PREMIER'S ADDRESS
Mr. Speaker
Honourable members
Their Majesties the Kings
Honourable Amakhosi
Mayors and councillors
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
We have reached the calm seas. But we can still hear the sound of the raging seas as wave upon angry wave batter the hull of our raft throwing us from one end of the ship to the other.
Our sails withstood the ferocious winds and fierce storms. We steered away from icebergs, as we resolutely remained focussed on what our people asked us to do accelerate change.
Ladies and gentlemen, we remained on course not because we are super-intelligent. We did so because we believed then as we do now that the ideas of the African National Congress would always triumph. We will win because the ideas of our gallant heroes like Shaka, Sekhukhune, Phalo, Nghunghunyane are better.
We will win because our way of doing things is honest. We cannot do otherwise. As children of OR Tambo, Pixley ka Seme, Chief Albert Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo, Moses Kotane, Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Ruth First, Bram Fisher, and Chris Hani we were brought up in a tradition that puts honesty and selflessness above everything else.
As we stand before you today as leaders all of us, none better than the other, we do so in the fulfilling knowledge that we have made a difference. We have reached the calm seas, but we are not yet on dry land. And we hope that when we ultimately dock we will do so on shores that are free from grinding poverty, illiteracy, hunger, and disease.
Mr Speaker today as we embark on this our journey to report-back to the Parliament of the People we do so in the full glare of witnesses pledging that whatever those who elected us into office command us to do we shall obey their order.They shall be our judges because when they elected us into office they did so in the full knowledge that we shall be accountable to them. They did so because we told them that in working for a better life government can only succeed in partnership with the people.
That is why we are in daily and respected contact with the people; we are a government that listens and learns from people. That is why communities are beginning to take full responsibility for their upliftment in partnership with government.
As the President said a new Patriotism must make itself felt among citizens who care for one another; citizens who build one another; citizens driven by new morality in the public and private sectors. When we spoke at the opening of the Legislature on July 6 we committed ourselves to accelerate the programmes on poverty alleviation. We promised to speed-up the process of providing shelter, welfare, jobs and education to our people.
Mr Speaker, we undertook to promote economic growth and tourism, upgrade rural roads and to create a safe and secure environment.We also committed ourselves to the intensification of municipal infrastructure provision, and sustainable utilisation of the natural resources.Above all we promised to engender good governance.The aim of this 100-day report is to open a window on the achievements of the Provincial government thus far.It also focuses on actual deliverables aimed at improving the lives of our people.
In order to implement these programmes we visited a number of communities, particularly in the rural areas. We visited areas like Badplaas, Matibidi, KaBokweni, Nsikazi, Matsulu, Volksrust, Moutse, Msogwaba and Zaaiplaas to name a few. In these areas we met with the Chiefs, the local structures and the community. During our visits to the regions we witnessed suffering beyond belief. We saw people without hope; people living on the edge.
Mr Speaker, but we also saw a determination to become communities that do not wait for handouts. The agonies of despair that characterised the society we set ourselves to replace are slowly disappearing. We are building a new future, a partnership that is providing a new vision of hope and opportunity.
We have a real possibility to move forward faster to improve the quality of life for all the people, to remove humiliating poverty, to remove hunger, to remove endemic disease, joblessness and all other harsh socio-economic realities of our country.
Towards a better life
We have gone a long way in addressing the socio-economic needs of those less fortunate and privileged than us. More than 8 700-child support applications were approved. Women, youth and persons with disabilities in poor communities are primary beneficiaries of 186 income generating projects and an amount of R13 845 320.00 has been allocated for this purpose.
A policy for low cost housing to benefit people with disabilities has been approved by the Housing Board and an inclusive strategy for the integration of disability has been developed so as to ensure that the disabled become part of the mainstream of society.
Ladies and gentlemen, 53 young people have been placed in jobs by virtue of the processes of the Youth Unemployment Forum. This project is initiated and co-ordinated by the Youth Commission.
32 young people from throughout the Province were trained in Business management and drafting business plans it is hoped that they will contribute to the creation of a viable economic environment for the Province.
Investment
In the next few weeks I expect to announce details of the multi-million rand Nkomazi Irrigation Expansion Programme.
Other investment projects include the cotton production plants in Middelburg and Nkomazi valued at more than R27m, expansion of citrus production in Malelane valued at R8, 7m.
One of the world's largest chipboard manufacturers is in the process of establishing a factory in the Panbult area. A total investment of R270 million will be made and 150 jobs created.
A pine door manufacturing and community based resin-tapping project is also under investigation.
In discussions with Goldfields it was agreed that they would avail some of their unused mining sites in the Barberton area to small-scale mining. The process of getting a consortium of small-scale miners together to enter into a joint venture with Mpumelelo has started.
Ten Maputo Corridor Anchor Projects to the value of R134 million were launched to potential investors. The Mpumalanga Investment Initiative (MII) is also in the final stages of implementation of 2 projects from China.
Eighty jobs will be created with the establishment of a tyre-recycling factory worth R18m and 200 jobs will be created when a glass manufacturing plant worth R105m goes up.
We call on our partners in business to help stimulate growth and development in the province. We know that as true patriots they are ever so willing to contribute in the development of their communities.
In doing so we are not calling for blind patriotism; we are not calling for an unquestioning allegiance to government.
All we call for is a new spirit of commitment to building our economy; a preparedness to take a long-term view, not to constantly look for reasons why this or that cannot be done.
We could have a huge impact on our people and our economy if we all moved in one direction.
Mr Speaker we have met with a number of stakeholders in business and we shall again be doing so on December 3 and we shall again call on big business to assist small and medium enterprises so as to open our economy to those who for years were denied opportunities to fully develop as entrepreneurs. We believe that such a move has the potential of creating jobs.
Tourism
Tourism is also one of the most exciting and challenging areas for economic development and employment creation. That is why we launched the Provincial tourism growth Plan. We believe it will pave the way for tourism development in the Province. We also launched the Provincial Tourism Safety Task Group on 17 July 1999.
The provincial government will focus more energy on attracting a robust tourist trade to our province with special attention to areas such as Eco-tourism, sports tourism and business tourism.
Development in the fly-fishing triangle has seen an injection of more than R34m. There is also the construction of the Bourke's Luck Potholes Resort valued at R31m and the Lake Matsamo Resort valued at R25m.
These are no small investments. They demonstrate the confidence investors have in the province and the region. In a few months time we expect to see the erection of a holiday resort and a shopping mall right at our doorstep valued at more than R8,5b.
This project has a potential of 29 000 permanent jobs when completed. Coupled with the job and business opportunities resulting from the other investments we spoke about, we cannot help but feel that we have made a difference. Development goes hand in hand with jobs.
The successes of our province in attracting large numbers of international and local tourists depend, in part, on the ability of both the formal and informal sectors to offer service of a high standard.
Integrated Delivery
we pledged that a great number of our people would benefit from our programmes of providing houses, high quality education, social security, primary health care, transport and other basic services.
These changes must result in a profound improvement in the quality of life for all the people, particularly the historically disadvantaged and people living with disabilities.
As government we adopted an integrated approach to development. We have developed housing programmes which include building houses on well-located land, with access to amenities, and moving away from the apartheid human settlement patterns, which kept people away from centres of economic activity.
We have completed the construction of 2497 houses and we have undertaken various projects under the Special Integrated Presidential Lead Project (SIPP) Programme.
More than 370 houses were officially opened recently at Kwachibikhulu in Chrissiesmeer.
More than 102 000 people who otherwise had no access to clean running water, are now able to turn on their taps in the knowledge that the water they are drinking is safe. In the process 174 jobs were created through the construction of a bulk water supply system. The capital outlay was a little over R17m.
We were also able to upgrade sewerage systems and water purification systems in a number of areas. On the education front we have completed following schools in the past 100 days:
Makhulumazonke Primary School (Nelspruit District)
Molapalama School (Groblersdal)
Nkadimeng School (Groblersdal)
Sithejiwe School (Ekangala)
Molebiya School (Moretele)
Ukuthokoza School (Standerton)
Doornkop (Middelburg)
A new Examinations Board was launched in August 1999 to
ensure the integrity, credibility and honesty of the examinations process in the
Province.
Officials in the exam scandal are under suspension and the misconduct case is
in progress. Replacement staff for the running of exams has been done with the
help of the National Department of Education.
Health Services
The Daggakraal Community Health Centre, which initially functioned as an eight-hour clinic was completed and started operating on November 1.
New wards have been opened at the Ermelo clinic and about 90% of the equipment have been delivered. Only one ward is still closed.
