S Cachalia: Limpopo Prov Budget 2009/10

19 February 2009

Honourable Speaker
Honourable Premier
Distinguished colleagues in the Legislature
Stalwarts and veterans of our struggle
Executive mayors, mayors, speakers, councillors and managers of
municipalities
Esteemed traditional leaders here present
Leaders of the ANC and MDM structures
Leaders of the trade union movement
Leaders of the religious organizations and churches
Leaders of the opposition parties
The DG and senior officials in our provincial administration
Leaders of Chapter nine and ten institutions
Youth, women, business and community leaders in our midst
Representatives of the media
Distinguished guests
Comrades
The people of Limpopo

Honourable Speaker,
It is an honour and privilege to table before this house:
* The budget statements 2009/10
* The Provincial Budget Speech for 2009/10
* The Provincial Gazette
* The Citizens Guide to the Provincial Budget

Allow me to present the budget for the 2009/10 financial year.
We present this budget at a time when the world economic order is in serious
disarray. Developed countries of the world have slipped well into periods of
recession and the devastating effect of this disorder is clearly being felt by
both emerging and developing economies like ours. The most seasoned economists
in the world over find it difficult to make forecasts and predictions on what
can happen to the growth of global economies whether it is in the years ahead,
months ahead or even days ahead.

The roller coaster nature of the value of the rand against other currencies,
losses and fluctuations on our own stock market and the shedding of jobs by
mining companies in Limpopo give an indication of the volatility,
unpredictability and the downward swing of our own economy.

We have already prepared for a drastically reduced growth in our economy and
our forecasted revenue collection has been revised downwards. We have been
warned to expect and be prepared for worse things to come (apparently we ain’t
seen nothing yet). Words that are reserved for explaining adverse medical
conditions such as collapse, contractions and depression have become everyday
use in economic analysis to describe events pertaining to the economy.

What started off as a subprime crisis amongst Wall Street bankers has
degenerated into a swirling tailspin putting world economies on the brink of
ruin. Leaders of the major economies of the world in Europe and the United
State (US) talk of “bail-out”, and have committed incredible amounts of money
to rescue their bankrupt financial, corporate and in some instances
manufacturing institutions.

I am told that more than a hundred and forty years ago, in 1867, Karl Marx
wrote in Das Kapital “Owners of capital will stimulate the working class to buy
more and more expensive credits, houses and technology, pushing them to take
more and more expensive goods, until debt becomes unbearable. The unpaid debt
will lead to the bankruptcy of banks, which will have to be nationalised, and
the state will have to take the road which will eventually lead to
communism.”

Honourable Speaker this budget is also presented at a time when we are in
the final straits of completing 15 years of our democracy and the third term of
the present government in power. The fact that our people eagerly awaited the
announcement of the election date and the excitement gripping them in
anticipation of the election is in itself a testimony and a tribute to a
functioning democracy that has developed, is healthy and continues to mature.
In the words of President Motlanthe “We may even say that, in a strange quirk
of fate, many aspects of our Constitutional order have been tested in the
recent past, and every one of them has passed the test to reveal a democracy
that is exceptionally resilient.”

It is a democracy grounded in a Constitution which itself is premised on the
ideals enshrined in the freedom charter. It is a democracy brought to fruition
by the dogged commitment, determination and resilience of our revolutionary
democrats and the people of South Africa, who withstood hardships, killings,
exile, detention, incarceration and dehumanising treatment at the hands of
advocates and supporters of a pernicious ideology rooted in racist bigotry.

The African National Congress in 2009 stated that “South Africa’s democratic
elections from 1994 to 2004 were about the aspirations and collective desire
for a better life for all. Fifteen years into our democracy, together we have
achieved much in building a new society, uniting all our people, expanding
opportunities that the new freedom brought to our people, reducing poverty and
improving the quality of life of millions of South Africans. However, much of
the economic and social devastation of apartheid and its scars are still with
us. Our common struggle to build a better South Africa continues.”

