WHEN THE SUN RISES WE WORK HARD TO DELIVER

Mpumalanga Provincial Governemt MpumalangaGov

Mpumalanga launches 67 Emergency medical vehicles

The , Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane launched 67 new ambulances. The Premier was accompanied by Mpumalanga health MEC , Ehlanzeni District Municipality Executive Mayor and the City of Acting Mayor Councilor Majaheni Nyalunga. According to Premier Mtsweni-Tsipane, the new ambulances would be disperse to all districts in the Province. This, according to the Premier, would improve the response time to all call outs and emergencies to save lives as outs and emergencies to save lives as the festive season is approaching Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane added that the “new fleet will undoubtedly add to our patient transport efficiently, safely, reliability and further extend our ability to provide efficient emergency health care across the length and breadth of our province. The excited emergency practitioners warmly welcomed the fleet and committed to take care of the vehicles and patients. 2 INHLABAMKHOSI Issue 2 Vol 2020/21

Manzini encourages everyone to take charge and be responsible for their own health

On the 13th November 2020, the MEC to health services and raise awareness and manage minor ailments. You should for Health, Ms Sasekani Manzini visited about the importance of practicing Healthy take charge and be responsible for your own Mbombela taxi rank to bring primary lifestyle culture. The programme was health”. health care services to tax drivers, owners, welcomed by MMC Shongwe from Ehlanzeni In the fight against Covid-19, Manzini commuters and hawkers to increase access district municipality and Mr MJ Mavundla further emphasize the importance to health care service as people with limited from Mbombela Taxi Association. This wearing mask and adhering to all Covid-19 access because they are always at the taxi programme is also available at Nkangala ang preventative measures and reminded ranks on a continual basis providing their Gert Sibande districts. drivers not allow any person without a services. MEC Manzini said “government brought mask to enter their taxis. MEC Manzini This programme was launched by MEC comprehensive health screening services branded several Taxis with stickers with Manzini in December 2018 and it has in the Mobile Clinic and the erected stalls messages warning commuters about the continue to reap successful health outcomes specifically for you. Our health workers are importance wearing masks and other health with the objective of lengthening access here to diagnosed, treat, prevent, educate awareness messages.

