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: 05 February 2021; Hits: 2502; Rating:

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Media Statement by the Premier,Dr Zamani Saul on the Provincial Vaccine Rollout

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MEC for Health, Mr Maruping Lekwene
Senior Government Officials
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

Thank you for joining us at this important briefing this morning which signifies an important step in our fight against the global Coronavirus, Covid-19 pandemic.

In response to Covid 19 our Province adopted a multi-sectoral approach and established the following to curb the outbreak: health response, law enforcement and compliance with regulations, food security and social relief, economic response and social mobilisation.

To date the COVID-19 Pandemic have manifested in 2 waves in the province. The first wave started when we had our first confirmed COVID-19 case on the 25th of March 2020 and the first death occurred on the 11th of May 2020.

As a Provincial Government we extend our sincerest condolences to the families that have lost loved ones due to the pandemic. We also wish everyone who has been or is affected by COVID-19, a speedy recovery.

The Department of Health together with our stakeholders have prepared in excess of 3 300 beds including ICU and High Care capacity with a huge investment in staffing, equipment, vehicles etc. In December we launched 75 new Emergency vehicles, consisting of 65 Ambulances and 10 Patient Transport vehicles as well as 55 clinical outreach bakkies, to strengthen the response capacity of public health care to communities in the Province.

We appointed 424 clinical professionals, ranging from medical officers, pharmacists, nurses and allied health professionals in all districts, at an annual cost of R197 million.

We invested heavily in additional medical equipment to combat the pandemic, including 35 ventilators, 16 blood gas analysers, 225 CPAP machines (constant positive airways pressure machines), 2 268 infusion pumps, and 107 automatic defibrillators. The cost of this investment is in the order of R120 million.

It must also be noted that in this time we received 11 Hugh Reese Cuban Brigade doctors, health technologists, an epidemiologist and a bio-statistician who have contributed greatly in our fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic.

From mid-July 2020, the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported daily has been declining in the country. Despite this trend in the country, the province experienced a delayed increase compared to the national average. As the Northern Cape we experienced a flattened peak where we recorded during Week 30 - the week ending the 26th of July 2020, a high of 1552 new cases.

Our highest peak in the Province was during Week 38 – 14 – 20 Sept 2020, when we recorded 1644 new cases for the week.

The 1st Wave was officially over during Week 46 ending 9 November 2020 when we reached 328 new cases for the Province.

In summary for the 1st wave we had a total of 22 725 cumulative cases with 301 deaths.

The outcomes of this were used to implement additional measures to prepare for the next wave. The 2nd Wave started during the week of 14th December 2020 when we saw an increase of 425 new cases. There was a speedy escalation which went into 2021 where we found a consecutive weekly increase of 706 and 1041 new cases.

In January 2021 we started with a record weekly high of 1727 on the 10th of January 2021 and again a new weekly record of 1898 by the 17th of January 2021.

In summary we had for January 2021, a record of 6 762 new Covid-19 cases which is higher than any months since the Pandemic started in March 2020. This translates into a daily average of 218 new cases.

For the second week in succession, the Province registered a significant decline in new cases after experiencing a rapid rise and the highest peak during the 2nd Wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the past week (25 – 31 Jan 2021), the Province recorded 1 048 new cases which is 26% lower than 1 408 new cases recorded in the previous week (18 – 24 Jan 2021).

Clearly the 2nd Wave is getting under control through the collective efforts and sterling work being done by our Health Care Workers, support staff and stakeholders.

Comparatively to other Provinces, we are doing extremely well where our mortality rate is 1, 8% compared to the Country mortality of 3, 1%.

As a Province with our 595 deaths to date, we should have had a total number of deaths of 998.

We can see that our investment as a province of about R500 million is bearing fruit where we strengthened the response capacity of our Health Care System.

We need to recognise all our stakeholders - NGOs, mines in particular that made a contribution in excess of R100 million and our Private Sector in general.

Despite the gains made, we need to emphasise that we are not out of the woods as yet and we have to continue to prepare for the 3rd Wave.

