He was here referring to the preparations and the hosting of our Second Generation Growth and Development Strategy, or GDS-2 as we refer to it. This will be taking the ruling party’s elections manifesto commitment to the next level of converting it into achievable programme. The GDS-2, augmented by the ruling party’s elections manifesto and other developmental policies & programmes of government such as the Vision 2030 will be a basic document informing our integrated development plans for the next five year.

“We must do a critical review of how well has our First Generation GDS served us. Several key questions need to be asked to establish the progress made with regard to our GDS-1 which include its strong elements, its weaknesses, its alignment with the seven (7) National Key Priorities, and in particular, with OUTCOME 9 of the nationally prioritized outcomes of government, said the Executive Mayor of the Sedibeng District Municipality, Councillor MS Mofokeng.

The Sedibeng Growth & Development Summit was held on the 30th November and 1st December 2011, at the Emerald Conference Centre, Vanderbijlpark.

The Summit reaffirmed the 7 areas of focus which we refer to as the 5R’s plus 2, areas which dominated the discussions in the commissions. The findings from various commissions have given us the following insights on the seven areas of focus:

• Reinventing Our Economy
  The commission reaffirms the vision of Shared and inclusive economic growth that includes growing Sedibeng economy by more than 8% per annum and the reduction of unemployment through the mineral and steel sector in pursuit of economic development and the theme of “reinventing the economy by consolidating existing sectors and exploring new sectors of growth”

• Renewing Our Communities
  The commission found amongst others the need for changing the nature of housing delivery, making Sedibeng look attractive through greening programmes as well as investing in Precinct Projects & Nodes.

• Reviving Sustainable Environment
  The commission resolved on the following for inclusion into the GDS-02, namely identified some important areas flowing from the GDS 1 for our Region which includes partnerships to manage the environment, initiatives to clean air water and land, focus on waste and recycling and the successful conclusion of the Regional Sewer Scheme as well as alternative energy generation amongst others.
  

• Reintegrating Our Region
  The commission noting the important areas from GDS 1, namely, the road and rail corridor development and the need to establish east-west transport links and logistics support to industry.
  
  The commission resolved that to reintegrate the Region with the rest of Gauteng, south and Southern Africa by improving connectivity and transport links, the following key programs should be the pillars  with a view to establish Logistical Hub/IDZ and  to build ICT infrastructure as well as the implementation of the BRT as a transport model.
  
  It was further resolved that for the GDS 2 Vision - Countering the apartheid geography and long commuting distances with better quality of houses close to economic opportunities.

• Releasing Human Potential
  The Commission found that GDS 1 states the vision of education and skills and further noted that the economy will need the skills to grow and that our people will have the education they need for gainful employment going forward into the envisaged future.
  
  The commission resolved amongst others to improve literacy, numeracy & skills levels and promote life-long learning   in partnership with our communities’ educational institutions and private sector. This we will do by ccontinuing to build social capital through key socio-economic interventions.
  
  This we will do by bringing together industry, education providers, and government for partnerships to link economic development and skills together for the future and creating a leadership network in the region.

• Good Governance
  GDS 1 states the vision of governance excellence: High levels of quality and sustainable service delivery , the pursuit of efficient , accountable , co-operative and financially viable governance, and deepening of participatory democracy, meaningful intergovernmental partnerships and citizenship;  promote external government relations; countering the fragmentation towards establishing a single regional authority, and ensuring greater synergy.
  
  The commission resolved that we need to establishment of a single regional authority and build an effective professional team of public servants that are guided by a regional HR strategy and a single performance management system as well the development of an integrated regional financial management system, amongst others.

• Vibrant Democracy 
  These outcomes of this summit will be consolidated to develop the second generation Sedibeng Growth and Development Strategy. This will then be adopted by all the Municipalities here in Sedibeng after scrutiny by our communities. The final product will then form the basis for the four year IDP’s here in the District.
  
  Through these processes, we are assured that all your valuable inputs will find expression in everything we do as Municipalities here in Sedibeng.

High Level Refinement of the Problem Statement for GDS 2

• Reinvent the economy from an old to a new by consolidating existing sectors and exploring new sectors of growth, and in this way build local economies to create more employment and sustainable livelihoods
• Renewing our communities from low to high quality through the provision of basic services, improving local public services and broadening access to them, and regenerating and property, development to improve the quality of living for
• Reviving a sustainable environment from waste dumps to a green region, by increasing the focus on improving air, water, and soil quality and moving from being a producer and receiver of waste to a green city.
• Reintegrating the region with the rest of Gauteng, South and Southern African to move from an edge to a frontier region, through improving connectivity and transport links
• Releasing human potential from low to high skills and build social capital through building  united , non-racial, integrated and safer communities.
• Deepening democracy through enabling all South Africans to progressively exercise their constitutional rights and enjoy the full dignity of freedom. To promote more active community participation in local government, including further strengthening the voice of communities and making sure that community based structures such as ward committees, police forums, school governing bodies are legislatively supported to function effectively
• Good Governance through building accountable, effective and clean government, with sound financial management, functional and effective Councils, and strong, visionary leadership. It is about compliance and competence. 

The Stakeholder Summit resolves to incorporate into the GDS 2
the following gaps from GDS 1:

• Township Development
• Urban Renewal
• Rural Development
• Clean Energy
• ICT connectivity
• Human Settlements

“The long walk continues, in the spirit of deepening democracy and in ensuring that communities play a role in shaping their future, the product of the Summit is owned by our communities as our partners and stakeholders. The roadmap ahead as informed by the 5 R’s plus 2, is made clearer through your inputs which cast the light when the road was not clear.
”, said the Executive Mayor of the Sedibeng District Municipality: Councillor MS Mofokeng when closing the Summit.

The Summit was attended by, Executive Mayors, Councillors, various private sector institutions, government officials, business formations, Ward Committees, Political Parties,

The purpose of the Sedibeng GDS Summit was threefold: to reflect on international best practices; to seek advice from local and international experts in rural, township, urban development and lastly, to obtain final input and comments from key community stakeholders, leaders and officials from other spheres of government.

Growth & Development Summit