www.mpumalanga.gov.za Issue 2 Vol 2020/21 INHLABAMKHOSI 3

Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane launches the 16 Days of Activism against GBVF Campaign The Mpumalanga Province joined the rest of their physical and psychological integrity,” attending to you,” she said. the world on the 25th of November 2020 as Premier Mtshweni said. However, with the introduction of the police it launched the 16 Days of Activism against Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane said that one of victim friendly units in the SAPS, Premier Gender- Based Violence and Femicide the striking truths about the nature of the Mtshweni-Tsipane said that she expects (GBVF) at the Kaboweni Community Hall. violence experienced by women and children all the police officers to be more friendly Officially opening the campaign, Premier is that the majority of cases, is perpetrated towards the victims of gender based violence Mtshweni-Tsipane said that the campaign is by male partners with whom they have an Premier Mtshweni -Tsipane said that a call to action to end the destructive impact intimate or an interdependent relationship Gender Based Violence and Femicide has of gender-based violence (GBVF) in the with, as well as their closest family members, acute physical, psychological and social communities and should continue for 365 relatives or custodians of children. consequennces. days of the year. “This means that, contrary to the “Survivors often experience psychological The campaigns runs form the 25th of conventional wisdom that the family or trauma which ranges from depression, November to the 10th of December under extended family is a safe haven of love and terror, guilt, shame to loss of self esteem. the theme: support, girls and women are at greatest risk They may be rejected by spouses and During the launch, Premier Mtshweni- of violence from the very members of their families, ostrasicised , subjected to further Tsipane stated that GBVF is a pervasive households who are socially responsible for exploitation or to punishment,” Mtshweni- threat that survives through harmful their protection and welfare,” she said. Tsipane said. gender norms and silence, and has been Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane said that GBVF Premier Mtshweni called upon communities, exacerbated by the government lockdown has long acute physical, psychological and traditional leaders, councillors, churches, to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 social consequennces. NGO’s and all relevant stakeholders and pandemic. According to Premier Mtshweni- “Survivors often experience psychological players to make efforts to increase solidarity Tsipane, 763 cases of GBVF have been trauma, which ranges from depression, between men and women and work more reported in Mpumalanga during this terror, guilt, shame and loss of self-esteem. closely together to address GBVF, so that the lockdown. They may be rejected by spouses and plight of the victimised would be eased. She said that women and girls remain families, ostrasicised and subjected to She said that the Mpumalanga Provincial disproportionately impacted by GBVF at a further exploitation or to punishment. Government has already build stronger disturbing rate. This even goes to an extent of causing support networks for GBVF victims. “As government, we vow to continue raising communities to suffer trauma from all the “There are life-saving services or one stop awareness about Gender-Based Violence atrocities committed by the perpetrators. centres for survivors of gender based and Femicide. Women and children are We should stand together and say enough is violence such as GRID. This provides not experiencing GBVF which has adversely enough” she commented. only shelter for survivors but also help affected their well-being as well as their She also outlined that part of challenges is improving the reporting of cases and dignity and productivity in their homes, how the police force respond to cases of trauma councelling . The Justice and communities and places of work,” she said. domestic violence. Constitutional Department will soon be “This problem also occurs mainly due to “Women have reported in the past, when opening all the sexual offences courts where existing negative social norms within our they sought assistance from the police, they victims will be treated with dignity and also society and detestable cultural beleifs which were told to go back home and handle the be free to express themselves freely with suppresses them and leaves them to suffer domestic dispute within their families. Do the assistance of the Social Workers. We in silence. These inhumane acts have not agree to that. It is your fundamental commit ourselves that we will employ more continued to prevent women from achieving right to ensure that you open a case and get social workers that are well trained to deal their maximum potential and compromise assistance from the relevant police officer with these issues,” she said.

www.mpumalanga.gov.za 4 INHLABAMKHOSI Issue 2 Vol 2020/21

Marking international Day of Persons with Disabilities

The Mpumalanga Province joined the rest of In the Mpumalanga Province, Mr Du Toit Women and girls with disabilities continue the world in marking the International Day of Nkambule, Manager: Office on the Status to suffer Gender Based Violence and Persons with Disabilities. Organised within of Disabled Persons, Department of Femicide(GBV&F), stigma and discrimination the 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Social Development said that government and the impact of Covid-19. Violence, and Feminism Campaign, the month coordinated a programme of action for the Women and children with disabilities also long campaign carried weekly sub-themes disability month 2020. He said that the continue to suffer more human rights which are reflected in the Mid-Term Strategic activities came from various government violations as they have other vulnerabilities. Framework (2019-2024) of government. departments, municipalities, chapter 9 They suffer double discrimination, firstly Disability is the consequence of an impairment institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations as women, and secondly as persons with that may be physical, cognitive, mental, and the business sector. disabilities. sensory, emotional, developmental, or some “The province embarked on various campaigns Cultural beliefs and practices also weigh too combination of these. A disability may be to raise awareness on disability issues using heavily against the realisation of the rights present from birth, or occur during a person’s different media platforms. People were of women with disabilities. Poverty, misery, lifetime. educated about the rights of people with illiteracy, joblessness and social exclusion are Over one billion people, or approximately 15 disabilities. During the events and dialogues, some of the common plights that women per cent of the world’s population, live with persons with disabilities were given platforms with disabilities face. Similarly, children with some form of disability. to express themselves and to share the disabilities are normally not sent to school, Persons with disabilities, often face barriers challenges they face on a daily basis,” he said. compared to their non-disabled counterparts. to participation in all aspects of society. Events such as the Disability Awareness Day “Without the requisite knowledge and skills, it is Barriers can take a variety of forms, including with Deaf and Blind people were held at the very difficult if not impossible for the children those relating to the physical environment Kruger National Park, Disability Awareness to secure any form of employment when they or to information and communications Day on Epilepsy at Thembisile Hani local grow up. In the end, a vicious cycle of poverty technology (ICT), or those resulting from Municipality, Disability Annual General Meeting and disability is created, “said Nkambule. legislation or policy, or from societal attitudes at Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Training Mr Nkambule said that the state must do more or discrimination. The result is that persons on Social Support and care for Persons with in taking appropriate measures, within the with disabilities do not have equal access Disabilities at Emakhazeni, Crime Prevention limits of the resources available to it, to ensure to society or services, including education, Dialogue by Persons with Disabilities at that persons with disabilities realize their full employment, health care, transportation, Emakhazeni Local Municipality and more as mental and physical potential. political participation or justice. part of the Disability Month Programme of “ They can be assisted by enabling them to Evidence and experience shows that when Action. be self-reliant, to live with their families and barriers to their inclusion are removed and “The call to make persons with disabilities participate in social, creative or recreational persons with disabilities are empowered to equal partners in the development of the activities, to protect them from all forms of participate fully in societal life, their entire economy of the province or the country in exploitation and abuse, to give them access community benefits. Barriers faced by persons general has been made a concern of every to medical, psychological and functional with disabilities are, therefore, a detriment government departments and institutions. treatment, to provide special facilities for to society as a whole, and accessibility Stakeholders are urged from time to time their education and to provide state-funded is necessary to achieve progress and to comply with legislations which seek to education and training where they need it,” he development for all. empower persons with disabilities,” he said. concluded.