The areas of concern in our province that are on our watch list are:

Phokwane in Frances Baard
Gamagara and Gasegonyana in JTG
Emthanjeni, Siyathemba and Siyancuma in Pixley ka Seme
Kgatelopele and Dawid Kruiper in ZFM
Nama Khoi and Hantam in Namakwa

We are calling on our citizens to continue adhering to the measures and not to let their guard down

Ladies and gentlemen

Let me now proceed to the business of the day and the reason why we have called this session. The first batch of life saving vaccines has arrived in our country marking phase one of the vaccine rollout. As indicated by the President, all healthcare workers will be prioritised for vaccination during this phase.

The transportation security to the primary distribution sites in provinces, including the Northern Cape, will be done by vehicles fitted with tracking systems and escorted by Fidelity Armed Response and SAPS.

The South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre (SAVIC) at Sefako Mkgatho University are leading the development training for health care workers which will consist of six modules. A national online training programme was held on 15th January 2021, attended by 245 from the Northern Cape. All vaccination sites will have at least one master trainer.

Now that the vaccine is in the country, the national plan is that this will be delivered to provinces between 7th and 9th February and the actual vaccination (injection) of healthcare workers will start from 10th February.

Access to COVID-19 vaccines is the government’s highest priority. Our target is to vaccinate 67 per cent of the population by the end of 2021, which will allow us to achieve population (herd) immunity.

In the Northern Cape the aim is to vaccinate 67% of the population, or just under 900 000 people, by the end of the year. The rollout will take a three-phased approach that begins with the most vulnerable in our population.

Phase 1 will focus on 14 000 frontline healthcare workers –.
Phase 2 will see us vaccinate essential workers, persons in congregate settings, persons over 60 years and persons over 18 years with co-morbidities.
Phase 3 will focus on the remaining population.

In Phase 1 the province will be receiving 14 000 vaccine doses early next week in the first allocation from BioVac for the initial roll-out to patient-facing personnel 10 000 public sector and 4 000 private sector.

The additional allocations of the vaccine will be used to vaccinate the remaining health care employees, followed by the categories identified in Phase 2 and 3.

In Phase 1 we will roll out the vaccine to 15 centres in a phased approach as follows:

The Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Tertiary Hospital in Kimberley will receive 2 080 doses of the vaccine as of Wednesday, 10 February 2021
Dr Harry Surtie Regional Hospital in Upington will receive 910 doses of the vaccine from Friday, 12 February 2021
District Hospitals in Springbok, Kuruman and De Aar will receive 2 390 doses from Monday, 15 February 2021
All other hospitals will receive 970 doses from Monday 22 February 2021
Primary Health Care Clinics and Community Health Care Centres will receive 1 790 doses from Monday, 1 March 2021
All other clinical support staff will receive 1 310 doses also from Monday, 1 March 2021

The estimated rollout for the first phase is therefore a total amount of 9 450 doses of the vaccine. The plan is to complete vaccination of all “patient-facing” government staff by end of March 2021. The private health sector will run a parallel vaccination process.

The vaccine rollout in the Province is being overseen by a steering committee led by the Acting Head of Department of Health (HOD), Dr Dion Theys.

Reporting to the Steering Committee is the Vaccine Task Team which is project managed by the Head of Pharmaceutical Services. This task team comprises a wide range of clinical and non-clinical staff as well as representatives from organised labour. Liaison with the private health sector has been a key activity and will now be extended to include representatives of the private sector on the task team.

It should be noted that everyone has a choice on whether they will be vaccinated, no one will be forced. Vaccination however is the best defence against serious infections. The Electronic Vaccine Data System has been formally launched, initially for healthcare workers only as part of this first phase of the rollout.

While the vaccine is an important part of Covid-19 protection, it is important to emphasise the continued practice of Covid-19 non-pharmaceutical behaviours, which include:

Correct wearing of mask
Hand washing with soap and/or use of hand sanitiser
Physical distance of 2 metres
Prompt presentation to care when symptoms identified
Prompt self-Isolation post exposure or a positive test result
Avoidance of crowded places
Adequate ventilation indoors and in confined spaces

I therefore call on every citizen, young and old, to be responsible and to observe all Covid-19 protocols.

