Independent Development Trust (IDT) 2010/12 Corporate Plan

Meeting report

Election of Acting Chairperson
In accordance with the rules of Parliament, the Committee elected an acting chairperson to stand in for Mr M Sibande (ANC), who had been nominated by the Parliament to be an election observer/monitor in the 2009 Mozambique General Elections.

Briefing by the Independent Development Trust (IDT)
Ms Thembi Mwedamutswu, Chief Executive Officer, IDT, explained the evolution of the IDT from a trust to a fully fledged public entity. Over the years, the IDT had shifted its focus from being a grant making institution to being a programme implementation agency, focusing on development planning, implementation and the coordination of government development programmes. The principal purpose of the IDT was to support and add value to the national development agenda. It did so by deploying its resources in the initiation and delivery of innovative and sustainable development programmes, which made a measurable difference in reducing the levels of poverty and underdevelopment. The strategic direction of the IDT was informed by the national development agenda and the strategic choices in the Corporate Plan reflected an interpretation of the relevance of its mandate to this agenda. The presentation also included an overview of the entity’s strategic vision, key performance indicators and focus areas (See document).

Mr Tom Moir, Chief Financial Officer, IDT, briefed the Committee on the budget projections according to the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) up to 2013. This comprised of the projected income statement, balance sheet and the projected cash flow. He reported that the total budget increase was conservative but in line with adopted guidelines. The income and expenditure summary reflected the funding requirements from Treasury. The presentation also included an analysis of the Mud and Unsafe Structures Programme (See document).

Mr Vukani Mthintso Integrated Service Delivery Executive spoke about the partnerships between the IDT and other stakeholders. The partnerships included the international, civil society partnerships that were directed at mainstreaming women empowerment. Other partnerships were directed at promoting economic, social cohesion and social livelihood.

Discussion
Mr H Groenewald (DA; North West) mentioned that the quality of schools that had been built in the North West was not up to standard. He then asked whether there were any quality control measures that ensured that newly built schools did not fall apart.

Ms Edith Vries, Executive Head: Office of the CEO, replied that the IDT business model was structured to include civil engineers and other professionals to ensure quality control. Despite this, she acknowledged that contractors would sometimes take short cuts and do shoddy work. She cited an example where a school was built in a Gauteng informal settlement and two years later the drainage system was not working and the walls had cracks.

Mr Z Mlenzana (COPE; Eastern Cape) wanted to know about the targets that were set for the Jobs for Growth Campaign. He also enquired whether the IDT was making progress on the mud schools eradication project.

Ms Vries explained that the Jobs for Growth programme was meant to create sustainable livelihoods. The IDT, government departments and other stakeholders were involved from the planning to the implementation phase of this programme. Finally, she admitted that the IDT had a long way to go before there was total eradication (of mud schools) but there was progress.

Ms Mwedamutswu felt strongly that the Jobs for Growth Programme should target the poor rural women. She cited the example of woman who sold fat cakes outside the school premises. The re-introduction of the school feeding scheme disempowered those women and benefited big business through the tendering process.

The Chairperson addressed several issues. Firstly, he referred to the presentation and asked why the Northern Cape was neglected. Secondly, he questioned why the entity continued to rent accommodation when office space could be provided by the Department of Public Works. Thirdly, he asked what progress had been made in the eradication of intergenerational poverty. Fourthly, he enquired about the huge salary component in the budget

Ms Vries replied that the Northern Cape had only contributed 0, 7 percent towards the overall budget and the amount spent on the province was reflective of this contribution. It therefore meant that very few programmes were undertaken in the Northern Cape. Intergenerational Poverty referred to poor living conditions that rural communities endured from one generation to the other. There were many reasons why those people were trapped in those conditions. One solution that was identified by the IDT was to provide access to education, health and justice facilities for rural communities. Education of girl children was proven to be effective towards eradication of poverty as demonstrated by Tunisia. Tunisia had managed to exceed the millennium development goals ahead of most developing countries. 

Mr Vukani Mthintso, Integrated Service Delivery Executive, IDT, replied that more money was spent on salaries because the nature of their work was labour intensive. The Eastern Cape was the major beneficiary because it had contributed more money. The focus of the IDT was on the rural provinces of Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

Ms Mwedamutswu said that her organisation would talk to the Department of Public Works regar Jobs for growth Programme and the organisation’s accommodation. ding the provision of office space.

Mr Mlenzana asked why there were still mud schools in the Eastern Cape. He also complained about the delays in transferring funds from the Department of Education to the IDT.

Mr Moir replied that the change of leadership within the government meant negotiations would have to start from scratch and that caused some delays.

Ms Mwedamutswu mentioned that her organisation appreciated feedback from the Committee. In Gauteng, 9 schools were built by the IDT and only 4 of them had poor workmanship. Some emerging contractors lacked experience of working on big projects. There was a need to balance quality assurance and emerging contractor empowerment. She urged the Committee to support the IDT in its endeavours for more budget allocation. Members should not hesitate to visit or call the IDT regional offices in their provinces for enquiries.

The Chairperson commended the IDT for the good work that it did. He then mentioned that the Hospital Recapitalisation Programme had ground to a halt because of inefficiency .The money allocated for the Programme in the Eastern Cape was not spent and had to be redirected by the former Minister of Health, Ms Manto Tshabalala Msimang, to the Northern Cape. This money was still tied-up in red tape in the Northern Cape. If the IDT was involved in that process then the results could have been different. He urged the IDT to be more aggressive in pursuing such projects.

The CEO informed the Committee that the IDT had received unqualified audit reports for the past seven years and that was an indication of good governance.

The Chairperson announced that the adoption of minutes would be deferred for a later date.

The meeting was adjourned.