Premier Supra Mahumapelo: North West State of the Province Address

State of the Province Address delivered by Bokone-Bophirima Premier, Hon Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo on Banquet Hall Matlosana Local Municipality

Hon Speaker of the Provincial Legislature,
Hon Members of the Executive Council,
Hon Deputy Ministers Present
Hon Members of the Provincial Legislature,
Foreign Dignitaries,
Leaders of Political Parties Represented in this House,
Our Esteemed Traditional Leaders,
Your Worship Executive Mayors and Mayors of our Municipalities,
Speakers of our Councils,
Heads of Our Security Agencies,
The Director General Dr Lydia Sebego and Heads of Provincial Departments 
Leadership of Chapter Nine Institutions
Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of State-Owned Enterprises,
Leaders of Labour Movements, Civil Society, Faith Based-Organisations and Business,
The South African Local Government Association Chairperson,
Comrades and Friends,
People of the North West
Ladies and gentlemen,

Hon Speaker we take this opportunity on behalf of the people of Bokone-Bophirima to wish Happy belated Birthday to Mme Rebecca Kotane who turned 104 on the 12th February 2016. We thank God for her continued presence in our midst and pray that she be blessed with good health to see many more birthdays.

Hon Speaker, the year 2016, is the Year of Advancing People’s Power.

As we launch the programme of action for Government in 2016, we are reminded that the foundation of this democratic dispensation was built and shaped by ordinary masses of our people, who continue to stand guard in defence of the freedom we won in 1994.

In declaring this the year of advancing people’s power, we therefore affirm the legitimacy and authority of the democratic state; for it is based on the will of the people.

Those of us who have a unique opportunity to be delegated to be of service to the people, take courage from centuries of exemplary struggles and heroism of our people against colonialism and apartheid.

The esteemed and privileged positions of leadership we hold, bear testimony to the triumph of our national liberation struggle against 342 years of apartheid colonialism.

As much as we declare that we have made commendable strides in overcoming the challenges of 342 years of apartheid colonialism, we do so fully aware that its negative and destructive consequences continue to define the lives of the majority of our people, who are blacks in general and Africans in particular.

Over the last 21 years, Government has made strides to build a united, non-racial, no-sexist, democratic and prosperous society.

Hon Members, we take this opportunity to applaud Africans in particular and blacks in general who have embraced the new dispensation despite being the worst victims of our racist and oppressive colonial past. 

These are patriots who prioritised the project of nation building despite having endured the pain of oppression over so many decades.

We thank the African National Congress for the smooth transition from apartheid to democracy, and for pursuing reconciliation and nation building.

We recognise the sincerity of the majority of white South Africans who have accepted the hand of friendship, peace and reconciliation from blacks in general and Africans in particular.

We call on all South Africans to hold hands and walk side by side, united in our diversity to achieve the objectives of building a better society.

Hon Speaker, our country has moved decisively over the last 21 years from being the skunk of the world to be a shining model of democracy anchored on constitutionalism and the rule of law.  

The progress we have registered has not been without weaknesses; mistakes were committed, mistakes acknowledged and corrected.

These are painful but necessary lessons. Some of the mistakes may have been fatal, but what is important is to draw lessons of value from our pre and post 1994 past and use such lessons to move our Province forward.

On the occasion of the official handover of the National Development Plan, during the Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces on 12th August 2012, President Jacob Zuma summed the importance of the NDP as follows;

“Regardless of our political differences, we broadly agree on the need to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa.
We may disagree on methods, but the end result is not difficult to agree on. The National Development Plan describes that final destination that we are all moving towards”.

As other people would say we must always be careful not to confuse the end with the means to achieve such an end.

Hon Members, allow me to take this opportunity on behalf of the people of Bokone-Bophirima to thank President Jacob Zuma for his visionary leadership for championing the National Development Plan. Bokone-Bophirima Provincial Government fully supports the NDP and there is no turning back on it.

Since assuming office 21 months ago, the fifth administration has sought to implement the NDP through the RRR (rebranding, repositioning and renewal) approach, anchored on a new approach of the five (5) concretes:

• ACT (Agriculture, Culture and Tourism);
• VTSD (Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies;
• RHR (Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal);
• Setsokotsane (comprehensive & integrated service delivery campaign)
• Saamwerk-Saamtrek (call for unity of purpose above race divisions).

Hon Speaker, the project to Rebrand, Reposition and Renew Bokone-Bophirima is intended to deal with our inheritance and timidity to deal with and resolve the following challenges over the years:

• Unaffordable inherited accruals of R938 million in 2013/14 increasing to R1.4 billion in 2014/15 as a consequence;
• Thin critical scarce skills base in the Province;
• Crime: Murder, Rape, Assault, Robbery aggravating, Burglary, Theft out of motor vehicle;
• Growing culture of real and perceived corruption;
• Pockets of Instability across in some municipalities and some public institutions including what happened at the North West University this week. We condemn this violence and appeal to all role players to put the interest of the students and the institution above their narrow political interests;
• Justifiable and unjustifiable Impatience among some sections of society on service delivery
• Legacy of poor road infrastructure;
• Water and Sanitation Challenges;
• Poor work ethic generally in society and some public servants;
• Cumulative Unauthorized Expenditure of R1.1 billion; Irregular;
• Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure of R10,78 billion without consequences over the 20 year period
• Poor adherence to payment of suppliers within regulated 30 days;
• Poor human relations and pockets of racism;
• Low levels of investor confidence;
• Low levels and poor community participation in Government programmes; Instances of arrogance by some of us public representatives and public servants.

The list is not exhaustive.

Much as we acknowledge and own up to the weaknesses articulated above, much progress has been registered in the last 21 months of this administration. We are also aware and have drawn important lessons from mistakes and miscalculations that may have been committed as we sought to implement these good intentions. Our resolve is informed by the important principle – “that every dark cloud has a silver lining – We see opportunities in these challenges”. This resilience is inspired by the words of former President Nelson Mandela “

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

Bokone-Bophirima is rising again and will go higher and higher. It will do anything necessary to take its rightful place among the Provinces of South Africa.

