Members of executives from across the country’s three spheres of governance have this week gathered in a winter school programme in an effort to improve the performance of the state and promote economic growth.
Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MECs, Mayors, and Members of Mayoral Committees have since Monday been converging in a National School of Government (NSG) Economic Governance School for Members winter school programme. It concludes on Friday.
The innovative Economic Governance School, which was approved by Cabinet for implementation by the NSG, was a seasonal initiative aimed at members of executives and was approved by Cabinet for implementation by the NSG.
The NSG in a statement said: “Like the inaugural Economic Governance Spring School that was held in November 2020, the Winter School is arranged into five sub-themes, one for each of the five days of the programme”.
These are Governance and Economic Growth; Development and the Global and Regional Economy; Fiscal and Monetary Policy Interventions; Building State Institutions as Instruments of Growth; and Leading Inclusive Growth.
“The initial partnership for the design and delivery of the programme involves the NSG, the European Union (EU) and the WITS School of Governance where a depth of expertise is derived,” the school said.
It said participating Members of the Executive would be required to engage with academic literature and case studies on the significance of effective governance in promoting inclusive growth.
“They will be challenged to analyse and reflect on their own decisions in the portfolios they lead and the extent to which these can be characterised as manifestation of effective governance,” reads the statement.
Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu said the programme would enable Members of the Executive across the spheres to “reflect and broaden perspectives on the critical topics as we work towards building a capable, developmental, ethical state and economic recovery”.
The programme was part of several learning engagements that The NSG was implementing in partnership with higher education institutions locally and internationally, targeting elected officials and public sector employees.
In compliance with lockdown Adjusted Alert Level 4 regulations, the Winter School programme was facilitated virtually. Among the 40 participants from the three spheres of government were:
- Patricia De Lille and Noxolo Kiviet, respectively Minister and Deputy Minister for Public Works and Infrastructure.
- Ronald Lamola and Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa, respectively Minister and Deputy Minister for Justice and Correctional Services.
- Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation.
- Sindisiwe Chikunga, Deputy Minister for Public Service and Administration
- Faith Mazibuko, Gauteng MEC for Community Safety.
- Thembisile Nkadimeng, Executive Mayor of Polokwane, and President of SALGA.
- Kenetswe Mosenogi, North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism.
- Mzimkhulu Thebolla, Executive Mayor of Msunduzi Municipality.
- Patrick Mabilo, Executive Mayor of Sol Plaatje Local Municipality together with Members of his Mayoral Committee. – SAnews.gov.za
