1. PROJECT MANAGER

FIVE YEAR PERFOMANCE BASED CONTRACT

REMUNERATION BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE  

REQUIREMENTS:

 Tertiary qualification in Built Environment, Civil Engineering or Project Management, Minimum 5 years experience in Project Management, At least ten years experience in a building/construction.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

Project Management (advanced):  Ms Projects, Configuration control principles, statistical techniques in quality control, short technical courses/seminars:  problem solving, conflict management, interpersonal skills, presentation skills, written communication.

 KEY PERFROMANCE AREAS:

-  Management capital projects within the municipality, – Contract Management for budgets exceeding R100m,

- Implementation of council resolutions and monitoring thereof, – Compliance with government regulations,

- Governance and administration; – Supervising PMU Technicians.

 Closing date: 03 September 2010

All queries should be directed to Ms V Makholwa at 039 254 5000.  No late and faxed applications will be accepted.

NB:  The municipality is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, the provisions of the employment equity act will be taken into consideration in filling advertised post, it is our intention to promote representivity in respect of race, gender and disability, in support of these strategy special groups should indicate their category on the application letter.  Applicants must indicate the media where the advert was.  When the applicant has not been notified of the results within 30 days from closing date, the applicant should regard his/her application as unsuccessful; correspondence will be with short listed candidates only.  The council reserves the right not to continue with interviews and appointments if it that feels no suitable candidate could be found.  Appointment is subject to appropriate security clearance, a competency assessment as well as reference and qualification checks.

 Applications should be sent to:

The Municipal Manager, Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Erf 1400 Ntsizwa Street, P/Bag X 511, Mt Ayliff, 4735 or

E-mail motivation with detailed CV to recruitment@andm.gov.za

_______________________

M MOYO

MUNICIPAL MANAGER   

GOVERNMENT BRINGING SERVICES CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE

Thozama Msongelwa’s 27 year long wait for an identity document came to a sweet end when government brought services closer to the people of Mqhokweni village last week.

Thozama has waited for this moment for years; she struggled to get her identity document as she was staying with her grandmother Christina Ngcezu after her parents passed away in her teen years.

Christina was elated, when she expressed how she felt when an application for her granddaughter’s citizenry was completed by Home Affairs official on site without any glitches. The 27 year old Thozama is now married and she has been struggling to get married in the court of law and to access social grants for her kids as she had no identity document.

The overjoyed two were part of Mqhokweni community and neighbouring villages like Sithinteni who converged in this scenic mountainous rural village in the outskirts of Mount Frere to receive services during Mayoral/EXCO Outreach done by Alfred Nzo District Municipality and Umzimvubu Local Municipality as part of Government Public Participation Programme.

 Addressing the community, Mayor of Umzimvubu Local Municipality, Bulelwa Mabhengu assured communities that government will pull all necessary stops to bring services to people regardless of where they live.

Meanwhile the stalemate between the Department of Education and the community of this village was resolved amicable as the three classroom block that was abandoned at foundation phase 10 years ago was unblocked on the day.  

Malusi Sobikela who is the Director of the Department of Education in the Mount Frere Mega District informed the community that construction of the  three classroom block will resume very soon as the department  has allocated R100 000 for the completion of the building.

He further assured community that the process will be monitored to prevent the repeat of misappropriation of funds as experienced before.

The long walk to neighbouring school for children of this village will soon be thing of the past. Community thanked government for bringing services to them and these sentiments were also echoed by 87 and 79 year old Mazulu Ethel and Mahlombe Ngcezu respectively. The two sisters applauded the outreach and indicated that they have never experienced a programme like this in the area in their life time and they feel rejuvenated and healthy again as they have received services from health officials on site.  

 The Public Participation Outreaches are aimed at bringing services to the people and also to unblock service delivery challenges. Government departments who were part of the outreach where they provided information, services  and on site assistance  include SASSA, SEDA, Social Development, Safety and Liaison, Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Umzimvubu Local Municipality, Government Communication and Information System, Home Affairs, Agriculture, Public Works, Education and the Department of Health.

 RESOURCE THE OBJECTIVE OF CLEAN AUDIT OUTCOMES IN 2011.

