Western Cape Cabinet meeting outcomes

Members of the Cabinet of the Western Cape Government (WCG) met on 24 May, to discuss a number of critical matters:

European Union-Western Cape Government’s strong relations

Ms. Sandra Kramer, the Ambassador of a delegation of the European Union (EU) currently visiting South Africa, was a special guest and was invited by Premier Alan Winde to open proceedings.

Premier Alan Winde said, “We need to engage on issues blocking our potential, especially in the areas of energy, safety and jobs. The EU is a valued partner which is helping to grow our province’s economy and further building on our strategic relationships to attract more investment and to seek out new opportunities.”

Ms Kramer highlighted the critical and healthy relationship the EU enjoys with the WCG and the province’s private sector. She focused on the areas and priorities of joint concern: energy, job creation and safety.

The Ambassador also spoke about the Russia-Ukraine war which is negatively affecting the global order. She pointed out that while the EU respects the South African Government’s policy towards the conflict, Russia’s unprovoked aggression must be condemned. The impact the war is having on the cost-of-living crisis, both domestically and abroad, was noted as a point of concern, particularly the night before a 50 basis points increase by the South Africa Reserve Bank which will further tighten the economic environment significantly.

Ms Kramer emphasised the importance of the EU’s economic relationship with South Africa which has seen 350 000 South Africans employed by nearly 1 000 European companies based in the country. She lauded the valued partnerships developed and nurtured with Western Cape-based entities, such as GreenCape, in helping to drive green energy and economic development in the province.

The Ambassador highlighted as serious concerns the country’s crippling energy crisis, high unemployment, crime and lack of economic growth, but at the same time hailed the resilience and potential of South Africans and the residents of the Western Cape.

Ms Kramer committed to working closer with the WCG to overcome the energy crisis and help in spurring on growth with a focus on enabling jobs.

Western Cape Back on Track Programme

The Cabinet received an update on the Back on Track Programme to reverse learning losses caused by Covid-19 and to improve learning outcomes.
It was noted that the Covid-19 caused unprecedented damage to the education system. The pandemic has passed, but its effects are still being felt.
Cabinet members thanked the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) for the hard work it has done to counter learning losses and encouraged learners, parents and teachers to participate in the programme.

The role teachers, Western Cape Education Department officials of the Department of the Premier’s (DoTP) Centre for E-Innovaiton and E-government for Citizens was also noted.

School admissions

Cabinet encouraged parents and guardians who have not applied for their children to be placed for the 2024 academic year to do so as soon as possible with online late applications now closed. While the online admissions system is now closed for applications, parents can still apply by completing a learner placement form and submitting this at their education district office.

The form is available here: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/documents/WCED%20Admissions/PLACEMENT%20IN%20PROGRESS%20FORM.pdf

Fourth Quarter Performance for the 2022/23 financial year

Provincial Treasury presented the final quarter of 22/23 financial performance to the Cabinet as part of its programme of regularly reporting to ensure resources are focused on the critical deliverables so desperately needed by the province’s citizens. The Premier commended the work being done to ensure that budgets are being run tightly and the province’s finances are well-managed.

Cabinet noted that annual audits are now under way. The Provincial Treasury is working closely with the Auditor-General’s Office “Good governance has become a habit of our government, with funds being used for their intended purpose of ensuring our residents get the critical services that they need,” the Premier told Cabinet.

Loadshedding emergency packs

Cabinet’s approval of the policy approach and criteria for the provision of loadshedding emergency packs was noted. Cabinet supported rolling out the packs as soon as possible.

Five vulnerable groups have been identified as beneficiaries of this measure.

It was noted that the Western Cape Energy Council supported the extensions of the packs to indigent households in multiple municipalities.

Cabinet has resolved not to deviate from its principles in assisting the province’s most vulnerable citizens.

Animal diseases situation

Cabinet noted with deep concern outbreaks of the High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus in South Africa, which have had a marked impact on the poultry sector.

Poultry production is important to the Western Cape’s agricultural industry, and it provides an affordable source of protein.

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) will continue to engage with the South African Poultry Association to ensure that biosecurity measures are heightened.

It was noted that there have also been flare-ups of African Swine Fever in some parts of the province, affecting particularly informal pig farmers. The WCDoA is working with its partners to contain outbreaks and limit the impact and spread.