As I conclude I want to state that the Province has been hard hit by the recent rains causing extensive flooding in various parts of our Province. The John Taolo Gaetsewe District being the hardest hit, with damages to roads, infrastructure and properties. Tomorrow the Executive led by myself will be visiting John Taolo Gaetsewe District to assess the effects of the flooding. A report will be provided at a later stage.

Please continue to play your part and stay safe.

Thank you
ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PREMIER - NORTHERN CAPE

: 21 August 2012; Hits: 5940; Rating:

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Memorial Lecture on the Life and Times of Charlotte Matthys

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Memorial lecture on the life and times of Ms Charlotte Matthys as delivered by the acting Premier of the Northern Cape, HON. Ms. Grizelda Cjiekella 18 August 2012, J. Shimane Hall, Upington

Programme Director
Members of the Matthys family
Distinguished Guests
Members of the community
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is an honour and great privilege for me to deliver the memorial lecture on the life and times of Ms Bettie Charlotte Matthys, an activist and loyal cadre of the African National Congress. I want to sincerely thank both the members of the Matthys family and the Department of Arts and Culture, for the honour they have bestowed on us to deliver this important lecture.

I also want to express my deep appreciation to each of you for being here; your time and energy are amongst your greatest assets, thank you for giving up some of it to be here. We need, especially during this month of August, women of courage and substance like Comrade Matthys.
Comrade Matthys was a woman that the women of today can look up to for inspiration and guidance even when tackling the issues faced by modern day women.
As a province and country, we are forever inspired by people like Ms Matthys, who devoted her entire life to the goodwill of the people and her church. She commanded great respect and influence in the church where she strove to build a better future for all. Comrade Charlotte Matthys served in various leadership capacities in the Lutheran church where she travelled extensively to international gatherings to represent the church.
Through her laudable efforts and her contacts abroad she was able to raise over a R100 000 to help with the building of the church in Louisvale Road and undoubtedly made a huge impact in the lives of thousands of children and women.

Indeed Comrade Matthys had been blessed and used that blessing to bring great joy to other people’s lives. As a teacher by profession she inculcated the values of discipline, self reliance, hardwork and commitment in young people as the best way to achieve success. She made her mark in 1998 in the political arena by standing up to join the ANC and the ANC Women’s League.

She was not just a gender activist for women’s rights but also a human rights and equal opportunity activist in her own right. She worked hard to build the Women’s League in her community and understood very well the need to have strong and well organised structures to drive social and economic transformation. During that time she also worked very hard to revive and encourage branches so that they can stand together to fight for the rights of women and children. She made use of her free time during the weekends to visit branches and help to establish more branches.
Because of her total commitment towards her people and the delivery of local government services to her community, she was elected as a ward councillor for ward 4 in 2000. Despite the fact that she became seriously ill in 2005 she still carried out her duties diligently as councillor and continued to address the plight of the local community. She was re-elected in 2006 and served as a councillor until her calling on 25 March 2008. It is due to Charlotte Matthys and countless other women who selflessly sacrificed their time and expertise to pave the way for us to enjoy the freedoms and rights so many of us take for granted today.

She will be remembered as a graceful pillar of justice, who maintained a strong commitment to her family; her branch and her province throughout the time that she was involved in the struggle for justice and equality. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a very important year for the women’s struggle as we celebrate the 100 years of the ANC.

This year also marks the 56th anniversary since the remarkable march by women in 1956 that helped change the political landscape of the country.
Compatriots, given the legacy of women’s oppression in general and black women in particular, government’s bias towards working class and rural poor women remains steadfast. Our Government has made significant progress in empowering women in the political, public and educational spheres, but the marginalization of poor women severely compromises progress.

Despite government programmes and interventions, women continue to be marginalized and discriminated against in terms of economic opportunities, the labour market as well as access to land, credit, and finance. Despite the critical role women play in food production and management of natural resources, they have ownership of a very small percentage of agricultural land. Rural women’s lack of access to resources and basic services is compounded by their unequal rights in family structures, as well as unequal access to family resources, such as land and livestock.
Within and between race groups, women continue to bear the burden of inequality. South Africa’s rankings on the Gender-Related Development Index (GDI) and the Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM) are quite divergent, with a low GDI score but a relatively high GEM. This reflects the separate and at times contradictory nature of South Africa’s transformation process. According to the Mid-term Review of the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, crime statistics indicate that the murder of adult women increased by 5, 6% during the 2010/2011 reporting period. Social contact crimes committed against adult women include common assault (46, 9% of cases), followed by assault through grievous bodily harm. Sexual offences remain unacceptably high. Ladies and gentlemen, we can also proudly report that two decades on, there is an ever rising increase in numbers of women in Parliament and government. This development can be attributed to the introduction of important legislation that empowers women, including the establishment of statutory bodies and a Ministry for Women, Children and People with Disabilities to advance equality.