Hence, this budget speech is presented during an interesting conjecture in
our transformation epoch. The 2009/10 financial year serves as a qualitative
linkage between the tail end of the current five year term of government and
the beginning of a new term of government.

Honourable Speaker, in our guest to create a better life for all, foremost
on our agenda is the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy which
prioritises, inter alia, the creation of employment, reducing poverty and
fostering economic growth in the province. As the recently finalised fifteen
year review report of the province points out we have made substantial progress
since 1994 in terms of accelerated service delivery, transformation of the
state, transformation of the economy, eradication of the apartheid era spatial
patterns and the implementation of a comprehensive social security system.

Over the last year we have ensured that social services are adequately
funded and have strengthened our commitment to accelerate growth, create jobs
and reduce poverty through creating sustainable employment, meeting the basic
needs of the people in terms of housing, free basic services and improving the
lives of all the people of Limpopo. Our economic growth figures show a positive
growth rate of 3,1% in 2004 up to 4,6% in 2006 and only marginally slowing down
to about 4% in 2008.

Limpopo has experienced an encouraging trend on positive employment growth.
According to Stats SA the unemployment figures in Limpopo fluctuate on an
annual basis with:
* 28,1% in 2001
* 39,4% in 2003
* 35,6% in 2006
* 32,4% in 2007
* 30,6% in the 2nd quarter of 2008
* 29,5% in the 3rd quarter of 2008.

While the downward trend is encouraging, it is imperative to mobilise all
resources, especially the private sector, to contribute in terms of ensuring
job retention in the current hostile economic environment. We strongly urge the
private sector to consider retrenchments as a last, rather than first resort
when responding to the current economic crisis. Other innovative options such
as the reduction of working hours and labour intensive methods should be
explored with workers to save jobs.

The capacity of the provincial government to render services to the people
of Limpopo has improved as indicated in the findings of the University of
Limpopo’s recent citizen satisfactory survey conducted in 2008. The survey
found “Participants’ rated the service quality offered as acceptable. Most
participants across the province agreed that government employees made an
effort to understand the needs of the Limpopo citizens.”

For the financial year 2008/09 our Provincial Growth and Development
Strategy set out key delivery targets in that all households should have access
to potable water, sanitation and electricity.
* The 2008/09 target on households that have access to potable water was 994
798 households or 80% of the population. By the end of 2008, 907 753 (84%
cumulatively) had access to piped water.
* By the end of 2008, 620 596 or 84,2% households in the province have access
to free basic water.
* In support of the water services provision, the Department of Water Affairs
has completed the water purification works at the Nandoni Dam with bulk line
infrastructure at 70% complete. The De Hoop Dam currently under construction is
at 30% complete. Every clinic in the province has access to water and the water
quality is being upgraded through reverse osmosis plants. The Independent
Electoral Commission (IEC) water for schools programme at voting stations is
progressing well.
* By the end of 2008, 564 548 or 45,4% of households had access to
sanitation.
* At the end of 2008, 957 493 households or 81% had access to electricity,
while 215 280 households or 29,2% had access to free basic electricity.
* The Provincial Growth and Development Strategy targets to eliminate informal
settlements by 2014. Statistics SA General Household Survey (2007) indicates
that 4,4% is the overall percentage of households living in informal
settlements in Limpopo. This proportion is significantly lower than the
national average which is at 15,4%.
* 78% of the clinics in the province operated on a 24 hour basis by the end of
2008. This is an increase from 2007.
* Limpopo’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has reduced from 21,5% in 2005 to 20,7% in
2006 and 18,5% in 2007 respectively.

The main focus of the Integrated Human Settlement strategy is to eliminate
informal settlements by 2014. As at the end of the third quarter, a cumulative
number of 7 896 housing units have been built and since 1994, just over 300 000
houses have been built in the province accommodating 1,2 million people. Key to
the success of the Department of Local Government and Housing was amongst
others ensuring the implementation of the policy on breaking new ground thus
creating integrated sustainable human settlements. The development of mixed
income high density integrated human settlement at Bendor Extension 100, in
line with the breaking new ground strategy is an example of such.

