The opposition party says the GSSC's annual report shows the provincial government is failing the unemployed. To address the situation, the centre was mandated to establish job centres in Fox Street, in Johannesburg, and at Maponya Mall.
“The one in Fox Street has been operating for some time; however, I was shocked to discover that the Maponya Mall one is still not yet up and running due to a lack of computer infrastructure. This is an appalling performance from a department that spends over R1 billion a year,” says DA spokesperson for Gauteng finance Mike Moriarty.
Read more: South Africa: Democratic Alliance questions Gauteng Shared Services Centre inaction
The provincial government recently stopped the outsourced contract, terminating the agreement two years early, after deciding to move the functions in-house under the auspices of the Department of Finance. The decision was the result of a “reprioritisation” process within government.
However, government's move resulted in the contract with Dialogue subsidiary Sibize Calling International, being canned. As a result, Sibize itself is likely to close down, because Gauteng was its largest customer.
Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane and Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane officially launched the new centre on Friday.
The Thusong Centre programme was initiated in 1999 and provides one-stop integrated community development centres where citizens can access government services.
Education had a light-hearted sidekick when the City’s corporate geo-informatics (CGIS) directorate hosted the annual GIS Day at the Metro Centre in Braamfontein.
CGIS used the global event, on 17 November, as an exciting way of teaching the public about what it does and how it does it. CGIS staff and their offices were dressed up according to the theme, which was “Four seasons … all year round”. Each season represented a specific area of expertise within the department.
The province has ended its contract with the company that had been operating the call centre after a complete breakdown in services.
The Gauteng government is still trying to decide how much to pay the company for the balance of the contract.
Read more: South Africa: Gauteng government considers new options for Shared Services Centre