OSS Municipality Workshop

Seen on the picture chairing the workshop is, Mr M.I Mhlanga (Local Task Team), Mr T. Mkhasibe (Special Programmes) and Mr S. Khanyi (Cogta)

On the 1st of February 2018 Newcastle Municipality (Special Programmes unit) in conjunction with Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) held a workshop for all the war room conveners, secretaries and government departments that are in Amajuba District. The purpose of this workshop was to engage with all relevant stakeholders that form part of the war rooms and OSS and also to give an insight on what is Operation Sukuma Sakhe as it was explained as an initiative that has a ‘whole of Government approach’ as its philosophical basis.

Dr. N.Y Mahlubi, Newcastle Municipality’s PR Councillor who is also the District Task Team Chairperson was one of the speakers present on the day. Dr. Mahlubi said that Operation Sukuma Sakhe spells out all initiatives that are implemented by the different sector departments and the spheres of government…therefore delivery of services is a required partnership with community, stakeholders and government. She further explained that Operation Sukuma Sakhe is a continuous interaction between Government and the communities and that these two sectors must work together to achieve the 12 National Outcomes.

Provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) team was also represented by Mr Sthembiso Khanyile who explained that Operation Sukuma Sakhe is under Public Participation Directorate in the department of Cogta and further outlined the challenges they are facing with this initiative.

The Department of Development Planning & Human Settlement within the municipality was also part of the program, Mr S Cindi who is an Acting Manager for Land Use Management explained all the Municipal By-laws that are in place. Other Government departments like Dept. of Labour (Nonkululeko Mtambo), Dept. of Home Affairs (Nhlanhla Magasela), SASSA (Bongani Myeni) and Dept. of Health (Mrs G Xaba) were also present. Each department outlined its core mandate and they pledged their support on OSS and all its structures in place.
The workshop was a success as fruitful discussions took place and most of the concerns were addressed.

War room members, conveners, Secretaries, government departments, NGOs and Forum members