E Molewa: State of the province address

16 February 2007

Honourable Speaker of the Provincial Legislature;
Honourable Members of the Executive Council;
Leaders of Political Parties and Honourable Members of the Provincial
Legislature;
Honourable Members of the National Assembly;
Honourable Members of the National Council of provinces;
Judge President and Members of the Judiciary
Heads of our Security Agencies;
Former Premier of the North West Dr Molefe and Ms Molefe;
Mayors and leaders in our system of Local Government;
Our Honoured Traditional Leaders, Batlotlegi Dikgosi tsa rona;
Chairpersons of state organs supporting our democracy
Resident Public Service Commissioner;
The Director-General and leaders of administration in all spheres of
government;
Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of State-Owned Enterprises;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Leaders of labour movement, civil society, faith-based organisations and
business
Honoured guests, friends, comrades and fellow South Africans;

"Work and thou cannot escape the rewards; whether thy work be fine or
coarse; planting corn or writing epics, so long it be honest work done to thine
own approbation, it shall earn the rewards in the senses as well as in thought.
No matter how often defeated, you are born for victory. The reward of a thing
well done is to have it done." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today we begin another chapter in the unfolding journey of our democratic
government. I am privileged to welcome our provincial lawmakers back and invite
you to join me as we officially open this Third Session of our Third Democratic
Government. I am certain that we will collectively discharge our
constitutionally mandated responsibility as representatives of our people,
always mindful of the hopes and expectations of our masses, who look at us to
make a difference in their life situations. I have no doubt that this year will
mark another milestone in our common pursuit of the goal of building united,
democratic, healthy, safe and prosperous communities and fulfil the ideals
espoused in our Constitution.

In this very context, I am honoured to acknowledge some of the special
inhabitants of our province who distinguished themselves in various fields of
achievement. Some of those are with us in this august House today while others
are not:
• Ms Nancy Rakhodhoa: Provincial Female Farmer of the year for 2006.
• Mr Peter Mathews: member of the Disabled People South Africa (DPSA), who
played a significant role in the establishment of DPSA in the North West.
• The 1950s Women Veterans of our struggle who participated in the 1956 Women's
March to the Union Buildings: Bomme Keebine Pauline Mamorongwa, Florence
Mosenyi, Sewela Mpho Seane, Rosina Moletswa, all from Dinokana.
• Mr Willie Auret, the late dedicated driver within our agricultural economy,
who passed on in a tragic car accident.
• Gabatshwane Gumede, 12 years old. She is ambassador for children worldwide
under the United Nations (UN) Convention on Children's Rights and member of the
International Children Jury for WCPRC (World Children's Prize for the Rights of
the Child). She represents IDS orphans and fights for support and assistance to
vulnerable children worldwide.
• Dr Siwisa: His selfless dedication to the provision of quality healthcare to
the people of Taung has won him a national award. When many of his peers found
the glittering lights of the city irresistible, Dr Siwisa chose the path of
serving the most vulnerable and those in dire need.

We would also like to send our message of condolences to the families of our
friends and fellow South Africans who lost their lives during this past year.
Among others, our mother of the nation Mama Adelaide Tambo, the thirteen
educators who died in a car accident on Mafikeng-Lichtenburg road, followed by
another three educators from Letlhabile, nine of our Local Councilors, three
young police inspectors who died on duty near Matlosana, Makgosi Sefanyetso and
two Dikgosana and many of our people who passed on.

Madam Speaker
On the previous occasion I made reference to the power of memory. On that
occasion I quoted a celebrated South African poet, Don Mattera, in referring to
memory as a weapon. Today, at this State of the province Address, the memory of
our past serves as a beacon for our future. We need to remember where we come
from, the obstacles we had to overcome, not as prisoners of the past but as
masters of our future.

In that context, as we pursue our vision of a better life for all and the
goal of transforming the legacy of our past, it is helpful that at certain
historical intervals like today, we should pause to remind ourselves of where
we began this journey. Let us take stock of the distance we have traversed not
only since twelve years ago, but also in the two and a half years into this
term of government. As we do this, we must also redefine new milestones that we
need to accomplish towards the full realisation of our historic mission of
creating a better life for all our people.