In persuit of these goals, a budget of R28.86 million of which R18m services MIG misallocation has been set aside while R9.28 million goes to service By-law enforcement, organizational review and development. Skills audit and development, performance management and integrated records management systems.

We have to deliberately build and strengthen an active citizenship participation to heighten leadership accountability.R4.2 million has been allocated to resource public participation structures and programs so that service delivery becomes a dialogue with the community.

Madam Speaker, the WSDP that covers 2008/2009 to 2012/2013 financial years has been developed and has to be continuously improved as a reliable water services resource strategy. Therefore building strong institutional systems for water conservation and demand management has become the destination of choice. Water conservation management has to be enhanced by escalating the installation of automated meter systems, adequate customer care, integrated asset infrastructure management to measure the cubic meters of water we render and account for the non metered revenue. We have set aside R 63.97million to deal with waste water and water treatment works, emergency water and host of issues above.

Madam Speaker, the green and blue drop has become a serious strategic matter to attend to. Water quality monitoring and waste water monitoring, surveillance of communicable diseases, health and hygiene dominate the policy landscape as priorities. We have allocated R5.9 million in that regard while R87m has been a necessary intervention allocated to bulk sewer connection in peri urban areas over the three year horizon.

We have to strengthen the disaster and Fire Rescue Services capacity to have adequate capability to pre-empt damage and loss of life and property in disaster or fire outbreak situations and reduce the vulnerability. Thus R11m shall go a long way to address the installation of Fire hydrants, drought relief, response, recovery and rehabilitation.

The major difference of our capital budget goes to financing the capital works in water provisioning and bulk urban and rural sanitation to achieve the universal access as per the MDG goals.

Madam Speaker, indicators to the performance of the local economy depict an economy reliant on community services on the main. The R5.64m must resource a robust SMME and Tourism development guided by the aggressive spatial planning services that dislodges the current claims and makes land available. In the same vein the review and implementation of the District Growth and Development summit outcomes remains relevant.       

Finally, Madam Speaker mindful of the unresolved wage curve negotiation at the Bargaining Council we have made the following provisions:

10% increase for permanent employees

8% increase for contract employees

8% increase for councilors

What remains critical beyond the adoption of this budget is monitoring and reporting on its implementation.

“The cleanest town without waste is the Ant-hill “ green architectural engineering

I thank you

ALFRED NZO DISTRICT MASSIVE FOOD PRODUCTION YIELDS POSITIVE SPIN-OFFS

By Ayanda Giyose and Ndabuko Masumpa

Government’s commitment to expand food security, land reform and agricultural support programmes was realized by communities of Alfred Nzo District Municipality during massive food harvesting festival held at Saphunduku village in Mount Ayliff.

Farmers came in droves from across the district to witness the harvest festivities that marked the end of another successful season. This successful season confirmed that the district has a huge potential on agricultural development if necessary investment and support is provided.

 The Saphukanduku Maize production is among the best harvest in the country as they have managed to get 6, 5 tons per hectare in comparison to the national average of 4, 5 tons per hectare.

On the day of the harvest 200 tons had already been sold to P.S.P Investment in Kokstad and 1290 tons will be shared among the community members of Saphukanduku village.

The village has strong competitive advantages in agriculture, sheep farming, and currently there is Nguni cattle project, Siyazondla homestead project that are running as part of wider developmental initiatives done by various stakeholders in the area. The success has not only been realized on crop production, live stock has also thrived, as there are currently 3311 sheep and 15 Nguni cattle which form part of the broader initiative.

  Eastern Cape, MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mbulelo Sogoni told the community that the department is prepared to go an extra mile in assisting the community initiative if they are still united and focused on the objectives of the project.

 Meanwhile the chairperson of the project, Mcebisi Mqulwana said that as the community they are more than prepared to push the initiative to be among the best in the country, as they see that the project has sustained the community and has broken through the barriers of poverty.  

