Premier

(a) What is structure of the war room

The war room structure is determined by the Problem Driven, Iterative, Adaptive (PDIA) methodology being used.

This methodology is focused on finding real and lasting solutions to binding constraints.

Once a problem statement is agreed, a team of ‘Authorisers’ and officials are selected for that problem statement on the basis of their responsibility for the area of work being approached through the problem statement. The senior officials are selected from across departments and spheres of government, thus ensuring that solutions are transversal and take account of differing mandates and responsibilities. These officials have the expertise to contribute to the process and the ability to implement ideas that are generated in their work.

A Coordination and Support Hub has been established in Wesgro to provide support to the teams, schedule and facilitate all meetings and workshops, and leverage the following from Wesgro’s operating platform:

• Access to strategic partners, stakeholders and networks;
• Access to Wesgro’s internal expertise;
• Media and communication;
• Office space and equipment;
• IT support

(b) What are the names of those participating in the war room, including those from the

1. Government (ii) private sector and (iii) labour sector

The war room has been comprised of the following members. The majority of these members have been drawn from government to participate in the war room due to alignment with their day-to-day work function and expertise.

While private sector members do not form part of the war room teams, extensive and in depth engagement between the teams and business stakeholders is held in order to fully understand the problem statements being addressed, and toward finding potential solutions.

(c) what is the (i) number and (ii) names of those employed to coordinate the work of the war room, including the details of their (aa) remuneration and (bb) job descriptions

(i)(ii)(aa) Ms Penelope Tainton, employed 1 April 2020 – 31 March 2021, remuneration R1 189 338 pa

Ms Saarah Salie, employed 3 July 2020 – 31 March 2021, remuneration R864 000 pa

The majority of human resources for the war room are drawn from government departments already working in the problem statement areas.

(bb) Attached at Annexure A.

(d) how many jobs have been created since the inception of the war room

The war room’s function is to provide a framework for problem construction, deconstruction and generation of ideas aimed at improving the environment for residents of the province, and for business, by removing binding constraints which they face. The creation of jobs is not a direct function of the war room itself, however, by unlocking binding constraints to the economy and through an improved economic environment, it is expected that economic opportunities will be created as a consequence of these efforts.

(e) what is the total amount spent from the inception of the war room to date?

Total budget for war room Pilot, August 2019 to March 2020: R716 000

A further budget of R5million has been approved and a Business Plan and Transfer Payment Agreement have been finalised, so that war room work on binding constraints may continue.