ARBOR PARK – The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury Pre-Budget Meeting was held at Blackrock Casino on November 1.
Nelly Shezi, Department Director of General Fiscal Resource Management was the Programme Director.
“The Provincial Treasury is here to listen to the community of Newcastle. We are interested in economic development because it is important for businesses to grow economically and we need them to partner with government so that there is meaningful development in our country,” said Ms Shezi.
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She explained the purpose of the event was for the Department of Finance to engage with communities at various levels, before and after the provincial budget is tabled in March 2017, to try and get views on how they should manage Provincial Fiscus.
“The platform is in Newcastle today for business fraternities to have a discussion to gain clarity on what we should continue to do, what must be fixed and we will be taking the inputs made here seriously,” said Ms Shezi.
Mayor of Newcastle, Makhosini Nkosi welcomed the guests.
“I am disappointed in the lack of black business owners present here today. We need to get them more involved so we can focus on township business development as well, and it must be noted for future meetings,” he said.
Cllr Nkosi said the initiative would give residents a better idea of how funds would be appropriated. He encouraged businesses to contribute to the economy and to help stimulate business development.
Rector of Majuba TVET College, Sanele Mlotshwa, discussed student placement and public partnerships.
He appealed to Provincial Treasury to help students to help gain exposure and experience.
“Majuba College is the key driver of skills development in the Amajuba, Umzinyathi and Tugela district municipalities. Majuba has implemented a dedicated Work Integrated Learning Unit for the placements of graduates within the private and public sectors in 2014. One key strategy objective is to strengthen private and public partnerships,” said Mr Mlotshwa.
He explained partnering with private and public sectors was crucial to the successful placement of graduates and lecturers.
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“Work integrated learning must be seen as essential for aligning the TVET system with industry, and to improve students’ employment prospects. Expanding work integrated learning is therefore in the interest of the State, the economy, TVET institutions and students,” he said.
The expansion of work integrated learning depended on a mindset change.He stated “Majuba is constantly striving to enhance skills for employment growth.”
Ms Shezi concurred that the placement of lecturers and teachers in industry, and not just students, was a groundbreaking initiative, because by educating educators on modern technologies, industry needs would be met. “As Treasury we need to learn from you and expose some of your lecturers to what we do.”
Absa Provincial Managing Executive, Faisal Mkhize, was inspired by Majuba TVET College’s level of leadership and commitment of staff in ensuring students were prepared for the labour market and were equipped with life-skills they would not receive at an ordinary college.
“We are living in difficult times where there are a number of people who want to have access to an education, but due to a lack of funds and resources don’t end up in the process, and they need to be helped. It is on the basis of these principles that Absa Bank promotes the shared initiative to ensure they can contribute to development,” said Mr Mkhize.
He said the country was in a small crisis due to global economy but it should be borne in mind that democratic principles made South Africa a great country.
Simiso Magagula, Provincial Treasury Head concluded the proceedings.
“Provincial Treasury has an excellent financial management programme. We already have students we fund. We are now accredited as an institution to do articles for chartered accountants, so placing students with us is a good move,” he said.
He was glad that his call to Absa was heard for this endeavour and was proud of the newly launched programme with Absa to train municipal officials free of charge.
“This is democracy at its best! When you develop a budget for a province, it is easy to lose sight of important things. We must remember, the budget is for all of us, and when we share how it is crafted it becomes a people’s budget.”
He also referred to financial issues within KZN, such as the drought, the lack of basic educational needs, poor infrastructure of borders between the countries around the province and wrongful allocation of funds.
“Salaries of public servants have grown way too fast. There is nothing wrong when salaries increase, but the rise must be equivalent to productivity. By overpaying public servant salaries we are crowding out other productive investments and this cannot be!” said Mr Magagula.
He emphasised everybody should pay for higher education. “If you compare KZN to other provinces in terms of funding per learner, we are way below the national norm and we have to increase it,” concluded Mr Magagula.
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