D Peters: Northern Cape State of the Province Address

9 February 2006

Madam Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Legislature
Members of the Provincial Legislature
Esteemed Judge President and Members of the Judiciary
Members of the Executive Council
Our honoured traditional Leaders
Heads of our Security Services
Mayors and Leaders of Local Government
Director-General and leaders of the of the public service
Your Excellencies, ambassadors and high commissioners
Distinguished guests, friends and comrades
People of the Northern Cape

Accompanying me in delivering this State of the Province Address is a
special guest, who last year on the occasion of the children’s parliament
indicated her desire to be the Premier of this province, Ms Keitumetse Mokgoro.
At that moment I did commit myself that I will spend enough time with her in
order to expose her to the functions and work of this office.

This address is based also on the advice and guidance she and others have
given me since I assumed office.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the presence in the house of
Commissioner Zukiswa Mbombo, the first woman Provincial Commissioner of the
South African Police Service.

Also in our midst is Mme Rebecca Tsiane, our mother who ten years ago
started the Thusong Kids Haven, for orphaned and displaced children. To her and
other outstanding volunteers in our province like Imelda Basson from Kakamas,
who cares for physically disabled children; we shall always be indebted to you
for the good and wonderful work you are doing in our communities, especially
for the benefit and empowerment of the poor.

Ons verwelkom ook Aunty Sophie Olifant, wat vir die laaste dertig jaar die
enigste vroedvrou in Loxton was. Tot en met die aanstelling van ‘n verpleegster
en tot op die ryke ouderdom van twee-en-tagtig, was sy verantwoordelik vir die
veilige geboortes van babas in daardie omgewing.

I also acknowledge the presence of the members of the Provincial AIDS
Council, who through their strategic leadership continue to deal with the
challenges of HIV/AIDS. We salute your spirit of volunteerism and
vuk’úzenzele.

More girls reach matric each year and this bodes well for the emancipation
of women. Allow us to also acknowledge the achievements of the two young women
who were the first and second best matriculants for 2005 in the province.

Liesl Barbara Muller and Sonya Samson are an inspiration to young women, and
we wish them well in their further studies.

We welcome Lucinda Bouwer, Kathleen Raaf, Chantel Esau and Bonolo Molete,
young sports women who have been selected to participate in the South African
Football Association (SAFA) Academy for Girls at the University of Pretoria
High Performance Centre. All four of these outstanding young women have
achieved national colours.

Madam Speaker,

This year, on 10 May, we will be celebrating the 10th anniversary since the
historic adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

Similarly, the province of firsts, our Northern Cape, in 1996 started a
programme that would become the precursor and model for outreach and engagement
in the context of participatory and inclusive democracy in our country.

Through this programme, the political leadership of the province have
travelled the length and breadth of this vast province, interacting with
clergy, with youth, with women, with people living with disabilities, the
elderly.

Through this programme, we have been enriched, properly understanding the
needs of our people, and how best to respond to these.

Our Cabinet meets the people programme continues to be the link between the
aspirations of our people and the resolve of our democratic government to
ensure that the contract we entered into with the people of the Northern Cape
in 2004, find expression in every corner of the province.

On the 1st March this year, we will all act again to further entrench and
affirm the tenets on which our Constitution is based.

The central pillar of our Constitution is the promotion of popular
participation in democratic processes, and we are confident that the masses of
our people in the Northern Cape shall, with full appreciation of the sacrifices
and visionary leadership of our forebears, be at the forefront of defending our
democratic gains.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the historic Women’s March to
the Union Buildings. In their thousands, from all walks of life, black and
white – they proclaimed a united message: Wathint’ abafazi, Wathint
imbokodo!

In recognition of the proud struggles of the women of this country, the
ruling party is leading the process towards ensuring 50% representation of
women in local government.

In further giving impetus to the battle cry of Wathint’ abafazi, Wathint
imbokodo!, Government has extended the 16 Days of Activism on No Violence
against Women and Children to 365 days. Geen kind of vrou mag enigsins misbruik
en mishandel word nie!

In the same vain, on 16 February, I will be launching the Operation Isondlo
campaign in the province. The campaign focuses on both men and women in the
public service and society who are failing to play their parental role by not
maintaining their children.