The Saphukanduku initiative is one of the many that are scattered across the district in areas like Lutateni, Dangwana, Ncome, Ongeluksnek, Mafube, and Mandileni which are supported by multi-sectoral stakeholders like AsgiSA-EC, Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Umzimvubu , Matatiele and the Department of  Agriculture.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER  for Alfred Nzo Development Agency  (ANDA)

Alfred Nzo Development Agency (ANDA) is a municipal entity wholly owned by the Alfred Nzo District Municipality. The Agency (ANDA) is mandated to carry out the promotion and implementation of local economic development initiatives and investment and trade promotion on behalf of the District Municipality.

 An exciting opportunity exists at the agency and the successful candidate will report directly to the Board of Directors. A competitive remuneration package will be offered. This contract position will be for a period of 5 years.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

• To provide strategic leadership in line with the legislative mandate and to oversee the management and administration of the Alfred Nzo Development Agency (ANDA) in order to deliver sustainable, co-ordinated and integrated economic development, rural development and trade and investment promotion services. As an Executive Director of ANDA reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer will be in charge of overall strategic, operational and financial management thus ensuring compliance with all relevant requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To drive and oversee the implementation of ANDA’s strategy
• Overall organizational management
• Act as an initiator of rural economic development policies/programs that will result in unlocking the value and potential of the Alfred Nzo region through the regular identification, investigation and evaluation of new development and business opportunities locally, regionally and internationally
• Oversee the design, marketing, promotion and delivery of quality programmes, products and services for ANDA
• Ensure to the long term financial viability and sustainability of ANDA
• Maintain and develop organizational culture, values and reputation in the industry/field;
• Internal Audit and Risk management
• Develop ANDA to be a centre of excellence for Economic, Business and Sector Intelligence
• Provide efficient and effective support to the ANDA Board of Directors

·To develop and implement an Information and Research repository

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Post Graduate qualification in commerce, geography or business
• Strategic Leader with business acumen
• At least 7 years strategic management experience in a multidisciplinary environment, preferably within the Economic Development sector ;
• Strong financial and analytical skills
• Understanding of local government environment;
• Understanding of economic development issues;
• Understanding of corporate governance principles
• Project Management knowledge and experience
• Must have good communication, networking and negotiation skills, is pro-active, results driven and a team player.
• Computer literacy

Closing date: 12 July 2010

All enquiries should be directed to V Makholwa at 039 254 5000

 No faxed or emailed applications will be accepted.

NB: The agency is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, the provisions of the employment equity act will be taken into consideration in filling advertised post, it is our intention to promote representativity in respect of race, gender and disability, in support of these strategy special groups should indicate their category on the application letter. Applicants must indicate the media where the advert was. When the applicant has not been unsuccessful; correspondence will be with shortlisted candidates only.

 The agency reserves the right not to continue with interviews and appointments if it that feels no suitable candidate could be found. Appointment is subject to appropriate security clearance, a competency assessment as well as reference and qualification checks.

 Application letters must be accompanied by a comprehensive CV and certified copies of certificates. Kindly direct all the application to, The Municipal Manager: Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Erf 1400 Ntsizwa Street, P/Bag x 511, Mt Ayliff, 4735.

Tariffs of Charges

Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 75(a) of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No. 32 of 2000), read with section 10(g) of Local Government Transition Act (Act No. 209 of 1993), that the Alfred Nzo District Municipality at its meeting held on 31 May 2010 resolved to amend and substitute certain of its tariffs, which charges come into operation on 01 July 2010.

A copy of resolution and tariff of charges is available for public inspection in all municipal and disaster offices i.e. Mount Frere office, Mount Ayliff office, Cedarville office, Matatiele office, Maluti office

Any person wishing to object to the said tariffs may do so in writing within 14 days after the date on which this Notice is first displayed in the newspaper. The date of this notice was first displayed on Municipal Notice Board on 09 June 2010.

M. Moyo

Municipal Manager

NEW TARIFFS

THE STATE OF THE DISTRICT ADDRESS BY EXECUTIVE MAYOR GG MPUMZA

Madam Speaker

Honorable Councilors

Honorable Members of Parliament and Legislature

Mayors and Speaker from Local Municipalities

Mayors and Speakers from Sister Municipalities

Distinguished Guests

Senior Management and Secretariat

Comrades and Compatriots

The greatest gift to give to communities is infrastructure as long term investment but any person/institution or organization that risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing and becomes nothing.

