Pretoria - The newly appointed Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Des van Rooyen, says he is ready to assume the responsibilities and implement the mandate of the department.
Van Rooyen was announced as the new Cogta Minister on Sunday, 13 December. He briefed the media on Tuesday about his new post.
“As a former ward councillor, member of the mayoral committee, mayor and chairperson of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) in the North West, I fully understand the challenges at local government level and am aware of the challenges facing local government,” said the Minister.
He wished his predecessor, Minister Pravin Gordhan, well in his new portfolio as Finance Minister. Minister Van Rooyen said he understands and supports the decision made by President Zuma with regards to the ministerial appointments. He reiterated his commitment to serving the South African public.
“Our President has placed our country first. I echo President Jacob Zuma's words in saying that as a democratic government, we must constantly listen to our citizenry and respond to their views.”
Minister Van Rooyen said he fully supports and will continue to implement the Back-to-Basics (B2B) approach introduced by Minister Gordhan last year.
B2B is premised on five pillars of putting people first, promoting good governance, sound financial management, building institutional capacity and delivering basic services.
“Over the coming months, as part of the B2B programme, we will intensify our hands on monitoring and support of local government to accelerate service delivery.
“I believe that my experience in local government and the Finance Portfolio Committee and Economic Transformation Cluster as a Whip in the National Assembly will stand me in good stead in implementing the finer points of the Back-to-Basics programme,” said Minister Van Rooyen.
He said the department will continue to support the development and implementation of comprehensive infrastructure and maintenance plans in municipalities.
Dealing with the drought
Minister Van Rooyen said the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has deployed a team to KwaZulu-Natal, which is more severely affected, to assist with mitigating the effects of the drought.
The North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Limpopo and the Western Cape have been declared disaster areas.
Minister Van Rooyen also said preparations are on track for the 2016 local government elections, and government will have a dedicated media briefing on the state of readiness in the new year.
Initiation season
The Minister raised concern regarding challenges experienced in the current season of initiation, which include abductions and kidnappings, and the mushrooming of illegal and unregistered schools.
“To date, the death toll stands at 43, which is totally unacceptable. We are working with various stakeholders across various sectors to ensure that our young men can undergo this rite of passage in a safer manner.
“Cogta has established a hotline where people will be able to report initiation related cases. The number is 0800 111 166,” said the Minister.
He called on parents and guardians to ensure that they send their young men to registered initiation schools that abide by the rules and regulations initiated by the Department of Health. - SAnews.gov.za
