PREMIER'S ADDRESS
Master of Ceremony ,
Your Excellencies Mayors,
Comrades,
Distinguished guests
Let me start off by thanking you for the sterling role you played during the June elections. Through your unstinting support and hard work the people's voice in your area was able to be heard very loud and clear.
Through your efforts in the African National Congress, COSATU, the SACP, SANCO and other democratic structures, you were able to ensure, that the ANC get a mandate to govern and ensure that the lives of our people improve.
For this the people of South Africa will be forever grateful.
Your area is by and large rural and under-developed. Because of apartheid most of our people were relegated to the most arid parts of the country - dumped there after being used and abused by the captains of capital in the big cities and towns.
During the elections we visited this and other areas. We
promised to come back and talk about how we can build a better life for all.
This we could only do by being a government that works with
the people; that listens and learns from them. Here we are today to do just
that. To listens and find ways of working together. We were told that the most
pressing problems are in this area. Let me touch on them.
The community does not have water; most households are getting water from wells for consumption. We are told that the Vula Trust laid down water infrastructure (pipes) and did not complete the reservoirs. We are also told that the project was stopped because of the failure of the community to make financial contribution towards it.
These are things we are told about this area. But we do not want to pass judgement. We merely want to discuss some of these with you so we can find an amicable solution.
There are other things we told you want improved. You tell us your streets and roads are in a bad condition, particularly in areas like Wallnek-Perdefontein (Masoyini) and Keerom.
Farmers also want to be subsidised and have a training project.
Is it true that you want government to set aside a piece of land where we can build low cost houses?
We are told you want telephone services decentralised, electricity installed in areas like Doorom,Elandslaagte and Perdefontein, more and visible policing and to put a stop to the misuse of government property.
You need a 24-hour clinic, sports facilities ... Your requests are many and varied, but we promise to listen and together find solutions.
Let us acknowledge that we have not been able to deliver on all our election promises in 1994 as well as 1999.
In my Opening Speech at the Legislature in July I pledged that it was my government's commitment to bring water to the doorstep of every household in this province.
I wish to say to you that we will do all in our power to ensure that there is clean water in all parts of this province.
We will improve the roads.
I warned criminals that we would hound them in the morning, during the day and at night - every hour of the day. They will trip on their bushy tails as we flush them out of these areas.
No smile for a criminal,
No mercy for a rapist,
No pity for an abuser and,
No forgiveness for a murderer.
We will deal harshly with all those who break the law. Including those police who think it is their duty to assist criminals.
In conclusion I would like to acknowledge the local councillors' contribution in the various constituencies you serve.
There are areas, which may still not receive the level of services which you have hoped they would receive. And yet you find.yourselves caught up in a vicious.
Without payment, services cannot be improved; on the other hand, one is inclined to say that the only service worth paying for are those that meet the required standards. Paying of services is an investment to our collective future because it provides the oil to move the wheels.
Local government cannot deliver actively without the support of the people. Our support for transformation can in part be measured through our willingness to pay for services of which we make use. Finally, let me leave you with this warning.
As we approach the 1999 election, there will be a growing tendency amongst certain political parties to use pressing community issues as a tool to generate support.
It is relatively simple to mobilise by associating with the hardships of people, and challenging authority in question by posing as a mouthpiece of the community, through exploiting their fears and aspirations.
That is why I call on you to be vigilant.
I thank you