Issue 42 | October 2020 - March 2021
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Departmental Newsletter Issue 42 | October 2020 - March 2021 Departmental Newsletter October 2020 - March 2021 Issue 42 NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN TAKES THE BULL BY ITS HORNS Page 04 Page 06 Page 08 KAMDLADLA CLINIC OPENS DOORS MORE MUSCLES TO STRENGTHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT MOLOTO VILLAGE PAVES A NEW PATH TO A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE OPERATIONS IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO ACCESS SOCIAL AMENITIES 1 Departmental Newsletter Issue 42 | October 2020 - March 2021 EDITORIAL COMMENT What an eventful year! Of course NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN TAKES THE BULL BY most of it has been characterized by grief and turmoil steaming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Just over a ITS HORNS year since the first case was reported, many things have changed. There is however somuch to celebrate purely on the basis of being alive. After all, where there is human presence, there is hope for the future. While the annual calendar is already “quarter past twelve”, Government has just concluded its 2020/21 financial year cycle in March. The Department is therefore wrapping up its business with a glance at the past six months in its effort to transform the lives of the people of the Place of the Rising Sun. Certainly, this a critical constitutional mandate in the advancement of human rights to build an informed citizenry. First, the “Handyman of the State” has an honour to welcome on board the newly appointed Executive Authority of Public Works, Roads and Transport in Mpumalanga, Ms Mohita Latchminarain. Needless to say, Ms Latchminarain has actually long been involved in the affairs of the Department on her previous life as a member of the Portfolio Committee that oversees the mandate of the Department. AT THE COALFACE OF SERVICE DELIVERY: The newly appointed MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport in Mpumalanga, Ms Mohita Latchminarain during one of her community engagements. Well, the provision of integrated transport system and public infrastructure is not only a hen Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane announced "Our road infrastructure is a socioeconomic imperative but a her new Cabinet in February 2021, Ms Mohita human rights issue. While April is Latchminarain was deemed equal to the task critical artillery of socioeconomic Freedom Month, the citizens are Wto lead as the "Handyman of the State." She certainly development. Unfortunately, most never free without the provision of took the bull by its horns and hit the ground running these basic services. That is why the from the very first day. Her appointment augurs well with of our roads in the Province have Department through the leadership of the democratic Government's transformation agenda to aged and are not in a good state. MEC Mohita Latchminarain and Acting recognize and elevate capable and deserving women HOD, Mr Charles Morolo remains and youth to the accolades of state power. These include access roads to social committed in accelerating service amenities, tourism routes and coal delivery in a bid to eradicate poverty, As the new member of the Executive Council responsible unemployment and inequality. This for Public Works, Roads and Transport in Mpumalanga, haulage. While there is growing publication highlights snippets of Ms Latchminarain is not a stranger to this mandate but has demand for new roads, we need to the Department’s service delivery been instrumental in shaping the Department's direction strike a balance between maintaining agenda from roads construction to as a member of the Portfolio Committee that conducted transport operations. Other than oversight on the work of the Department. Prior to that, our old and starting new construction that, this episode pays homage to since joining the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature projects due to budgetary all the men and women who held in 2019, she has worn several hats including that of the fort throughout the storm of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Premier's constraints. I intend to strengthen coronavirus pandemic. Office, Finance, Economic Development and Tourism. the Department's capacity to deal EDITOR Apart from her political career as a member of the ruling with this matter vigorously and pro- Mxolisi Cyril Dlamini party, this grinding stone is also a qualified Attorney and actively. Another way to achieve this has served as a Legal Adviser to the Executive Mayor is to invest in jetpatchers and rebuild CONTRIBUTERS of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, her hometown prior to joining the Mpumalanga Legislature. She has been our workforce to fast-track service Bongani Dhlamini exposed to various spheres and functions of Government delivery," elaborated MEC