KwaZulu Natal- The Human Resource Development Council Secretariat chaired and facilitated chair the Human Resource Development Provincial Coordination Forum (HRDPCF) Meeting on Wednesday the 4th of December 2019 in Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, Cator Manor, KwaZulu Natal Province. The meeting was co- chaired by HRDC Secretariat Acting Director: Ms. Blondie Chabani and Director: Office of the Premier KwaZulu Natal- Ms Nompumelelo Madonda.

The HRDPCF meeting focused on the progress highlights made by nine provinces in the implementation of the HRD Strategy Towards 2030, Human Resource and skills development initiative implementation in the provinces as well as the issues relating to the alignment of Revised Public Service HRD Strategic Framework to the HRD Strategy. The meeting also touched on the preparations of the 4th HRDC Summit 2020.

Moses Kotane Institute made a presentation on the highlights from KwaZulu Natal Province. The institute conducted research on Cannabis. The purpose of the research was to investigate the commercialization and beneficiation of cannabis. It was found that cannabis field has a potential of creating jobs, attract investments and venture capitals, wealth creation for farmers, and it also generates tourism revenue. Cannabis is used to produce oil, fabrics, food, nutritional supplements, medical, paper products, body care products, plastics, live stocks food and bedding. The province is planning to have a KZN Cannapak model by the year 2020 where all growers will plant in one area and using one license under South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). 

The forum agreed that a working session should be held to discuss the HRD Strategy towards 2030 alongside the reporting template. A draft document of technical descriptive of indicators should also be provided during the workshop.

The revised Public Service HRD Strategic Framework highlighted that it was reviewed to respond to meaningfully to the relevant goals and visions set out in other key government legislations, strategies and policies which were introduced in 2007; including National Qualification Act (NQA) 2008, National Development Plan (NDP) 2011, National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) III 2011 and Fourth Industrial revolution amongst others. The revised strategy has four pillars; namely; organisational HRD strengthening- to ensure organisational “readiness” for HRD in departments, capacity building and development-to ensure that public servants receive relevant, high quality training and development, HRD governance and institutional development and HRD support for development goals.

The Human Resource Development Provincial Forum’s main aim is to ensure the alignment, coordination and the integration of the human resource development principles with the Provincial Growth and Development plans (PGDP). Stipulations of the Human Resource Development Strategy ensure quarterly progress reports on the Human Resource Development activities in provinces.

These reports serve as valuable information for gaining broader insight and understanding into human resource and skills development across South Africa. The HRDC Secretariat is responsible for supporting HRDPCF structures and enabling recommendations to be taken forward by relevant stakeholders and reporting on implementation.

“PARTNERING TO INNOVATIVELY DEVELOP SA’S HUMAN POTENTIAL”