This is indeed the time to examine what we have done and are doing, as well
as what we undertake to do, all in the context of the overall challenges we
face as well as the broader vision we have set for ourselves.

Noting that this year marks the mid-term point of this government since the
elections in 2004, it is appropriate that we use this historical mark to take
stock of how far we have travelled in our historic journey since twelve years
ago. In this regard, it will be helpful to sketch a picture of the current
state of the province against the backdrop of conditions as they prevailed
nearly a decade ago.

In 1996 the North West province had a population of 3,354 million and this
grew by 1,1% to 3,374mil in 2006, in part as a consequence of the demarcation
process. The province was characterised by generally low levels of service
delivery, coupled with huge backlogs.

* In 1996, 52% of our households had no access to basic water and we managed
to lower this to 39,5% by 2005.

* In 1996, 61,2% of the households had no access to electricity and we
managed to lower this to 13,6% by 2005 – an achievement unparalleled in any
developing economy!
* In 1996, more than 80% of the households had no access to sanitation and this
figure steadily improved to 49,7% in 2005
* In 2001 a total of 299 512 of our people received social grants and we
steadily improved access to social grants to 737 963 people in 2006.

The above statistics clearly indicate that we made major strides in the
provision of basic services in a quest to give a better life for all. When we
stood before this House and announced that we have entered the Age of Hope,
this is what we meant. It meant that a majority of our people clearly
understand the monumental legacy we had to overcome, and yet progressively are
beginning to enjoy the benefits that only twelve years ago were the privilege
of a minority among us.

Since the advent of the democratic government, we have worked with resolute
commitment to transform the ugly legacy of hopelessness and neglect, which
constituted the reality of the masses of our people. We sought to translate
into reality, the ideal of a life of freedom and dignity as enshrined in our
Constitution for all our people. We cannot claim to have solved all our
challenges, neither can we boldly say to this House that our mission has been
accomplished. But, as the records testify, the Age of Hope is becoming a
reality to an increasing majority of our people. Today I would like to renew on
behalf of the province our pledge to work in a National Partnership to Build a
Better Life for All.

Over the last twelve years the lives of many ordinary South Africans have
significantly changed for the better. Our people have come to see with their
own eyes houses being built in their communities, clean water being brought
into their yards and households, their streets, including rural streets being
tarred, their houses being electrified, clinics being built in their
communities, in short, their lives being changed for the better. If there is
any criticism, it is not that we have taken the wrong route, or even that we
have stopped moving, but that the pace of our journey may be slow.

In that regard, we have dedicated 2007 to be the year of accelerated
progress towards the attainment of the vision of a better life for all. It was
in that spirit that when addressing this House during the State of the province
Address of 2004, and also reflecting on our achievements after the first decade
of democracy, we had occasion to say:

"The journey we began in 1994 continues. Our march towards the objective of
a better life for all has gathered momentum. We are on course. There is no
turning back now!"

2014 Vision of a Prosperous Society and Growing Economy

Madam Speaker,
The Third Term of the Democratic Government began in 2004 on a solid mandate
for further and faster transformation. Building on the foundation of the first
decade of democracy, we committed ourselves to the 2014 Vision built around
three pillars:

* Building a social security net to meet the objective of poverty
alleviation
* Promoting the growth and development of the First Economy, thus increasing
its possibility to create jobs and thus address the problem of
unemployment
* Adoption and implementation of interventions and programmes to address the
challenges of the Second Economy.

The province responded to this challenge in 2005 with a "People's Contract"
representing Government, labour, business and civil society to implement the
Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS). This strategy formulated a
detailed "Roadmap" of the most optimal and balanced delivery path for the
province. It set very specific investment and delivery targets to be achieved
annually by each district and economic sector.

Madam Speaker, during this watershed year when we stand mid-point to our
term of office, we regard it as critically important that we undertake an
intensive assessment of the impact we have registered in realising the goals we
set for ourselves in the Vision 2014. We committed ourselves to:
* reduce unemployment to less than 20% by 2014
* pursue targeted provincial economic growth of 6,6% per annum
* provide and facilitate skills development
* generate public and private investment
* ensure cooperative governance and promote public/private partnerships
* promote equal and fair access to opportunities and assets
* enhance competitiveness and profitability
* ensure sustainable development and poverty eradication through appropriate
resource and environmental management.

The House will recall the initiatives introduced last year to give practical
substance to the implementation of the PGDS. Special reference should be made
to the impact made by the Economic Advisory Council, the PGDS Forums and its
seven working groups as well as the eight identified High Impact
Programmes.

The PGDS departs from the 2004 Baseline. The House will appreciate that
macro statistics have a time delay of at least one year before they are
produced; therefore these are indeed early days to perform a thorough impact
assessment. I would however be shirking my responsibility as leader if I do not
begin to benchmark our performances against the PGDS.

In that regard, we undertook a PGDS Review in collaboration with the
Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and we are pleased that the PGDS
Scorecard for our first year of delivery as well as the progressive record of
improvement over the past twelve years show an increase in the pace of
delivery. Among a few good performances we have scored we can list the
following:
* After a decade of maintaining an average economic growth rate of below 3%
this rate accelerated to 5.1% in 2005, among the highest growth rates achieved
by provinces in 2005.
* The decline in the economic participation rate of our people turned around
and improved with more than 2% in 2005.
* The labour absorption rate in the province that remained around 35% and then
improved to 38.4% in 2006.
* The number of dependants per Economic Active individual worsened to 3.1% in
2004 and then improved to 2.6 in 2006.
* Mining increased its dominance from 20.1% in 1996 to a new high of 24.7%
share in the economy in 2005 and 23.4 % share in the labour market.
* The expanded unemployment rate declined by 1% while the official unemployment
rate declined from 28.0 % to 27.4% in 2005.
* The economic growth rate achieved was consistently higher at an average of
3.7% per annum than the rate of population growth of an average of 1.1% since
2000, indicating an improved living standard on average in the province.
* Basic needs backlogs have considerably decreased from 52% in 1996 to 39.8% in
2004 and 39.5% in 2005.
* The number of houses built in the province increased from 10 189 in 2004 to
14 809 in 2005 and 21 642 for 2006. This figure is higher than the PGDS target
of 17 368 units per annum.
* The households with electricity improved from 38.8% in 1996 to 86.4% in
2005.
* Functional literacy improved from 57.1% in 1996 to 65.5% in 2004 and 67.9% in
2006.
* The proportion of the population with a qualification higher than grade 12
improved from 16.6% in 1996 to 24% in 2004 and to 25% in 2005.
* The Senior Certificate pass rate improved from 64.92% in 2004 to 67.0% in
2006.
* People receiving special grants increased from 184 681 in 1996 to 790 542 in
2006, an increase of 40% from 2004 to 2006

In spite of these positive performances, Madam Speaker, we must admit that
we must and can perform even better. There are certain areas of the PGDS that
we must improve on. Whereas the pace of delivery has increased, there are still
challenges in ensuring that we meet all the Provincial Growth and Development
Strategy (PDGS) targets.

Honourable Members would recall the eight High Impact ("BIG BANG")
Programmes that we announced last year. It should also be borne in mind that
these projects would be implemented over a multi-year period. We are pleased to
report that some of these programmes have been submitted and approved by
national Government as Provincial AsgiSA flagship programmes. We take this
opportunity to report progress as follows:

* The Mafikeng Industrial Development and Airport Initiative
The revamping of Mafikeng Airport Phase Two was completed in September 2006.
The terminal building is fully refurbished and furnished. The Mafikeng Minerals
Cluster complex at the Mafikeng Airport intended to support minerals
beneficiation is at an advanced planning and design stage. With regards to the
matter of the International Licence, both the Airports Company of South Africa
(ACSA) and Sun International have agreed to the relocation of the licence to
Mafikeng. The national team responsible for grading has completed its task and
has forwarded recommendations to the relevant Minister who will make the
announcement in due course.

* Taung Development
Irrigation infrastructure repairs and the planting of field crops for the next
season produced good yields. Government has also approved the expansion of the
irrigation scheme to include citrus production to these activities. The North
West Parks and Tourism Board is in the process of establishing a Protected
Environment around the Taung dam. Consultation processes have progressed well
and almost all the conservation and environmental compliance requirements have
been completed. The Management Plan for the Taung Skull World Heritage Site has
been completed and on-site developments have begun.