Building is in progress at Verena, Lefiso and the Kabokweni clinics. Construction work will start soon at Mmamethlake Clinic..
Recreation
The upgrading of the KaNyamazane stadium is in its final planning stage and a tender is to be awarded by the Nelspruit TLC.
The Manazana Craft outlet and Gallery and the Silulu Cultural Centre is fully operational.
It has not been all plain sailing. Problems experienced by the Ogies municipality had mounted to such an extent that the Province had to intervene. Other municipalities experiencing problems include Komatipoort, Leandra, Grootvlei, White River and Balfour.
A total length of 5709km was graded in the last 100 days. 64 km of road was re-graveled and construction of and improvements were made in the Waverley and the Siyabuswa Matshiding Roads.
Management
the provision of a comprehensive accessible public health system will continue to receive urgent attention. Particular attention must be paid to increasing the availability of doctors and nurses, especially in clinics.
We have limited resources. We must use them in a way that eliminates wastage and duplication. They must also curb theft of medicines and equipment in all hospitals.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all medical staff, particularly nurses who, as we all know, are the backbone of our health systems.
In partnership with all sectors of society, we will continue to give absolute priority to HIV/AIDS programmes. We will continue to mobilise popular awareness of the seriousness of the epidemic. All of us must realise that the epidemic is not only a health issue, but also an economic one, which we ignore at our peril.
That is why we are pleased that the Aids Partnership is organising an Aids Awareness Programme in Secunda on the first of December.
Mr Speaker, our experience over the past five years has shown that in order for us to make rapid progress in the reconstruction and development of our communities, we need to avoid fragmentation in implementing our policies and programmes.
We commit ourselves to enhance planning and usage of valuable resources for development. Integrated planning and co-ordination will underpin delivery programmes by all spheres of government.
Crime
We are aware that the people of the province cannot be safe while criminals wag their bushy tails at will stealing from and maiming people Children and women cannot truly lead a normal life when lascivious and shameless criminals rape and kill them.
We have mounted a number of operations netting criminals who thought they were beyond reach of our criminal justice system. We are disturbed by reports that some police are involved in crime syndicates. We are in the process of gathering evidence and we are close to a breakthrough.
Regarding taxi violence we met all Mpumalanga Taxi Associations to promote peace and stability. An agreement was reached whereby no Taxi Association owns a rank or a road.
It was agreed that the local council own the rank.
We have made a difference, but more need to be done. We have established a number of Community Policing forums.
The Youth Steering Committee of the community policing forums has also been engaged in the Juvenile Crime Awareness campaign.
Good Governance
The ability of our government to take forward the process of accelerated transformation and service delivery depends on good governance, a concept at the very heart of any successful nation.
The Provincial Treasury is instituting and strictly monitoring monthly cash flow projections so as to eliminate overspending. Stringent cost curtailment measures are enforced in order to curb expenditure.
In order to eliminate incidences of fraud 86 477 persons have been re-registered on the social grants system. The process is ongoing.
Central to good governance are the principles of accountability, transparency and zero tolerance for corruption. But good governance is also about capacity and political will to detect bad and corrupt practices in our Provincial Government. Our obligation and accountability to the public are at the centre of this ethic.
We have acted ruthlessly and expeditiously against the criminal elements that use the positions the people have put them in to serve themselves.
Just this week we discovered that more than 290 people in the employ of government have applied for and are receiving social grants. They receive grants while getting paid in the jobs they are holding. Now that is unacceptable. This cost the government more than R3m.
Mr Speaker, we have beefed up our internal audit unit. We have transferred very senior members of staff to work on ensuring that those with long fingers are dealt with.
It has also been brought to our attention that a number of people have been overpaid for a considerable time. These include someone who was tasked with saving government money. I have instructed the DG to ensure that the money is paid back.
We have also frozen the bank account of an individual who once worked in government and who left under a cloud. This will enable us to recover the money once the case has been finalised in court.
Batho Pele
A lot of negative sentiments exist about the conduct of some workers in the public sector. Lack of commitment to servicing the community by some in the public sector, corrupt practices, and resistance by elements in the old bureaucracy to implementing the programme of the democratic government, has created a bad image for the public sector.
Those responsible for betraying the people's trust in this way, are also discrediting the tens of thousands of dedicated public sector workers who selflessly, every day, provide services to our people on a daily basis.
