Speech delivered by the MEC for Economic
Development, Environment and Tourism, Mr
J L (Jabu) Mahlangu, MPL during the
official inauguration of the Mpumalanga
Economic Growth Agency (MEGA)
information centre at Kmia, Plaston,
Mbombela Local Municipality
2 November 2009
CEO of MEGA, Ms Nosizwe Nokwe, in
absentia
Managing Director of KMIA, Mr Marius Nel
Secretary of NAFCOC Mpumalanga, Mr G T
Mokoena
Members of the media
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Good morning!
When we tabled our departmental policy
and budget speech in August this year,
we committed that we will ensure the
creation of a super economic growth
agency before the end of the current
financial year, as mandated by the
Premier. The new entity will be born out
of the merger of MEGA, MADC (Mpumalanga
Agricultural Development Corporation)
and the MHFCo (Mpumalanga Housing
Finance Company). I can report that the
realisation of the “super” economic
propelling entity is progressing well,
and that the Executive Council has
decided to retain the name MEGA, for the
new entity. However the decision does
not mean the old MEGA will take over the
other merged two entities; hence the new
entity will operate under a reviewed
Act. To that effect, we have submitted
the MEGA Bill of 2009 to the Provincial
Legislature last Friday for
consideration.
As the Premier mentioned when he
announced the decision to merge the
three public entities, “what we expect
to see with this merger is an
acceleration of enterprise development
and delivery of massive infrastructure.
May I therefore, take this opportunity
to allay fears that the merger will see
some people losing their jobs. Our
commitment towards creating decent jobs
and sustainable livelihoods is
unwavering, hence working together with
labour unions representing the workers
concerned, we will ensure that no one
lose their jobs. However, as in any
change, there might be some structural
re-arrangements, and but even when that
happens, employees will be properly
consulted for inputs.
This we do, bearing in mind the gloomy
outcome of the recession, which saw
thousands of our people losing their
livelihood. It is reported that over 40
000 people have lost their jobs in the
province due to the economic recession
and as the caring government, we cannot
allow more families to go hungry.
Ladies and gentlemen, we hosted the
Provincial Economic Summit from 15 to 16
October this year, in order to craft
mechanisms and strategies to mitigate
the impact of the economic recession in
the province. Delegates at the summit,
who included government, business,
labour and civil society formations
agreed to facilitate amongst others:
* The establishment of a University for
Mpumalanga
* The upgrading of major hospitals
* The establishment of a tertiary
hospital for the province
* The maintenance and upgrading of the
coal haulage road network
* The construction of an International
Convention Centre (ICC)
* The finalisation and implementation of
the Provincial Cooperatives Development
Strategy
* The establishment of the Provincial
Development Council (PDC) within two
months.
We therefore believe our public entities
like MEGA, would play a pivotal role in
assisting us to fulfil the commitments
we made during the Economic Summit.
I am therefore humbled and proud that
MEGA is committed to fulfil its mandate
by ensuring that potential investors
coming to the province are kept up to
date with regard to investment
opportunities. The official launch of
the MEGA information centre at the
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
(KMIA) this morning, is a strategic and
well-thought decision by the agency, and
is applauded. This happens against the
backdrop that out of the 300 000 people
arriving at this airport on an annual
basis, 60 per cent of them are
international tourists.
It is further said that passengers spend
on average; 40 minutes in the terminal
building hence the information centre
will come in handy. We also believe the
information centre will provide the
necessary information to international
visitors who will descend on our
doorstep for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and
beyond.
May I take this opportunity to
congratulate the CEO, Ms Nokwe in
absentia and her team on this
initiative, and encourage them to even
look for other opportunities elsewhere.
It is our collective responsibility to
create a platform for economic recovery,
for the benefit of our people. It is our
collective responsibility, that we must
realise the fulfilment of the five
priority areas of the ruling party.
Like President Zuma said, “the dreams
and hopes of all the people of our
country must be fulfilled. There is no
place for complacency, no place for
cynicism, no place for excuses.
Everything we do must contribute in a
direct and meaningful way to the
improvement of the lives of our people.”
I leave you with an inspiring quote by
British archaeological scholar, Thomas
Edward Lawrence who once said and I
quote, “All men dream but not equally.
Those who dream by night in the dusty
recesses of their minds, wake in the day
to find that it was vanity, but the
dreamers of the day are dangerous men
and (women), for they may act their
dream with open eyes to make it
possible.”
Ladies and gentlemen, it is clear that
the MEGA team dreams with its eyes wide
open; it is clear that they are forever
scavenging for opportunities to make a
difference. They are dangerous dreamers,
who will assist us to make it possible.
Working together we can do more to
attract domestic and foreign investment
to the province, and also mitigate the
effects of the recession thereby
propelling our economic growth for the
benefit of our people.
It is my privilege and honour, to
declare the information centre of MEGA
at the KMIA, officially opened.
I thank you!
Issued by: Department of Economic Development, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
