UNGQONGQOSHE KAHULUMENI WOKUBAMBISANA KANYE NEZINDABA

ZEZENDABUKO: Yebo, ngiyavuma banami esitikini kodwa ke bazongithola. [Uhleko.]

English:

First of all, let me say that the district model is a model that has been developed from our experience of the past. Over the past 25 years we have realised that we have really worked in silos across national governments and also in vertical silos in terms of the three spheres of government. We have also learnt some good lessons from provinces.

Some of the provinces have tried to work in an integrated manner, but without involving all three spheres of government. If you recall in KwaZulu- Natal, I think they have something called Sukuma Sakhe, which tries to bring everybody around the table. In the Free State, they had, Operation Hlasela, in North West they had Setsokotsane. In Gauteng, they had Tirisano. They were all trying to see how to resolve this issue of working in silos and how to bring everybody, not just government but also communities.

Learning from all those lessons, we have realised that indeed, we have not been working according to the Constitution which says that, we are one government in the republic, with three spheres which are distinctive

but interdependent and inter-related. The Constitution also says we must work in a collaborative manner. After a long discussion, it was then agreed that, let us work like that, as one government with three spheres.

The district was identified as an ideal place to work because it gives us the scale and all three spheres can work there. We have 44 districts and eight metros and so, for the sake of this model we call them districts. In all they are 54. The most important thing is that, when this model is working, we should be able as all the three spheres to plan together for that district. Of course, the plans must have the aspirations of the people who live in that district. We must ensure that we know what the challenges, we know what the opportunities, we know what the potential of that district is, so that as we plan, we plan according to the reality of that district.

In the end, we want to end up with one plan, one budget and one implementation approach per district. Every one of us, national and provincial must be there. We also recognise that it is not only government that works in that space. There are lots of other role-players,

traditional leaders, business people, civil society, and everyone must have a say in how that district should go forward.

Hon Deputy Speaker, hon Minister, as this is intergovernmental relations mechanism, are other stakeholders willing to come on board in terms of plan budget and implement jointly? Thank you.

The MINISTER OF CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL

AFFAIRS: Indeed, it was for that reason that it was decided that we must pilot this. We are piloting it in three districts, OR Tambo in the Eastern Cape, eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal and Waterberg in Limpopo. These were chosen because they are very different. OR Tambo is very rural but has a lot of potential. EThekwini has both urban and rural space. Waterberg has a lot of mining which does not exist so much in the others.

We find that as we are piloting, yes there is willingness for all stakeholders, government, the national, provincial and the local departments. We are also engaging business when we launch and we talk to them,

they are also willing to participate. Traditional leaders have been willing and they are giving us all sorts of ideas and we meet with as many stakeholders as possible.

We also recognise that we do not have the monopoly of ideas. As we are piloting this, we are also accepting good ideas that are coming from the stakeholders. I think there is willingness; obviously we have to put that willingness into practise. Thank you.

Hon Deputy Speaker, hon Minister, growing the economy, job creation and service delivery are of highest priority for the people of our country. Can you tell us how the new District Development Model will resolve and address the Auditor-General's root causes within municipalities and create the environment for decent work to be generated?

HON MEMBERS: Tiger!!! [Interjections and Applause.]

Order! Order hon members! Go ahead hon Minister, please go ahead. [Interjections.] Sorry...

IsiZulu: