Regeneration Summit in Kimberley
6 April 2006
Programme Director
Premier Dipuo Peters
Members of the Provincial Legislature
Members of the Executive Council
Leaders of faith-based organisations
Our honoured traditional leaders
Mayors and leaders of Local Government
Director-General and leaders of the of the public service
Business representatives
Representatives of community organisations and non-governmental
organisations
Distinguished guests, friends and comrades
People of the Northern Cape
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
I am honoured to be with you all today, and be part of this occasion, which
is a building block for change in our province and also an event in which we
recommit ourselves to turn the tide against social crimes against our people,
and the moral decay in our societies.
It is my belief that the reason why all of you have converged here today
from various sectors and formations, is not only to seek solutions to the
challenges we are facing as a society, but most of all, its because we all
believe that, with our strong commitment, we will overcome.
Indeed this event should be one of the most inspiring contributions to the
efforts of building a new nation. I believe that we should participate in this
summit with great optimism, as it should chart the way forward, and produce
clear strategies that will locate all stakeholders, at the centre of all
programme of action and activities in the country.
Equally the struggle to overcome the scourge of poverty and underdevelopment
must result in the radical improvement of the conditions of life of our women,
our children and people living with disabilities. We are encouraged as existing
transformation programmes of government provide the possibility to do this.
Many of our people are still condemned to lead miserable lives, to suffer
from physical and mental ailments and die young because of preventable
diseases.
We need to confront these situations with the necessary determination, in a
sustained struggle to translate the principle of the rights of people to a
better life.
Some of these difficulties expose our people to superstitions and an
inability to access the necessary knowledge and skills that drives the
evolution of modern society. Many of the policies are driven by goodwill and
dedication but resources for implementation are scarce. This is the thrust of
the challenge faced by the country with regard to the implementation of the
progressive laws that that have been recently enacted.
It is my belief that this summit, will seek to find solutions to some of
these key issues. Skills development, education and training may not be the
universal remedy for social and economic imbalances. Our intervention should be
at all levels of educational growth. We have to ensure that our people play an
active role in shaping their own future and that of future generations.
Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, we have to ensure that participants in this
summit, are empowered with the necessary skills and knowledge to seamlessly
implement our strategies and goals. We have to also ensure that male
participants respond positively to the social challenges facing women in our
communities. We have to ensure that our women have the necessary skills to
overcome the barriers that prevent them from being willing partners in
enhancing productivity in our country.
Therefore the decisions you will arrive at during the course of this summit,
must be for all intent and purposes bear clear strategies and seek to steer
this province towards a developmental path of total women emancipation. As you
deliberate through these issues, bear in mind the fact that, your partnership
with government needs to be strengthened and consolidated, for it to achieve
its mission of working to enhance all the positive values that are enshrined in
the Constitution.
Ladies and gentlemen, your strategies should promote the right to life,
human dignity, equality, justice, the rights of women and children, freedom
from discrimination, and all other freedoms that are guaranteed. We cannot and
shall not accept that we are a province breeding lawlessness and excessive
alcohol abuse and violence against women and children. I believe that we have
men and women who can take bold initiatives to make a difference.
Our optimism also stems from the fact that the political will exists to turn
the situation around for the better, and a lot has happened already to
demonstrate this. To make a real difference in addressing this massive moral
crisis, we require your support and prayer. Your participation will contribute
to the development of our province.
I therefore urge you to renew the revival of our community values, to
benefit not only our country but more specifically, our own people. We urge all
of you to continue working in partnership with government and other sectors to
highlight the plight of our people. We also acknowledge the role of the church
in alleviating the suffering caused by terminal diseases, especially HIV and
AIDS.
Across the country, every day we are encouraged to see churches and
religious people and leaders alike taking care of the aged, nursing the sick,
feeding and clothing the poor and orphans, especially HIV and AIDS orphans.
There is a lot that you as a collective can contribute to the fight against
AIDS, especially with regards to promoting a changing behaviour, which would
greatly boost the campaign of reducing new infections.
I have no doubt that the deliberations and discussions of this summit will
indeed yield great outcomes for the people of this province and the
country.
I wish you all the best in the course of your deliberations, and call upon you
to continue with the commitment and enthusiasm displayed by your presence by
working harder than ever before to make our united response effective and
efficient.
I now wish to introduce to you the esteemed leader of our people Mme
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Northern Cape Provincial Government
6 April 2006
Source: http://www.northern-cape.gov.za
