VOTE OF THANKS BY PREMIER
A man walks into a bank and says he wants to borrow R2,000 for three weeks. The loan officer asks him what kind of collateral he has. The man says "I've got a Mercedes 4x4 -- keep it until the loan is paid off -- here are the keys."
The loan officer promptly has the car driven into the bank's underground parking for safe keeping, and gives the man R2,000. Three weeks later the man comes into the bank, pays back the R2,000 loan, plus R10 interest, and regains possession of the 4x4.
The loan officer asks him, "Sir, if I may ask, why would a man who drives a Merc need to borrow two thousand rands?" The man answers, "I had to go to Europe for three weeks, and where else could I store a 4x4 for that long for ten rands?"
Programme Director
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen,
That's why we like banks.
On behalf of the Mpumalanga government on whose behalf I speak here today, allow me to extend our hearty thanks for a sumptuous meal. Being one who believes that there is no free lunch, I trust that this dinner was indeed free.
In one of its documents ABSA states that as a bank you have to strike a babalnce between meeting immedfiate and basic needs and achieving economic growth.
Absa boldly procilaims that the need for community involvement is directly related to the achjievement of higher economic growth that would yultimately nead to the establishment of new busniessses by the historicalcally disempowered sectors of the population.
Now this is where I like it: “The goal should be to facilitate business in the new market by the provision of finance and resources on a partnershiop basis.”
Need I say more?
One of our priorities in government this year is to grow and expand the economy, thus creating more job opportunities and further strengthen the material base for the provision of a better life for all.
In particular we have decided that this year the government itself, in all its spheres, and the public sector as a whole, must make a decisive and integrated contribution towards meeting the economic challenges the province and the country faces.
We identified sectors of our economy that require special attention because of their potential to contribute especially to the objectives of higher growth rates and job creation.
In our province tourism, mining and agriculture are three key factors.
New entrants into these businesses have to be financed and I rise today to challenge ABSA to join us in this venture. We have also set ourselves the goal of establishing an efficient and effective financial administration, and administration in general.
You have the experts. Second them to us and let them assist in meeting our priorities. You may think otherwise, but I think that is not much. Once again thanks for the dinner.
Don't say you heard this one from me, but I am told that there is a new system on the way at all ATMs.
You go to get a balance inquiry, and instead of printing out a receipt the screen will say:: "Not worth wasting paper", and ejects your card. Or you try to get a balance inquiry, and the screen says: "Account not found." and keeps your card.
I thank you.