The Provincial Cabinet met on 21 June 2006 and had very fruitful deliberations on a number of issues, some of the more important being:-

Cabinet expressed its satisfaction with the entire month-long programme so far in the 30th commemoration of June 16 1976. We believe that there is significant evidence of hard, tangible, real delivery aimed at the youth. We congratulated the various departments for the biggest interventions in skills development (bursaries and learnerships) and the roll out of the most comprehensive campaign against drugs in the Cape (a detox centre, training of volunteers, etc).

In addition, the commemorations have been very successful on June 16 itself. In Langa, 16000 young people attended the Rally. Cabinet expressed its unhappiness with the actions of some SATAWU members in attempting to disrupt the rally and harm the speakers. Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the Police, Bambanani and Private Security for their effective, yet humane way in dealing with the disruption. Cabinet expressed the hope that the criminal justice system will now take its course in dealing with the 14 people arrested on the day.

But cabinet was also happy that Cosatu (Western Cape) through its secretary, Mr Tony Ehrenreich, had apologized unreservedly to the Premier and Minister Manuel for what happened, and expressed the hope that no one was injured. Cabinet sincerely appreciated this gesture [letter attached].

Cabinet deliberated for some time, in preparing for the National Cabinet Lekgotla in July 2006, where we would need to give further flesh to our Asgisa Cape Flats Renewal Programme. Cabinet reiterated its belief that by 2010 the Western Cape could be growing in GDP by 6-8% if we all work together.

Cabinet agreed that the key to this growth has to be a solution to Public Transport. Cabinet then restated that the start to unlocking the public transport and traffic gridlock is the need to begin working on our central public transport footprint, the Klipfontein Corridor. Around this, bus, taxi, train and private transport would need to be reconfigured. At both ends of this corridor are the concrete economic drivers of the World Cup Stadium and the attendant construction in the hospitality industry, and on the other end the Film City. Already we have seen retail investments (Vangate Mall, the Promenade, the Khayelitsha CBD, etc) and we now begin to have the possibility of an Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) around the Airport. These, and others, constitute some of the key economic growth drivers.

But Asgisa is also about sharing the benefits of growth. Obviously our economic interventions are designed to develop empowerment, create work and ensure other spin offs for entrepeneurship and EPWP, etc. But for the poorest of the poor, the best inpact Asgisa must make on the Cape Flats is to help us with the challenge of Housing. It is for this reason that the Western Cape Government is including Human Settlements and infrastructure such as the sewage substructure in our overall Asgisa Cape Flats Renewal Programme.

Yesterday, Cabinet approved the appointment of a High level manager for Public Transport. Government had specifically gone about recruiting a South African citizen who has been working overseas and giving other countries the benefit of his expertise. He is an expert in devising multi-modal public transport systems, establishing the necessary Public Transport Authorities, and conceptualizing the required infrastructure.

This is part of our scheme to bring back talent and scarce skills that will help us in South Africa, and specifically for the Western Cape, get us ready for World Cup 2010. Because this was only approved by cabinet yesterday, the offer is being made now, and Minister Fransman will announce the name of the person on acceptance of the job.

We are, however, very excited about this appointment given the central role of public transport in unlocking the economic potential of the Province.

Given the difficulties faced by the Clothing and Textile industry in this Province in the form of factory closures and job losses, Cabinet unreservedly congratulates President Mbeki for the agreement with China.

The final product exceeded what we expected and if China implements the agreed upon cutbacks in exports to SA in clothing and textiles, then the province and its industry will have the opportunity not only to recover from job losses and closures, but also to re-engineer the industry to become globally competitive.

The Western Cape government has worked so far with the union (SACTWU) and the industry in managing the difficulty. We look forward to continue this to ensure the implementation and success of the SA-China Agreement.

Following our last cabinet meeting and our decision to ensure that provincial government's procurement of security services should not perpetuate the low level of salaries in the industry, cabinet is now ready to move on this matter.

The first call for tenders will happen in two month's time. This new generation of tenders will begin to ensure a minimum wage for security guards. Minister Lynne Brown has been charged with the responsibility to ensure this across all government departments.

This proves the point that government has never been against the strike, but against the attendant violence and ill-discipline. We hope this action by government will not only ensure a better life for security guards and their families, but also strengthen and stabilize the industry as a major job centre.

Shado Twala
Director: Media & Public Relations
Office of the Premier of the Western Cape
Tel: 021 483 3528
Fax: 021 483 3921
Email: stwala@pgwc.gov.za
www.capegateway.gov.za
Address: Provincial Parliament, Mezzanine Level, Office of the Premier, M7, 7 Wale Street, Cape Town, 8001