Hon Speaker, let me share with our people our plan and some of Government achievements and highlights of the last year since the 2015 State of the Province Address:

• R300 million is set aside over the 2016 MTEF for providing hundred (100) primary schools with smart-board to enhance learning and teaching of mathematics during 2016/17 financial year;
• In the year 2014/15 we rolled out tablets and an e-learning solution to 70 schools and trained 3 738 educators on Basic, Intermediate and Advanced ICT skills and how to integrate ICT in delivering the curriculum;
• Sanitation in (6) Six schools have been completed, forty six (46) school have Consultants appointed whilst twenty eight (28) schools have Contractors on site;
• 8 Community and Nutrition Development Centres (CNDCs) to mitigate against Food and Nutrition Insecurity were established, 1 600 beneficiaries are currently receiving cooked meals from the centres;
•  Guidelines to link the War on Poverty Programme (WoP) with the Setsokotsane Programme to fast track poverty eradication interventions were developed and implemented;
• Worked with the collective of SALGA, national Department of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs and Treasury to improve interventions and performance of Municipalities in Government's Poverty Eradication Programmes.
• Between April-December 2015 and September-December 2015 both Pilanesburg and Mahikeng Airports passenger numbers increased to 6642 from a zero base. The plan is to increase the number of flights and introduce new routes between 2016-19 focusing also on SADC, Africa and Brics countries with special focus on China and India.
• The Province is currently in the final stages of calling upon investors for the construction and management of the new Traffic College on a BOT Model (Build, Operate and Transfer);
• EXCO has approved the implementation of the plan to build Mahikeng Airport into an international Cargo Hub will be realised in 2016 with the signing of an investment agreement of $100million (about R 1,5billion) as part of VTSD.
• Out of a total of 8 649 EPWP beneficiaries, 3 144 opted for participation in the cooperatives scheme;
•  Profiling of EPWP beneficiaries progressed as follows:-

18 000 beneficiaries were employed and briefed on the Exit

Strategy;

16, 281 profiled;

6, 249 interested in Cooperatives;

2, 497 interested in further education and training; 

7, 535 interested in continued employment as public servants. A difficult challenge indeed but not insurmountable

• Our intervention to stabilise the financial position of the department of health is bearing fruit. We have reduced the accruals from R1.4 billion to below five hundred million for the period ending January 2015. Further work is being done to bring the accruals down and improve our 30 days payment record in compliance with PFMA expectations;
• The Department of Health has started a pilot project in the Ventersdorp area in collaboration with the Taxi industry to improve patient transport as part of saamwerk-saamtrek. We intend rolling this approach across the Province if it succeeds.
• This financial year we will develop and test a public health innovation that brings the under-utilised GP capacity into the public health system;
• Health facility improvement and maintenance will be utilised to propel VTSD economic development. Menial and small jobs such as plumbing, painting, perimeter up-keep, small electrical repairs as well as cleaning will be done in collaboration with local entrepreneurs and cooperatives.
• 221 households benefited from the agricultural food security initiatives as part of the Setsokotsane program;
•  The department of READ will continue the implementation of the comprehensive food security and nutrition strategy/programme to benefit 1 295 households as well as the development of 12 750 hectares of under-utilised land in communal areas and land reform projects into production, while encouraging the farming families concepts, to ensure that women and youth form part of the production initiatives, as well as make sure that family farms continue to be productive;
• Springbokpan silo refurbishment has been completed and is ready for certification as part of the Presidential National Agri-Parks initiative. Related infrastructure development is being accelerated.
• The Regional Land Claims Commissioner for the North West (RLCC) has acquired more than 455 007 hectors of land benefitting 229 499 beneficiaries, comprising 57 816 households with 22 233 as female headed.
• The RLCC secured an amount R3,166,532,946.78 (Land Cost R2,217,987,164.41, Financial Compensation R457,752,238.99.

In 2015/16 F/Y.

• In the current financial year of 2015/2016 of its allocated budged of R222 120 000, the RLCC has already spent R207,402,982 transferring more than 12 933 hectors of land to the communities. Some of the communities that have benefitted in the current financial year include Bahurutse Boo Mokgatla, Barolong Boo Ratlou Baa Seitshiro and Bakwena Ba Mogopa.
• In the next financial year of 2016/2017 in terms of allocation the RLCC has already set aside R58 million for Development in terms of the Recapitalisation and Development Programme to ensure that farms that are restored back to our communities continue to be productive and sustainable;
• Recreation facilities in Bojanala, Ngaka-Modiri Molema and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts will be equipped with recording studio facilities during 2016/17 Financial year.
• MEC’s for Local Government & Human Settlements together with CATA will announce details of RDP houses per municipalities identified for further roll-out of recording studios across the Province. Mmabana Recording Studio in Mahikeng is completed and the new studio is now open.
• The annual Mahika - Mahikeng Cultural  festival was successfully hosted on the 11 to 13 December 2015 and the 2016 edition is planned to be bigger and better. The MEC will report detail on how the inaugural event in 2015 contributed to the Mahikeng economy and rebranding.
• We have resourced Traditional Authorities with finances as well as skilled personnel in order that they can play a meaningful role in the development of our localities and to that effect 52 computers have been purchased & handed over to Traditional Leaders;
• We have finalised 30 cases from a Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate disputes across communities in the Province. Cases dealt with are 21, 9 outstanding including 2 formal apologies, 1 claimant passed away, 3 claimants untraceable and 3 did not attend. A wayforwad on the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela dispute has been developed and all affected parties are accordingly being informed;
• "A Re Yeng Bokone Bophirima" brand property has been developed to entice or increase the propensity to travel to the North West Province, to drive domestic tourism;
• It is envisaged that almost R43 million would have been invested in the Manyane Game Lodge in Mahikeng in partnership with National Department of Tourism for its completion in 2016;
• The Department has initiated a process of researching the total tourism portfolio of the North West Province and this work should be completed within the 2016/17 Financial Year;
• We will produce a publication in 2016 (NW Investment Bible) to market and popularize our Province as an investment destination locally, nationally, SADC, Africa and BRICS. MEC for FEED will give further details in this regard.
• The Department of FEED hosted SACETA North-West trade and investment exchange during China Week. SACETA has membership of 100 Chinese enterprises. Bokone-Bophirima province opportunities were presented to the Chinese delegates to lure investment;
• In order to reduce the salary bill, we have conducted staff verification for the Department of Education and Sports Management and the verification of the number and qualifications of all public servants across Provincial Departments would be concluded by March 2016. Should it be found that there are people in the employ of the state without necessary qualifications, such employees shall be relieved of their duties in line with all prescripts in the public service.
• 160 Total of misconduct cases across Departments were investigated and are at various stages of hearings and prosecutions. The breakdown of cases is as follows:

