Pretoria - A four-day Cabinet Lekgotla, which will discuss and review government's socio-economic development policies and programmes, is underway in Pretoria.
President Jacob Zuma and his Deputy Cyril Ramaphosa are co-chairing the meeting which will be attended by ministers, their deputies, heads of government departments and state-owned enterprises.
Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe, said the quarterly meeting will see President Zuma making an overall strategic input that will set the tone of government going forward.
Economy
Finance Minister Pravin Gordon will also make a presentation of the global domestic micro economy and fiscal situation.
The economy has not been performing well in recent months with results from Statistics SA showing a contraction of 1.2 % in the first quarter.
Nine Point Plan
“We are also going to go into details about implementation of the Nine Point Plan. As you recall in the State of the National Address, in 2015 – the President introduced it and we need to see where we are right now and accelerate it towards 2019,” Minister Radebe told the media on the side-lines of the meeting on Tuesday.
On a more positive note, government leaders are also expected to use the meeting to see how to leverage the recent ranking of South Africa as Africa's largest economy after toppling Nigeria.
Another major agenda item will be the full report on the national infrastructure programme and its implementation, the implementation of the Medium Strategic Framework and the reforms of the state owned companies, said Minister Radebe.
Tertiary education
The funding of tertiary education will also be discussed. This, as students from various tertiary institutions have threatened to strike if the 2017 fees are increased.
“The issue of education as you know is our apex of priorities. We’re going to be dealing with this matter, as Minister (Blade) Nzimande highlighted yesterday that we’re going to give time to this consultation process,” added Minister Radebe.
Marikana
Meanwhile, asked to comment on the Marikana tragedy commemoration, Minister Radebe said the day remains sad in the history of the country.
“It is a sad day and we remember especially the families of the bereaved. As government we initiated the Farlam Commission of Inquiry which made recommendations. We are at the stage where all the recommendations are with Judge Farlam,” said Minister Radebe.
Among the recommendations was the strengthening of SAPS public order capabilities and address training gaps. A committee has been set up to advise the Ministry of Police in this light.
National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega, who has been widely criticised partly over the handling of the incident, has been suspended while a legal process is underway.
Today marks four years since 34 mineworkers were shot and killed on August 16 2012 by police during a wildcat strike at Lonmin’s mine on the platinum belt.
Since the tragedy in 2012 - commemorations have been arranged and held by other organisations, including the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, which will be attended by political parties. - SAnews.gov.za
