PREMIER 'S ADDRESS
Master of Ceremonies
MEC for Local government, Mr Fish Mahlaiela
His worship Mayor Isaiah Khoza
Honoured Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Mr Khoza, a few years ago when Chrysler chairman, Lee Lacocca said that a leader's legacy should be that he made it better than when he got it, I doubt if he had you in mind. That as it may, I am certain that your legacy is that you are undoubtedly making Nelspruit better than you found it.
When we took office as mayors and councillors in towns and cities of South Africa more than four years ago, some of us knew very little about how government really works.
This was a very challenging period because we had - in some cases - inherited a very racist public service, predominantly white, male and Afrikaans speaking.
Today in Mpumalanga we are very proud of the cosmopolitan mix of cultures, languages and tradition - not only at national government level, but also in the provincial and local government.
It is at local government where change and service delivery is felt most.
As elected political leaders, we realised that the mandate given to us by the people of Mpumalanga cannot be translated into effective realisation without a coherent public service which has one objective: to serve our people.
Some of you were novices to the workings of government; others were too used to doing things in a fixed manner not yielding new ideas. But when we began talking to one another a new identity began to emerge: the seeds of an integrated government administration.
Today's service excellence award - because that is really what they are - acknowledges men and women who have gone beyond their call of duty.
A call of duty that saw you convert ideas into action. That has been the secret of your success. And that is largely attributable to the leadership excellence of a dynamic leader. Of course we should remember that the only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.
Ladies and gentlemen, let's put our hands together for a dynamic leader, Mayor Khoza. We are not only here to pay homage to the City Council of Nelspruit for winning the awards, but also to pat our backs. Pat our backs because Nelspruit has emerged as a leading example of how an institution can be transformed to reflect the broad South African population.
I am told that as a gentleman, a manager and a communicator you have been able to assists in the development of the city while taking everybody - the privileged and the underprivileged - with you. That is no mean feat.
You and your team, I understand, have been able to attract investors and tourists through excellent investment concessions, unsurpassed service, brilliant marketing and an effective crime prevention strategy.
I believe some of this was partly due to the synergy that exists between yourselves and MEC Mahialela. It is not surprising therefore that the Department of Local Government, Housing and Land Administration in Mpumalanga has been voted tops. It says a lot about the necessary co- operation between provincial and local structures.
The challenges facing you are clear:
Becoming competitive in an ever open world economy in a manner that engenders equality, the delivery of good and excellent service and develop the skills of our most important assets - our employees. Let us take this occasion to reaffirm our commitment to execute our duties in an efficient manner.
You have demonstrated the ability to provide the leadership and show that it is possible for local government to do things differently. You have the best human talent that the province can provide in this room. Not to mention an abundance of technical and other resources around us. Arise to the challenge and be among the best in the world.
It is important therefore for every councillor to make a special effort to maximise use of their energetic support staff, in order to accelerate transformation and service delivery. Each one of you has a responsibility, singularly and collectively towards meeting this challenge. I think you will agree that under the skilful leadership of Mayor Khoza and his team we are well equipped to face the new challenges of the new millennium.
Allow me to thank PMR, for initiating these awards and everyone involved in the selection process.
I thank you.