Finance and Economic Opportunities

I am informed of the following:

1. Currently the Provincial Treasury leverages the Azure platform within CeI and utilises Microsoft Power platforms. This technology has Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning inbuilt for purpose of data analytics. At this point the Provincial Treasury is in the discovery and inception phase when using this emerging technology. Furthermore, the Provincial Treasury has made use of software as a service (SAAS) product, with Artificial Intelligence capabilities to enhance audit outcomes through collaboration and data. 

Using data systems available to it, and by embracing technology and innovation, the Provincial Treasury has been able to produce valuable data analysis reports, which strengthen its ability to fulfil its mandate, while also ensuring transparency with the public. These include:

Public Disclosure reporting (PDR)

The purpose of the PDR was to disclose procurement and expenditure reporting to the public, as a display of Western Cape Government’s commitment to transparency in public procurement, as well as our continued commitment towards clean governance and transparency as required in terms of section 217(1) of the Constitution. The report continues to evolve with incremental improvements over time as we develop the capability further, in a move towards full disclose of all procurement expenditures. The PDR reporting may be accessed via the following link:

https://www.westerncape.gov.za/provincial-treasury/procurement-disclosure-report

Provincial and Municipal Supply Chain Management Insight Reports

The purpose of the Provincial and Municipal Supply Chain Management Insight Reports are to reflect on departmental supply chain management performance in the province in respect of financial and non-financial information extracted from the various systems to provide an overarching view of performance. It is further intended to enable and detect possible gaps and inefficiencies that would require improvement. This will enable improved decision-making processes within provincial departments.

The dashboards and visuals included in these reports are in line with the vision of streamlining all reporting in order to continuously provide up to date and relevant information to aid governance and decision making and to red flag any identified risk exposure to the accounting officers of our provincial departments.

The ability to do this is reliant on and incentivises the availability of accurate data on the various systems and therefore leads to this being prioritised since this is the main enabler to useful and meaningful information and performance monitoring on SCM.

A similar type of reporting is being evolved for municipalities in the Western Cape, although this project is still in the initial phases.

Municipal Vulnerability Dashboard (MVD)

The purpose of the MVD is to provide an early warning system on vulnerable municipalities. Furthermore, MVD is purposed to:

• drive good governance across provincial and local government spheres within the broader intergovernmental framework;
• ensure effective resource mobilisation and sound fiscal management, effective and efficient use of resources, effective financial accountability through oversight systems; and 
• building the capabilities of local governance to enable resilience, agility and innovation.

Expenditure reports

There are also various expenditure and revenue management dashboards with AI capability that have been created and additional organisational tools such as asset management dashboard; staff cost forecasting, etc. to improve overall governance using data as a strategic enabler.

(b)

1. The benefits include enhancing the analytical capacity within the Provincial Treasury, that was previously labour intensive and a manual process. Performance information analysed through this technology has created the capability and opportunity for early warning signs and risk detection so that management can from evidence led perspective be placed in a position to make better management decisions. It has allowed for the users to focus on enhancing the accuracy in data and information management, speed of reporting and improving the oversight mandate of the Provincial Treasury as well as the performance capabilities for departments and municipalities.

Due to the Provincial Treasury being at the discovery phase, we are identifying risks along the way.

Hence information that we publish, especially outside of operational use, receives immense scrutiny and validation as well as checking on compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA); the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act prior to any publication of information for public scrutiny.

Where risks are identified, policies, governance control measures and standards will be put in place to ensure risk mitigation. 

(c)   In the main, the information disclosed or published for public consumption is to enable and improve transparency to our citizens. The citizen will be able to critically engage the information published in the various reports and / or analysis made available for public consumption, increasing accountability, as well as provide an opportunity for residents to provide inputs for improvement. 

          At an operational level within the Provincial Treasury, the information and knowledge management layer being built assists in the planning, execution and reporting phases. This plays a critical role in enhancing and positioning delivery focused outcomes, which in the long term will provide valuable inputs to the Western Cape Government on its financial and linked non-financial performance in meeting the needs of the citizen which is the ultimate goal.