Good Governance and Public Participation

Madam Speaker, the ANC local government election manifesto of 2006 committed the crop of councilors to strengthen local government to make it work better in speeding service delivery. The medium term strategic priorities of government had identified the central role for local government in achieving the goals and targets for universal access to basic services.

Political leadership and oversight has not been that robust and the municipality is emerging from the six month period under section 139 in the year 2009 arising from a financial distress position. Since then a range of policies to create an effective control environment have been developed and leadership and accountability has become business of the institution.

We have ensured that the adjusted budget in January has been adopted to address the Turnaround Plan as we were emerging from the six month section 139 period. The annual report and IDP/Budget process has gone well with full stakeholder participation leading to drafts adoption in March.

Madam Speaker as we strive to create systems to manage petitions or community concerns different forums have been established to allow public discourse in the form of IDP/Budget Representative, Mayoral/Council Imbizo, Annual Open Day Council and Alfred Nzo Memorial Lecture.

Strategic Partners

The Alfred Nzo District Municipality guided by the theme “Strengthening partnerships for growth and development” has forged partners with the following institutions:

• The Development Bank of Southern Africa along funding and institutional development.
• Independent Development Trust assisting with nodal project conceptualization
• Austrian Development Agency funded community capacity building.
• Swedish Ostersund Municipality a twining arrangement.

Institutional Systemic Issues

The audit outcomes have over the last three financial years indicted us with disclaimer to adverse on weak environmental controls. In response thereof leadership and oversight has been jacked up and the ICT strategy and policy coupled with intense user training  developed.

The ICT systems Samras, Dimms and VIP have been activated to their functional capacity to maximize their service delivery benefit and minimize their related potential risks.

Capacity Building and Institutional Transformation

We have developed the delegation framework policy to delegate power and authority to various structures of council that is political and management. In the same vein the individual performance management system for the senior and middle management is being put into full practice.

Madam Speaker, the municipality has developed the skills plan to sharpen the political and administrative managerial capacities to raise the level of performance. Councilors and officials have been trained in the following capacity building programs:

• The Logola Municipal Leadership Development – 17 councilors and 4 officials.
• WSU Executive Leadership Development – 4 councilors and 2 officials.
• Fort Hare Executive Leadership Development – 2 councilors
• Fort Hare MPA Program – 2 councilors.
• Swedish Local Democracy and Governance Program – 5 councilors and 1 official.
• King Hintsa IDP/LED NQ Level 4 Leadership Development – 4 councilors
• Public Admin. and MBA Loan Bursaries – 3 councilors
• Wits CMDP Program – 9 officials

Madam Speaker training and development has become synonymous with every developmental task that the municipality engages on to deliver services to the community. Ninety learners have undertaken training and development in the community NSF from the office of the Premier. Twelve officials have undergone training in State Protocol while 3 students have received bursaries to study at tertiary institutions.

The spatial planning services designed to address the urban foot print is severely constrained by land claims on commonage surrounding the urban fringes and the culture of dual urban livelihoods.

Development Planning and Local Economic Development

Honorable members, the spatial planning services to mark the urban foot print in towns is severely constrained by land claims on the commonage surrounding the urban areas. The situation is further compounded by the dual urban livelihoods.  Indicators to economic performance area paint a picture of the local economy heavily reliant on community services that contributes 67,2 % to the Gross Value Add and the second contributor being Trade at 13%. The economic downturn long before the world economic meltdown has hit a nose down with stagnation of the Goat project, Msukeni Development Enterprise and many other LED projects initiated by the municipality. The high vacancy rate and inadequate 5% MIG funding has restricted the building of local economic activity.

However the District Sanitation Program has made substantive interventions by providing job opportunities to dominantly 626 young men and women while the Expanded Public Works Program have absorbed 1 311 unemployed youth. The Community Works Program in partnership with TEBA Development has pushed the frontiers of poverty by creating 2 461 job opportunities through keyhole gardens while the livestock improvement program has reached 2 823 farmers.

In support and assistance to local municipalities together we have launched the clean town wherein 200 young women and men maintain and clean sewerage and storm water mains, grass cutting and landscaping.