• 24 relate to theft, fraud and corruption;
•  10 assault; 
• 10 Government property loss, damage and misuse;

• 38 were charged for contravention of Supply chain policies and PFMA
• 18 are absenteeism unauthorized absence, abuse of sick leave;
• 45 Behavioral Insubordination, failure to carry out instructions and insolence.

Government is determined to conclude these cases as speedily as possible, and remove such public servants from government employment informed by necessary due processes. We are working with the Public Service Commission and National Department of Public Service and Administration to ensure that people charged with theft, fraud and corruption are immediately denied the benefit of income when suspended.

• As part of the NDP, we have begun an important process to develop Village Development Plans for all the 767 villages of our Province.
•  To date we have finalized two (2) village development plans per municipality across all 23 municipalities, and intend completing all 767 plans by the end of May 2016;
• In an effort to better our current delivery rate of 87% electrification roll out, 13,422 qualifying households in 104 villages, townships and small dorpies that never had electricity before across the Province will be electrified in 2016 at the cost of estimated R 279 million;
• The Department of Local Government & Human Settlements working with National Department of Human Settlements has implemented electronic Housing Needs register project to clean up and verify all housing beneficiaries across municipalities and ensure that only deserving people remain on the beneficiary list;
•  The preliminary investigations have been done and it revealed that so far no public representatives have benefited from the Government Housing programme. However, some public servants have been discovered to have unduly benefited. Confirmation with their employer Departments is underway and appropriate action will be taken at the right time.
• The Province will spend R2.151 817 000bn during 2016/17 in the construction of 12 581 RDP units across 7 680 sites in the Province.
• The construction and allocation of RDP houses will be implemented in the VTSD, ensuring that all 767 villages are prioritised working together with Dikgosi and the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders. This is part of our economic “biekie-biekie maak meer approach”.
•  We have registered important improvements on audit outcomes attributed to Strong political oversight and monitoring by councils and support by Provincial Government through Premier’s Coordinating Council and Setsokotsane:

• Seven (7) received Unqualified Audit Outcomes
•  Nine (9) received Qualified Audit Outcomes
• Six (6) received Disclaimer/Adverse
• One (1) of Bojanala District Municipality was delayed due to challenges in the Auditor General’s Office and will be concluded soon.
• We will be launching a partnership with University of the North West Business School, to deploy experts to assist particularly low capacity municipalities with capacity in the following risk areas:

• Quality of submitted financial statements
• Supply chain management
• IT controls
• Quality of annual performance reports
• Financial health
• Human resource management

Growing the economy of Bokone – Bophirima

“If you are unsure of the course of action, do not attempt. Your doubts and hesitations will interfere with your execution. Timidity is dangerous. Better do enter with boldness. Any mistakes you commit through audacity are easily corrected with more audacity. Everyone honours the bold and no one honours the timid”. Robert Greene

Agriculture

Our collective commitment to strive towards the 6% growth of the economy remains firm. 

However because we pursue this objective under conditions of neither our making nor choice, we shall continue to set both immediate, short, medium and long term goals.

The agricultural sector currently contributes approximately 2.6% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the North West Province and the country respectively. The percentage contribution indicated is the direct contribution without backward and forward linkages. Total land surface is approximately 104 882 km2 of South Africa which is 8.42% of South Africa.  34% percent of the agricultural land is potentially arable, and 66% is classified as grazing land.  Only 3-4% of the arable land is under irrigation. Two major types of agricultural systems exist in the Province i.e. commercial agriculture, and developing agriculture, the latter is engaged solely by the previously disadvantaged individuals.

In the total provincial economy Agriculture, Culture and Tourism (ACT) contribute approximately 23% of all value added.

Agriculture, which includes the agro-processing sub-sectors, contributes approximately 16% of the ACT value added.

A very good maize crop was obtained in 2014.  The total yield (white and yellow maize) in RSA was 14,25million tons.  This was the biggest maize crop obtained in the last 30 years. 

The contribution of NW to the national maize crop for this year was 20,3%.  The maize crop from 2014/2015 was very poor due to the severe drought experienced from January 2015.  The total maize crop decreased to 9,941 million tons and the contribution from North West Province decreased to 14,76% of the total crop.  Over the last six production years NW provided on average about 19, 61% of the RSA maize crop.

Preliminary production forecast (as on 27 January 2016) for the 2016 production season, the NW is estimated at 870 000 tons which is 11.7% of South Africa’s total maize production.  The impact of the very serious drought can be seen from this figure.

The severe drought is also having a serious impact on livestock commodities. Poor natural grazing conditions, high costs of purchased feed and fodder and availability of fodder are some of the problems experienced.

The cattle numbers for NW is estimated at 1 693 495 which is 12.3% of South Africa’s total cattle. The goats numbers for NW is estimated at 701 587 which is 12% of South Africa’s total goats. The pig numbers for NW is estimated at 318 843 which is 20.4% of South Africa’s total goats.

Rural Environment & Agricultural Development Department has already started helping many of our farmers through an amount of R23million. The Department of Water and Sanitation has also intervened with water tankers for both human and animals. Work to drill more boreholes has already started, and more details will be presented by READ and Local Government & Human Settlements during budget speeches;

Mining

The mining industry is our national heritage, which remains the backbone of the economy in the country broadly, and the North West Province in particular.  