The Mpumalanga government recognises that there are many health workers, many teachers, many police, local government employees and others who deliver services, to the best of their ability, often under difficult conditions. We salute them for this.
In our ongoing efforts of providing better service to our people, we have to take decisive steps to ensure that the public service is, in reality, geared towards the objective of Batho Pele - people first
So as we deal with issues of social services, be they issues of social grants, be they issues of child grants, we have got to ensure that we take the principle of Batho Pele - people first - forward.
We are aware that there are still people from the old order, albeit in the minority, in the public administration, resisting the implementation of programmes of the democratic government. Others just lack the necessary commitment required of public servants to serve the people.
No persons should be employed within the public service who think that they occupy the positions they do, simply to make a living, without devotion to their duties and without any commitment to serve the people they are employed to serve.
We will not be able to succeed in providing the kind of quality service to the people if we do not have a public administration that is both willing and capable of serving the public.
We have got to therefore weed out from among all agencies of public administration, all those who do not measure up or refuse to measure up to the standards towards the objective of Batho Pele. We are speaking about good governance.
Good governance also means that we must manage our meager resources effectively.
Mr Speaker, while it is the duty of government to lead the process of creating a caring society, so too is the role of all citizens to act in partnership with the government. Key to this will be developing a partnership with the community.
We want to encourage greater involvement of people, whether assisting in the governance of hospitals, inculcating a culture of learning in schools, helping to run public housing through tenant associations, or assisting in combating crime through community structures.
While we accept that the state must take ultimate
responsibility, effective implementation of such programmes requires that
communities take ownership
The enormity of the challenges that the provincial government has to face to
carry out the mandate of the people requires adequate capacity.
Mr. Speaker, and honourable members we have a team of women and men in the Executive Council, who are equal to the task of social transformation.
On behalf of this team of women and men who are committed and determined to serve their people, I make a pledge to this Legislature, that the Executive Council shall be accountable to it as a body collectively representing the needs and aspirations of the people of this province.
We will continue to act with honour at all times, since to do otherwise will be a betrayal to those whom we seek to serve. We trust that all members of the provincial Legislature, from all political parties represented here, will continue to put the interests of the people above self. We know they will work for a better life for all.
As Government, we will make it possible for all the people of Mpumalanga who want to play a part in the process of accelerated transformation to do so.
Together, let us make Mpumalanga a prosperous province whose citizens shall truly lead a better life.
In conclusion Mr Speaker, We must continue to further consolidate all efforts to ensure:
- Access for all to basic needs that is water, proper health care, shelter and housing, education and food.
- Access to protection and to live free from fear that our constituencies are on a daily basis subjected to.
- Curb corruption and maladministration and to further sharpen the various institutions of government to improve service delivery.
- To ensure accountable governance and fiscal discipline.
- To build an ethical and responsive civil service to give true effect and meaning to the principles of Batho Pele.
- An environment conducive to investment for economic growth.
- The further development of the small, medium and micro enterprises that will unleash the potential for job creation in the Province.
- To accelerate programmes for capacity building and human resource development within the Province is a priority.
The Mpumalanga Provincial Government will focus on finalising and completing programmes and projects within the remainder of this financial year and in its vision and plan for the next five years. This deliberate focus will ensure that we implement our grand vision of accelerated service delivery to better the lives of all the citizens of our Province.
As leaders we hold in our mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty, misery, joblessness and homelessness. To the rural masses we pledged our best effort to help them to help themselves to break out of decades of bondage and subservience.
The mandate given to us to improve the lives of our people will not be achieved in the first 100 days or in the next 100, but let us solemnly pledge that we are indeed "BEGINNING".
Let us all set ourselves high standards of strength and sacrifice with a clear conscience that we want to create a better life for our people, a better Africa and a better world.
As we take the first steps on our next 100-days we must understand that this journey will have its steep hills and boulders strewn along our path. We will not and must not be deterred from our determination to move forward, faster.
The steep hills of this journey notwithstanding, the green valley of prosperity on the horizon beckons all of us. It is decorated with peace, with harmony, with social justice, socio-economic equity and freedom - in short, a better life for all.
We can only do this if South Africa, and Mpumalanga, become a beehive of activity, a nation at work to build a better life!
We are indeed in calm seas.
I thank you