Parliament, Thursday 12 October 2017 – Members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) delegation to the Western Cape are pleased to see how a number of fruitful projects are being smoothly managed to benefit the people in the Western Cape Province. The delegation concluded a two-day oversight visit to various projects.
Members of the delegation began their NCOP Provincial Week programme with a visit to a One Stop Shop, an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry and Western Cape Provincial Government. Investment South Africa provides a One Stop Shop service to investors. The entity promotes investment, and facilitates and fast-tracks projects by reducing government red tape. The one-stop shop currently has 12 partners and key departments of the national, provincial and local government are also represented.
The NCOP Western Cape delegation also received a briefing from the V&A Waterfront on its contribution to the South African economy. The V&A Waterfront management gave details on their work in establishing the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa at the Waterfront. This project is privately-owned, but is also a public-oriented entity that provides employment to approximately 4 500 employees. The museum offers free entry to all South Africans on Wednesdays.
“We are pleased to find out that in 2016 the V&A Waterfront contributed R39 billion to gross domestic product, with cumulative growth of 10% per annum”, said Ms Cathy Labuschagne, leader of the NCOP Western Cape delegation. “The museum alone is said to attract 24 million visitors inclusive of local and international visitors. It is estimated that the new developments at the V&A Waterfront could make an additional cumulative nominal contribution to the GDP of R183 billion by 2026,” said Ms Labuschagne.
Provincial Week provides an opportunity for the NCOP and legislatures to engage directly with citizens on challenges they experience. It further provides an opportunity to receive reports from government departments and municipalities on progress made regarding service delivery.
The delegation was also briefed by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) on their involvement in developmental projects in Swartklip, Blikkiesdorp and Symphony Way. ACSA is working with the community to enhance socio-economic opportunities for communities, in their immediate vicinity.
Members of the delegation concluded the oversight visit at Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI) Urban Agricultural Academy in Philippi. The PEDI Urban Agricultural Academy seeks to become a home for qualified agriculture graduates to practice farming in a protective environment and to enhance their business and farming skills before venturing into small- and medium-scale farming. This agricultural site hosts the largest earthworm farm in the world.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF MS CATHY LABUSCHAGNE, LEADER OF THE WESTERN CAPE NCOP DELEGATION.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Leader of the delegation, please contact:
Mlindi Mpindi
Parliamentary Communication Services
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Tel: (021) 403 2340
mmpindi@parliament.gov.za
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