This Province has a lion’s share of employment in the industry, representing approximately 27% of total industry employment.

Out of an estimated reserve valuation of economically extractible mineral resources exclusive of the energy commodities (such as coal, uranium, thorium, methane, oil and gas), the North-West Province has a production share of 22.7% in production revenue. Effectively, it can be extrapolated that the NW Province has a minimum estimated reserve value of R11,5 Trillion, indicating the extent of value that remains trapped beneath the belly of our wonderful land.

This value, supplemented by the mineral beneficiation strategy intervention that has been adopted by Cabinet as national policy, has the potential to accelerate our socio-economic developmental imperatives and effort.

Provincial Government will work together with the Minister of Mineral Resources, Honourable Mosebenzi Zwane, various Traditional leaders, University of the North West and CSIR to unlock the potential of mining in the Province. The approach will include Foreign Direct Investment initiatives in this regard with special focus on beneficiation.

The Province intends finalising the design and implementation of the Platinum Special Economic Zone in 2016, based on our engagement with the relevant National Department. We welcome the work done by the 3rd and 4th administrations in this regard.

We are engaging with almost 80 international manufacturing businesses to establish manufacturing plants in this SEZ.

There is already tremendous progress in this regard with many manufacturers having shown keen interest in this project. 

We are confident that this development will create thousands of much needed work opportunities for our local people especially the youth, to with challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment. Special focus is being paid to youth unemployment which current stands at 39.7% in the Province.

The general unemployment rate for the Province is 24.4%  

Hon Speaker, one of the most integral parts of advancing prosperity is a society in which small businesses and co-operatives grow and flourish.

Our approach is to build an inclusive VTSD economy that promotes enterprise and industrial development, reduce unemployment in rural areas and utilise existing capacities within rural households to promote entrepreneurship. This we will achieve through development of the Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) economies by growing sustainable rural enterprises and industries characterised by strong rural-urban linkages, increased investment in agro-processing, trade development and access to local markets and financial services. Both MEC’s for READ and FEED will elaborate further on this.

Very often markets fail the poor such as in rural areas, or in the development of new products or services markets may be unaccommodating. The risks and costs of participating in markets may be too high. In other instances, social or economic barriers may mean that the poor are excluded from markets. The status quo cannot forever characterise our VTSD economies.

We have thus identified a number of impediments in our governance system which inhibits growth and opportunities of small businesses to prosper:

• Restrictive by-laws must be changed, and will be changed;
• Slow turn-around time in awarding tenders must be changed, and be changed;
• Long and complicated EIA application processes must be changed and will be changed;
• Government Offices in local areas closer to where businesses operate must be introduced and will be introduced;
• Poor infrastructure (roads in particular) development and maintenance is a problem is a problem we will continue to tackle mindful of our budget inefficiencies and stubborn inefficiencies, coupled with the culture of cutting corners;
• Poor policy coordination across spheres of government which we are currently dealing with;
• Low levels of and negative attitude towards entrepreneurship. We will inculcate a spirit of entrepreneurship in society through rigorous engagement and campaigns;
• Pockets of sporadic instability in some of the areas in the province.

The MEC for FEED will announce during her budget speech plans to assist small businesses and individuals which include:

• Premier and EXCO meeting all service providers owed money by Government at least once a year, as was the case in 2015.
• All outstanding payments older than 90 days, will transferred from affected Departments to be managed directly by Provincial Treasury;
• All service providers will be paid within 21 days, failing which Treasury will take over such invoices to finalise payment in the remaining 9 days;
• Service providers are urged to submit invoices within 24 hours of providing services to government;
• FEED will produce a standardised pricing and invoice book to assist small businesses in preparing their invoices to Government Departments, as part of creating the enabling environment for service providers to meet the 24 hours submission proposal;
• Setsokotsane Operations Centre will also be used for this purpose;
• FEED is mandated to prepare a proposal for the introduction of a provincial legislation to strengthen our hand in implementing consequence management across government, including municipalities, as part of strengthening the economy;

Hon Members, we also recognise the strategic partnership required between government and private sector in order to extend our capacity to deal with challenges facing our people. In the past year and going forward, we have witnessed the vote of confidence by the private sector in our Province through investment in service delivery and in business expansions.

We can all see that there is no town without ongoing new construction and expansion of business. Those with shard eyes can see for themselves such developments. We urge the private sector to invest more.

Hon Members, a week before this address we had a brainstorming session on the economy with some experts from the University of the North West. In this regard, we accepted a proposal from Prof Raymond Parsons, Head of North West University Business School to establish a NEDLAC type structure NWEDLAC (North West Economic Development and Labour Council) to coordinate collaborative efforts of all social partners in the Province.

Hon Members, we recognise the partnership we have with all worker representative organisations in the Province, in particular COSATU whose progressive proposals were incisive in guiding the policy direction of this address.   

We will be convening the first meeting with all social partners in the next 60 days to begin this work, and thereafter meet once a quarter.

We are pleased to announce some of the contributions by business to the development of Bokone-Bophirima:

• Since 2014 Sun City has implemented a refurbishment Masterplan for the future of the Resort. In terms of employment creation associated with this construction and development, from 2014 to 2015 a total of 1 650 new direct jobs were created. For 2016, another 1 200 will be created, with a further 2 000 projected over the next four years, with future commitments projected for the period 2017 to 2020 at a further R650-million, this represents a R1.6262-billion investment into the North West.
• Since 2010 when Shiva Uranium started to operate the mine, it provided 1000 people employment directly and over 400 people indirectly. Its focuses its learnerships programs on the surrounding areas and has produced over 50 artisans including the first female artisan and more than 300 certified ADT and excavator drivers.

• As part of its SLP it has refurbished local schools and built additional infrastructure for learners in the local area as well as started a community managed green house that produces vegetables for the local market. 