May I also then take this opportunity to congratulate comrade
Nkoana-Mashabane and her department, on behalf of the government and people of
Limpopo on winning the National Govan Mbeki Housing award.

In dealing with backlogs, the Department of Education completed the
following projects at the end of December 2008:
* 636 classrooms
* 22 laboratories
* 161 administration blocks
* 982 toilets
* 90 schools with water supply
* 17 schools with adequate electrification.

In addition to the above, we are going to extend the feeding scheme to
quintile one secondary schools. The President set a target of 60% of no fee
schools. In Limpopo Province, we are already at 70%, thus exceeding the target
by 10%.

Last year we set out to build 27 state of the art schools. We have to date
started with 12 schools of which the first school will officially be opened
within eight weeks. These state of the art schools come standard with an
administration block, a multi purpose 1 000-seater hall, fully equipped
science, biology and computer laboratories, a home economics centre and well
resourced libraries.

The Department of Health and Social Development has upgraded and completed
19 of the 20 planned clinics to deal with primary health care. New Nkhensani
and Dilokong hospitals are nearing completion with Letaba and Thabamoopo
expected to be completed by the end of July this year. Accommodation for staff
at various hospitals and clinics include new construction projects which are
underway for 62 houses, 182 bachelor flats and 60 hostel rooms.

The Department of Roads and Transport through the Roads Agency Limpopo, has
since its inception in 1999 to date spent R5,672 billion on the Limpopo roads
infrastructure. This includes amongst others, the tarring of 942 kilometres of
roads, the rehabilitation of 711 kilometres of roads, routine maintenance of 2
202 kilometres of tarred roads and the construction of 20 bridges.

Honourable Speaker, having shown how the previous budget allocations have
been utilised, I now turn to the budget allocation for the 2009/10 Medium Term
Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for Limpopo province. In so doing we remain
mindful of the fact that in spite of the tremendous progress and advances made,
we continue to face serious challenges of rural marginalisation, poverty, high
unemployment and deepening inequality. Our focus therefore will have to be on
rural development, food production, decent work creation, education, health,
safety and security of our people. It is important that our programmes and
plans deal with and be linked to these developmental priorities.

Moving to own revenue, provincial own receipts is projected to increase
minimally from R530 million in 2008/09 to R560 million in 2009/10 and will
continue to grow marginally over the MTEF to R618 million by 2011/12.

For the period between 2008/09 projected outcomes and for the 2009/10
financial year, provincial own revenue increased by 3,7% in nominal terms and
recorded a negative growth rate of 1, 3% in real terms. All provincial own
revenue items are estimated to register a 3, 4% growth rate in nominal terms
over the 2009/10 MTEF. This limited revenue basis signals the provincial
government to explore other constitutional and legal ways of identifying new
sources of revenue. Moreover, proper costing of estimated revenue collection
will contribute to the improvement of revenue collection strategies and a
reduction in under collection by the responsible departments.

We have always argued and maintained that the baseline allocation of the
Limpopo Province is less than adequate. Despite this, our baseline has been
reduced further for this financial year by an amount of R372 million as a
result of the effect of the economic meltdown and cross border migration. Our
total budget allocation for the 2009/10 financial year is R34,540,445 billion
made up of R30,421,005 billion as our portion of the equitable share and
R4,119,440 million as conditional grants.

This represents a 7% increase from the 2008/09 financial year. All things
being equal, the amount will increase to R38 billion in the 2010/11 financial
year and to R41 billion in the 2011/12 financial year.

In allocating this amount to the various line departments, we have been
guided by the policy priorities of government and we hope that these strategic
allocations, albeit not up to expectation in monetary terms, will contribute
meaningfully towards attaining our developmental goals particularly towards the
upliftment of the poor and vulnerable in our province.

