DIGNITARIES rolled into Bhisho en masse yesterday for the official opening of the R80-million House of Traditional Leaders. The Eastern Cape is the first province in the country to provide traditional leaders with a dedicated building for their affairs. DA spokesman on traditional leaders Veliswa Mvenya agreed the project would restore dignity, and the building [...]

THE King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality – hit by service delivery woes – splashed out nearly R400 000 on a lavish ceremony to mark the switching on of Christmas lights, and decorations last year. Local Government MEC Sicelo Gqobana made the startling revelation while responding to a question from DA MPL Veliswa Mvenya in the Bhisho [...]

54. Mr R S Stevenson to ask the MEC responsible for Provincial Safety, Liaison and Transport: (1) Whether any discussions had been held between the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM) and the province with regard to the Apple Express narrow gauge railway as at the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, [...]

In the State of the Province address we expected the Premier to speak more on the burning issues that negatively affect the province. She failed to spell out how her Government is going to deal with the severe drought and lack of planning at Local Government level. Farmers, both emerging and commercial, are suffering, they [...]

Premier: *1. Mr R S Stevenson to ask the Premier: (1) What was the reason for the cancellation of the fleet contract for the province; (2) whether this information was available when the Joint Committee on Transport and Finance was assured, under oath, by the officials and the MEC responsible for Provincial Safety, Liaison and [...]

THE plight of matriculants who cannot find work is a direct result of the provincial Department of Education depriving children of the opportunity to become part of the global information technology spectrum. It is unacceptable that our children are denied the opportunities they need to lead meaningful, positive lives. The Eastern Cape Department of Education [...]

44. Ms A S Woodhall to ask the MEC responsible for Local Government and Traditional Affairs: (1) Whether he has been informed that although there is a dam situated nearby, the villages in the Ngqamakwe area have no proper water supply; if so, (2) whether any steps have been or are to be taken with [...]

The plight of matriculates in the Eastern Cape who cannot find work is a direct result of the provincial Department of Education depriving children the opportunity to become part of the global IT spectrum. While private institutions are doing their part by donating computer equipment to poor, rural schools, their efforts are being undermined by [...]

Premier: 1. Mr R S Stevenson to ask the Premier: (1) How many (a) special audits, (b) special investigations and (c) forensic audits were conducted by the Auditor-General in the province in (i) 2007/2008, (ii) 2008/2009 and (iii) 2009/2010 up to and including the latest specified date for which information is available;

Dear Editor DROUGHT RELIEF ON THE WAY Good news is on the horizon for farmers who have been so hard hit by the ongoing drought in the province. The Democratic Alliance has received numerous calls from people who are desperate to find out whether any government relief is on the way. The Department of Agriculture [...]