As a province we take pride in having hosted such prestigious interactions which brought together a variety of stakeholders in order to ensure quality service delivery to the people.
During the programme that took place in the Chris Hani district, at the Emalahleni Local Municipality, some of the issues raised were of national competence, some were provincial but some belonged to the local municipality. This is the first time that this important House has made such follow-ups to demonstrate interest in people. It brought together various spheres of government and talked to issues of co-operative governance in action.
The Emalahleni Local Municipality had areas that they responded to as a local municipality, but they had limitations that included resources. What we appreciate, however, is that they had some initiatives. The Bhengu multipurpose centre is a case in point. Owing to budgetary constraints, the Chris Hani District Municipality had also not moved that much in addressing areas that are in their competence. However, they did raise some concerns on areas like unfunded mandates, local equitable share and intergovernmental relations.
With regard to health care and specifically the Glen Grey hospital and the Philani Clinic, district maintenance teams stepped in to assist with water. In some cases the ruralism of the province contributes to the distances being a challenge. Incentivising rural employees and the definition of "rural" also need to be addressed.
On the issue of education, the MEC declared that the R981 million that is afforded to this department was not sufficient. For example, in the case of the Freemantle Boys High School, where so much has happened, the department has allocated some funds for the school, but it is still not enough. The same goes for the primary and secondary schools that were visited by the team from the NCOP.
The departments of social development, housing, local government, safety and liaison, as led by the premier, also had some issues they responded to that were about the competence of the province. But we must note that with regard to the responses, the national departments had not responded sufficiently and effectively.
The Emalahleni Local Municipality is in an area which is supposed to be doing coal mining. Therefore the feeling in the province is that national departments have to assist that area in order to ensure its success.
It should be borne in mind that the area visited in the Chris Hani District is representative of the broader Eastern Cape areas like Cacadu, Ukhahlamba, O R Tambo and Alfred Nzo. This area has a high rate of unemployment and is also drought-stricken. People who reside there survive by farming and a shortage of water is therefore a life-threatening issue. This area needs vigorous programmes to deal with the effects of climate change.
The NCOP programme has assisted in highlighting the plight of other areas in the province. Seventy per cent of the province is rural, poverty- stricken and offers no job opportunities. The NCOP still has to go back to such areas for a variety of responses and work with the province and districts on issues of co-operative governance. The key thing for us now is to work on substantial issues that were raised, upon which our efforts as the ruling party will be judged.
The communication between the various spheres of government has also been highlighted. Other issues that have been raised by both the premier and the executive mayor include the backlog in electricity supply. Infrastructural challenges generally impact on service delivery across departments. Budgetary issues need the influence of all members, especially when it comes to the province's department of safety and liaison, which has a minimal budget.
Once more, the Eastern Cape provincial legislature greatly appreciates the initiative by the NCOP and hopes that we have more programmes like these in all areas in our country. The Eastern Cape supports the report. Thank you. [Applause.]