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20 February 2009

Programme director
Mayor of Ilembe District, Cllr Welcome Mdabe
Head of Department, Dr F B Madlopha
Mayor of KwaDukuza Municipality Cllr Thulani Khuluse
Traditional Leaders
Senior management of the department and Ilembe
Municipality
Councilors
Distinguished guests, I great you all

Today is indeed a very important day as have come here as the department to report back to you about the progress and achievements in terms of delivering services. The Department of Public Works is entrusted with the responsibility of constructing government buildings and management of government properties.

Therefore it is crucial for us to give feedback about our successes in terms of delivering on our mandate. Today we pride ourselves as the department that we have successfully implemented government programmes as expected. The government has committed itself to upliftment of all communities especially the previously disadvantaged communities.

This can be achieved through robust infrastructure delivery. The infrastructure forms the foundation for economic growth and development. Adequate infrastructure delivery is a crucial incentive for investment. Therefore our Department plays a very strategic role for the development of our country.

There is more commitment to excellent service among the staff and the focus has shifted to end users. We ensure adherence to Batho Pele principles. The people must come first. We hold a view that people have a right to be served in a dignified manner.

The department has introduced various programmes and policies which are aimed at improving our service delivery. To make a meaningful contribution in terms of development of our communities, the department has responded by ensuring proper implementation of national initiatives. For instance with regards to Expanded Public Works Programmes (EPWP), the department has managed to meet its target. Many families have benefited from
EPWP defined projects. This is achieved mainly by ensuring that local people are prioritised when there are projects in their areas. In the financial year
2007/08 the department had a target of 16000 jobs the total number of jobs actually created is 17499.

The National Youth Service (NYS) programme which is also under EPWP has also been successfully implemented. This programme is aimed at providing construction related skills, mainly plastering and bricklaying to our youth. The youth receive theoretical training for six months while receiving a stipend of R600 and practical training under a well established contractor for six months and receive a stipend for R1 000. Currently there are 178 learners undergoing classroom training. Even here at Ilembe we have learners who have benefited.

The department has also initiated a programme called Masakhe Emerging Contractor
Development Programme (ECDP) which provides support to emerging contractors so that they progress to high grades. With this programme emerging contractors stand a better chance to secure tenders as they fall within the same grade.
This programme responds directly to the issue of Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) as the PPG groups are prioritised. Entering the construction industry has been made even easier as the Department has facilitated establishment of Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) offices in Mayville, Durban. This center supports contractor development by growing contractor capacity, promoting equity, encouraging continuity and improving industry standards.

Our department has also formed contractor forums in all districts. These forums are used as platform for constructive engagements and enhanced consultation. Issues pertaining to construction industry are discussed and inputs are made regarding the partnership between the Department and contractors.

Another programme called “Izandla Ziyagezana”. In this programme all vacant sites will be cleared using local unemployed youth. This is a poverty alleviation and labour intensive programme. This programme has been launched in Harmmersdale, Portshepstone, Margate and Ezakheni. Through this programme many families will be able to put ends meat on their tables.

The above programmes have brought the department closer to the people. In the light of the above I would like to highlight just a few projects which have been delivered within Ilembe district. The province has experienced severe natural disasters which caused serious damages to government properties mainly schools.

The Department of Public Works intervened and repaired those schools. Those schools involve the following Ndwedwe local municipality.
1. Dalibo Primary School
2. Nkumbeni Primary school
3. Mzingezwi Secondary School
4. Isifisosethu Secondary School
5. KwaJessop Primary School
6. Sigedleni Primary School
7. Gasela Primary School
8. Sotobe High School
9. Ngungwini High School
10. Montobelo Primary School
11. Nombika High School
12. Intaphuka Primary School
13. Mqedi Primary School
14. Magongolo Juniuor Primary School
15. Siqondokuhle Junior Primary School
16. Mashiza Primary School
17. Ntathakusa Primary School
18. Qalakahle High School
19. Bhidakhona Primary School
20. Imbuyiselo Secondary School
21. Manzamholphe Primary School
22. Qalimfundo Primary School
23. Manzamhlophe Primary School
24. Egweni Primary School
25. Esundumbili Primary School
26. Ntendeni Primary School

Maphumulo local municipality
1. Mbhekaphansi High School
2. Isibanisezwe Secondary School
3. Lusizolwethu Juniour Primary
4. Ekhatha Primary School

KwaDukuza Municipality
1. Shekembula High School
2. Nonhlevu High School
3. Groutville High School
4. Stanger South Secondary School
5. Etete Primar School
6. Ndulinde Primary School

Ndondakusuka / Mandini Municipalty
1. Ethel Mthiyane Secondary School

Apart from repairs and renovations the Department has also engaged in the following projects.

Institution: KwaNyuswa Clinic (Ndwedwe)
Project: Additions

Institution: Maphumulo Resource Centre (Maphumulo)
Project: Roof, ceiling and floor covering

Institution: Thafamasi Clinic (Ndwedwe)
Project: Additions

Institution: Umphumulo Hospital (Maphumulo)
Project: New nurses' room, new roadway, casualty, accommodation and three doctors' houses

Institution: Stanger Hospital (KwaDukuza)
Project: Male and Female wards, laundry and extension to security office

Institution: Otimati Clinic (Maphumulo)
Project: Replace existing clinic

Institution: Ezindlovini Primary School (Ndwedwe)
Project: Five new classrooms, toilets, roadway and walkways

Institution: Nondenisa High School (Ndwedwe)
Project: Three classrooms, toilets, specialist R M and Admin block.

Institution: Vukile High School (Maphumulo)
Project: Three classrooms and admin block

Institution: Sisebenzile High School (Ndwedwe)
Project: Toilets

Institution: Maqumbi Clinic (Maphumulo)
Project: Additions

Institution: Faku Primary School
Project: Three Classrooms and two Toilets

Institution: Chibini Clinic
Project: Upgrade roadwork and water supply

Institution: Nophungulwana Primary School (Maphumulo)
Project: Four classrooms, eight toilets and two water tanks

Institution: Hlonono Secondary school (Maphumulo)
Project: FOUR classrooms, science lab and admin

Institution: Hluphizwe Primary School (Maphumulo)
Project: Four classrooms, eight toilets and three water tanks

Institution: Dludla Primary School (Maphumulo)
Project: 20 Toilets

Institution: Oqaqeni Clinic (Maphumulo)
Project: Additions

Institution: Montobello Hospital
Project: Additions

Therefore with those words I wish to encourage you to ensure that you protect government properties in your communities. These are your properties. “Phansi
nokucekelwa phansi kwezakhiwo zikahulumeni phansi” You must support the government by using the infrastructure responsibly. We should be patriotic and progressive so that the future generations will also benefit from these properti “Phambili nentuthuko phambili”

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Public Works, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
20 February 2009
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za/)