Madam Speaker, Honourable P Nkonyeni,
Deputy Speaker, Honourable M Mthimkhulu,
The Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, Honourable Dr ZL Mkhize,
The Honourable Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council,
Honourable Members of this House,
Representatives of all of our social partner formations,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Your Worships, the Mayors,
The leadership of our province,
Distinguished guests,
Members of the media present,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Introduction
Chairperson, it is exactly 1 490 days since the province bestowed upon us the humbling privilege and responsibility of providing stewardship over the economic development and tourism portfolio in the province. Regrettably, we assumed the captainship at a time when the global economic freight liner was reeling from the titanic waves of the financial meltdown, a feat that had not been seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
As an integral part of the global village, we were not spared from the economic mayhem. Standing before this House unwinding the tape of our phenomenal recovery, is indeed a tribute to the People of KwaZulu-Natal and their political leadership. Despite the insalubrious challenges we faced, our economy held out. We, therefore, stand here to share with you the path we walked to this day and, moreover, to re-define a new path and trajectory for our economy going forward.
As we deliver this concluding budget for the MTEF period, we wouldn’t be off the mark to declare that we are today: “celebrating the fruit of our collective labour whilst preparing for a better future harvest.’ The global financial crisis that has characterised the period from 2008 to date has not dampened our resolve to remain committed to our vision of transforming KwaZulu-Natal into an attractive destination for investors and tourists which would ensure the creation of business and employment opportunities in the province.
As we request the indulgence of this House to allow us to reflect on the progress we have made in implementing the undertakings we made to the citizens of this province since 2009; let us express our humble indebtedness and gratitude to the people of KwaZulu-Natal, our Premier, Honourable Dr ZL Mkhize, the staff of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, esteemed Honourable Members of this august house, my colleagues in the Executive Council and as well as our national and provincial principals for their patience, understanding, guidance, support and leadership offered to our programmes, and policies in the last four years.