• It has induced more than R400million per year into the economy of which more than 50% is spent locally.
• Through a partnership with the National Lottery Board, R24m will be spent in the construction of a new community stadium in Atamelang as part of VTSD.
• We have also partnered with ABSA bank to provide VTSD banking services in Atamelang;
• Through partnership with Transnet and NAFCOC, we are rolling out community bakeries, 15 have already been completed majority of which are run by women.
• Matlosana N12 development ISAGO@N12 Dev (Pty) Ltd based in Matlosana, mixed use development with a value of about R2.0bn with a potential to create thousands of job opportunities in Matlosana linked to Matlosana Mall which opened in October 2014 and has thus far created over 2000 new job opportunities.
• The establishment of an industrial Park, an Office Park, an ICC and hotel complex, a private hospital and residential complexes are some of the key projects planned for implementation over the next 5 years.

• Impala Platinum implemented several projects jointly with Government and affected communities since 2015:

• Platinum Village primary and secondary school (R125m funded jointly between Department of Education & Sport Development and Impala Platinum) –  to be opened in 2017;
• +- R3.5 million Finance Linked Subsidy Programme (FLISP) - housing subsidies granted to beneficiaries of Impala Platinum home ownership scheme;
• School support programme to 5 government schools within surrounding communities;
• Expansion and upgrading of Luka community clinic;
• Building of three (3) Makgotla offices and gathering place in Luka community.

Hon Speaker, let me inform this House and the public in general that the SHIVA URANIUM mine operation I have referred to above is owned by the GUPTA family, and yes we appreciated the contribution they are making to the economy of the Province.

I know this may be considered controversial, but it is my belief that unnecessary negativity has been directed at the GUPTA’s without us applying our thoughts on the positive contribution made by the family.

Following the furore regarding the Waterkloof landing controversy, it is my humble opinion that the situation may just have exposed us to a hidden opportunity to consider possibility  the airport as a Prestigious VIP landing facility for the super-rich who are prepared to pay such premiums. It is also my humble submission that the media coverage Sun City received following the much publicised wedding, may just have opened up Sun City Resort to the Indian market specifically and other markets generally as a South African venue of choice for such high profile weddings or events.

Hon Members, there are many other good contributions by the private sector in this Province that are not mentioned here today, but respective MEC’s will report extensively about those during budget speeches. We acknowledge everybody’s contribution including those not mentioned today.

This demonstrates the willingness of business to join and contribute towards the development of our Province in the true spirit of saamwer-saamtrek.

In order to consolidate this relationship, the Premier will in the coming months convene working sessions with the following private sector stakeholders:

• Meeting with all Development Finance Institutions CEO’s;
• Meeting with Banking Sector CEO’s;
• Listed and unlisted Mining Houses;
• Interaction with Commercial and Communal Farmers;
• Meeting with Academia & Experts both within and outside institutions of higher learning;
• Meeting with all BRICS Ambassadors – both South African Ambassadors in BRICS countries and BRICS countries Ambassadors in South Africa.

Hon Speaker we have already signed an agreement worth almost R1bn with Minister of Defence Hon Nosiviwe Maphisa-Ngcakula and Head of South African National Defence Force Gen Shoke to use SANDF footprint in rural and semi-rural areas in terms of units, land and spending of resources in conjunction with villages, townships and small dorpies, provincial governments and other stakeholders to augment rural developmental initiatives by providing nodal points or hubs from which community engagement, stakeholder coordination and structural requirements toward creating viable sustainable Local economies.

Hon Members, we initiated a process aimed at partnering with NAFCOC in which Government will consider providing surety and guarantee worth R200 million to establish and stock massive warehouses in all four Districts of our Province in order to reignite small enterprises such as Tuckshops as part of VTSD. This money will be given back to Government.

Through NAFCOC’s capacity and national footprint, we will ensure that every tuck shop provide a basket of goods required by a typical South African household which I call the Poverty eradication bowl:

1. Maize meal
2. Milk
3. Cooking oil
4. Meat
5. Sugar
6. Vegetables
7. Bread
8. Energy
9. Water. 

The Departments of Social Development, Rural Environment and Agricultural Development and Health, have been mandated to develop necessary economic linkages in strengthening this effort. Linked to this all people’s cooperatives will be established as role players in the entire value chain.

Hon Speaker, Government has accepted recommendations from NAFCOC to use our legislative authority to create conducive conditions in villages, townships and small dorpies to start and operate businesses.

We will work with municipalities to make sure that all identified areas in villages, townships, and small dorpies are zoned for business. This will cut the red tape and reduce the burdensome and sometimes costly applications for business rezoning.

We have already engaged all traditional leaders in the Province and agreed on this approach, and we wish to thank them personally for such unprecedented cooperation.

All municipalities in the Province will adopt council resolutions giving effect to this directive before the end of the current term of local government. If this does not happen, “die poppe sal dans”, “Go tla nkga go sa bola”

Hon Speaker, strides have been registered in developing the Provincial Tourism Sector Strategy, Culture and heritage tourism strategy as well as the Events Tourism strategy.

These strategies will give expression to the ACT (Arts, Culture and Tourism) developmental agenda of the North West Province and contribute to the country's priority areas of economic development.

The Province will embark on the implementation of strategies that talk to Rural and Social Tourism to develop and grow domestic tourism in Bokone-Bophirima. Focus will be on Village, townships and small dorpies tourism. We urge people not to wait for government but start working now.

Bagaetsho, 30% of Bokone-Bophirima population is made up of youth under 15 years of age, the unemployment rate amongst the youth stands at 39.7%. Youth unemployment in the Province is compounded by the fact that only 11.1% of young people have necessary skills required to secure employment.

This reality challenges us to abandon convention but rather to develop and design government programmes and initiatives that speak to the real experiences of our youth as part of our de-conventionalisation approach.

As we are aware, President Zuma has been leading initiatives aimed at closer and better working relationship between Government and Business to address challenges facing the youth. This comes at an opportune time when the economic challenges in our country require collective leadership across all sectors of society.

One area that can be leveraged is partnering on learning and development initiatives aimed principally at addressing skills challenges in the economy. These learning and development activities would cut across all sectors in the province.

