By Simon Nare
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has proposed the establishment of war rooms to tackle job creation, poverty and clean governance as part of the government’s efforts to deliver to the masses.
In his keynote address at the launch of the Transformation Fund, Mashatile said government and the private sector would have to be represented in administering the fund, but the war rooms would be key in making sure it achieved its priorities.
“I am therefore proposing that three war rooms in accordance with the three objectives of the MTDP (Medium-Term Development Plan), as decided by the Cabinet be established. These will include a war room on the economy and jobs, a war room on poverty and hunger, a war room on clean governance prioritising 10-15 day payment cycles and transformative procurement, and most critically, a war room on economy and jobs,” he said.
The deputy president said the war rooms would not follow the normal Cabinet process but instead would take a different approach in getting things done. This would enable the government to take stock and intervene decisively where there was no progress.
“Government and the private sector, as represented today, will be represented in each war room, but this is more than simple representation; it is about accomplishing and obtaining results,” he said.
Mashatile committed the government in making sure that the fund was at the centre of government, specifically the Presidency and the Minister of Trade and Industry as well as the key economic cluster ministers to ensure targets were met especially in the procurement of goods and services.
“This will include expanding spending aimed at supporting African and Black enterprises in townships and rural South Africa led by women, youth and people with disabilities. “The Treasury and the Department of Women
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