On 16 June 1976, thousands of young women and men, refusing to be relegated
to second class citizens in the country of their birth, changed the course of
history of our country as the front rank combatants in our struggle for
freedom.

Again, this year, we will commemorate the 30th Anniversary of June 16 Soweto
Uprisings in an appropriate manner. One of the highlights of our programme
would be he unveiling of the Northern Cape Youth Memorial at the Provincial
Legislature complex, honouring the memory of our fallen heroes and
heroines.

Further to this, we have directed the Northern Cape Youth Commission to
ensure the implementation of appropriate programmes and activities to
commemorate the heroic feats of previous generations of proud young South
Africans.

These programmes, to be implemented throughout the year, need to heighten
awareness in our society on the challenges faced by our youth, but must also
guide and advise on the measures that government, working in concert with our
social partners, need to institute to address some of these challenges.

Madam Speaker,

I dare say: Yesterday is a foreign country, tomorrow belongs to us!

Our constitutional democracy, the heroic feats of our youth, the strength
and resilience of our women, the outstanding commitment of our people as
demonstrated through people as selfless as Rebecca Tsiane, Imelda Basson and
aunt Sophia Olifant, the achievements of Liesl Muller and Sonya Samson, the
aspirations and hope of Ms Keitumetse Mokgoro, tells all of us that, indeed,
tomorrow belongs to us!!

In 1969, our glorious movement and ruling party convened a historic
conference at Morogoro, Tanzania.

Reflecting on the outcomes of this conference, Mayibuye reflected: “It is a
scientific fact that there is always a time lag between the demands of history
and the development of social forces, except at that precise moment of
revolutionary change when both factors coincide perfectly to advance society to
a new, and qualitatively different higher plane.”

It is our conviction that indeed we are at that point, that “precise moment
of revolutionary change”.

The question beckons – how do we, as government, civil society, the private
sector, labour and others respond to this in a manner that would propel our
province to this “new and qualitatively different higher plane” that Mayibuye
spoke of, and what constitutes the tasks of all of us in pursuance of the
achievement of a better life for all.

President Thabo Mbeki eloquently outlined these tasks in the 2005 State of
the Nation Address when he said:

“This means that during each of the years that make up our Second Decade of
Liberation, including this one, we must achieve new and decisive advances
towards:

* The further entrenchment of democracy in our country;
* Transforming our country into a genuine non-racial society;
* Transforming the country into a genuinely non-sexist society;
* Eradicating poverty and underdevelopment, within the context of a thriving
and growing first economy, and the successful transformation of the second
economy;
* Opening the vistas towards the spiritual and material fulfilment of each and
every South African;
* Securing the safety and security of our all people;
* Building a strong and efficient democratic state that truly serves the
interests of the people; and,
* Contributing to the victory of the African Renaissance and the achievement of
the goal of a better life for the peoples of Africa and the world.

These objectives constitute the central architecture of our policies and
programmes, intended to ensure that South Africa belongs to all who live in it,
black and white.”

When we launched the Northern Cape Provincial Growth and Development
Strategy in 2005, we made the commitment that the strategy and its
implementation would herald bold and decisive direction and action from
government with regard to the economic and social development of our province
and its proud inhabitants.

Amongst others, we highlighted that focus, amongst others, would be on:

* Using the Innovation Fund, which is now called the Growth and Development
Fund, to unlock creative and innovative economic opportunities;
* Enhancement of opportunities for especially women, the disabled and youth
through the alignment of imperatives derived from the Broad Based Black
Economic Empowerment Framework, the Agri-BEE framework and various sector
empowerment charters.
* Facilitating access by entrepreneurs and businesses to national incentive
schemes and support programmes, as well as acquiring markets for the
agro-processing sector.
* Improving and developing sustainable human settlement.
* Accelerating our human capital and social development.

During 2005, we have made substantial advances with regard to our
development objectives, premised on the provisions of the PGDS and the
Provincial Government Programme of Action.

Permit us to briefly reflect on some of these.

On the 28 January this year, we officially launched the Mari-culture
Industrial Park at Port Nolloth in the Namakwa District.