Hon Speaker, young people require:

•  recreational and sport facilities;
• Education and Training;
• Employment opportunities;
• Technological Advancement; in order to take advantages and opportunities created by South Africa’s modern and global economy.
• They need love, support and role models from all of us;
• Need to stay and grow up in places of safety and security.

In tackling the challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment (PIU), we cannot achieve much success if we do not involve government, business, civil society, and communities - especially the poor in the spirit of Saam Werk Saam Trek.

We reiterate the call to the private sector to partner with Government through Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) programme to adopt at least two (2) young people in all the 767 villages, 73 townships and 23 small dorpies to mentor them, sponsor and invest in ideas generated by young people to fight poverty and unemployment.

Bagaetsho, the task of raising our youth is a joint effort requiring positive culture of hard work from the youth themselves, the guidance from the parents and Government to create an enabling environment and playing a supportive role.

Hon Members, Kgetsi ya Tsie Bursary and Skills Development Fund was launched on 17 June 2015 at a Setsokotsane event at Khudutlou Village, in the Greater Taung Local Municipality, in the Dr RS Mompati district by Hon Premier and the EXCO collective.

The Premier took the lead by donating R10, 000.00, Members of EXCO have each contributed R5,000.00  and Heads of Department have each contributed R2,500.00 to provide the initial seed of the Fund.

A good number of Dikgosi have contributed. A drive to have all public servants and more members of the public make their contributions is being intensified.

We urge the private sector, all religious groups and everyone in the province to contribute something towards this noble objective to augment the R30million budget already provided by Government.

A partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training and the Services Seta, working through our Department of Public Works and Roads as the implementing agent will be launched on the 4th March 2016 in the City of Matlosana.

The Province has accepted a donation from the Services Seta to establish a Provincial Skills Centre in the Province at a tune of R9million in the context of our Ikatisong programme for the youth. The Centre will empower the Youth will relevant skills to ensure sustainability and increase employability of all beneficiaries of the programme.

The Premier and the Minister of Higher Education and Training will launch a skills development programme which will benefit the province in the following manner:

• 477 leaners will be recruited from all four districts as part of the EPWP exit strategy with effect from 1st March 2016;
• Additional 200 unemployed youth will be recruited in the four districts starting from 1st June 2016.

Hon Members, we are calling upon all other SETA’s currently operating in the North West to follow the example of the Services SETA by opening their Provincial Offices in Bokone Bophirima, and stop providing services in the Province as satellite to their operations in Gauteng Province.

Through the YES programme in the Office of the Premier:

• 80 youth owned businesses are at the final assessment phase for funding by the end of the current financial year. These businesses include and are not limited to the following: YES tuckshops in Mahikeng and Ventersdorp Local Municipalities, a diamond mining operation in Bloemhof, a coffin manufacturing plant in Taung, the production of an international film in Moruleng. These businesses are expected to create job opportunities for 400 other youth and more will be supported in the next financial year;
• 120 youth have been linked to training and possible job opportunities in the North West Parks Board through the Work Placement Centre I announced last year. 140 youth in Madibeng will start training in Solar Geyser Installation and Plumbing before the end of the financial year in partnership with the National Departments of Water and Sanitation and Public Works;
• More opportunities are being explored for unemployed youth through the Youth Camps where public and private institutions expose youth to skills, employment and business development opportunities. The camps will commence from the 2 March 2016 until 22 November 2016, hosted jointly with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) at Mahikeng, Tlokwe and Ramotshere Moiloa Military Bases.

• The Youth Entrepreneurship Services Fund Bill will be processed by the Legislature before the end of the current financial year to disestablish the dormant North West Youth Development Trust and establish a new entity that will become a One Stop Shop for youth development in the province.”

Further Initiatives to grow the Economy

Hon Members, the Province has completed a major infrastructure development program that is now in the process of implementation. This development contains an Integrated Government Precinct, a world class stadium, International Convention Centre and a five star hotel complex in Mahikeng as part of the Five Cities Initiative we pronounced last year.

This project is being developed on a BOT (build operate and transfer) methodology thereby allowing private sector investment to finance the project at no cost to Government.  

Our projections are that approximately 5000 temporary jobs will be created over a 5 year period of construction, and a further 2 thousand permanent jobs after completion. Local businesses including SMMEs will secure a stake in this development.

In order to guarantee the sustenance of this development, an integrated retail component will be included in the development which may also house part of Government services in our quest to bring services closer to the people.

This development will change the face of our Capital City, and rebrand, reposition and renew Mahikeng as the real City of Goodwill.

Hon Speaker, we are happy to announce that significant progress has been made towards disposing the major assets and operations of North West Transport Investments "NTI" to the Tshwane Municipality.

The redetermination of currently Provincial boundaries left a significant portion of NTI operations in the Gauteng Province with the exception of the buses transporting commuters from Swaartdam, Lebotlwane, Soutpanslegte , Kgomokgomo , Kwa Mosetla Tladistad , Potwane,  Ra- Tjiepane, Tlholwe, Mmukubyane and Moretele.

During this financial year, NTI will reintroduce its transport and related services to the people of Bokone-Bophirima. It is our wish that through engagement with the taxi industry, we develop a formula perfect for their involvement and create a win-win situation.

The migration of NTI to Bokone-Bophirima will contribute to job creation, commuter and scholar transport, manufacturing as part of VTSD Industrialisation strategy.  

The company will make huge investment through the purchase of 100 buses which will be used primarily to services underserviced areas within the Province, with initial services be directed towards the following areas in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District and Ngaka Modiri District.

It is envisaged that 500 direct employment opportunities will be created targeting particular the unemployed youths and woman entrepreneurs, a further 320  indirect job  opportunities will be created  for small businesses and people’s cooperatives through procurement of good and services to the company within the VTSD context.  In addition to this, a training centre for diesel mechanics and technicians will be established to support NTI.

Hon Members, this is part of our effort to implement an integrated public transport system for villages, townships and small dorpies (VTSD), and most importantly to address the plight of the poorest of our people by providing a specialized, affordable, accessible, safe and reliable public transport. 