* The Western Frontier Cattle Beneficiation Initiative
The Western Frontier Cattle Beneficiation Initiative multi-sector project will
benefit small and commercial farmers in Bophirima, "The Texas of SA." and
potentially from Northern Cape and the rest of the province. The Livestock
Products cluster is linked with exports of natural hormone-free beef at the
airport. The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) has appointed
Scientific Roots for a feasibility study and a business plan on beef
opportunities that may be available. A District Beef Forum was established. The
first research report was released towards the end of 2006.

* The Central Bio-Diesel Project
The Central Bio-Diesel Project was launched and the nursery established at
Setumo Dam with three species of trees planted at a rate of 14 000 trees per
week. The Barolong–Boo–Ratshidi have contributed land. I must also report,
Honourable Members, that the Cabinet has approved the draft Bio-fuels
Industrial Strategy in December 2006 and all further developments will be in
line with the Strategy.

* Mining Supplier Park will be rolled out from July 2007.

* Mining Supplier Park
- Xstrata has already confirmed the availability of land for the project
- The rezoning and subdivision of the land is underway
- The tax implications of the project to Xstrata are being finalised
- Infrastructure on the land will be rolled-out from July 2007.

* The Platinum Mint and Catalytic Converter plant
- The business concept documentation have been finalised
- Investment is still being sought for these two opportunities.

* The Madibeng Automotive and Industrial Park Initiative
The Madibeng Automotive and Industrial Park Initiative entails the development
of an automotive, manufacturing and industrial hub in Brits, in partnership
with the Automotive Industry Development Council (AIDC). A Memorandum of
Understanding has been signed and the process of the feasibility under the
auspices of the AIDC is underway.

* The Asset Management Initiative
Asset Management Initiative is driven as a critical precondition for
accelerated growth and development in the province. A key consideration is the
maintenance, upkeep and full use of the existing assets before new delivery
takes place. A data base of all under-utilised properties has been established.
The asset management and infrastructure improvement programme for 2006/07
consists of 10 anchor projects and amounts to approximately R1.7 billion. This
incorporates infrastructure delivery for all three Spatial Development
Initiatives in the province.

* Spatial Development Initiatives N12 and Western Frontier
This incorporates a basket of economic activities that will result from the two
particular initiatives that are already underway. Honourable Members would
recall that all corridor developments have anchor projects which serve to
unblock the economic potential of the surrounding communities, thus bridging
the gap between the first and second economy. Other secondary projects are the
Vredefort dome and initiatives by the Matlosana Municipality known as Agenda
Sixteen(16), which are also ongoing.

1. Infrastructure for Spatial Development Initiatives
The road infrastructure provision for the spatial development corridors have
been integrated with socio-economic programmes and projects in these areas and
is no longer viewed as a separate high impact programme.

In terms of Government Gazette No 27809, the maintenance of the National
Road System in the province is the responsibility of the South African National
Road Agency.

The following roads are considered of critical importance to unlock the
potential of the Spatial Development Corridors:
N12 Treasure Route (from Johannesburg southwards along the Vaal River to
Kimberley): Considerable attention was given to the maintenance of this road
and the position has improved considerably.

N14 Diamond Route (Carltonville to Ventersdorp to Coligny to Sannieshof to
Delareyville to Vryburg): Maintenance is complete on this road

N18 Highway road (From Mafikeng to Vryburg to Taung and Kimberley): The
project provides easy access to markets in terms of the proposed initiatives in
the Greater Taung and in particular to developments around the Taung Irrigation
Scheme. Tenders have been invited but the contract has not as yet started.

During the current financial year, we introduced another BIG BANG project
which has been in the research and development stage since the year 1996,
namely the Bojanala Platinum Mining Beneficiation Cluster initiative through
the support of the Department of Trade and Industry.

