more focused, integrated and strategic support to parliamentary committee in support of their oversight functions. We believe that through this approach, our committees will be better placed to exercise effective oversight over governments departments With regard to our commitment to enhance public participation, the Legislature continues to develop implement formidable public participation programmes which included holding of four Sectoral Parliaments, two “taking of the Legislature to the people” events, . The Legislature further participated in two National sector parliaments. Through our capacity development programme for Members and staff, we were able to ensure that our institution continues to invest in its people, as per our previous commitments. We are pleased to announce that Members of the Legislature who were studying through Wits University completed their fi rst programme and have graduated. As we articulate our policy priorities for the 2017/18 in this policy and budget speech, we will certainly build on the progress we have made so far.

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5. THE LEGISLATIVE SECTOR

6. Hon, Deputy Speaker, as we reported last year, the legislature participated in national, regional ,intercontinental and global cooperation arrangements through parliamentary forums and confer-ences. Such participations are vital in cultivating opportunities for sharing of knowledge and best practices for the benefi t of our institution and the people of South Africa in general.

The Legislative Sector has agreed to continue to strengthen the Provincial Speakers Forum. We have in accordance launched the Provincial Speakers Forum which includes Speakers from all municipalities. The key objectives are to strengthen oversight, public participation & petitions and good governance. This forum therefore creates a platform to share best prac-tices, networking and for empowerment.

The National & Provincial Speaker’s Forum has noted with much concern the increasing instances of irregular, fruitless, unauthorized expenditure and non- compliance in some mu-nicipalities and some provincial departments as cited in the recent Auditor General’s report. There is an importance need to enhance oversight at all levels.

Honourable Members we are strategically positioned to make positive impact towards and changing lives of our people and to create a better life for all.

6. THE CORE BUSINESS OF THE LEGISLATUREAs empowered by the Constitution, the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature remains an essential pillar in the practice of representative democracy in our parliamentary system.

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6.1 OVERSIGHT

In line with our commitment of intensifying oversight, we have launched and are currently implementing the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature Oversight Model (MPLOM) as tool to intensify oversight. Our administration will also continue to provide a more focused and integrated support through the Cross Functional Teams.

I am happy that during the strategic planning session for Parliamentary Committees, as Members of the Legislature, we took a collective decision to increase our oversight activities. We must therefore continue to consolidate our actions to foster a more radical socio-economic transformation and the implementation of the National Development Plan through effective oversight.In September 2015, this august House adopted the Rules that ensure that the decorum of the House is maintained and preserved at all times. We will where necessary, continue to update and improve our Rules and Orders as a means of ensuring that they are in line with developments in South Africa with regard to the Constitution, case law, legislation, legislature practice and convention.

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6.2. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

As the Legislature, we continue to commit to enhancing public education and public involvement in the legislative and other process of the Legislature. These are necessary for building public confi dence and trust and ensuring accountability. We will continue to diversify, reignite and renew our Public Participation and Education Programme.

Following the strategic planning session for Parliamentary Committees we are introducing a grassroots driven public involvement platform characterized by a programme called “Asikhulume, Laat Ons Praat, Asikhulumisaneni, Ahi Vulavule, A Re boleleng, loosely translated Speak out. The approach will include a more targeted, deliberate and strategic mobilization of sectors and organised formations in our communities.

To broaden our scope and to reach all sectors in our province, a new approach will be implemented on Sector Parliaments. This approach will include more targeted sessions for the youth and women focusing on areas such as “youth in mining”, “youth in agriculture”, “youth in ICT”, “youth in the creative industry”, and women in various sectors as well.

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We are happy that the Legislature received and processed 206 petitions from the citizens. This shows that our communities are becoming more responsive and aware of the petitions process.Through you Deputy Speaker I wish to request Mr Ronny Mhlongo to rise, who was assisted with the process of obtaining an identity documents.

We also successfully organised 42 Petition’s Clinics during the previous year. We will continue with the project in order to further create more awareness about the mechanism of petitions.

