PREMIER'S INPUT
Ladies and gentlemen .
First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your appointment as members of the Mpumalanga Tender Board.
I am confident that as true South Africans you will discharge your duties with distinction and with dedication to the development of the government and people of Mpumalanga.
You are entering dangerous and fiercely contested terrain. You will, from today, have tens of thousands of critics.
Bab' u-Sikhosana, Friends will be few, especially if you do your job honestly and with integrity. I will be the first to admit that honesty and integrity have taken a big knock in the past few years.
Our nation is experiencing a deep moral crisis. One of the greatest threats to our democracy is corruption. There is general agreement that the cost of corruption to the public sector and society is devastating and adversely impacts on our capacity to deliver social services.
It contaminates democratic political institutions and good governance. I remarked earlier that friends will be few. But then you will, Bab'UNkosi have many dishonest people who will try their best to your friends.
Mam'u Dlungwane, Mam' uMabaso, they will tempt you. With gifts, with money – in fact with everything. But there are a few guidelines I want all of you to follow in the execution of your duties.
The first would be to execute your duties with honesty and with integrity. Let no-one challenge you when you say you are incorruptible.
If you think it is going to be really difficult for you to refuse any gift that could be regarded as an attempt to exert undue influence on you, then you don't belong here.
Mam-u-Shongwe, Mam' uMwaziya, perform your duties and communicate with honesty and integrity. Mr Mnisi, do not mislead anyone or allow anyone to be misled.
Mr Ncongwane, Mam'u Dlamini, adhere to the principles of openness and transparency in everyday business practice, policy-making and communication, and see to it that your own conduct is always above reproach.
Again needless to say, this also requires that you, Mr Chauke, Mr Kleynhans and all other members of the tender board, have respect for government assets and property, and use all resources sparingly and with honesty.
Mam-uKhuzwayo nawe Bab'u Jiyane challenge others if they are acting in an unethical way, report behaviour in conflict with good governance.
Ntate Mathebe nawe Mam'u Mashaba, ensure that the functioning of the Tender Board, the services delivered or products produced and prices charged concur with the values in the code of ethics.
You must apply yourselves with great devotion to the task of ensuring that the service we pay for is worth it.
I am raising these questions because surely all of us must have cause to be gravely concerned about some of the things that are happening in government and in the private sector these days.
People demand kick-backs for almost everything.
Our motto is ZERO TOLERANCE to corruption and bribery.
I do not know how many of us have heard this message, understood it and taken it to heart in terms of our behaviour.
I am certain that even as we engage in what is clearly going to be a fierce fight against corrupt elements in and out of government, we will do so in a manner that will send them scurrying out of this province with their bushy tails between their legs.
Similarly, we must get this out of our minds that government funds are there for the taking. When you say to someone “Ungazolala lapha kuseMpumalanga,” what exactly are you implying?
The reality is that every cent you steal or encourage someone to steal means that a learner in one or the other informal settlement will continue receiving education under the trees.
Government does not have unlimited resources.
Indeed, acceptance of this reality should lead all of us to reject totally the notion that we are entitled to steal and rob the poor, thus wasting scarce resources that could have been spent on the millions of the poor in our country.
Next time you are approached by the MEC, the HOD, the DG, a rich business person or anyone asking you to throw a contract their way tell them to get lost.
In fact report them. BAPIMPE.
Ask yourself, when you are offered a gift, is the person trying to influence me? I am being offered an acceptable business courtesy, or is it a kickback or bribe?
As members of the Mpumalanga Tender Board I would like you to be incorruptible. Do not accept any financial or other obligation to individuals or organisations, which could lead you to act unethically in your duties and responsibilities.
Recognising that there can be conflicts of interest, accept the obligation to declare any personal interest, which may affect the interests of those, you serve.
In carrying out your duties you will make fair choices, which do not unduly or unjustly favour those with whom you have other ties. Be transparent in your decisions and actions, and do not withhold information, which is in the public interest.
You must recognise that you are accountable for your decisions and actions, and will submit to whatever scrutiny is appropriate. Ensure that at all times you act justly, promoting the culture of respect for the law.
Act in a way that will promote respect for all people regardless of their beliefs.
Finally you must promote and support these principles, seeking to recommend by personal example and service the fundamental moral principle on which a successful community can be built and maintained.
As you leave this hall today you must prepare yourselves to play your due role as tender board members in a society going through a truly revolutionary transformation.
We look up to you as men and women who will give our people the possibility to say that, at last and permanently, we have emerged from the valley of darkness.
Thank you.