Tuesday, May 30, 2023

We dare not fail our people in fulfilling this commitment. Infrastructure backlog remains a serious challenge after the adverse impact that disasters bore on our dilapidating infrastructure. Looking at the rising levels of unemployment, the escalating cost of goods and services, and the high fuel price, we dare not wink at the opportunities presented to us by time, and limited financial resources. We dare not linger in rendering the much needed infrastructure services, as this would be a disservice to the people of our province. Our efforts should contribute to improving the lives and livelihoods of our people. This is, and should be, our only preoccupation. We are determined, and committed to fulfil this mandate. We have always been open, and upfront with the truth, in admitting and confirming the challenges we as a department, and road-users alike...[Read more]

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Our objective is to use our role in the property and infrastructure sector to build assets, deliver climate-resilient smart infrastructure, facilitate spatial transformation, support economic empowerment and drive job creation. In the year ahead, we will robustly coordinate the provision of a social facilitation framework to mitigate against community unrests which delay construction projects. We are determined to enhance the participation of communities in projects, drive localisation of supplies, and involve locals in the maintenance of the property ecosystem. We are resolute that benefits of our programmes should benefit the youth, women, military veterans, and People Living with Disabilities in the construction and property sector. The construction branch will work closer with Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) on unclogging delayed projects...[Read more]

Friday, May 19, 2023

Today we meet for the first time since the launch and establishment of the infrastructure Municipalities and Member of the Executive Council (MUNMEC). I am hopeful that failure to officially host a meeting in the previous quarter does not in any way translate to no work done on the ground. We do not have time in our hands, as President Ramaphosa alluded during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) when he said that “The people of South Africa want action, they want solutions and they want government to work for them”. As we fast approach end of term for the 6th Administration; we must dirty our hands and ensure that boots on the ground. We have capable men and women whom moving from the inaugural meeting, looked determined to see objectives of the MUNMEC are achieved. Let’s Grow North West Together Ladies and Gentlemen, by way of reminder; our MUMEC forum is centred around the following keys objectives...[Read more]

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Our roads programme plays a pivotal role in facilitating activities related to maintaining the country’s road networks. Investments in road networks are targeted at ensuring that passengers and freight carriers, which haul almost 80% of South Africa’s freight load, have adequate access to safe roads. In this regard, we are working towards finalising South Africa’s Roads Funding Policy by the end of this financial year. For this financial year we have budgeted R42.6 billion to fund efforts to construct, upgrade and maintain the national and provincial road networks. Allocation to SANRAL is R25.4 billion. Of this budget R15.8 billion is to strengthen and upgrade the national non-toll network. Amongst the SANRAL Mega projects we are continuing with construction of the Moloto Road Corridor, the N2/N3/N7 road-network expansion and N2 Wild Coast projects which include the construction of the two iconic bridges, Msikaba being the highest and Mtentu being the longest bridges in the continent of Africa. We are also in the process to commence with construction...[Read more]

Tuesday, March 07, 2023

The provincial economy is performing at a sub-optimal level. The North West Province has a total real GDP of R231.748 billion. Overall, the provincial economy is expected to register an average annual growth rate of 1.48 per cent from 2021 to 2026. The province contributes 7 per cent of the national population and national economy. In return, the province is entitled to 7 per cent of the nationally collected tax revenue through equitable share in 2023. The greatest contributor to the North West Province economy in 2021 was the Bojanala Platinum District which contributed R98.3 billion, which is reduction from R106.7 billion in 2019. The lowest contributing region is the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District which contributed R19.8 billion in 2021. Overall, the provincial economy is expected to register an average annual growth rate of 1.48 per cent from 2021 to 2026. The province is able to meet its revenue targets mainly because of the joint planning between Provincial Treasury and Departments. Through these collaborations, I am glad to announce announce that our overall revenue...[Read more]

Monday, March 06, 2023

President Cyril Ramphosa cabinet reshuffle announced tonight has given rise also to a change of guard in the national portfolios of Public Works and Transport which affect us. To this end, Public Works and Roads in the province will now report to two new ministers following the resignation of former Transport minister, Fikile Mbalula and the redeployment to Department of Tourism of Minister Patricia de Lille, formerly Public Works. Our new Minister for Public Works and Infrastructure is former KwaZulu Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala while the Transport Minister is Sindisiwe Chikunga, previously deputy minister in the same portfolio. Some of the notable changes are Mr Paul Mashatile, now new Deputy Presidentand the much anticipated appointment of Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa,  as Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity. The Minister in the Presidency for Electricity will liaise with other relevant Ministers to ensure coherence in the issuing of other directions during the national state of disaster....[Read more] [Cabinet Reshuffle]