Through our focus on the development of economic and social infrastructure,
including the Expanded Public Works Programme, we have invested over R800
million in roads infrastructure development and maintenance, schools, clinics
and hospital revitalisation, sports facilities and other community assets in
which more than 8 000 jobs were created over the last year.

Examples of these are the Douglas-Belmont Railway line, the Kgalagadi
Transfrontier Park access road, clinics that were completed in Petrusville,
Phutanang, Prieska, Eurekaville and KwaZamuxholo.

It also includes the Galeshewe Community Safety Centre and the Steinkopf
Police Station.

On 10 November 2005, the President of the Republic launched the Southern
African Large Telescope at Sutherland. This project was delivered on time and
within budget, and poses great potential for the communities in that area.

Our government has continued over the recent period to ensure the
strengthening of the social security net, thereby focussing on the most
vulnerable sections of our communities.

A significant number of patients have been transported using the Emergency
Air Ambulance since the inception of the programme on 1 May 2005. We have
increased health care professionals in critical fields.

Over 180 000 school learners were provided with meals as part of the school
nutrition programme, having extended the reach of the programme to include
secondary learners. Through our comprehensive response to the challenges faced
by our communities, we have increased the learner enrolments in our public
schooling system and the numbers of learners reaching and completing
matric.

This bears testimony to the fact that we are making steady advances with
regard to the development of human capital.

As part of enhancing the objectives set by the PGDS, we successfully hosted
Summits on Health, Infrastructure, Land, Water, Finance, Youth, Substance Abuse
and Integrated Human Settlements. The outcomes of these are critical in
furthering the programmatic response to the challenges our province is faced
with.

During the latter part of 2005, we convened an Anti-Rape Indaba to
deliberate on what all of us collectively need to do to eradicate this criminal
act from our society.

We have completed a landmark guide on “Service Delivery in an Accessible
Municipality” that enables local government to respond comprehensively to the
challenges of people with disabilities, and we successfully completed the
gender audit, which allows us to strengthen measures in our efforts to work
towards gender equality.

Amongst the notable achievements for the year under review is the fact that
over 2000 people participated in the various learnership programmes, either as
nursing assistants, community development workers (CDWs), social auxiliary
workers and in disciplines such as financial and project management and
information technology.

In our drive to fight fraud and corruption within the public sector and
society, the province successfully convened an Anti-Corruption Summit in March
2005. This Summit outlined the strategy to prevent fraud and corruption,
especially within government. Amongst the decisions taken, is to ensure proper
scrutiny of our procurement system, including those who conduct business with
government. This is in order to combat fronting and tender irregularities.
Already, since the summit, we have been successful in rooting out corrupt
public servants from our system. Some of these cases are before the criminal
courts. I wish to state firmly and clearly – corruption in any shape or form
will not be tolerated by this government. We shall work around the clock to
ensure that this demon is erased from our social fabric.

We further make a call to all our public servants to always strive to be the
embodiment of the principles that underlie Batho Pele. They must understand
that theirs is only to serve our people with respect and dignity, in the
context of a caring and humane government.

With respect to sport and recreation, the launch of the Northern Cape Sports
Council has served as an important link between government and civil society.
As a body, the Council is now successfully addressing transformation in Sport,
geographical boundaries for the organisation of sporting activity and the issue
of provincial colours.

Through Project Consolidate eighteen of our municipalities are receiving
hands on support from both national and provincial government, in most
instances this support has enhanced the municipalities’ capacity to speed up
service delivery to all our communities.

In our endeavour to strengthen our interaction and institutionalise our
relationship with the sphere of local government within the provisions of the
new Inter-Governmental Relations Framework Act, we have had the inaugural
meeting of the Premier’s Inter-Governmental Co-ordinating Forum, bringing
together representatives from all spheres of government. Previously this
process was mediated through a non-statutory forum.

The Premier’s Co-ordinating Forum will, as a matter of urgency and
immediately after the local elections scheduled for 1 March, ensure that all
our elected councillors and management at municipal level undergo extensive
training to ensure that immediate capacity to deliver exists.

This we have to do in order to strengthen local government in a manner that
would enhance its ability to respond efficiently and promptly to the needs of
our people.

