President Jacob Zuma’s cost cutting message delivered at his state of the nation address (Sona) last week has resonated with the Bhisho government.
The legislature yesterday announced the lavish gala dinner that guests usually have before the state of the province address (Sopa) will be scrapped this year.
The legislature also announced that the costly “tent village” – marquees which used to be erected in the institution’s grounds to accommodate invited VIPs and MPLs – would be cut from seven to just two this year.
Premier Phumulo Masualle will this Friday deliver his third Sopa since assuming office in 2014.
He will address 1200 invited guests and 62 MPLs.
Provincial government spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said Masualle will outline government’s programme of action on boosting the provincial economy and improving the delivery of basic services.
Kupelo said Masualle will also touch on issues such as job creation, improvement in health and education, infrastructure development, rural development, and intensification in the fight against crime and corruption.
The legislature has previously come under fire for exorbitant spending at the one-day event where millions went towards hiring marquees, catering, sound systems and performing artists.
The Dispatch reported last month that the hiring of Sopa tents had cost the taxpayer well in excess of R12-million since 2011, an expenditure described as “a complete waste” by opposition parties.
Questions were asked as to why this money was spent instead of using the legislature chamber revamped in 2009 at a cost of R40-million.
Legislature spokeswoman Bulelwa Ganyaza said cost-cutting measures were to be the order of the day for the institution going forward.
“The legislature has noted the pronouncement on cost cutting as we understand the fiscal constraints countrywide.
“For us these measures will not apply only during Sopa but will be a standard practice in all our activities,” said Ganyaza.
Last year the institution issued a circular on a range of cost containment measures such as less catering during portfolio committee meetings, measures which Ganyaza yesterday said “have successfully been implemented”.
Ganyaza said the institution was also looking at doing away with hiring marquees, as they planned to construct “a suitable venue” for Sopa.
“We are looking into the issue of a permanent structure for hosting our events.
“Currently we are required to bear costs in our event hosting, including the Sopa, due to constraints of a suitable venue.
“Although we have not yet done an assessment for this Sopa you will appreciate that we have significantly reduced the number of marquees in an attempt to cut costs,” Ganyaza said.
Kupelo said Friday’s proceedings would be shown on big screens at public viewing areas in all six provincial districts and two metros.
“At each venue there will be office bearers, delegated by municipal authorities, to interpret and analyse Sopa in vernacular languages for the better understanding of the members of the communities,” Kupelo said.
On the meal menu for Friday will be rice, samp, beef, chicken, mutton, cooked vegetables, salads and cold beverages.
The Democratic Alliance has issued a memo to its MPLs and guests instructing them to boycott the lunch to show their support for cost-cutting measures. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
Bhisho embraces JZ’s cost cut plea
The legislature yesterday announced the lavish gala dinner that guests usually have before the state of the province address (Sopa) will be scrapped this year.
The legislature also announced that the costly “tent village” – marquees which used to be erected in the institution’s grounds to accommodate invited VIPs and MPLs – would be cut from seven to just two this year.
Premier Phumulo Masualle will this Friday deliver his third Sopa since assuming office in 2014.
He will address 1200 invited guests and 62 MPLs.
Provincial government spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said Masualle will outline government’s programme of action on boosting the provincial economy and improving the delivery of basic services.
Kupelo said Masualle will also touch on issues such as job creation, improvement in health and education, infrastructure development, rural development, and intensification in the fight against crime and corruption.
The legislature has previously come under fire for exorbitant spending at the one-day event where millions went towards hiring marquees, catering, sound systems and performing artists.
The Dispatch reported last month that the hiring of Sopa tents had cost the taxpayer well in excess of R12-million since 2011, an expenditure described as “a complete waste” by opposition parties.
Questions were asked as to why this money was spent instead of using the legislature chamber revamped in 2009 at a cost of R40-million.
Legislature spokeswoman Bulelwa Ganyaza said cost-cutting measures were to be the order of the day for the institution going forward.
“The legislature has noted the pronouncement on cost cutting as we understand the fiscal constraints countrywide.
“For us these measures will not apply only during Sopa but will be a standard practice in all our activities,” said Ganyaza.
Last year the institution issued a circular on a range of cost containment measures such as less catering during portfolio committee meetings, measures which Ganyaza yesterday said “have successfully been implemented”.
Ganyaza said the institution was also looking at doing away with hiring marquees, as they planned to construct “a suitable venue” for Sopa.
“We are looking into the issue of a permanent structure for hosting our events.
“Currently we are required to bear costs in our event hosting, including the Sopa, due to constraints of a suitable venue.
“Although we have not yet done an assessment for this Sopa you will appreciate that we have significantly reduced the number of marquees in an attempt to cut costs,” Ganyaza said.
Kupelo said Friday’s proceedings would be shown on big screens at public viewing areas in all six provincial districts and two metros.
“At each venue there will be office bearers, delegated by municipal authorities, to interpret and analyse Sopa in vernacular languages for the better understanding of the members of the communities,” Kupelo said.
On the meal menu for Friday will be rice, samp, beef, chicken, mutton, cooked vegetables, salads and cold beverages.
The Democratic Alliance has issued a memo to its MPLs and guests instructing them to boycott the lunch to show their support for cost-cutting measures. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
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