Intervention has been made through massive grain production in Wards 9, 12, 20 in the Umzimvubu Local Municipality and Wards 6 and 22 in Matatiele.

The Supply Chain Management policy has to aggressively assist the SMME growth and development to plug the leak in the economy.

Community Development Service

Though inadequate resources have constrained us to move with speed to provide sufficient personnel and equipment to develop adequate pre-disaster mitigating strategies and post- disaster response capacity to reduce to a minimum the high vulnerability to disaster occurrences a measure of achievement has been made with setting up of disaster and Fire rescue satellite services in Mt Frere and Maluti.  We have been able to conduct disaster and fire awareness campaigns to schools and the larger community.

Infrastructure Development and Basic Services

The WSDP that covers 2008/2009 to 2012/20134 financial years has been developed as a roadmap to water services resource strategy.  Madam Speaker, the service providers on the VIP sanitation program have not performed to the satisfaction of the set targets but the review to speed service delivery has been done. We have completely eradicated the bucket system in our towns while alternative breakable toilet on wheels and biogas diversion are being explored so that the unlined toilet model we are implementing is in line with the water regime protocols and eco-friendly livable environments.

Water and electricity are the twin catalyst engines to economic and broader social development agenda. We have persisted to bring Eskom to make the necessary intervention to roll out electricity to schools, households and upgrade the sub-station capacity over the MTEF.

Water Conservation/demand management

Honorable members and esteemed guests, the municipality is currently running and maintaining 95 challenging rural water schemes, 5 regional bulk schemes, 4 water treatment works and 3 waste water treatment works.

Water conservation management has to be enhanced by escalating the installation of automatic meter systems, adequate customer care, integrated asset infrastructure management. In the month of March/April we conducted Council/Mayoral Outreach to specific Wards to raise awareness on water services payments and illegal connections. Water meter installations and billing have been undertaken and non-functional ones are being activated. We have the pleasure to report that Mt Frere meter installations has only two outstanding while its surrounds are infested with heavy illegal connections that weigh heavily on water reticulation to deserving law abiding citizens.

Water Services Provisioning

Madam Speaker, we have since the beginning of the financial year began implementing new water schemes using diverse strategies and technologies that mitigate climate change. Believing that nature is a valuable tool to build sustainable communities, rain water tank harvesting in Ward 14 and cloud or fog harvesting in Cabazana, Ward 1 are the success stories to tell.

We have either launched, turned a sod or handed over the following schemes to better the lives of the people;

• The R65 million Fobane sub-regional water scheme
• The R5 million Tholamela water supply
• The R13 million Nomkholokotho water supply
• The R 43 million Mvenyane water supply
• The R 42 million Ramohlakoena sewerage
• The R 12 million Cerdaville sewerage upgrade
• The R 5 million Caba- Mdeni water supply
• The R4 million Hlane water supply
• The R50 million Maluti/ Matatiele water supply
• The R103 million Kwa Baca regional bulk

These intervention are gradual but surely making a huge dent to reverse high statistical 67 878 households with no access to water in our region. In partnership with Department of Water Affairs and Environment we undertook a bulk infrastructure regional water research study to dam the rivers Kinirha for Matatiele, Mkemane for Mt Frere and Sirhoqobeni for Mt Ayliff. The study points a need for R1,5 billion to create the dams.

Integrated Passenger Transport Plans

Madam Speaker, in line with the vision 2050 Transport Master Plan of the National Department of Transport we have developed the Integrated Transport Plan that has prioritized the following Provincial road network, DR0 17, DR0 12, DR0646 for surfacing. Guided by the philosophy that  “Transport is the heart of the economy” connectivity shall be increased with such road infrastructure upgrade and the informal transport economy, the taxi shall continue to dominate the transport mode.

Moving Forward

The Municipal Turnaround Strategy shall as we move towards 2011 elections address the following:

• Provide adequate skills capacity in financial management
• Enhance revenue/debt collection enforcement of the over 120 day R13 million
• Build and enhance the construction plant revenue
• Obtain clean audit outcomes in 2011.
• Build strong institutional systems for water conservation/demand management
• Strengthen the disaster and Fire rescue capacity by installing fire hydrants
• Develop and implement an anti-crime prevention plan.
• The GDS resolutions had called for a forestry summit and preparations have to begin

Madam Speaker, we humble ourselves and doff our hats and aprons to Andile Jali who has risked his talent to the Bafana Bafana, ARE YOU FEELING IT?

