Van Rooyen pledges to carry on Gordhan’s work
CO-OPERATIVE Governance Minister Des van Rooyen wants to be judged by his performance in the portfolio, not as the subject of a merry-go-round at the helm of the finance ministry, a matter which he said should be left in the past.
And while the former ANC MP and mayor of Merafong may have been in charge of finance for four days as “David”, he prefers Des, the first name by which he’s been known for, well, ever.
“As the humble servant of the glorious movement (the ANC) I am ready to be deployed… even if it is for two hours or four days, I am ready,” he said at his first media briefing yesterday.
Flanked by his two deputy ministers, Van Rooyen said a back-to-basics programme already instituted by the ministry to get councils working efficiently and effectively would continue.
Steps would also be taken after 43 young men died during initiation ceremonies in December – the majority dying in the Eastern Cape (30), followed by the Free State (6), three in the Northern Cape, two in the Western Cape and one initiate death each in the North West and Gauteng.
“This is totally unacceptable… We must correct this situation,” he said.
He advised that a hotline, 0800 111 166, was available to report any initiation-related matter.
The former Merafong mayor, ward councillor and North West chairman of the South African Local Government Association said his background would stand him in good stead in the portfolio, with the support of the deputy ministers and department officials.
As a “loyal, disciplined cadre”, Van Rooyen said he is looking “forward to serving the people of South Africa”.
Van Rooyen, or “Comrade Des”, yesterday received the ANC’s support following an extended meeting of its national working committee.
ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte said: “We think he will do a good job”. She said he was a “good organiser” and “appears fairly humble, but precise”.
But the DA, IFP and municipal workers’ union Samwu were unimpressed, particularly since local government elections will be held in 2016.
However, Van Rooyen said he would be meeting with the labour union.
The move was welcomed by Samwu: “We need the minister to work with us to ensure that municipalities are financially sound and viable,” it said.