Latchminarain. Benika Khambule therefore she has clear understanding of socioeconomic Dimakatso Matentshi challenges facing the masses. Since her appointment to the office, the MEC has been Mpho Gabashane at the coalface of service delivery attesting to the spirit Nothando Ndlovu She is not only a mother who has natural instincts of caring of "Thuma Mina." As the true ambassador of young Portia Mnisi for others, but she is also the youngest MEC in Premier minds, the Honourable MEC has a dedicated battalion Rachel Nkosi Mtsweni-Tsipane's Cabinet and of course the youngest of equally committed and energetic troops to serve the member of the Legislature in the Province. The amount of citizens of the Place of the Rising Sun. These young faces DESIGNERS responsibility placed on she shoulders bears testimony of include the Office Manager, Mr Josias Motsoeneng; the the confidence bestowed upon her by the Premier based Appointment Secretary, Ms Amukelani Sambo; the Media Bonginkosi Dlamini on her competence and intellectual capacity. Liaison Officer, Mr Kgomotso Madihlaba; the Community Josia Magagula During a media engagement the MEC highlighted that Outreach Officer, Mr Kabelo Mashiane as well as the Glory Malale one of her key focus areas will be on roads maintenance. Secretary Receptionist, Ms Sesi Madalane. COMMENTS Should you wish to comment on this publication, email your comments to: [email protected] DISCLAIMER Although care has been taken to verify the accuracy of information, the editorial team extends sincere apology for any inconsistencies that Mr Josias Motsoeneng Ms Amulekani Sambo Mr Kgomotso Madihlaba Mr Kabelo Mashiane Ms Sesi Madalane may occur. Office Manager Appointment Secretary Media Liaison Officer Community Outreach Secretary Receptionist Officer 2 Departmental Newsletter Issue 42 | October 2020 - March 2021 MEC LATCHMINARAIN UNLOCKS ACCESS TO SERVICE DELIVERY he provision of adequate transport infrastructure is will begin with paramount to the realization the procurement Tof a better life for all since roads provide access to a number of process to appoint socioeconomic amenities such a contractor,” explained as schools, clinics and shops. To MEC Latchminarain. fulfill this constitutional imperative, on the 24th of March 2021, MEC Since the meeting had resolved that Mohita Latchminarain visited a follow up meeting will be convened Bushbuckridge Local Municipality where she met with community to discuss progress, on the first of representatives of ward 23, 25 and April, MEC Latchminarain met again 26 to deliberate on their request for with the delegation as agreed upon the upgrading of D438 road between on the previous meeting. The MEC Belfast and Justicia. committed that the project will go on tender in June 2021. Community PAVING A WAY FORWARD: MMC Bhunu Malandule from Bushbuckridge The MEC acknowledged the dire members will also be kept abreast Local Municipality and MEC Mohita Latchminarain engaging with condition of the road especially about other processes that shall community members. considering its socioeconomic impact unfold to bring the project to fruition. it has on surrounding communities. Furthermore, she reiterated that Unfortunately, the recent tropical her office doors are always open storm also dealt a heavy blow on a number of roads in the Province. As for engagement. “Violent if that was not catastrophic enough, the coronavirus placed another protests reverse our burden on the Department’s coffers gains and course more which hampered response to these demands. harm than good. We are here to serve our However, MEC Latchminarain indicated that the matter is receiving people and therefore urgent attention. “I often we must engage in a travel on the very progressive manner to same road and I can address challenges,” attest that it needs pleaded the MEC. urgent attention. In the meantime, the Department will be finalizing the approval processes Fortunately, of the designs and application designs are nearing for mining license. Unfortunately the delegation refused interim completion and intervention to keep the road PROGRESSIVE ENGAGEMENTS: Community members during a meeting with Government delegation led by MEC Mohita Latchminarain. soon the Department trafficable pending upgrading. PILOTING THROUGH THE WAVES OF COVID-19 AND ECONOMIC TURMOIL During interaction GOVERNMENT TAKES STOCK OF LONG The freight and logistics industry is one sessions with staff DISTANCE ROAD FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS of the most critical economic driver in members, MEC INDUSTRY TO CURTAIL VIOLENCE South Africa. Transporting goods such Mohita Latchminarain as food and coal to keep the country and Acting HoD, Mr he trucking industry has recently electricified, to generating thousands Charles Morolo gave been making headlines with of work and business opportunities. a clear perspective on Timages of burning trucks flooding the Department’s role the media space. Amongst others, This sector