Thank you.

ANDM AND ASGISA-EC DEVELOP RURAL AREAS—R7 MILLION PROJECT LAUNCHED

Nokulunga Makholwa was one of hundreds of jobless youth in Alfred Nzo District Municipality, in the Eastern Cape. Feeding her two young children presented a daily challenge. But all that changed for the young 28-year-old, with the rollout of a grain project at Dangwana Village outside Mount Frere.

Makholwa is one of the community members taking part in the rural Grain Production project in Dangwana Village, which is part of the Districts food production programme.

This Grain production projects was launched by MEC Mbulelo Sogoni and MEC Mcebisi Jonas in front of over two hundred people.

The project focuses on the grain production in which ASGISA-EC and ANDM played a major role in assisting.
Makholwa said that before the opportunity arose to work on the project, she used to go to bed at night with an empty stomach. But that is no longer the case.

“I’m now a person just like other people who are able to support their children and sleep with full stomachs, the project has saved my life,” she said.

The rollout of the project was hastened after the district was hit by severe unemployment.
The district decided on the grain production as it can stand the harsh weather conditions in the area.

The project, which was also meant to address the high rate of unemployment within the district, is on a large barren of land made available by the district.

It is run by a project steering committee with the communities making sure that they work themselves in the fields.

During a visit to the actual site, MEC Sogoni encouraged the community to continue with the good work they are doing.

“No one else will work for you in these fields either than your selves. We as government are committed in assisting in any form to make sure that this project does not fail. It is also imperative that you also guard this as it is your livelihood” MEC Sogoni said.

The target group for employment includes women, youth and community members in the villages.

WARD COMMITTES LAUNCHED IN ANDM

The Eastern Cape Department of Transport and Safety has launched a Village Committee to help fight crime in the deep rural areas of the province.

Launching the committee on Wednesday in Mount Ayliff, MEC Ghishma Barry said the committee was made up of a combination of dedicated people from the communities.

“The Village Committee is a broader coalition of traditional leaders, the youth, teachers, parents, the Community Policing Forum (CPF), the police and all those who are dedicated to making the area a safer place,” he said.

He said one of the key areas of the provincial crime prevention strategy was to strengthen the communities fight against crime.

“In realising this key focus area, we have established the Village Committees to work in small areas of our communities.

“We have decided to launch this Village Committees Programme in Mount Ayliff because it is mostly rural and vast, but serviced by one police station, which is based in town,” he said.

While the CPFs are mainly situated at police stations, he said the Village Committees will be placed at the locality level in small areas to make the environment safer through doing patrols and neighbourhood watch working together with the police.

The objectives of the programme are to promote pro-activeness in the fight against crime; ensure the active involvement and participation of youth and community at large in crime prevention initiatives; promote neighbourhood watch.

The committee will help minimise the challenges that continue to confront police stations, especially in rural areas.

“I strongly believe that working together we can defeat crime and reposition the Eastern Cape to become a compelling place to live, work, invest and play in,” the MEC said.

The following projects are being implemented but not yet approved:

Earlier this year, President Jacob Zuma told communities that “Being born in a rural area or the countryside should not condemn people to a life of poverty and underdevelopment,” says.

“Our vision for the development of rural areas arises from the fact that people in the rural areas also have a right to basic necessities.

“They have a right to electricity, water, flush toilets, roads, entertainment and sport centres. They have a right to shopping centres, good schools and other amenities like their compatriots in urban areas,” said the President.

During the 2008/2009 financial year over R120 million was spent by ANDM in water and Sanitation infrastructure.

Some of those projects were the Hlane water supply at a cost of R8.3 million and the R21 million; Mvenyane Water Supply projects.

All these projects have contributed immensely in the economy of the ANDM and resulted in many jobs being created.

The District has spent an R65 million in the construction of VIP toilets in villages within the ANDM. An amount of over R2.2 million was spent in construction of Disaster Management Centres, in Mount Frere and Maluti.