Ke rata go tsaya sebaka sena go amogela baagi ba rona ba Kgalagadi, mmogo le
toropo ya Pampierstad e welang ka fa tlase ga motse wa Phokwane.

Tiro ya rona ya go tlisa ditirelo, le go lwantsha bohumanego mo kapa bokone
e tla akaretsa le bone baagi bao.

Ke ka moo re itumelelang tshwetso ya Ntlo kgolo ya Di Provensie, (NCOP) ya
go tshwarela kopano ya bone kwa sedikeng sa Kgalagadi, gonne e tla re nnaya
tshono ya go buisana, le go tlhaloganya sentle sentle di tletlebo tsa baagi ba
rona.

Indeed we are looking forward to working together with our people in meeting
their social and economic needs.

We are also gradually succeeding in putting our public finances in order,
and this will enhance better spending and budgeting in the years ahead.

Madam Speaker,
The advances we have made over the past year give us reasons to have hope and
celebrate a better and a fruitful tomorrow, and yes again, tomorrow belongs to
us

Honourable Members,
Growing the provincial economy will require decisive and visionary leadership
from all sections of our society.

The accelerated and shared growth initiative for South Africa, under the
leadership of our Deputy President, is premised on the need to raise the
trajectory of growth of the South African economy to about 6% between 2010 and
2014.

Central to this objective, is the reduction of poverty and unemployment by
50% during the same period.

ASGISA contains a set of concrete economic proposal around a number of
priorities that collectively has the potential to drive economic growth and
development.

These include Infrastructure development, specific Sector strategies,
Education and skills development, interventions in the Second Economy, Public
Administration issues and continued focus on the macro-economic
environment.

Specific interventions identified by Accelerated and Shared Growth-South
Africa (ASGISA) for our province include upgrading a the diamond cutting and
polishing factory, also focussing on other precious stones and jewellery
making, as well as the establishment of a Gemology school.

Also included are space and astronomy projects. This in the main would focus
on the South African Bid for the Square Kilometre Array telescope.

The Northern Cape, indeed, is positioning itself as the science, technology
and astronomical hub of Southern Africa and Africa.

In the context of the strategic thrust derived from the Growth and
Development Summit, the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy and ASGISA,
we will in 2006 continue to focus on intensifying the People Contract to Create
Work and Fight Poverty.

I am pleased to indicate that over R1,6 billion has been allocated over the
next three years in the provincial and local spheres towards infrastructure
development. These include economic infrastructure in the forms of roads and
railway, as well as social and community infrastructure such as clinics and
schools.

These do not include the infrastructure investments to be delivered through
the programmes of the State Owned Enterprises.

A key project in this regard will be the construction of a tertiary hospital
facility, closer to the Kimberley Hospital Complex at a total cost of R1
billion. Through this initiative KHC would be converted into a School of
Nursing.

We are also investing in the establishment of two further nursing colleges
to be located in De Aar and Upington respectively.

In addition to the above, R286m has been allocated towards meeting our
integrated housing and human settlement developmental objectives, in the next
three years.

We are also in the process of expediting the initiative of delegating
housing delivery to the sphere of local government, so as to speed up delivery
of housing to our people.

In the context of intensifying our work in those economic sectors that has
the greater potential to enable us to reach our strategic objectives, we will
be spending R300 million on the rehabilitation of the Vaalharts Irrigation
scheme over a five-year period.

Almost R70 million will be used for the construction of the sub-surface
drainage system to address the water logging problem and R230 million for the
upgrading of irrigation systems. In addition to this, we will continue to work
on the development of the Orange River Emerging Farmer Settlement
Programme.

In our endeavour to diversify our agricultural economy, we will continue to
work on the further commercialisation of goats through the Kalahari
Kid/Kgalagadi Dipudi Initiatives, focusing on the entire value chain. This will
entail giving support to the already existing cooperatives involved and
creating an enabling environment for new entrants.

It is in this context that the MAFISA scheme will start operating in the
Kgalagadi District, focussing on providing access to financial instruments for
emerging agricultural entrepreneurs.

During the course of this year, we would finalise work on the Provincial
Freight Logistics Strategy. This strategy is meant to enhance our strategic
economic responses and will enable government to do better planning with regard
to our freight infrastructure.

