By Maphari Machaka
(From Left) Fionah Hetisani, Director for Internal Control and Compliance and Jethro Nowata, Chief Director for Agriculture Development and Farmer Support Services take note of MEC’s remarks.
MEC responsible for Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) Thabo Mokone Mokone applauded the management team for its sterling work as the most improved department in the province.
He was speaking during the strategic session that was held at Park Inn hotel, Polokwane on 22 September 2023.
The session sought to align programmes, resources, budget and indicators and correction on audit findings, in line with the department’s Annual Performance Plan (APP). This aimed to achieve the departmental mandate of promoting food security for all, job creation, economic growth, and agrarian transformation.
MEC Thabo Mokone applauds the management team for its sterling work as the most improved department in the province.
The APP identifies the outputs, output indicators and the targets that the department seeks to achieve in the 2023/2024. These are further aligned to the outcomes reflected in the 2022/2023 – 2024/2025 Strategic Plan.
Head of the Department (HoD), Ramatsimele Maisela opened the session presenting an overview of the department, followed by Vusi Ndlozi, Director: Agricultural Economic Services, presenting about the performance of a sector and outlook from national and provincial perspective as well as the state of Revitalisation of the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Value Chain (RAAVC) plan and implementation.
Various presentations on progress on the departmental priorities APP 2023/24 were made not limited to financial performance 2023/24; 2024/25 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 1st draft and cost containment and audit outcome report while strategizing towards clean audit. Remarks and inputs on situational analysis and organisational environment as well as the impact on Water Rights issues on the performance on the programme were also made. The move was aimed at amplifying the department’s service delivery approaches.
On-going monitoring and assessment of performance as part of interventions was deliberated in summation as a way forward. This is in line with the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) on Organisational Functionality Assessment (OFA) framework, to improve not only the accountability, but also the lives of the community.
MEC made mention in his address that the hosting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) summit presented an opportunity to the country especially in agricultural sector. He maintained that the Memorandum of Understanding was signed where South Africa has committed to supply agricultural commodities within BRICS countries.
Mokone called upon the management to develop a working relationship with universities especially in aspects of technologies and research. He said those are the backbones of any development. He said that approach can go a long way in addressing the thorny issues of unemployment and food security that have long hinder the community development.
HoD Ramatsimele Maisela presents an overview of the department, performance as a sector and outlook from national and provincial perspective.
(left) Mpho Mashamba, Chief Director Corporate Services and Levy Mashiane, Director Strategic Management, Monitoring and Evaluation