As part of our Provincial industrialization Strategy, we are exploring the feasibility of setting up bus and motor industry manufacturing plant within the North West. Progress in this regard will be reported in future.

Hon Speaker, let me take this opportunity to announce that informed by several complaints from the public, parents, learners, service providers and the transport industry in general, we have directed the Community Safety and Transport Department to launch an investigation into the scholar transport programme and report to the Premier by end of March 2016.

Until this investigation is completed, existing legitimate contracts will continue on a month to month arrangement until we have had an opportunity to address all the concerns raised by the people. Ga re a tshwanela go raelesega le ka motlha ope go sugelela kobo le leswe.

Hon Speaker, we have identified various strategic projects and programmes which will require that we spread the budget in small and equitable manner to fund and implement multiplicity of projects to achieve maximum benefits.

This I call “biekie-biekie maak meer approach”, ka “Setswana lemme ga lo bolae - bana ba motho ba kgaogana tlhogo ya tsie” – Sejo sennye ga se fete molomo”. We call on all our people and other role players to support this BBMM approach.

Hon Members, in addition to many measures we have taken as Government to mitigate against current economic challenges, we have resolved to use the leverage we have through the budget to impact positively on the lives of our people through:

• Cutting our wage bill which currently sits at R19.916 billion, departments have been directed by EXCO to motivate for every post as part of flexible moratorium on filling of posts;
• Reduce Unauthorized, fruitless and wasteful expenditure across departments which currents costs government in excess of R10 billion cumulative over last 20 years;
• Reduce subsistence and travel allowances to public servants by considering cooperation with the taxi industry;
• As at 31 December 2015, 12 021 invoices amounting to R2,2 billion representing 86% of the total value of invoices paid within 30 days. Given our intervention, the latest report compared to the same period in 2013, shows that government has improved it compliance rate by 7% compared to R1.4 billion representing 79% in 2013.
• Expand our VTSD procurement expenditure to 60-70% across Departments and SOE’s during 2016/17 Financial year;
• As per 2016 DoRA allocation total amount of R8.245 billion is allocated for infrastructure spending, the allocation includes R4.755 billion for Provincial Departments and R3.490 billion for the infrastructure in the municipalities. The R8.245bn includes projects for Water and Sanitation.
• Reduce Provincial Department’s debts and liabilities in particular litigation estimated amount of R2.5 billion. And release much needed funds for service delivery;
• Redirect R188.568 million spent by Provincial Government departments on Offices leases and rentals, by exploring establishment of a single Government complex to build the economy through infrastructure roll out, retail and housing in districts and local areas as part of VTSD;
• Gradually exit from private security contracts and redirect over R300million spent by Provincial Government Department on payment of private security companies, by providing own security through training and capacitation of the youth in partnership with SAPS, SANDF and State Security Department. This will be part of the broader EPWP exit strategy;
• In excess of R500million over the MTEF will be redirected towards expanding boarding schools in each district or improve infrastructure in existing public schools like Bethel High School in Ngaka Modiri Molema and Tiger Kloof in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati instead of building new schools;
• Utilise R44.299million Entrepreneurship Development with specific focus is on SMME development in VTSD areas;
• Use a further R2.2 million Regional and Local Economic Development through investment marketing in SADC, Africa and BRICS countries to attract foreign direct investment;
• Strengthen SOE’s in the context of RRR and the discontinuation of dysfunctional and non-strategic ones;
• Experts are already on course with studies and designs for the 5 Cities Projects implementation through Public Private Partnerships to develop and Mahikeng is ahead in this:

• City of Mahikeng
• Taung City
• Metropolitan City of Dr Kenneth Kaunda
• Haartebeespoortdam City
• Bojanala Eco-Tourism City

• Develop new tourism routes in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Zambia, BRICS through the Pilanesburg Airport as part of the medium to long term strategy on tourism and other investments, focusing on direct flights to China and India;
• Working with PRASA, complete and audit of all rail infrastructure network in the context of ACT and VTSD. Challenges with PRASA have delayed us in introducing tshipi sebokolodi se gopa ka mpa (Train).
• Creatively utilize the budget set aside for scholar transport to provide alternative non-motorized rural transporting opportunities, i.e donker carts and tractors;
• Complete an implementation plan for bus and other modes of transport and industrial manufacturing capacity using existing budget in partnership with the private sector. Discussions are afoot in realizing this objective and ongoing progress shall be reported;
• The allocation and construction of houses as part of Human Settlement in the province will henceforth follow the VTSD approach where every village township and small dorpie will benefit something instead of nothing at all.  The relevant department will provide more and specific details in this regard;
• Address the water and sanitation project for 2016/17 budgeted for  R192 million over the Medium Term;
• Improve municipal Governance through IKATISONG and other partnerships;
• Financial Provincial Industrialisation Plan will be finalized in 2016/17;
• Establish of Setsokotsane 24 hours Operation Centre will be launched within the next 90 days;
• Accelerate the roll-out of 4 Agri-Parks starting with Springbokpan which will be launched this year;

Hon Members, we will also launch 10 economic flagship events linked to Provincial Government Departmental mandate to build partnerships with private sector, academia and industries through the following:

• Agricultural Growth & Investment Show;
• Arts, Culture Growth & Investment Show;
• Tourism Growth & Investment Lekgotla;
• Community Safety and Transport Management Growth & Investment Show;
• Health & Social Development Show;
• Education & Sport Development Show;
• Mining Growth & Development Lekgotla;
• Science, Energy & ICT Lekgotla;
• Housing Infrastructure Lekgotla;
• Annual Billionaires Lekgotla – to be held in partnership with Sun City Resorts to raise funds for  VTSD projects funding;
• Small Dorpies Golf Challenge - as part promoting the sport leading up to Sun City Golf Challenge
• VTSD Soccer Games

Government will announce details of a Provincial Innovation strategy working together with the University of the North West before the end of May 2016. This will be a further initiative in growing the economy of the Province.

As a caring government we have institutionalised the Setsokotsane approach to create a permanent platform for interaction with our communities with the objective of facilitating the resolution of community challenges.