Minister Manuel in his 2009 budget speech said “the quantum of the rands and
cents allocated to these programmes is not what provides relief. No, we can
only be satisfied when we know that the quality of life of the poor is
improving, that children are being properly educated, that learners have access
to food in schools, which mothers visiting clinics get proper and dignified
treatment, which the criminal justice system is putting those who rob and
thieve behind bars. It’s what the money buys that matters, and so fixations
with the size of deficits or surpluses are illusory detours.”

Honourable Speaker, in torrid times like this when we have to deal with
increased pressures many of which are beyond our control, it is even more
important that we utilise our resources in the most efficient and effective
way. Improved efficiency and effectiveness on our public spending will not only
help to maintain the fiscal discipline needed during these trying times but
also provide us with an opportunity to continuously review our programmes and
cut the frills, bells and whistles.

Our focus now should be not only on how to cut on unnecessary public
expenditure but rather more on increasing the value for money of public
spending and how to make the most of limited public resources. The period ahead
therefore calls on us to look carefully at the relationship between inputs,
outputs, and outcomes.

We must avoid all the unnecessary costs when executing our programmes. Let
us tighten our fiscal controls and discipline so that we not only achieve more
than five unqualified reports from the Auditor General but we also deliver more
and more to our people. The people of our province deserve no less.

Although our horrifying past still sticks to us and we are forced with
torrid economic times ahead, we have to deliver on the pledges we have made to
our people. Working together we can do more.

We are a winning nation. We are rugby champions of the world for the second
time, we have been the Champions of the African Football once, and we have
produced Boxing World Champions, Golfing greats and champions at the Beijing
paralympics. In their own backyard, we have just shown the Australians who are
the real cricketing champions.

We now have to prove even more, that it is not only on the sporting field
that we can deliver the goods!

Honourable Speaker, I will now proceed to present the allocations per
department.

Department of Health:

The budget of the Department of Health increases from R7,6 billion to R9
billion for this financial year and increases to R10,7 billion in the outer
year of the MTEF. A further unallocated amount of R64 million is set aside for
the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for doctors. The 2009/10 MTEF will
be used to finance policy priorities such as, the pharmaceutical services,
medical waste management, modernisation of tertiary services, tuberculosis,
occupational specific dispensation (OSD), emergency medical services (EMS),
Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), laundry services, HIV/AIDS and malaria
reduction programme. R50 million is made available for the programme on the
cholera epidemic. Further grants include the forensic pathology grant, hospital
revitalisation grant, comprehensive HIV and AIDS grant. To improve the equity
of health care financing and enhancing the quality of care for all South
Africans, a task team has been set up nationally to advice on the development
of a national health insurance system.

Social Development:

The budget of Social Development increases from R725 million to R761 million
for this financial year and increases to R925 million in the outer year of the
MTEF. The allocation is to finance policy priorities such as substance abuse,
employment of social workers, and implementation of the Children’s Justice Act,
Occupation Specific Dispensation and early childhood development.

Presently in our Province 368 690 individuals receive old age pension, 114
545 receive disability grants, 24 492 receive care dependency grants. With
effect from April this year these grants will increase by fifty rand which will
bring the grant to R1 010 per month. 79 759 individuals receive a foster care
grant and this will increase to R680 per month. Just over two million children
receive the child support grant and this will increase to R240 per month. The
eligible age for men who qualify for old age pension will be reduced to 60
years and the child support grant will be extended to children aged 15. The
child support grant depending on affordability will in time be extended up to
18 years of age.

Our social security network is being broadened and this goes a long way in
reducing poverty amongst the most vulnerable in our communities.

Department of Education:

The budget of the department increases from R14,2 billion to R16,362,123
billion for this financial year and increases to R19,594,346 billion in the
outer year of the MTEF.

This allocation will focus on the priorities such as the extension of the no
fee school policy to quintile three, achieving a target on teacher/ learner
ratio in Quintile 1 schools, support to inclusive education and learner teacher
support material, and early childhood development. The National School
Nutrition Programme gets a grant allocation of R419 million and a life skills
education grant of R25 million for HIV and AIDS.