The statutory and policy architecture for gender equality in the country is comprehensive and multi-dimensional, with individual laws and policy overlapping to provide seamless protection of the rights of women and girls. Progressive legislation includes the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, the Employment Equity Act, the Domestic Violence Act, Sexual Offences Act and the Civil Union Act, among others. Government is also in the process of finalising the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill, which will ensure compliance both within government and the private sector with measures intended to promote women empowerment and gender equality. In honour of Comrade Charlotte Matthys we must continue to intensify and root out the scourge of violence and abuse against women and children.

We must redouble our efforts to create equal opportunities for women. In our province and throughout our country, we join in solidarity and sisterhood - on a day and during a month of joyousness, reflection, endearing and enduring nostalgia, and a recharge of energy, optimism and enthusiasm. On a day and during a month for our communities to acknowledge, with respect and appreciation, the contributions that Comrade Charlotte Matthys and countless other women make in every aspect of life:
- In the home, on the job, as mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, learners, workers, citizens and leaders;
- At workshops, conferences, summits, in boardrooms, classrooms, in factories, tuck-shops
- At breakfasts, dinners, at picnics, in parliaments, on television, on twitter, facebook - women coming together and making it happen for all of us- men and women; boys and girls!

Today and as we shall do throughout the month, we honour the spirit, the courage of those women like comrade Matthys, who gave inspiration to this significant event; The marches of women; weary and worn out- protesting against low wages, long working hours, inhumane conditions, child labour!

Their battles to improve the harsh and miserable, day-to-day lives of women; times when married women were the property of their husbands, in every sense! Their saddening cries for bread and roses. Yes, as women, we need bread to live, but we want the roses too. We also want to enjoy some of the lovely things in life - Sunlight, music!

Every step, every advance, was hard fought and hard won – in the face of prejudice and hostility. Today we stand on the fine and feisty shoulders of stalwarts such as Comrade Charlotte Matthys, Mama Sisulu, Mama Tambo, Helen Joseph, Mma Baard and many others as these women of substance broke down the barriers to education, to the professions, to good jobs and acceptable working conditions; to economic benefits, and to equal pay though. Inspiring leaders, dedicated followers, the finest ideals!

Today we take great pride in our progress and in our heroines – diverse, determined, influential, sophisticated and skilled and always concerned for the well being of others. Today tells an exciting story about what women can achieve – thanks to the selfless efforts of cadres in the mould of Comrade Matthys.

Let this Memorial Lecture here today, in honour of Comrade Matthys, strengthen the women’s movement and inspire all of us to continue to challenge, everyday, the reasons for gender inequality where ever we encounter it. In conclusion I want to express our profound admiration, gratitude and affection to those grassroots women who never give in; who are always there fighting for dignity; who never shirk the responsibility to speak out for those women who cannot.

Congratulations to one of our own – Minister Nkosazana Zuma on her election to the top post of Chairperson of the African Union; Congratulations to Team South Africa for an inspiring performance at the London Olympic games. Let us be inspired by Comrade Matthys, a dynamic woman who will forever inspire and guide us as we march forward in our quest for total women equality.

Malibongwe!!!

: 26 May 2017; Hits: 3558; Rating:

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Message of Support by the Acting Premier of the Northern Cape, Mr Gift van Staden, at the Public Protector’s Provincial Stakeholders forum Sol Plaatjie Municipal Chamber, Kimberley

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Programme Director
Honourable Speaker
Honourable Deputy Speaker
Honourable Members of the Executive Council
Public Protector of South Africa, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebana and staff
Mayors and Councillors
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my honour this morning to address this august gathering and deliver a message of support to the new Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane who we have the distinct honour of having in our midst. On behalf of the Provincial Government and the people of the Northern Cape we congratulate you on your appointment to this very important position. The Office carries with it great responsibility and tough decision-making but you can be assured of our support and cooperation at all times.