Through, this initiative we have to date been to all of the 19 municipalities during the introduction and implementation phase of Setsokotsane..

Hon Speaker, we have come across many challenges faced by our people, but we have also been humbled by the support of the communities this initiative. We have also demonstrated our capacity and preparedness to do radical and immediate interventions on service delivery issues through Setsokotsane.

Setsokotsane will conclude in Bojanala Distric by end March 2016, and in from April we start in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and then focus on each District for three months (every quarter)

Over 100 000 community members were seen by our provincial departments and were provided with various services such as health screenings, registration on indigent register, awareness on bursaries, enterprise development, vaccination of animals, blading of gravel roads, waste collection, construction of houses, water problems and sanitation.

Through this initiative we have also managed to mobilise various national departments such as Home Affairs, Land Affairs and Rural Development, Minerals, Energy; Water and Sanitation, as well as state owned entities, private sector and NGO’s as permanent partners in the implementation of Setsokotsane.

The success of Setsokotsane is dependent on us being responsive to the needs and concerns of our people. We are satisfied with the impact that BUA LE PUSO demonstrated by the stability in our communities in Mothutlung, Majakaneng, Mahikeng, Bloemhof etc.

In our quest to improve service delivery and close the gap between government and our people, we will continue to strengthen our relationship with the communities by launching a Setsokotsane 24 hour Operational Centre as already reported.

Bagaetsho, re ithutile go le gontsi thata mo letsholong le la rona la Setsokotsane, e bile re bone dikgakololo di le dintsi mo baaging ba rona ba Bokone-Bophirima. Thuto kgolo go tsotlhe ka Setsokotsane ke maitemogelo a rona gore fa re dira mmogo, re kopane re le baagi le puso re bona maungo a namatshang. Bobedi bo bolaya noga, Sedikwa ke nja pedi ga se thata.

Hon Members, during March 2016, the Premier will launch a new social mobilisation ten (10) Point Campaign Plan as part of Setsokotsane and RHR to deal directly with societal issues affecting our people on a daily basis.

The campaign will entail the following:

1. Obesity Awareness campaign – targeting politicians, public servants, private sector employees, learners and society in general. Through this campaign, all Health and Wellness programmes in Government will be centralised in the Office of the Premier for coordination and to maximise impact;
2. Building a non-racial Province Campaign;
3. Opening the Door of Learning and Culture Campaign;
4. Ensuring Safety, Security, Comfort, corruption and crime free society Campaign;
5. Environmental Issues Campaign;
6. Women and Children Abuse Awareness Campaign;
7. Sport Development and Participation Campaign;
8. Rates and Taxes Payment Campaign – FEED will work together with municipalities and other Government Departments to encourage all residents to start paying for all rates, taxes and services provided by municipalities with effect from 1st April 2016. Municipalities will be encouraged to enter into creative and affordable negotiations on the settlement of all prior years outstanding debts;
9. Water and Sanitation Campaign – The Provincial Government will within 21 days announce a comprehensive, decisive intervention on challenges of water and sanitation in partnership with the DBSA.
10. Drought Mitigation & Relief Campaign

All MECs will report to the people during budget speeches on the detailed plans of each campaign.

We however still urge our people to conserve water because every drop counts as our water storage levels is at below 55%.

Hon Members, we also wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of outstanding North West patriots whose deeds have propelled us towards the realisation of Rebranding, Repositioning and the Renewal the people`s province, Bokone-Bophirima;

• Andrew Kelehe for winning the 2015 Comrades Marathon;
• The Class of 2015 Matrics, in particular recognise in our midst Victor Asiwe Tobechukwu who obtained overall position 3 (three) in the Province;

Hon Speaker, through the RHR Programme, our province has eliminated the anger and divisiveness of the past years. The work of Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal must continue and permeate to the grassroots of our society. It must be applied in the home between husband and wife, between parent and child, between teacher and learner, and between children and adults.

For this reason every ward in Bokone Bophirima will have a Ward RHR Forum, which shall interact with all stakeholders in the ward to eliminate conflict and to effect peace and social stability. We appeal to our communities to work smoothly with these Ward RHR Forums.

But reconciliation can only occur where the different individuals and groups are prepared to forgive one another.

Forgiveness requires a certain state of maturity, a realization that forgiveness is for the good of all concerned, not for the favour of those we forgive. Mahatma Gandhi said: “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”  

We take this opportunity to appeal to all sectors of our society to forgive one another, and to work together for the good of our nation. In this way we can all practice one of the five pillars of our vision for Bokone Bophirima: Saamwerk – Saamtrek.

We urge all of us leaders in society to continue to strive to be role models of our society.  In this regard, we can learn from how the Premier has forgone some of the government entitlements accompanying his responsibilities as part of saving the tax payers money.

Mmusakgotla, ntetle go digela puo ya me ka go nopola lefoko la kgothatso la Mopesalema (Pesalema 126), Temana ya 5-6, le JEREMIAH 9: 13-16. Tsone di balega jaana:

Pesalema 126: 5-6
Ba ba jalang ka dikeledi ba tla roba ka meduduetso,
Ba atle ba ye ba gase peo ba ntse ba lela,
mme ba bowe ka meduduetso
ba rwele dingata tsa bona.

Jeremiah 9:13-17

Morena a ba a re: "E re ka ba tlogetse molao wa me o ke o beileng fa pele ga bone; ba se ka ba utlwa lentswe la me, le e seng go sepela ka lone; mme ba latela dipelo tsa bone tse di thatafetseng, le boBaale ba ba ba tlwaeditsweng ke borraabo."  Ke ka moo Morena wa masomosomo, Modimo wa Iseraele, o buang jaana a re: "Bonang, morafe o ke tla o jesa longana, ke o nosa metsi a a nang le botlhole;  ke tla o falaletsa kwa ditshabeng tse bone le borraabo ba sa di itseng; ke ba latedisa tshaka go tsamaya ke ba fedise."  

Ke a Leboga
Baie Dankie
Siyabulela
Rhi livhuwa
Thank You