Department of Roads and Transport:

The budget of the department increases from R2,4 billion to R2,989,565
billion in this financial year and increases to R3,481,940 billion in the outer
year of the MTEF.

The allocation will finance subsidies to bus operators, through the public
transport operations grant of R174 million. Funds are also allocated to Gateway
Airport Authority Limited (GAAL), Intermodal Facilities, South African Rail
Commuters Corporation (SARCC), law enforcement and skills development. The
overload control grant and other priority areas include the upgrading of the
R33 road network to the Medupi power station, implementation of the Expanded
Public Works Programme (EPWP) and traffic management. As a matter of interest,
the impact of the Medupi Power Station on South Africa is as follows:
* It will be the 22nd largest power plant, 4th largest coal plant in the
world,
* It will create 8,000 direct construction employment at peak times,
* Current construction employment is at 2 000 for September 2008.
* health disaster response (cholera)
* public transport operations grant
* Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
In a nutshell, the people directly impacted by Medupi is averaged at
80,000.
Plus, keeping the lights on for all of South Africa!

Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism:

The budget of the Department increases from R654,45 million to R743,905
million for this financial year and increases to R806,332 million in the outer
year of the MTEF.

This allocation will finance the promotion of economic planning, stimulating
growth through industry development, management of environmental activities,
land use development, conservation and biodiversity development. The priorities
such as Business Process Outsourcing and promotion of tourism are included.
Grants will be further allocated to the Public Entities namely Limpopo Economic
Development Enterprise (LIMDEV), Trade Investment Limpopo, Limpopo Tourism and
Parks, Gambling board and Limpopo Business Support Agency (LIBSA) under the
control of the department.

Department of Local Government and Housing:

The budget of the department increases from R1,158 billion to R1,401,234
billion this financial year and increases to R1,909,221 billion in the outer
year of the MTEF.

This allocation will focus on the implementation of the strategic support to
municipalities, site demarcations and implementation of the Integrated Housing
and Human Settlement Development which receives a grant allocation of R996
million.

Department of Agriculture:

The budget of the department increases from R1,042,252 billion to R1,185,110
billion in this financial year and increases to R1,438,838 billion in the outer
year of the MTEF.

This allocation will finance the implementation of the Revitalisation of
Smallholder Irrigation Schemes (RESIS), renovation of facilities the land care
programme receives a grant of R7 million, Comprehensive Agricultural Support
Progamme (CASP) receives a grant of R108 million, letšema projects receiving a
grant of R5 million and a disaster management grant of R5 million.

Department of Public Works:

The budget of the department increases from R650 million to R723,674 million
in this financial year and increases to R795,746 million in the outer year of
the MTEF.

This allocation will be used to finance the implementation of the
Government-wide Immovable Asset Management Act (GIAMA), management and updating
of the provincial asset register, the implementation of the energy optimisation
plan, office space audit, the disposal of properties and the renovation and
maintenance of government buildings. A further grant of R13 million for the
Devolution of Property Rate Funds and an incentive grant of R0, 5 million for
the EPWP. A further allocation of R7 million, R10 million and R10 million has
been made available over the MTEF for building capacity as an implementing
agent.

Department of Safety, Security and Liaison:

The budget of the department increases from R43,1 million to R47,133 million
in this financial year and increase to R53,091 million in the outer year of the
MTEF.

This allocation will finance the oversight functions on the South African
Police Service, implementation of the rural safety plan, school safety
awareness programme and establish community policing forum.

Office of the Premier:

The budget of the Office of the Premier increases from R516 million to R559,
181 million in this financial year and increases to R612,429 million in the
outer year of the MTEF.

This allocation will be used to finance the strategic support to traditional
authorities, the Community Development Workers (CDW) programme, coordination of
Apex priority projects and the overall coordination of integrated development
planning in the province.

Department of Sports, Arts and Culture:

The budget of the department increases from R187 million to R231,040 million
in this financial year and increases to R259,107 million in the outer year of
the MTEF.