* The Bojanala Platinum Mining Beneficiation Cluster Initiative
The Bojanala Platinum Mining Beneficiation Cluster Initiative is private
sector-driven with the intention to promote local economic participation and
Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) in terms of the Mining Charter.
Land has been identified and several projects have already taken off. These
projects include a fully equipped training centre that has been established at
the Orbit Further Education and Training (FET) College which currently trains
our local producers on platinum jewellery. This has been combined with another
North West province initiative known as the Djadji Platinum Jewellery Range.
Djadji Jewellery Range arises from the research we undertook since 1996 on
potential to manufacture jewellery through the Millennium Development Project.
The Platinum Jewellery Manufacturing has been successfully marketed to the
Japanese in 2006 and a possible partnership with a Japanese jewellery
manufacturer is currently being negotiated.

Madam Speaker, when we launched the PGDS Strategy in 2005, we had occasion
to comment as follows:

"We have adopted an approach of partnership and inclusion because of our
understanding that acting alone, government will not be able to achieve the
goals set out in this strategy. We are therefore banking on the collective
wisdom and energy of all our people and their organised formations to work with
us in a People's Contract to implement these programmes."

So in the same spirit of a renewed partnership to build a better life for
all, I am appealing to our social partners in labour, business and civil
society to actively continue to engage with government in a joint provincial
effort to improve on and implement the PGDS roadmap so that we can realise the
national vision to half poverty and unemployment as well as improve investments
and the skills base of the province.

Madam Speaker, allow me a short word of appreciation for the sterling work
done by the Economic Advisory Council that I introduced to the House in 2005.
These very busy economic leaders from all walks of society have met four times
during 2006 to assist in the selection of the above strategic interventions and
to enrich our implementation processes from an economic point of view. They are
still engaged in all of the PGDS initiatives and are also instrumental in
giving practical substance to the concept of a Growth and Development Fund that
I will return to later.

Economic Growth and Development

In as far as economic growth and development are concerned, we have
consistently said that unless our people are liberated from the scourge of
poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment, the promise of freedom and
democracy will continue to ring hollow. Freedom and democracy must practically
translate into a progressive and qualitative improvement in the lives of those
who are trapped under conditions of abject poverty.

In this regard, our strategic focus on economic growth and sustainable
development remains a critical policy intervention. We are therefore proud to
report that the North West Provincial Government continues to lead economic
development and growth compared to the rest of the country, driven mainly by
mining exports.

We are keeping to our commitment of achieving the average set economic
growth rate of 6,6% per annum and halving unemployment by 2014. In this regard,
we have to ensure that also generate an investment of R6.3 billion per annum
from public and private sector.

The state of our provincial economy is in a buoyant mood and we have begun
drastically to ensure that the growth of the economy is shared among all the
people of our province. As the landscape of our province is being transformed,
shacks make space for houses and the gravel of yesteryear turning into tarred
roads; as the lives of our people are changed with essential services being
brought to our communities; and as factories and mines open, the unused factory
spaces find a new lease of life, new factory open and mines open, creating much
needed jobs to the majority of our economically active populace, we can declare
that we are on track, even as we may need to triple the speed.

Madam Speaker our commitment to strengthen and implement the Broad-based
Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) cannot be overemphasised. This is part of
our strategic intervention of ensuring that we address the divide between the
first and second economy. In that regard, an assessment of the procurement
practice in both the private and public sector will be conducted in the current
financial year. Among others, the objective is to assess the impact we are
making as government in promoting BBBEE and introduce the necessary corrective
measures. In particular, we need to assess whether our BBBEE and Procurement
Policy is sufficiently targeted to women and youth.

Following the Regulatory Services Indaba held during May 2006, we still need
to assess the extent to which current policies in the public sector can be
improved for our Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to flourish. This
is to ensure, among others, that the procurement system is used to develop and
stimulate the growth of the SMME sector as an instrument to achieve
socio-economic objectives while fostering good corporate governance.

Madam Speaker, work in matters of the agricultural economy continues apace.
As promised in last year State of the province Address, the Department of
Agriculture, Conservation and Environment has been closely monitored. The
reports were submitted at regular intervals as required. The turn-around
strategy adopted by the MEC and implemented by the Department is yielding
results.

This Department has stabilised on various negative publicity issues
experienced during 2005/06. We can proudly pronounce that this Department has
now fully overcome its challenges and is in the position to deliver to its
utmost potential in the next financial year. Service delivery has been
accelerated. The details of these matters will be released by the MEC in his
budget vote speech.