We are pleased to indicate that the tourism master plan is in place and
accordingly, the Northern Cape has an integrated plan to guide the development
and promotion of the tourism and hospitality industries, as key economic growth
sectors. Already phase one of the development of the Big Hole project is
completed and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park access road is under
construction.

We take this opportunity to congratulate Ekhaya Guest House on being awarded
the first prize in the International Award for emerging tourism entrepreneurs
of the year.

Our government will move beyond the specific proposals and projects for the
Northern Cape contained in ASGISA, to also focus on those initiatives that has
the potential to further accelerate the participation of target groups in the
economy and propel provincial economic growth.

We commit government to procure a minimum of 50% of goods and services from
within the boundaries of the Northern Cape and call upon other sectors of our
community to do the same.

As of immediate effect, we will decentralise the responsibility for minor
repairs and maintenance of schools to School Governing Bodies, to the total
value of R14 million.

Hierdie stap sal verseker dat Skool Beheer Ligame ‘n meer betekenisvolle rol
speel, nie net op die vlak van die skool nie, maar ook in die gemeenskap as ‘n
geheel. Dit sal ook verder die ontwikkeling van die plaaslike ekonomie en
besigheidsmense bevorder.

Within the next three months, we will embark on a feasibility study on the
potential of granite, sandstone, marble and slate as an economic driver in the
Namakwa District. Emphasis in this regard will be on the total value chain,
focussing on mining and quarrying, processing of the raw material into high end
products, marketing and business process planning and capacity enhancement.

One of the key challenges in this regard is to establish linkages between
producers in such a manner that it enhances diversification of the product
base, as well as efforts to ensure a reduction in inputs that would enhance
profitability.

From this point onward, provincial government will construct all public
buildings with Northern Cape sourced materials such as slate products, which
have proven to be durable for many years and decades.

Work is continuing in the Siyanda District on the development of the
Upington Airport as a Cargo and Industrial Hub. A feasibility study in this
regard is already taking place, which will guide our responses accordingly.

We shall continue with our work to establish a co-operative movement that
meaningfully contribute to the economic growth of the Northern Cape.

In this regard, we have a responsibility as government to use our position
as a key economic player to foster the development of this form of enterprise,
which has great potential for massification and expansion.

We will use the policy frameworks in existence such as the Preferential
Procurement Act to foster broad based participation in the provincial
economy.

To this end, we have agreed that the following initiatives in the context of
co-operatives development will be prioritised for immediate implementation:

In the Pixley Ka Seme District, we will assist with the establishment of a
Co-operative focussing on the supply of furniture to government. This includes
clinics, hospitals, schools, as well as departments. The location of this
cooperative in the District is meant to allow it to capitalise on its proximity
to the Eastern Cape, with its vast timber resources.

Madam Speaker
A vibrant clothing manufacturing industry in the Francis Baard once existed,
and to this extent we are convinced that creating a cooperative exclusively
focusing on the production of linen and other materials for our hospitals,
uniforms for school children can be sustainable.

To demonstrate our resolve with respect to our responsibilities as a
developmental government, we have agreed that this co-operative shall
immediately be contracted for the supply and delivery of protective clothing of
all food handlers supporting the implementation of the School Nutrition
Programme and hospital general workers.

Hope must be given to those women and men who one time filled the factory
floors.

Madam Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our provincial government remains committed to pay special attention to the
unique challenges facing the young women and men of our province.

In the second quarter of the year we will be launching the Integrated Youth
Development Strategy for the province. This strategy statement will be aligned
to the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy and shall seek to ensure a
comprehensive and overarching response by government and its social partners to
the challenges of youth in the province.

Responding to some of the recommendations already made, our provincial
government will by the end of March launch the Northern Cape Youth Fund, in
partnership with ABSA and the Umsobomvu Youth Fund.

This fund, capitalised to the tune of R15 million, would provide loan
financing for youth entrepreneurs ranging from R1 000 to R500 000 per
investment, and is meant to accelerate the participation of youth in the
mainstream economy of the province.

