The Programme Director,
ANC provincial Secretary, Cde Soviet Lekganyane,
MEC for COGHSTA, Mr Clifford Motsepe,
His Excellency Kgoshi Makgeru,
SALGA Provincial Chairperson, Cllr David Magabe,
SALGA Deputy Chairpersons, Cllrs Lawrence Mapoulo and Dikeledi Mmetle,
Executive and Local Mayors,
SALGA Provincial Executive Director, Mr Thapelo Matlala,
Municipal Managers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Comrades and Friends,
Good Morning.
Not long ago, until yesterday in the afternoon to be precise, I was one of you and preoccupied with the mandate of organised local government represented by South African Local Government Association (SALGA) which I served in the capacity of deputy provincial chairperson responsible for the Economic Cluster. And of course, my Mayoral responsibilities at the Vhembe district municipality.
That was until yesterday when I was sworn-in as the Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature and the MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison. The swearing in ceremony marked my departure from the provincial to local sphere of government.
This departure may appear to mark a break with local government! Far from it - my umbilical cord lies buried in local government. I therefore have a permanent affinity with local government.
I can proudly say: Once a Councillor, Always a Councillor.
My permanent affinity with local government is in informed by the following factors:
- Cooperative governance provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa which enjoins all spheres to work together as opposed to against or in competition against one another.
- Local government being the coalface of all government delivery.
Ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you as a proud graduate of what I call the SALGA School of Leadership in Governance. SALGA has prepared me for my new responsibility as the Executive Authority responsible for Safety, Security and Liaison in Limpopo. I am more than equal to the tasks and hurdles which lie ahead.
I will remain indebted to my colleagues and officials at SALGA for their contributions in preparing me for my current responsibilities. On Tuesday after being sworn-in one media agency told me that I was entering a male dominated environment of safety and security. I guess I was supposed to be scared, because I am a woman and therefore have no business in this environment.
I thought of the lessons and experiences of local government and of SALGA, these told me that I can make criminals run out of our communities. The Department of Safety, Security and Liaison’s mandate is to provide oversight over the South Africa Police Service to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of police service delivery. The department also facilitates the implementation of crime prevention programmes through the mobilisation of communities.
In our programmes to fight and prevent crime we need the support and participation of all South Africans. Our fight against crime is premised on the principle that says: The fight against crime starts with me.
There is a role for all of us, including local government, in the fight against crime. I appeal to municipalities through SALGA to join us join hands with the department in the fight against.
Ladies and gentlemen, I conclude with my sincere gratitude for the honour you have extended to us this morning. It shows that our journey together was not in vain.
Like I said earlier, I am rooted to the ground where we all come from and where we return to implement programmes to better the lives of all our people. I remain your servant, always ready to heed your call when you make it. The fight against crime starts with me.
I thank you!