As government we made a commitment to acquire 30% (thirty) of commercial
agricultural land by 2014. The total number of settled restitution land claims
in the province now stands at 96%. We must however express our concern that the
redistribution programme still remains far behind. We nevertheless remain
hopeful the relevant parties will ensure that our target is achieved.

Agricultural Sector Plan identified three core strategies which are to
enhance equitable access and participation, sustainable resource management,
and improving competitiveness and profitability

With respect to enhancing equitable access and participation in the sector,
the introduction of the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) we expect a
vast improvement of redistribution of agricultural land.

In order to improve access to agricultural finance the department is
exploring ways of reducing the debt burden of farmers. Once this has been
achieved, our farmers will stand a better chance to access Land Bank and Micro
Agricultural Finance Institute of South Africa (MAFISA) credit. Furthermore the
department will continue with the provision of grant financing through
Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), LandCare, and Post
Settlement Support.

We will also continue to support the commercial farmers in order for them to
access the markets, particularly on a complex international market

With regards to conservation and environment sector the department embarked
on a number of projects to enhance equitable access and participation through
the following programmes:
* growth in participation in youth clubs
* effective implementation of projects supported by Eco-fund
* Development of Natural Heritage Sites
* increase in conservation related industries and enterprises
* increase environmentally related industries and enterprises.

As far as the Sustainable Resource Management Strategy is concerned, a
number of projects in the province are implemented under the LandCare,
environmental management and protection, and biodiversity management and
conservation programmes.

In terms of the third core strategy of improving competitiveness and
profitability, this government has adopted the extension service norms and
standards to improve the effectiveness of the agricultural extension service.
Further more individual farmers and commodity groups were been supported
through training, infrastructure development, extension advice, and business
management support in order to improve their competitiveness.

To promote access to international markets for livestock and livestock
products, effective surveillance and control measures for diseases of economic
importance (such as foot-and-mouth disease, bird flu, etc) were put in place.
As a result, the Lichternburg Clover dairy continues to enjoy the European
Union (EU) export certification while Bloemhof Dairybelle exports cheese to
Namibia.

Educating our future generation for a growing economy

Madam Speaker, we agree with the saying that a nation that does not build
its human capital is bound to face enormous developmental challenges. A large
number of our citizens are the youth. We therefore shoulder the responsibility
of ensuring that we deliver quality education that can prepare these future
leaders of our nation for active economic participation and leadership.

Our country has responded to the task of skills acquisition for the needs of
our economy and development in general. We heeded the call to align our Further
Education and Training (FET) Colleges to provide the needed artisan skills. As
the provincial government and our stakeholders, we stood at this same platform
last year and declared our collective participation in AsgiSA and its
sub-programme of JIPSA.

As part of the AsgiSA implementation, we will this year recruit 1 000 young
people to be engaged in the National Youth Service Volunteer Campaign. This
number will further be increased by the recruitment of at least 1 000 who will
provide services through ten of our departments which have already developed
plans in this regard. We will employ 500 young people as part of the Expanded
Public Works Programme (EPWP).

Madam Speaker, we have successfully responded to the commitment made in the
2006 State of the province address priorities by improving our partnership with
social partners in the delivery of training through the PDGS Working Group on
skills development. I am proud to announce the following reported achievements
against the PGDS targets on skills development interventions:

* By December 2006, 3 050 senior and middle managers had been trained in
different scarce skills programmes.
* 2 850 unemployed youth were registered in line function learnerships, 57 on
apprenticeship and 552 on internship programmes.

Special attention has also been placed on Adult Basic Education and Training
(ABET) with 26 000 unemployed citizens and 678 employees registered on ABET. A
total number of 131 bursaries were also allocated to unemployed youth towards
the development of high-level scarce skills. In spite of the achievements
realised we are aware that there are gaps that we need to close such as
improving on our reporting systems, increasing our interactions with
non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-base organisations (CBOs) and
municipalities. We would like to express our gratitude to our partners such as
Serctor Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), organised business, the
South African Non-Governmental Organisation Coalition (SANGOCO) and the South
African Local Government Association (SALGA), including municipalities, for
their commitment to the skills revolution programme, working with us in
realising these achievements.

