On the sidelines of the National Women’s Day celebration, held in Vryburg, on the 9th of August 2019, The Vryburg Independent Post (The V.I.P) had a brief discussion with the MEC of Finance in the North West Province’s 6th Administration, Motlalepula Rosho. A variety of points were discussed, and with great emphasis, the recent developments about the Municipal Equitable Shares was key. MEC Rosho reported, with great appreciation, that the six municipalities Have complied. “One must appreciate that they (the municipalities) were able to collaborate and not resist what The Provincial Treasury has persuaded and requested them to go and do” MEC Rosho expressed.

As The V.I.P has reported recently, The Naledi Local Municipality is amongst those that complied, and if the MEC’s answer is anything to go by, she seems very confident that, with the systems that have been put in place by The Provincial Treasury, no cent will go to waste. MEC says they, as The Provincial Treasury, as well as the municipalities, have come to acknowledge the challenges that exist and that they are faced with. Be that as it may, MEC Rosho said that the compliance of these municipalities should not be celebrated by the municipalities or by the Councillors. “It’s all about the people, it’s about following the rules of good governance, it’s about making sure that we adhere to the constitution of the republic, we adhere to the Municipal Finance Act and also to make sure that as and when we adhere to these rules of good and corporative governance we are able to serve our people and we are able to make sure that we provide services that are satisfactory, that are of good quality.” She said. This according to the MEC is important because it will enable bodies like the Auditor General to test value for money.

The V.I.P also explored issues of the development of the youth, women and people leaving with disabilities with the MEC. She elaborated in how these demographics have been catered for by the department and at large by the administration. Citing their deliberate inclusion with in the Provincial budget. MEC Rosho says that the Premier of the Province, Professor Job Mokgoro, has pronounced, in this regards, that the executive must be deliberate and biased to women, to take care of their children, to young people and also to people living with disabilities. “With the appropriation budget l, we have already set aside 30% of the budget for this purpose.” Explained MEC Rosho.

At the tale end of our conversation, The V.I.P tabled issues of financial freedom with the MEC. At the core of our probe was financial literacy, that is unquestionably lacking in South Africa, but more closer to home, right here in our very own province. To this extent, The Provincial Treasury seems to be confident that they do promote financial literacy through a variety of Programmes that they run. MEC Rosho confirmed that theybusy strengthening unite that are under municipalities called Budget and Treasury Offices (BTOs) that deal with payments of suppliers and Contractors. “The purpose of strengthening those units is to make sure that they advance economic emancipation.” Concluded the MEC.

-The VIP Team

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