Former President Nelson Mandela explained the thinking behind the creation of the Public Protector to the Africa Regional Workshop of the International Ombudsman Institution in 1996, as follows:

"We were mindful from the very start of the importance of accountability to democracy. Our experience had made us acutely aware of the possible dangers of a government that is neither transparent nor accountable. To this end our Constitution contains several mechanisms to ensure that government will not be part of the problem; but part of the solution.”

Public awareness and participation in maintaining efficiency in government within the context of human rights are vital to making a reality of democracy. Many South Africans can still recall a time when the face of the Public Service was hostile, and a complaint could lead to victimisation or harassment; when access to justice seemed an unrealistic dream. In the new South Africa the face of the Public Service is changing radically.

However, we are not yet out of the woods; much still needs to be done in terms of transformation. In this sense, therefore, our Public Protector's Office is not only a critical instrument for good governance. It also occupies a central place in the transformation of the public service by, among other means, rooting out the arrogance, secrecy and corruption so rampant during the apartheid years."

This still remains true and relevant today.

The Office of the Public Protector and all other Chapter Nine Institutions have been created exactly because we knew that the realisation of objectives such as the five nation priorities articulated by President Zuma: Education, Health, Job Creation, Rural Development and Fighting Crime and Corruption as well as our National Development Plan 2030 will be so much more difficult to achieve if there are corrupt staff and administrators who has only at heart the advancement of their own interests and wealth and in the process neglect our people we need services and are entitled to it.

Our National Development Plan 2030 makes the important point that, “Political will is essential to combat this scourge. Political will is measured by assessing the amount of money spent fighting corruption, the legal arsenal that corruption-busting institutions have at their disposal, the independence of anti-corruption authorities from political interference and the consistency with which the law is applied.”

There is indeed a formidable arsenal of legislation that corruption-busting institutions have at their disposal and our institution enjoy protection, respect and independence.

However, having said this, I must also add in the often incorrectly quoted words of Amilcar Cabral that we must, “Hide nothing from the masses of our people. Tell no lies. Expose lies whenever they are told. Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures. Claim no easy victories . . .”

We must say therefore, that the fight against corruption is very far from won and that we are not yet able to claim that we have done all that we can as best we can.

The National Development Plan 2030 highlights what I believe are essential matters for guiding us in how we conduct ourselves and the business of Government.

In addition to political will, corruption has to be fought on three fronts: deterrence, prevention and education. Deterrence helps people understand that they are likely to get caught and punished. Prevention is about systems (information, audit and so) that make it hard to engage in corrupt acts. The social dimensions of corruption need to be tackled by focusing on values, through education.

So Advocate Busisiwe Mkwebana we support you, your office and the valuable work you are doing.

We would like to continue being supportive by engaging in constructive criticism. All of the best in carrying out your mandate.

I thank you.

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Men's Rally March

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SPEECH BY THE PREMIER OF THE NORTHERN CAPE, MS SYLVIA LUCAS ON THE OCCASION OF THE MEN'S DAY CELEBRATION, KATHU STADIUM, 24 NOVEMBER 2013

Mme Re Ka Thusa, ZF Mgcawu Women’s Economic Empowerment District Summit

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Address by the Honourable Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms Sylvia Lucas on the occasion of the Mme Re Ka Thusa, ZF Mgcawu Women’s Economic Empowerment District Summit, Upington Show Ground, 17 September 2013.

Page 15 of 27

Premier Speeches

Media Statement by the Premier,Dr Zamani Saul on the Provincial Vaccine Rollout

Memorial Lecture on the Life and Times of Charlotte Matthys

Message of Support by the Acting Premier of the Northern Cape, Mr Gift van Staden, at the Public Protector’s Provincial Stakeholders forum Sol Plaatjie Municipal Chamber, Kimberley

Men's Rally March

Mme Re Ka Thusa, ZF Mgcawu Women’s Economic Empowerment District Summit

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