6.3 LAW MAKING

In the previous fi nancial year, the legislature passed the following pieces of legislation, namely of 3 Provincial Bills:

� Mpumalanga Appropriation Bill, 2016;

� Mpumalanga Town Planning and Related Laws Repeal Bill, 2016 and

� Mpumalanga Adjustments Appropriation Bill, 2016

The House conferred to the permanent delegates representing the Mpumalanga Province in the NCOP, the mandate to vote in favour of the following national Bills affecting provinces (section 76 Bills):

� Expropriation Bill, 2015 ;

� Division of Revenue Bill, 2016;

� Children Second Amendment Bill, 2015 ;

� Division of Revenue Amendment Bill, 2016

Honourable Members, this year we are celebrating the 20 (twenty) years of the Constitution of our country, and 20 years since the inception of the National Council of Province.

Hon, Deputy Speaker, we fi rmly believe through our individual and collective efforts as Members of the Legislature, our staff, and our social partners, we will successful navigate the path ahead better fulfi l our constitutional mandate with the people of the province in mind.

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7. GOVERNANCE, FINANCIAL MATTERS AND ADMNISTRATION

7.1 Policy developments

The Legislature has reviewed policies which were subsequently approved for implementation. These policies a aligned with FMMPLA and the corresponding regulations. This will ensure that we are compliance the provisions of this important legislation for the governance of our institution. The Legislative sector is in the process of introducing the legislative sector bill which is important in strengthening governance and administration.

7.2 Finance and Governance MattersAs the Legislature, we are proud that the governance structures that we have established continue to add signifi cant value in matters of governance. I would therefore like to express my profound appreciation to the Chairperson and members of following governance structures for their sterling work in this regard:

� The Audit Committee;� The Risk Management Committee;� The Information Communication Technology Governance Committee;� The Legislature Service Board;� The Select Committee on Public Accounts; and� The Legislature Oversight Committee.

The work of these governance structures is certainly commendable and we are humbled by the regular advice and support provided by the Members of the Committees in improving the control environment. We commit to support these governance structures in their work.

7.3 Corporate Services & Strategic Projects

Chamber Revamp ProjectI am pleased to report that Chamber Revamp Project was completed within the estimated time line of 3 months.

Parliamentary villageThe process of establishing the Parliamentary village is underway and the new land site for the village is next to the old Nelspruit Airport as reported by Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport. We will monitor the implementation of this project. We request the Department to must complete the project by December 2018.

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Legacy Projects

We have long established that more support is needed for our children at schools as we continue aim to realize the objectives of the Freedom Charter which states that “The Doors Of Learning And Culture Shall Be Opened”. It is against this background that we raise awareness in ensuring coordination, direct intervention, and mobilisation of stakeholders to work side-by-side with government. This is done through Operation Adopt a School, focussing on schools in the rural parts of our province, with more deep seated socio-economic challenges. In the last fi nancial year, the Legislature successfully organised nine (9) legacy projects which seek to assist needy children and communities. We will continue this project with the support we receive from our partners.

8. CONCLUSION

Hon, Deputy Speaker and Hon, Members, the former President, Nelson as we table our budget today, I am reminded of wise words of President Mandela when he said, “The purpose of the budget is to bring a better life for all”. As the Legislature, we therefore ought to ensure that continue to contribute to changing the lives of the people through the resources at our disposal and in line with our constitutional mandate.

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Honourable MembersPlease allow me to request this House to appropriate the amount of R317 291 to the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature for the following programmes:

Programme 1 Administration-R151 036 (48%)Programme 2Parliamentary business -R141 285 (52%)Direct charge –Transfer to political parties -R24 970

Let me take opportunity to thank all political parties for their contribution towards the strengthening of parliamentary democracy in this 5th Legislature. This parliament has become more robust and vibrant as witnessed through various debates and oversight work. We however, must emphasize that our rules of engagement should remain constructive, respectful and responsible. I would also like to record my appreciation to the Deputy Speaker, Chief Whip, the Presiding Offi cers and all Members of the Legislature, for your guidance and support.I am especially grateful to the African National Congress under the leadership of Hon DD Mabuza for his continued guidance and support.I wish to thank the Secretary to the Legislature, Mr LJ Mwale and the broader management and staff of the Legislature for their continued hard work and commitment.I convey my sincere thank you to my family which is a pillar of my strength and for its unwavering support.I hereby table the Policy and Budget speech for the fi nancial year 2017/18, and I hereby request the House to appropriate the amount as proposed.

God Bless Africa

Hosi katekisa AfrikaNkosi Sikelel’iAfrika

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