Address by the Minister of Communications, Ms Faith Muthambi (MP), at Evuxakeni Hospital, Greater Giyani Local Municipality, Mopani District, in Limpopo Province
Time to give back to the community
Programme Director:
Greater Giyani Municipal Speaker: Cllr. Mathebula
The CEO of Evuxakeni Hospital
Members of the Community
Theme: “Making time to help those in need”.
I am deeply moved and honoured to be here today. It is satisfying to be able to see for myself the progress that you have made in implementing the programmes that I highlighted during my visit to the hospital earlier in the year.
Today we have cause for celebration, because communities are now working together to uplift themselves and rebuild confidence in the area.
The year 2015 has been a special year; we celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Charter. The Freedom Charter is an important policy document which captures the aspirations of many South Africans, on the kind of the country they want to see and bequeath to their children and grandchildren. The Freedom Charter laid the foundation for the development and adoption of our country's progressive Constitution.
For the past two years during Mandela month, I have spent time here at the Evuxakeni Hospital as part of government's efforts to foster engagement with key strategic partners, stakeholders and the community members. I have now returned for the year-end function.
During my previous visit, I expressed the wish to return to the Evuxakeni Hospital in 2015 to assess progress that has been made, but also to support patients and the local community. Several challenges were raised during my first visit. I’m pleased to see that some of these challenges that were reported have been resolved.
Our great Nelson Mandela once said: “It looks impossible until it’s done.”
We as the South African government, have no doubt that our people, and in particular the youth, have what it takes to help drive innovations that are critical to driving socioeconomic growth and development which are necessary to change the lives of the people of this country.
His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma, during his state of the nation address in February this year said the economy needs a major push and has listed a 9-point plan to meet the annual target of 1 million job.
The Department of Communications, which I lead, has been hard at work to ensure that the 9-point plan becomes a reality. Our major role has been communicating the work of government and brining government closer to the people through community engagement programmes. My major deliverable this has been laying the ground work of bringing digital television to South Africa. Early this month I launched the digital migration programme in the Northern Cape where we started giving out free set top boxes to qualifying beneficiaries in Keimos. Through digital television our people will now enjoy better quality television. But most importantly, the implementation of this programme will stimulate economic growth and create employment through the manufacturing and installation of set top boxes. The distribution of these set top boxes will in due course spread throughout the country, and you also stand to benefit from this programme.
Indeed it looks impossible until it’s done.
Let us use this Month of family gatherings to actively encourage greater social cohesion and Nation Building, while also fostering African unity. South Africa is as an integral part of the African continent. Together we can build a better South Africa and contribute towards building a better Africa.
Today is the year end and I have come here not to make long speeches, but to celebrate with our patients the ushering in of a new year. I have brought you little gifts which should make you happy as we transit into 2016. May you all kindly join me in these celebrations.
Happy New Year !!!
I thank you.
