The function of the Office of the Premier is not to usurp line-function responsibilities of departments but rather to coordinate the functioning of the entire Provincial Government. In a nutshell, the Office plays a leading role in bringing government closer to the people.

The success of the Provincial Government Programmes hinges very much on adhering to the principles of good governance which are, inter alia, service delivery the Batho Pele way, responsiveness, citizen empowerment, public participation, communication and accountability.
Indeed, one cannot doubt the nexus between good governance and achievement of the paramount goal of improving the lives of the people of KwaZulu-Natal. This goal can be achieved through specific programmes, which are defined below.

It is important to state that the programme structure of the Office of the Premier has been reconfigured in line with National Treasury directive to all Offices of the Premiers in all provinces.
The new structure has three programmes which are:
• Administration
• Institutional development
• Policy and governance

Programmes 1 and 2 are explained here. Programme 3 and a conclusion will feature in the TradeInvestSA July issue.

Programme 1: Administration
The purpose of this programme is to provide administrative support to the Premier, the Provincial Executive Council (the Cabinet) and the Director-General, in fulfilling their executive functions and promoting cooperative governance. A number of sub-programmes fall under Programme 1:

• The Premier’s Support Sub-Programme is to provide technical, administrative and advisory support to the Premier in executing the Premier’s constitutional mandate.
• The Executive Council Support Sub-Programme is to render secretariat support services to the Executive Council, Cabinet Izindaba, Clusters and key provincial committees.
• The Director–General Support Sub-Programme is to provide administrative support to the Director-General in his role as Accounting Officer.
• The Financial Management and Corporate Services Sub-Programme is to provide financial management support, financial accounting advisory services and corporate services for the entire department.

Programme 2: Institutional Development
Programme 2 comprises the following sub-programmes:

• Strategic Human Resources
• State Law Advisory Services
• Information Communications Technology
• Government Communication Services

The purpose of this programme is to transform the public service through institutional capacity building and transformation management. Its objectives are:

• To provide strategic direction on human resource management and service delivery
• To provide strategic information technology management, leadership and support
• To provide legal and advisory support services
• To provide strategic communication leadership and support

The Strategic Human Resources sub-programme is to co-ordinate and monitor the customisation, development and implementation of human resources policies, systems, programmes and plans for the province. This sub-programme provides transversal strategic direction, coordination and advisory services on human resource matters in the province. These include human resource development, service delivery improvement, persal management, labour relations, human resource policy and practice, as well as organisational efficiency.

The Information Communication Technology (ICT) sub-programme is busy facilitating and promoting the acquisition and application of scientific knowledge and aims to coordinate government information technology in the province. Particular objectives of the sub-programme include:

• Coordinating and promoting ICT for the acceleration of economic growth and poverty eradication in the province
• Developing the business intelligence system
• Establishing a Provincial geographic information system (GIS) database (Nerve Centre)

The Service Delivery Improvement sub-programme is charged with promoting the transformation and improvement of service delivery in the province, guided by the Provincial Citizens’ Charter as well as by Departmental Service Commitment Charters. The following actions have been undertaken:

• Phase 1 of the cascade of Batho Pele, the Citizens’ Charter and Change Engagement Programme to all districts has been completed
• The training of trainers on cascading the Batho Pele Belief Set was undertaken in 44 local municipalities across the province during the 2006/07 financial year
• The sub-programme is committed to improving service delivery in the province by pointing out instances of substandard work as well as by highlighting commendable efforts as examples of what is expected

A vital aspect of the sub-programme’s drive towards improved service delivery is the proper integration of service delivery across the province. This includes increasing access to service delivery as well as improving the quality thereof. In addition to bringing government services closer to the people in general, the programme will be overseeing the establishment of various one-stop-shops in the local municipalities.

The State Law Advisory Services provide transversal legal advisory services to capacitate Cabinet, Cabinet Clusters, Ministries and Departments in legal and policy formulation and implementation.

The Provincial Government Communication and Izimbizo sub-programmes coordinate government communication services and provide strategic direction. They focus on improving and sustaining a positive provincial image as well as implementing a provincial communication strategy. In respect of Izimbizo, the sub-programme will focus on enhancing community participation in matters that affect them.

Programme 3: Policy and governance, will feature in the July issue of TradeInvestSA, as well as a conclusion offered by the Premier's Office.

Contact details:

KZN Office of the Premier
Tel: +27 33 341 3342
Fax: +27 33 345 8490
Email: damanezp@premier.kzntl.gov.za