This allocation will finance cultural programmes, make provisions for
library infrastructure and materials and establish the Limpopo sport academy. A
grant of R45 million for Mass Sport and Recreation Participation Programme,
which is made up of Siyadlala, school sport and club development.

Provincial Treasury:

The budget for the Provincial Treasury increases from R305,2 million to
R329,544 million in this financial year to R356,4476 million in the outer year
of the MTEF.

This allocation will finance the provincial audit fees to enforce financial
management, maintenance of systems through State Information Technology Agency
(SITA) costs, rendering support and assistance to municipalities by conversion
of the Institute for Municipal Financial Officers (IMFO) reporting system to
the Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP), the development of the
provincial macro economic model, completion of the medium term budget policy
statement and crafting the socio-economic impact of the budget on the
province.

Provincial Legislature:

The budget of the Provincial Legislature increases from R115,8 million to
R123,869 million in this financial year and increases to R137,650 million in
the outer year of the MTEF.

In the main, the allocation will finance public participation and our
interactions with the National Council of Provinces. The funding of political
oversight functions and support to the political parties and committees of the
legislature.

Having provided the broad overview of the mainstreamed activities of each
line function department, members of the executive council will undoubtedly I
am sure, render detailed breakdowns per programme when tabling departmental
budgets.

Honourable Speaker, I invite colleagues and members of the public to read
through the Budget Statement documents we present in this house today for a
more detailed account of the background information related to Public
expenditure and other budgetary issues in Limpopo. It makes for interesting
reading.

Honourable Speaker, in his address to parliament and as one of our responses
to the financial crisis, President Motlanthe committed government to spending
R787 billion over three years on the infrastructure needed for future growth
and development. In the Limpopo province we have allocated a budget of R4,399
billion across departments for infrastructure development as follows:

* Education at R852,8 million
* Agriculture at R153,1 million
* Health at R714,6 million
* Roads and Transport at R1,546 billion
* Economic Development at R0,500 million
* Public Work at R68,8 million
* Local Government and Housing at R939,6 million
* Social Development at R92,2 million and
* Sport, Arts and Culture at R31,1 million

Our provincial total infrastructure investment over the MTEF will be R15,9
billion broken down as follows:

* New construction at R6,3 billion (R1,9 billion in 2009/10))
* Maintenance and Repair at R3 billion (R680 million in 2009/10)
* Upgrading and additions at R1,9 billion (R539 million in 2009/10)
* Rehabilitation and refurbishment at R59,4 million (R29,1 million in
2009/10)
* Capital Infrastructure transfers at R4,4 billion (R1,2 billion in
2009/10)
Since the implementation of the Infrastructure Delivery Improvement Programme
(IDIP) we have improved planning, improved on expenditure patterns and on the
quality delivery of infrastructure projects.

Infrastructure development can help to give access to communities to
facilities such as schools, hospitals, roads, water, housing, etc. In this way
it will help meet the challenge of basic needs. It will also create employment,
develop skills and SMME development opportunities, as the policy and practice
of Expanded Public Works Programme is implemented.

To emphasise, infrastructure delivery underpins the very strength of a
country’s competitive performance and contributes to the welfare and striving
for continuous improvement in quality of life of people by the provision of
social support structures.

Mr Goolam Ballim an economist at the Standard Bank adds his support “Public
sector infrastructural provision constitutes a highly effective form of public
spending and every rand spent on infrastructure will contribute at least R2 in
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) lift.”

The Extended Public Works Programme dovetails perfectly well with the
infrastructure spend as it relies on lower skilled labour and in turn boosts
growth in employment. The Gateway International Airport has been completed and
is open for business. The Peter Mokaba stadium will be completed on time and
the 2010 FIFA world Cup will be hosted with all the necessary pomp and flair.
Eskom will generate electricity from Lephalale. We must take up the challenge
of Minister Manuel to claim our fair share of the R4, 1 billion set aside for
phase two of the EPWP by exceeding, together with our municipalities, our
targets for creating EPWP jobs over the period that lies ahead.

