MPUMALANGA PREMIER 'S MILLENNIUM ADDRESSS
In a few minutes the festivities will begin in earnest.
And as we get down to serious celebration throughout the province, the country and the world, let us remember that in a sense we stand at the end of an era and the threshold of a new beginning.
We shut the door to an era that was good, bad and ugly.
For our country the beginning of the 20th century was marked by the Anglo-Boer War a war that claimed the lives of tens of thousands of both black and white South Africans. In a sense it may have been a war fought to determine who shall emerge as the colonial master.
Further afield, in 1994 to be precise, we saw the massacre of 1 million people in Rwanda, targeted on the basis of their ethnic origin.
Contemporary Europe supplied to modern political and military science the term "ethnic cleansing" emanating out of the protracted conflict in the former Yugoslavia and the Balkans in general.
We too, as a country, continue to suffer the consequences of a form of ethnic cleansing imposed on our people by the implementation of the system of apartheid which, correctly, the international community characterised as a crime against humanity.
It would be difficult for any honest person to deny the contention that one of the distinguishing features of the 20th century has been the commission of the crime of genocide, driven by anti-human ideologies of racial superiority and exclusiveness.
As we take that tentative step into the next century we do so still confronted by poverty, unemployment and crime.
We are also still confronted by the challenge of racism in our society. Our national Constitution clearly states our objective to create a non-racial society representing the firm rejection by the overwhelming majority of our people of the practice and legacy of apartheid.
We have to strive continuously to uproot this legacy in all its manifestations, conscious of the fact that poverty and the racial imbalances that are so deeply entrenched in our society remain the greatest sources of social tension and be ignited with disastrous consequences.
But the last century was not all gloom and doom. In a way the miracle that is South Africa was - and still remains - a fitting reprise to the 20th century.
We basked in the glory of victories in rugby; soccer, cricket and we made tremendous strides in athletics at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
We held peaceful elections in 1994 and again in June this
year. Herein lies the hope for a 21st century that will be better than the
present century. The holidays gave us ample time to reflect, refocus and commit
ourselves to a better century.
Our lodestar of a better life for all, is one to which me must remain firmly
committed and which we must pursue with all means at our disposal.
Therefore the first thing we must say is that we all share a common task to maintain a sustained offensive against poverty, crime, unemployment, illiteracy, want and disease.
One of the challenges of the 21st century must be the challenge of ensuring that our economy grows at high and sustained rates of growth, that it generates new jobs and that it becomes internationally competitive, especially in sectors of the economy other than the production and marketing of raw materials.
Thus must we ensure that for us the 21st century becomes a century of an end to poverty and the realisation of the objective of a better life for all our people.
None of these things can happen unless we, in our millions, regardless of class, race, gender and faith, join hands to bring about the better world which is the right of all human beings.
I am certain that the conditions exist in our province, our country and the world that can bring about hope for our people.
Tomorrow morning when the golden sunrays appear teasingly over the Lebombo Mountains, we will be filled with renewed hope.
Hope that the sunrise brings with it a new patriotism and a partnership with the people- a partnership which will help promote a shared commitment to a better life.
As government, in partnership with local authorities and business, we have gone a long way in improving health care and education, particularly for poor communities.
In education we have begun to tackle deep-seated problems like the poor infrastructure and insufficient staff in historically disadvantaged communities, a situation that have for decades undermined the culture of education, learning and teaching.
We have ended legal disparities by race, changing access to grants and establishing a unified social grant administration system at the provincial level.
As government we are committed to investing in housing and infrastructure to raise living standards, improve health standards and creates jobs.
We worked together in providing clean water, electricity and shelter to our people and have worked tirelessly in making a difference in the lives of women, children, the disabled and the aged.
Together with businesspeople, farmers, government, communities and the security services we worked together to forge a common approach to safety, in a partnership that is starting to bear fruit.
Our religious bodies and political organizations are working together to renew our society's morality, to support efforts to combat crime and corruption.
The Partnership Against Aids was given further impetus when every sector of civil society committed itself to help turn the tide against HIV /AIDS scourge.
In all these ways the partnership of all sectors of our society is being strengthened, combining the energies and resource of our nation in the name of what unites us.
But serious challenges remain. By and large the massive social and economic inequalities created over many decades remain.
Racist and unpatriotic attitudes persist in some quarters, especially in the farming community.
We express hope that the new millennium will see accelerated efforts aimed at creating a qualitatively better life for all South Africans.
Together, let us work to build the peaceful, just and healthy society of our dreams.
Together let us work with other nations for peace and happiness across our continent and our globe.
The challenge facing us is to seize the opportunity by the forelock and wring every vestige of hope, inspiration and ultimately glory from the next century.
Given the choice, our people could ask for no firmer base than our province and our country to launch recharged ambition and new resolve.
All we have to do is respond to the new century's call and to forge, for both ourselves and the future generations, a peaceful, productive and prosperous environment in our province.
Faith and integrity must be our trusty companions on this road to progress and economic empowerment.
The light of knowledge must illuminate our paths and the inherent strength, vitality and beauty of Mpumalanga must prevail. This must be the way ahead for the people of this dynamic province.
Let us embrace the new millennium with courage, optimism and an iron resolve in the inherent values of the South African people.
We need to join hands to achieve this South African dream a people-centered country.
We must assist our people to reach those deep pools of resources, resilience and dedication and in so doing, find the key that will create a better life for all.
We should spare no effort in focusing on the tasks of achieving the objectives of the African Renaissance and ensuring that the next century evolves as the African century.
Africa must work her way towards the resumption of her rightful place among the continents of our globe. The results of our efforts will ensure a better Africa.
Talking about results. A few days ago we announced the matric results. They were not too pleasing. At the time I appealed to learners, teachers and parents to put extra effort into education next year.
I wish to repeat that appeal. Let learning and teaching start on the first day of school next year. Let us also ensure that there is sustained learning and teaching going on at all schools at all times of the school-going year.
SADTU, Cosas, Naptosa in fact all of us owe it to our beautiful country to ensure there is a culture of learning and teaching at our schools.
We MUST have improved results next year.
Let us welcome this rare opportunity in history to exercise a fresh resolve.
Let us take Mpumalanga into the new millennium and make it a leading province, a global giant.
We must seize the moment so that this generation of South Africans, and those following on, can prosper in peace.
We wish you all a fulfilling New Year.
Let the Omnipotent bless South Africa.
I Thank You.