Honourable Speaker of the Legislature, Mr Kenny Mmoiemang
Honourable Deputy Speaker of the Legislature, Ms Junita Beukes
Honourable Premier, Ms Sylvia Lucas Members of the Executive Council and Members of the Provincial Legislature
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development, Dr Thapelo Dithebe
Mayors, Speakers and Councillors
Community Based Organisations, and Non Profit Organisations
Mr Lesedi Piki, Provincial Manager of the National Development Agency (NDA)
Mr Zanoxolo Mpeta, Acting Regional Executive Manager of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
Ms. Elizabeth Botes, Head of Department of Social Development and Government Officials
Members of the media
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Honourable Speaker,
Two days ago on 27 April as South Africans, we celebrated freedom day reminding ourselves of the historic participation of all the people of South Africa in the first democratic, free and fair elections. Over the last two decades we have worked hard to construct a society that serves its entire people. In fact, we have come a long way in addressing the economic, social and cultural challenges created under apartheid.
We have made significant progress in building a democratic nation founded on the values of human dignity, non-racialism and non-sexism. The rule of law and universal adult suffrage is enshrined in the Constitution. Great progress has been made in lifting our poor and disadvantaged people out of poverty with access to water, healthcare, education, housing and many other basic needs which they did not have before 1994. Our economy has become more inclusive and continues to show steady growth. We should all be proud of the progress we have made in the past 21 years of freedom.
Honourable Speaker,
This year’s Freedom Month coincides with the 60th anniversary of the historic adoption of the Freedom Charter in Kliptown, Soweto. The Freedom Charter was and still remains an embodiment of the hopes and aspirations of the people of South Africa. It was at this historic event that the people of South Africa declared for our country and the world to know: that South Africa belongs to all who live in it. That our country will never be prosperous or free until all our people live in brotherhood, enjoying equal rights and opportunities. That peace and friendship amongst all our people shall be secured by upholding equal rights, opportunities and status for all. And pledged to strive together, sparing neither strength nor courage, until the democratic changes set out in the Freedom Charter had been achieved.
Honourable Speaker,
The values as espoused in the Freedom Charter still hold true and they are an overall vision for a non-racial and democratic society as embedded in our Constitution. We therefore cannot but be saddened by the brutality visited upon the foreign nationals in our Country. Today we cannot but bow our heads in shame because of what is happening in our country. This is a betrayal of the dreams of many generations, including our own of African unity and solidarity. We therefore convey to all Africans everywhere, to all African nations, severally and collectively, to our own people, and to the families of people who were murdered, our sincere condolences, and our heartfelt apologies that Africans in our country committed unpardonable crimes against other Africans.
Honourable Speaker,
We will and must do everything necessary to ensure that as Africans, regardless of our geographic origins, we will once more live together as Africans, at peace with one another. Because like Elias Inbram said “when your heart beats for the people – when your eyes see their suffering and your vision sees their relief – and a united world – where goodness is the status quo – Then you have responsibility to take every action to make not only change happen, but to improve the lives of all whom you can touch”.
Honourable Speaker,
In keeping with addressing the multi-dimensionality of poverty and inequality, in the South African context as envisaged in the National Development Plan 2030 (NDP), social protection is an umbrella concept that brings together:
- Social security which draws on section 27 of the constitution to address income dimensions of poverty and contribute to ensuring a standard of living below which no-one falls;
- Measures to address capability poverty: support to early childhood development and investments in children; labour market activation policies and measures that foster productive inclusion of the under-and unemployed;
- Protective measures for nutritional and food security. It is becoming increasingly evident in a growing number of countries that income is central but often not enough to ensure access to adequate quantities of nutritious food and nutrients.
- Developmental social service interventions to address (i) economic and social exclusion and strengthen social cohesion; (ii) ensure that families and individuals are able to access services, entitlements, and potential economic and social opportunities; and (iii) developmental social services to reach out and provide care to the vulnerable such as those affected by HIV , women & children abuse, disabled etc.
