Budget Vote Speech delivered by the MEC of Finance Elsobe Rockman acting on behalf of the MEC of Social Development, Mrs Sisi Ntombela to the Free State Provincial Legislature
Honourable Speaker of the House
Honourable Premier
Members of the Legislature
Executive Mayors and all leadership from Local Government
Leadership of the ANC and the alliance partners
Traditional leadership
Head of Department
Heads of provincial Social Development agencies,
SASSA and NDA
Members of civil society organisations who are our partners
Leadership from business fraternity
Distinguished guests
All our valued clients
People of this beautiful province
Honourable Speaker, it is appropriate that I congratulate you on your deployment as the Speaker of this important institution and to convey our appreciation for the sterling work done by the Deputy Speaker whilst he was acting in this position.
I must also pay tribute to the memory of the late Cde Sisi Mabe, former Speaker, Member of the Executive Council, Member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC and the ANC Women’s League, comrade and friend. Our lives are poorer at the loss of her young, vibrant soul and her memory lives on in our hearts and minds.
The unquestionable political will and commitment of the African National Congress, our people’s movement, to gender parity and recognition of the significant contribution women are making in building and moving this country forward is again illustrated by your election to the position of Speaker.
Let us be reminded of the wisdom of Kofi Annan’s statement; “Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.”
We are fully confident that you will steer the Legislature with firm direction and commitment towards excelling in the execution of its core mandate of oversight, accountability, legislation and public participation.
Honourable Speaker as we gather here today, we are fully aware of our people’s expectations that our pronouncements will bring about tangible change and improvement in their lives. This Legislature and the ruling party continue to be the only institution and political movement that serve as the legitimate symbol of hope to deal decisively with legacies of structural poverty and inequality.
This is evident from the fact that the overwhelming majority of the voting population in this province returned the African National Congress to government last year to continue with the implementation of our programmes, aimed at realizing our vision of a better life for all.
Hon. Speaker, we understand the moral and difficult task of sustaining the hopes, pride and dignity of our people by turning the tide of poverty.
Full Speech......
