Zille prioritises skills, efficiency
2013-03-22 14:38
Johannesburg - Western Cape Premier Helen Zille presented
her department's budget on Friday, in which she prioritised developing skills
and improving efficiency in provincial government.
Zille told the provincial legislature the department of
the premier would work hard to ensure the National Development Plan (NDP)
works.
The department received a 14.15% increase in its budget,
taking it to R853.8m in 2013/2014.
Zille's department is divided into five programmes -
executive and administrative support, province-wide strategic management, human
capital, the centre for e-innovation, and corporate assurance.
Zille said the provincial government realised the need
for a co-ordinated international strategy.
"We will be introducing our new international
relations strategy soon, which will focus on strengthening our strategic
partnerships with our traditional markets and new countries, in particular, the
Brics [Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa group of countries] and
emerging markets in Africa," she said.
One of the key strategies for the department was to make
the Western Cape the green economy hub of Africa.
The province would also have a human rights strategy.
"An issue that is extremely important to me is
ensuring that people living with disabilities are not discriminated against and
are provided with the opportunities needed to live fulfilling lives that they
value," she said.
The focus would be to help disabled people with education
and employment.
Another programme that would be boosted was the Provincial
Training Institute (PTI).
During the previous financial year, 6 449 employees
participated in training programmes at the PTI in Kromme Rhee, which was an
increase of nearly 2 000 employees from 2011/2012 figures.
A total of 3 448 officials have completed training on
anti-corruption, delivered on an e-learning platform. The Centre for
e-Innovation, which is responsible for implementing the provincial ICT delivery
plan, had been allocated R482.2m, an increase of R62.4m.
"Our government will continue building and
maintaining Cape Access e-community centres, which provide computer and
internet facilities in disadvantaged areas," she said.
Seven new centres would be built during 2013/2014 in
Bredasdorp, Grabouw, Plettenberg Bay (two centres), Worcester, Hawston, and
Mossel Bay.
"Like the NDP, we recognise the critical importance
of a competent, qualified, non-partisan public service that is not subjected to
political patronage," she said.
- SAPA
