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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 02 Oct 2008 Title: Presidency's systems provide for a smooth transition -------------------- By Michael Appel Pretoria - Institutional systems put in place by the Presidency over the years has ensured that any transition in government would be managed smoothly. "The institutional systems we have put in place anticipate there will be a cycle of elections and therefore transition. We have gone through three sets of election in 1994, 1999 and 2004. "We were of the view that we should have matured enough by now to put systems in place to manage transitional moments, so that they are not dealt with in an ad hoc way," said Director General in the Presidency Reverend Frank Chikane, speaking at the release of the Presidency's Annual Report 2007 - 2008 on Thursday. According to the annual report, the Presidency's mandate is to ensure that the President and Deputy President, assisted by the minister in the presidency, are provided with high-quality, professional support to accomplish their executive responsibilities. The fundamental objective of the Presidency, he said, was to implement the strategic agenda of government, and that the strategy was focussed on building capacity to act in unison with society to create the conditions to ensure development. "[The department has put in place procedures and systems] so that the incoming government can actually hit the ground running so to speak, so that there are no disruptions in the process. "The systems should act like clock-work when transition happens rather than somebody trying to reinvent the wheel," said the Director General. The changes that have taken place in the leadership of the country including the change of a number of ministers over the last 10 days or so led to the Presidency kicking its systems into place, he said. "We have been planning for general elections in April 2009, and we have stabilised the system to make sure there are no problems...because democracy caused change. "When it [the change in leadership] happened last week, the head office knew exactly what to do because the systems were in place." Rev Chikane said he was pleased that government has started planning so early. "I'm sure that by the time we hit elections, the system will be so perfect it will be in the form of manual that will guide future governments," explained Rev Chikane. The Director General indicated that his contract will be expiring at the end of October 2008 after having served as DG of the Presidency since October 1995. Reverend Chikane added that he would still be available for consultation and advise should it be needed by the administration. - BuaNews |
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