www.mpumalanga.gov.za Issue 2 Vol 2020/21 INHLABAMKHOSI 5

Combined 2020 matric exams underway

The Mpumalanga Department of Education arrangements and plans made to ensure independent schools within the Province. is pleased with the smooth start of the that the examinations run smoothly as The Department also intensified security to combined 2020 June and November NSC has been the case in the last eleven years. manage an incident free examination as it examinations. The 05th of November 2020, We want to stress the need to abide by has been the case in the past 11 years. marked the start of the examinations as the COVID-19 safety precautions by all our The MEC for Education, Mr. the Premier Mrs Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane examination centres. It is now time for our extended his appreciation to everyone who and the MEC for Education, Mr Bonakele learners to deliver on what they have worked played a pivotal role during the process Majuba visited Tikhontele Secondary School hard for. We wish them all the best in the leading to the examination. in Matsulu, City of Mbombela to observe the exams.” “We are grateful that we have been able running of the first day of the examinations. The combined June and November to navigate the examination preparations In her message of encouragement to the examinations process commenced on well thus far. The COVID-19 has presented candidates, Premier Mtsweni-Tsipane said, Thursday, 05 November to end on Tuesday, us with a fair share of challenges but our “We are with you in our prayers, we are with 15 December 2020. teachers were up to the task. We salute you in terms of supporting you. It is now The total number of all registered candidates them for their resilience, dedication and incumbent on you as students to make sure for the 2020 Combined June and November commitment during trying times of the that you prove your understanding. It is time Examinations is 93 899. pandemic. We wish to use this time to now to prove your full potential to determine The Examination took place in 556 National extend our best wishes to the Class of 2020,” your future and destiny.” Senior Certificate Centres and 99 Senior he said. Expressing his pleasure in the good progress Certificate Examination centres for 2020. The NSC 2020 provincial results will be of the examinations, MEC Majuba said, The Mpumalanga Department of Education announced on 23 February 2021 at the “We are satisfied with the progress of our deployed Residence Monitors to all 35 University of Mpumalanga.

