Madam speaker
Honourable Premier and Members of the Executive Council
Deputy speaker
Honourable Members of Legislature
Councillors
Amakhosi and izinduna
Members of the business fraternity
Distinguished guests
I greet you all
The 9 May 2009, will always remain an important day in the history of this country, especially to the people of KwaZulu-Natal. This is the day when the President of this country, Mr Jacob Zuma, was inaugurated.
I am taking this opportunity to express my words of joy to the president of my country. We are proud of you, Nxamalala. It is also important to express my gratitude to all the people of this province and the whole country, who voted in their numbers on the 22 April 2009, for political parties of their choice. This is democracy.
It was my wish to begin my address by focusing on President Zuma, as we all know that he played a major role in improving the lives of the people of KwaZulu-Natal during his tenure as the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism.
He also played a major role in bringing peace in this province at the height of political violence. President Zuma demonstrated courage and commitment and was committed to developing all communities across political lines. This has resulted in KwaZulu-Natal developing a reputation of being a developing province which attracts investors as well as domestic and international and domestic tourists.
I do not doubt that Zuma will priorities people's needs and will succeed in championing unity and co-operation among different racial groupings and political parties. What is important as we are gathered here today in this Legislature is to reflect on the roadmap that Msholozi has crafted in order to pave the way forward success.
The speech he presented at his inauguration as State President proved that indeed he is a man dedicated to working hard to protect this democracy that many of my people died for. In fact, it is true that democracy is at risk if children and widows are exposed to hunger and suffering. There is no doubt that democracy is at risk if my people are subjected to widespread crime.
Madam speaker and Premier
Democracy is in danger if MECs and public servants are lazy forgetting that on the other hand, the vulnerable members of our communities such as pensioners are suffering from hunger. We are grateful that Nxamalala will ensure that this does not happen.
Allow me to quote from the president's address he delivered during his inauguration, "for as long as there are South Africans who die from preventable disease. For as long as there are workers who struggle to feed their families and who battle to find work. For as long as there are communities without clean water, decent shelter or proper sanitation, for as long as there are rural dwellers unable to make a decent living from the land on which they live, for as long as there are women who are subjected to discrimination, exploitation or abuse, for as long as there are children who do not have the means nor the opportunity to receive a decent education. We shall not rest and we dare not falter, in our drive to eradicate poverty."
Madam speaker, people from all walks of life and corners of South Africa were impressed by the President's address. What impressed me even more was the emphasis he made when he delivered his State of Nation Address on 3 June 2009. He pointed out that the 15 years of democracy calls for this government to work with communities to speed up transformation and service delivery.
It is a fact that what the government has achieved in the past years was as a result of a strong partnership with community structures. I want to salute the workers from the private sector including public servants such as doctors, police, administration clerks, teachers, farmers, elected leaders, youth, elders, church organizations, amakhosi, izinduna, community development workers as well as volunteers and citizens of this country.
It is important for this government to strengthen the partnership with the community. We recognise the role played by various communities during the fight for liberation and I have no doubt that communities will still play an important role to ensure the reconstruction and development of this province. Let me again take this opportunity to commend all former presidents of this country for their contribution, Tata Nelson Mandela, Mr Thabo Mbeki and the current Deputy
President Mr Kgalema Motlanthe.
Similarly, I wish to commend all former premiers who have led this provincial government, Dr Frank Mdlalose, Dr Ben Ngubane, Dr Lionel Mtshali and Dr Sbu Ndebele. As we write history, your names will also appear and we thank you for dedicating your lives to serve my nation. I have no doubt that the new appointed
Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize will continue from where you left off.
I know that Khabazela will consult you and I wish him and his Executive Council all the best. We are gathered today to open the people's Legislature. Let me state clearly that all political parties in this Legislature are representing my people. Leaders of these political parties must ensure that they all work together to fulfil the dreams of the voters.
I do not believe that it is wise to spend time arguing and squabbling over pity issues whilst neglecting the needs of the voters. Make no mistake: those who voted for you had a vision of a province, where there is:
* justice
* prosperity
* eradication of poverty through development
* creation of opportunities for all the people irrespective of political parties they support.
Clearly, we understand that achieving better life will be a result of your dedication. Do not forget that as you are elected, your future is in the hands of the electorate. Therefore, you must know that voters have the right to recall you from Parliament if you do not perform well. That is democracy still. Fight against poverty and hunger
Madam speaker, the fight against poverty and hunger must be a priority from now on. It is a shame that despite a vast land in this province, we still have people that eat from rubbish bins. Our forefathers made a living through farming. We were also brought up by families that relied heavily on the soil for a living. Why do we allow our children to make a living out of rubbish bins?
