E Molewa: Inaugural meeting of provincial Anti-Corruption Forum

1 October 2007

Programme Director
Honourable MEC Modiselle and other MECs here present
Representatives of the civil, the business and the public sectors
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

You have just made history, even though you might not be aware of it. You
have also proven a number of people wrong.

You have made history by converging around a matter that most people think
we cannot – as the public, the private and the civil society sectors – see eye
to eye upon. You have proven a number of people wrong by zeroing in on a
subject they think is a no-go area for us – a subject they think we in the
public sector, in particular, are afraid of.

Today's inaugural meeting of the provincial Anti-Corruption Forum justifies
our country's rating as one of the best-governed countries in Africa. It also
confirms our oft-argued point, as a country, that we are committed to good
governance, and are positively anti-corruption.

The message you are sending is that we take collective responsibility, as a
nation, to ensure that our image – carefully cultivated and nurtured following
the corruption and the debacle of apartheid – remains confidence-inspiring to
the world. We are fully mindful of the impact of a negative image on our
standing as an investment destination. This, to us, is critical in a context
where we have to have an ever-growing economy to address the two-sided
challenge of poverty and job creation.

I am, myself, inspired by the spirit of partnership and dedication I see
demonstrated here, a spirit I think can be carried across to a number of other
areas requiring the partnership of government with other stakeholders. It is
this spirit we have in mind when we speak of public-private partnerships
(PPPs), and it is a spirit which invariably leads to the achievement of desired
goals and objectives.

We have, of course, since the beginning of this process, been following
developments closely and listening attentively to some of the concerns
articulated, including, especially, those relating to the sustainability of the
forum. These are challenges we shall not be able to address overnight, but we
are committed to confronting, and resolving, them speedily. Rest assured that
we are in this for the long haul, and we are serious about the future of this
forum.

I must, however, advise that where sustainability, in particular, is
concerned, it is our integrity and our management of this structure which shall
determine our success or failure.

Speaking as government, we are intimately aware of our role as custodians of
public monies and other resources. That calls for absolute integrity and
accountability. These, as we all know, are best demonstrated in a context
involving external players. We are, for that reason, pleased that we are in
partnership with external players whose legitimacy and integrity lend gravitas
to this process.

Let me not deliver a keynote address at a time when people expect nothing
but commendation and congratulations on good work done. Accordingly, may I
thank all of you, particularly the convenors, for the political and
professional maturity and commitment you have demonstrated in taking the
process from concept to sign-off. We are proud of you.

In closing may I remind us all that the real challenge is about to begin,
for it is in implementation and action where the true test lies. One hopes,
then, that in another few years we shall be able to claim, as one brewer does
about one of its brands, that our provincial Anti-Corruption Forum has stood
the test of time.

Please make that hope come to life.

I wish us all well, and I thank you all.

Issued by: North West Provincial Government
1 October 2007