www.mpumalanga.gov.za 6 INHLABAMKHOSI Issue 4 Vol 2019/20

Mpumalanga gains more jobs in Agriculture and Finance Despite the negative impact of Covid the provincial economies.” – 19 pandemic on the economy, While the Province recorded job losses Mpumalanga managed to produce at in the construction, manufacturing, least 49 000 jobs. trade and tourism during this period, Tabling the Provincial Adjustments Labour Force survey of StatsSA budget on Tuesday, MEC for Finance, indicates that the Province gained Economic Development and Tourism 49 000 jobs in agriculture, finance, said the jobs were community and social services, as well created between July and September as private households between July 2020. and September 2020, added Ngomane. MEC Ngomane said although his However, the global growth is projected budget was tabled during the poor to deteriorate to minus 4% this year. economic environment, due to the “We also expect a negative growth for lockdown, government is striving to this year of minus 8 per respond to service delivery areas. cent,” said MEC. “This budget is tabled in a fragile and He said the GDP figures for the challenging economic environment,” second quarter of 2020 confirmed said MEC Ngomane. “The Coronavirus the significant impact of COVID-19 and lockdown measures have adversely on all economic sectors, except for affected the world, national as well as agriculture.

MEC Shongwe visits Agric Projects in Mkhondo

MEC for Agriculture, Rural Developmet, Land equipments. identified as another setback. MEC Shongwe and Environmental Affairs is “We must prioritize finishing the construction called for security to be beefed up. not too pleased with the slow progress related of this centre as soon as possible. He later visited the completed Mkhondo agri- to the construction of a One Stop Centre for “I understand that during the Covid19 hub which is set to start operating early next farmers in Mkhondo, Piet Retief. He visited lockdown suppliers were not busy. Now that year. the Centre and the Mkhondo Agri-Hub on the country is back to business, there must be “There are some structural defects which Thursday, 12 November 2020. progress even if it means working during the must be attended to. We should not make a The centre will house, among others, animal festive season,” he remarked. mistake of handing over inferior infrastructure vets, diesel depot, fertilizers and farming Vandalism and theft of material like fence was to our farmers,” he cautioned. Issue 2 Vol 2020/21 INHLABAMKHOSI 7

The National Children’s Day: Translating dialogues and actions towards building a better Mpumalanga for children and youth

The department of Social Development’s 1959. discussion were issues of child trafficking, commitment to child and youth development This year the focus was on highlighting the Gender Based Violence, drug abuse and remains unwavering, having realized that progress that is being made in the promotion COVID-19 crisis, all aimed at advocating and the development of the province depends on and realisation of children’s rights, inform and promoting children’s rights. a generation of empowered young people educate the public on the comprehensive Celebration of this day affords each of us an who should become drivers of the province’s basket of services needed by children in the inspirational doorway to champion, promote future. In giving effect to this the department community that can contribute in preventing and celebrate children’s rights, more so this continues to steadily increase the provision abuse of children, to strengthen Prevention year having realised that COVID-19 has of services to children and youth and to also and Early Intervention programme as a resulted in child rights crisis which need to be respond to the call to promote and celebrate mind shift to ensure that there is investment addressed immediately. children’s rights as part of the annual National (time, resources and programmes) that The psychological wellbeing of children Children’s Day. could be sustained to keep children off the was also at the center of the event as Celebrated annually on the first Saturday of street, to engage children meaningfully while children were also given educational games, November as declared by the Government of addressing critical issues relevant to the educational movies, educational tasks, music, the Republic of South Africa, the department children, to encourage parents to participate dance, poetry and life orientation, through has through Touch a Million foundation in programmes aimed at empowering well trained facilitators from DSD, SANCA coordinated a series of dialogues as part of children and creating family stability and and Dream Kids Foundation. the National Children’s Day held on Saturday, to push for the involvement of children and During her address the then acting Head of 14 November 2020 at Gert-Sibande District adolescents in decisions affecting them by the Department Ms Moyane stressed on Municipality offices in Ermelo. The day affording them an opportunity to have a voice the need for children to get into the habit comes after the formal declaration by the as meaningful stakeholders. of knowing more about their rights and the United Nations General Assembly which The event drew learners from various schools responsibilities that come with such rights. formally adopted the Declaration of the in the province who took part in dialogues She encouraged them to avoid bullying each Rights of the Child and the Convention on to discuss issues affecting them on a day other in schools and elsewhere or generally the Rights of the Child on the 20th November to day basis as young people. Amongst the infringing each other rights.

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