Why do we allow our children to beg on the streets?
I call upon this government initiate programmes aimed at encouraging people to plough the land. This will go a long way towards ensuring food security for vulnerable communities.
It is my fervent wish that emerging farmers get support from government, especially access to seeds and farming infrastructure such as gardening equipment and tractors. Secondly, I wish that the government, especially the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, could ensure the mentorship of emerging farmers by established commercial farmers. This will help to ensure that those the land acquired through land restitution and reform is used productively.
Rural development
Rural development is something that is closer to my heart. The President has set the tone; it is now up to you as the provincial government to hit the road running. Honourable members and guests, I wish to express my willingness to play a pivotal role in ensuring that this dream becomes reality. Amakhosi and izinduna (headmen) will support me in bringing development to our communities.
As such, all Royal Queens will embark on a campaign of encouraging all women in rural areas to create job opportunities for themselves through farming and handwork.
We hope that the government will ensure that rural communities have access to markets for their products that and that the income generated from sales will go back to the community without being defrauded. Exploitation of rural communities is rife. There are people who buy products in rural areas and sell them in exorbitantly higher prices in big cities and overseas. This is an injustice.
As we are all aware, the apartheid government was not prepared to empower black people economically. Since the advent of democracy, we have seen the emergence of small businesses such as co-operatives. Despite challenges faced by the cooperative movement, I am positive that this government will find a winning formula.
Major areas of discontent include the inaccessibility of markets, financial constraints and the lack of business management skills.
In fact, fast tracking the entry of communities from previously disadvantaged communities to the mainstream economy is long overdue. There should be investment in information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in rural areas in order to enable emerging entrepreneurs to use the modern technology to manage their businesses. This will not only create job opportunities but will strengthen our economy.
Also, we should consider using technology in order to stimulate rural development and to increase agricultural output. Technology allows for the farmer to determine the suitability of soil for certain seeds and also when it is the right time to farm.
Madam speaker, provision of higher education should be a priority for all of us. In other words, charity begins at home, in our communities and in our churches.
What does a parent do about a child who falls pregnant at school? Why does a neighbour turn a blind when they see their neighbour's child in town during school hours? Why does a teacher turn a blind eye on a child who disappears from school with another teacher? The question we need to ask ourselves is, what kind of a nation are we building here?
No child should stay at home and not attend school because she has been impregnated by a teacher. Likewise, no parent should play a passive role in the child's education. There are parents who do not attend parent-teacher meetings, but expect good results at the end of the year. This is unacceptable. There should be cooperation between teachers, pupils and parents at all times.
Madam speaker and Honourable Premier
As President Zuma stated during his television interview on Sunday, 7 June 2009, this government should improve the level of teaching, especially training of mathematics and science teachers. Any country needs ICT to grow its economy. This province is no exception.
Participatory democracy
Participatory democracy is another important area. The community at large, including izinduna, amakhosi, religious leaders, community-based organisations, should embark on the following programmes:
* Fight against HIV and Aids, since the government plans to decrease the percentage of new HIV infections, this can only be realised if we all take part in creating awareness against the this pandemic
* Fight against tuberculosis, encouraging TB patients to finish their course in our respective communities is critical. If there is someone in your neighbourhood who is taking TB medication, you need to help them ensure that they take that medication at all times as prescribed. This helps cure this disease
* Maths, science and ICT subjects at schools, we need to encourage learners to take maths, science and ICT subjects at schools. These subjects will be very useful in the development of this province, especially rural areas
* Fight against crime, we should encourage our communities to work with the police in fighting crime. It is sad to see women being embroiled in criminal activities. This is both disgraceful and shameful
* Reconciliation, we should pursue reconciliation initiatives. In our democratic order, everyone has a right to belong to political parties of their choice. I trust that izinduna, amakhosi and religious leaders will preach the spirit of tolerance and respect. We have passed that period of political conflicts based on political party affiliations United Democratic Movement (UDM), Inkhata Freedom Party (IFP), Democratic Alliance (DA) or African National Congress (ANC).
Everyone has a right to chose leaders or a political party they believe will deliver the needs of the community. No one should be punished for exercising this right.
In conclusion madam speaker
I have no doubt that as we gather here today; we are all committed to working for our people. I therefore call for tolerance and reconciliation in the aftermath of the elections. I also wish to acknowledge and commend all political parties for cooperating with one another.
I trust that since there are plans to develop rural areas, the provincial government will work with all organisations, including municipalities.
This will bring prosperity and success at all times.
Thank you
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
11 June 2009
Source: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)