In relation to Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), the Provincial Treasury
has and is rendering technical assistance to the following registered
provincial PPPs:
* Renal Dialysis Unit
* Phalaborwa Hospital PPP
* Schools PPP: This project explores a public private partnership as an
alternative method to accelerate the pace of infrastructure delivery and also
to solicit private sector funding.

Honourable members, you may also be aware that in July 2008, the Provincial
Treasury in conjunction with the National Treasury, The National Department of
Provincial and Local Government and the Provincial Department of Local
Government and Housing rolled out the municipal service delivery and PPP
guidelines to all municipalities in the province. To date, we are pleased to
announce that the Waterberg District Municipality, Tubatse Municipality and
Lephalale municipality have registered PPP projects in the solid waste and
waste water sectors.

We have no doubt that together with the private sector we will be in a
position to deliver services effectively and efficiently and we can only
conquer this if we embrace the spirit of partnerships. This partnership between
government, the private sector and our communities must extend to all facets of
our development agenda in our province working together we can do more.

Honourable Speaker, we take great comfort and encouragement from the
confidence displayed by the leadership of our country as they unveiled the plan
to deal with the financial crisis rapidly befalling us. A plan that does not
allow us to lose sight of the tremendous challenges facing us in our quest to
continue to deliver a better life for all our people. The allocations made in
this budget today must give expression to the assertions of Minister Manuel in
his budget speech “our primary goal remains the reconstruction and development
of our economy, and the progressive building of a shared future in which we can
take pride in the quality of our public services, the creation of jobs for our
people and security in our communities. “This means protecting the poor. It
means employment and training. It means investing in infrastructure and
building a competitive economy. It means sustainable public finances. “We are
borrowing not to rescue failed banks or to artificially delay the restructuring
of our industry and trade, but to construct the roads and the power stations,
the classrooms and hospital wards, to modernise technology and transform public
service delivery, as the foundations of growth and broad-based development in
the decades ahead.”

May I take this opportunity to thank the Honourable Premier and my
colleagues in both the executive council and the Legislature for their
contribution to the budget that we table today. Colleagues will pardon me if I
have not adequately captured their contributions. A special word of gratitude
goes to the head official of Treasury, Rob Tooley for the able manner in which
you provide leadership. My sincere appreciation goes to the sustainable
resource management and IGFR branch who worked tirelessly throughout the year.
The same should be said to all senior management and staff in the Provincial
Treasury. A special word of thanks to my executive assistant Gobetse Nchabeleng
and Nape Nchabeleng from the Department of Local Government and Housing who
worked well into the night in the last two weeks collating and summarising
budget documents and their guidance in drafting the speech.

To the Director-General and other head officials of the provincial
departments who worked closely with officials of Provincial Treasury in making
this budget presentation possible. A special thanks to all our guests who took
time and effort to be with us here. A special thanks to Commissioner Mahoai
from the public service commission whose advice on aspects of the budget has
been most useful. To the Auditor-General, Mr Dirk Strydom for his guidance and
assistance on financial accounting and management. To the people of Limpopo
listening to this broadcast, we thank you for your patience and support.

A special word of appreciation must also go to Minister Trevor Manuel,
Lesetja Kganyago and staff of National Treasury who have guided us though our
own budget process.

When the Colossal figure of Nelson Mandela ascended the steps of the Union
Buildings with Thabo Mbeki on 27 April 1994 to take the oath of office, and
when freedom bells reverberated through all the corners of our land, the
embodiment of our struggle committed us to a contract to create jobs, to fight
poverty and to strive for a better life for all our people.

When the frail figure of Nelson Mandela in all his greatness and splendor
ascended the steps of the Dutywa Stadium last week with Jacob Zuma he confirmed
that we are right on track. He endorsed our battle cry “Working together we can
do more.”

Enkosi Madiba! Siyabulela

Issued by: Provincial Treasury, Limpopo Provincial Government
19 February 2009
Source: Provincial Treasury, Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.limtreasury.gov.za)