Department Transformation & Restructuring: briefing

Meeting report

PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
16 April 2003
DEPARTMENT TRANSFORMATION & RESTRUCTURING: BRIEFING

Acting Chairperson: Mr M Chikane

Document handed out:
NDPW Transformation & Restructuring

SUMMARY
The Committee was briefed by the Director General and his team regarding the transformation and restructuring of the NDPW. They outlined the challenges facing the department as the structures that they have put in place to ensure that they achieve their goals.

MINUTES
Presentation by the Director General of Public Works
The Director General, Mr Mveli Maseko, briefed the Committee on the transformation and restructuring process underway within the National Department of Public Works (NDPW).

He noted the pressures the Department had faced in delivering on its core mandate and this had fuelled the transformation process. The new NDPW will have three strategic focal points: Policy and Ownership, Shared Services and Operations. The transformation process is being implemented to bring the Department in line with Resolution 7 and 8 of 2002. He outlined the key sub-projects which each have clearly defined activities, outcomes, dependencies, timelines and resources that are carefully monitored. The presentation also looked at the time frame in which the different stages of the transformation process will be completed. He concluded the discussion by emphasising the critical factors which will determine the success of the transformation process.

Discussion
Mr Moonsamy (ANC) commented on the clear overview of the challenges facing the Department. He felt that the concluding remarks in the presentation "hit the nail on the head" and that the issues should to be attended to in an energetic manner. With a budget of R4 billion, the Department had an ideal opportunity of making a lasting difference in terms of job creation. However outsourcing should be limited. He asked if the department has the capacity to fulfil its needs.

The Director General replied that a separate and full discussion is required at a later stage to address the issue of capacity. He requested the committee extend an invitation to both himself and his team for an expanded explanation. He went on to say that outsourcing is not a solution and that it is only considered after thorough discussion. He said that the preferred solution would be to increase their operational efficiency.

Mr Radebe (ANC) asked if the transformation process was going to be driven only by top management. He emphasised that this could be dangerous as a strong employee base is a well informed one.

The Director General replied that for any process to be implemented successfully it needs the support of its management. Transformation fatigue can be met by the possibilities towards which the department is moving

An ANC member wanted to establish the time frame in which service delivery will be sorted out as at present clients are looking elsewhere to have their needs addressed.

The Director General said that the chief problem facing the department was one of capacity. There are vacancies that are yet to be filled. Authorities need to finalise the department structure and then it can be populated. He stressed that implementation of this was essential for the successful functioning of the department.

Mr Blanche (FA) asked if local government has been involved in the transformation process and to what extent the department is involved in the provincial departments.

The Director Genera replied that service delivery is an ongoing process and that they are achieving their goals. He stressed that Public Works is not always in the foreground as a service provider as they enable other departments. Capacity issues at local government level is a greater challenge and the department needs to support them as their budget is only R6 million.

Mr Opperman (NNP) voiced his support for the decentralisation process and the emphasis on charging the mindset of people. He wanted to know whether they could trust their current Director General to see them through the transformation process.

The Director General replied that he is personally committed to remaining for the long haul. He would see himself as a failure were he to leave before the completion of the transformation process. He added, however, that it was not up to him but his employer.

Mr Radebe (ANC) drew the committee's attention to slide three emphasising the shortcomings of the property industry. He pointed out that Sanlam and Old Mutual are both owned by Anglo American as well as a number of banks. He felt that Anglo American should be approached regarding redressing these issues.

The Director General responded that the department needs to be aggressive as far as property is concerned as property only has value if those properties are tenanted. The department would force transformation in this industry by only renting property from previously disadvantaged groups.

Mr Riding added that the construction industry has transformed their tender objectives in two regards, one being property ownership.

In answer to the Chair asking how outsourcing is going to be monitored, it was noted that the day to day maintenance has been devolved to other departments. The Chair also emphasised the need for services in rural areas.

Mr Blanche (FA) stressed that services should be taken to the people in the townships not to the city centre, which are far removed from the people themselves

The Chair agreed with Mr Blanche, but that they needed to entice people back 'into the city centres which will become dead zones if they are not regenerated

The meeting was adjourned