Specific growth sectors have been identified for potential investment, and
the partnership also include providing the necessary business development
support services and mentoring to youth entrepreneurs.

We will also, responding to the call of the President of the Republic,
ensure that adequate attention is given to and capacity strengthened for the
expansion of the National Youth Service Programme in the province.

Madam Speaker, Ladies and Gentleman,
Education of our children must and should remain a priority for all of us and
it is in this context, that closer and detailed attention would be given
towards supporting our schools in executing their mandate of providing quality
education.

For the first time this year nearly 85 schools in the province, through the
no school fee initiative shall be required not to charge school fees, this is
primarily targeted at those learners whose parents are unemployed and therefore
cannot afford to pay any fees.

As a measure to continuously improve the quality of teaching and learning in
our schools, the four districts have developed improvement plans, covering all
the 428 schools.

We have further identified 10 mathematic, science and technology schools
under the Dinaledi programme.

The objective is to raise learner participation and achievement in
mathematics, science and technology, and the target is to increase the number
of learners passing mathematics HG and science HG by 50% in 2008.

An additional 800 learners will be enrolled in various Skills Development
Programmes in support of the objectives of the Provincial Growth and
Development Strategy.

Honourable Members,
As of this year, the Premiers Education Trust Fund shall ensure that financial
assistance in the form of bursary loans will be guaranteed for the first one
hundred deserving learners. Naturally, we will guide the disciplines to be
funded to ensure alignment with the expressed skills needs of the province.

In 2006, the Mass Participation in Sport Programme will be extended to
include all 26 municipalities in the province. Hundred people will be employed
as Activity Co-ordinators and 28 as Hub Co-ordinators. This will ensure that
this program now covers the entire province and involves a maximum number of
participants.

In addition to the above, we have arranged for 20 young people to undertake
training in heritage related fields in Belgium and China in this year,
focussing on technical training in building restoration and in Chinese language
skills needed for the province to benefit from increased visits by Chinese
tourist to South Africa and specifically our province.

Our Social Crime prevention and Victim Empowerment program will be
strengthened with the construction of Secure Care Facilities in Namakwa and
Pixley Ka Seme regions during the course of the year.

We will establish two multi-purpose centres for the elderly and disabled in
Groblershoop and Strydenburg respectively to render a range of accessible
community based programmes, as well as a Drop in Centre in Port Nolloth.

We will also improve waiting periods for Social Assistance Grants
application to a turn around time from 21 days to 11 days. At the same time,
implementation of a Quality Management and Data Interrogation on the SOCPEN
Data System will continue to ensure a fraud free social grants system.

Niemand sal meer as twee weke wag vir ‘n antwoord op n toelae aansoek
nie!

Madam Speaker, Honourable Members,
We must continue in our struggle to make sure that health care is accessible to
all, especially for those in the most remote parts of our province.

Accordingly on 20 February we shall unveil the Health Vision 2014,which
outlines the strategic direction of health provision and services in the
province.

During the course of the year, we will employ a further 300 Emergency Care
Practitioners, purchase 50 new ambulances and 15 patient transport
vehicles.

As part of fighting the scourge of HIV and AIDS and other communicable
diseases, the social cluster has budgeted over R70m towards providing
awareness, support, care and nutritional supplements to the most
vulnerable.

A healthy nation requires people living healthy lifestyles, and it is in
this context that we should congratulate the departments of health and
education for launching the health promotion in our schools targeting our
learners.

In our endeavour to bring government services closer to our communities,
over the next three year MTEF period, we will accelerate the establishment of
Multi-Purpose Community Centres in Phokwane and Namaqua District.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
We began a journey twelve years ago of seeking to define a new trajectory for
our country and province, premised on democracy, non-racialism, non-sexism and
prosperity for all.

We can with confidence say that the people of our province responded
positively to this clarion call, of seeking to build a new society and since
then, we have never looked back.

It is this positiveness and resolve by our people to forever propel our
march forward, that inspire me to always look forward to another brighter day
in order to make my little and humble contribution in charting a new course of
this wonderful province of ours.

Let 2006 be another year of effective service delivery and accelerated
implementation!

I thank you. Ke a leboga. Pula.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Northern Cape Provincial Government
9 February 2006

Kate