Mbombela – In a week-long budget approval session, the Mpumalanga legislature listened to different Members of the Executive Council (MEC) collectively tabling over R64 billion, a figure they believe would turn things around for the province.
Each department identified key priority service delivery areas to channel their budgets with the hope of significantly improving the livelihoods of 5,1 million residents in the province.
MEC for Department of Education Lindi Masina said her department needs R28,7 billion to improve the education sector in the province. The budget will be split into smaller portions of R1,1 billion for early childhood development, R1,7 billion for school infrastructure, special needs education will be allocated for R520 million, among others.
Masina emphasised that education is a powerful tool for social and economic transformation. “Education is the ultimate equaliser,” she said, quoting former President Nelson Mandela. “We have a moral and societal obligation to change the life of our children for the better.”
The Department of Health will be allocated R19,75 billion spread across eight critical programmes such as district health services worth R11,8 billion, R2,2 billion for central hospital services, R2 billion for provincial hospital services, R1,8 billion aimed at upgrading infrastructure and health facilities, R587,2 million for skills development and training, R576,3 million for emergency medical services and R421,1 million for administrative purposes.
To fight poverty and support families from impoverished backgrounds, the Department of Social Development is allocated R1,87 billion. MEC Nompumelelo Hlophe said the department’s work is focused on creating a “caring and self-reliant society” by tackling poverty, substance abuse, gender-based violence and other social ills.
“This budget reflects our deep commitment to uplifting communities and providing dignity to the poor, vulnerable and marginalised,” said Hlophe, adding that the department continues to partner with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to distribute grants to over 1,6 million beneficiaries in Mpumalanga.
For boosting efforts to fight crime, tackle gender-based violence, improve road safety, and enhance service delivery across the province, the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison asked for just over R1,1 billion.
MEC Khensani Jackie Macie said the funds will also support community policing forums (CPFs), community safety forums (CSFs), and the recruitment of 400 tourist safety monitors.
Of the overall budget, MEC Macie said the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service will be apportioned R120,4 million to oversee SAPS compliance and implement safety education and crime awareness campaigns.
The transport regulation programme received the lion’s share of R866.6 million. The funds will be used for road safety initiatives, traffic law enforcement, and further transfers of vehicle registration and licensing functions from local municipalities to the provincial government.
For the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, MEC Thulasizwe Thomo requested R5,8 billion. The administration is allocated just over R368 million, public works infrastructure needs about R988 million, transport infrastructure around R2,86 billion whereas transport operations needs a little above R1,55 billion and lastly community based programmes over R92 million.
As part of its commitment to job creation and economic recovery, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism will receive R1,32 billion. This funding is expected to empower entrepreneurs, expand tourism infrastructure, and create sustainable employment opportunities especially in communities that rely heavily on tourism and local economic initiatives.
MEC Jesta Sidell said the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) will play a key role in promoting tourism development and upgrading tourism in Mpumalanga. A total of R981,7 million, or 74% of the department’s budget, will be transferred to public entities and development projects.
The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs has been allocated R1,62 billion for agricultural producer support and development, sustainable resource management, environmental affairs, agricultural economics services and structured agricultural education and training among others.
For boosting human settlements, administration, cooperative governance, traditional institutional development, house of traditional leaders across the province, a total of R2,36 billion was allocated to the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs.
The Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation received an allocation of just over R812 million to boost cultural activities, library services, sports development and infrastructure upgrades across the province.
For effective budgeting, rigorous expenditure monitoring and transparency from the various provincial departments, the Provincial Treasury is allocated just over R647 million to ensure sound public finance management. The Provincial Treasury said it will monitor the effectiveness of oversight structures and provide support to ensure all these departments fulfil their oversight mandate.
