This morning, Premier Mabuyane held a media briefing to announce a new task team that has since been established to bolster the work and performance of government in a variety of critical areas. In the SOPA of 2023, it was announced that the provinicial government will implement various interventions including the establishment of the “Crack Team”, in the Office of the Premier (OTP) as part of building the capacity of the state.
“This “Crack Team” which has been since named the Project Support Unit is made up of a high-powered team of leaders with proven capabilities and skills in public administration. The focus of the team will be to scale up the implementation of government commitments in the critical areas identified as lagging in monitoring and evaluation processes” said Premier Mabuyane.
The focus areas for the Project Support Unit are the following:
1. Investment Coordination
2. Support to Local Government
3. Driving Education and Health Turn Around Strategies
4. Designated groups coordination, and state machinery transformation
5. Driving strategic and catalytic projects
Senior government officials that have been seconded to be part of this formidable team include:
1. Mr Mahlubandile Qwase,
2. Dr Rolene Wagner,
3. Mr Andile Fani,
4. Ms Siphokazi Ndudane,
5. Mr. Mzi Mafani and
6. Ms. Busisiwe Khumalo
7. Ms Athini Majikija
8. Mr Mboniswa Nodlabi
The team will be led by Director General, Mbulelo Sogoni and their base camp is now the Office of the Premier. The secondment agreements with the officials and their respective departments will be for a period of 12 months and to ensure that there is continuity in the management of operations within the various departments, the Premier has appointed the following officials as Acting Head of Departments (HODs).
1. Human Settlements – Mr D. Venn (Chief Director in the department)
2. COGTA – Mr V. Mlokoti (DDG in the department)
3. Transport – Ms M. Madumane (Chief Director at Provincial Treasury)
4. Health – Ms S. Gede (Chief Director within the Department)
5. DRDAR – Mr B. Dayimani (Chief Operations Officer within the department).
In his closing statement, Premier Mabuyane highlighted that the tasks this team will be seized with require cross-cutting functions of social facilitation, change management, communication, back-office support, systems and operations. He also boasted that these officials are all equally capable leaders who now step up to bolster the performance of government and enhance our efforts of Building the Eastern Cape We Want.