Madam Speaker, it is worthwhile to reiterate that we have restructured the
school system to provide in a short to long term for high-level skills needs as
well as for Human Resource Capital. In this regard, schooling is but one part
of this system. In addressing the overall approach to support schools and
individual learners, we will continue to address the plight of the farm
child.

We will pay attention to issues of nutrition, transport, school
infrastructure, water and sanitation in schools, increasing the number and
support for learners who study maths and science at Higher Grade levels. We
will increase the number of schools within the no-fee schools net as well as
supporting and monitoring all "trapped schools", all in our efforts to improve
schools system.

We will continue to ensure that our schools receive all the necessary
resources to equip them to function effectively. We are impressed to realise
that certain schools, though without any resources, perform at very high and
impressive levels. Our experience in this regard forces us to question whether
some of our schools' poor performance is as a result of resource deficiency
only, or if indeed there are other systemic problems plaguing our education
system.

The Department of Education and all its stakeholders must help us explain
the situation where a bad performing school exists in a locality where other
adjacent schools exposed to the comparable socio-economic conditions achieve
excellent performance. If the problems are systemic, why do neighbours succeed
and how should we collectively address any possible challenges.

The Africa Drive Programme which is aimed at re-train the educators in Maths
and Science is on course. More than a decade ago, the province had a fair share
of the highest number of under-qualified and unqualified educators. Through,
among others, the Advanced Certificate in Education programme, we are happy to
report that that problem has drifted away.

As a province, we are mindful of the acute skills shortage our nation faces
especially in jobs requiring competency in Mathematics and Physical Science. In
response to this concern, we are committed to improving our learners'
performance on Maths and Science. Thus 10 extra additional to the existing
Dinaledi Schools and Maths Clinics were conducted during the period under
review. In addition, we embarked on the Girl Learner Intervention Project and
we continue to encourage a higher enrolment in Higher Grade in Maths and
Science among all our learners.

We all know that education should be holistic. To that end, we will continue
to address special needs of learners, especially those in rural farming
schools. We are also committed to ensuring that we reach our performance
targets of provision of water and sanitation at our schools. The National
Schools Nutrition Programme will continue as and when there is urgent need, the
programme must be increased to children of Higher Grades.

We will continue with our programme of scholar transport in line with
national policy as well as to support those schools in economically depressed
areas. We will also increase the number of no fees schools beyond the current
940 schools to cover other deserving schools. Our principal objective is that
there should be no excuse for giving our students sub-standard education or
expecting them to learn under unfavourable conditions.

In addition, the Department of Transport, Roads and Community Safety took
over the function of management of transport for learners from Department of
Education at the end of 2005. Subsequently, a Joint Project Team between the
departments coordinates this activity to ensure that adequate transport is
provided to our learners within the budget constraints. Overall 10 919 learners
are transported on a daily basis in the province.

A detailed needs analysis and route design for scholar transport for the
whole province will be done in order to ensure maximisation of current
resources and establish the needs and associated cost implications. This we
will do in order to fully implement scholar transport for all learners walking
for more than 5 km to schools. This is part of our Social Rural Transport
Strategy to be developed for the province.

Madam Speaker, we commend a lot of our patriotic farmers who have made it
possible for schools to be available on their farms. We all understand the
challenging conditions faced by learners in farm schools. The challenges
include long walking distances, inadequate infrastructure and lack of conducive
learning environment.

In order to ameliorate these and other challenges, Government has already
built two Mega-Schools, Onkgopotse Tiro and Moedwel in Mafikeng and Rustenburg
Municipalities, respectively. This year we will build a third such school in
Ventersdorp that will bring together twelve farm schools. This school will
predominantly offer agricultural subjects.

Mega-Schools are part of a comprehensive plan to accommodate learners from
various neighbouring farming communities within a respectable geographical
radius. The immediate advantage of a Mega-School is the pooling of resources
and the resultant synergy in the provision of high quality education
possible.

Intensifying the fight against poverty and promoting comprehensive social
security

In the latest UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Report 2006,
Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Jose Antonio Ocampo
writes in the foreword that "…the challenges the goals represent are
staggering. But there are clear signs of hope. The data and other evidence
suggest that providing every child with a primary school education is within
our grasp. The handful of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that are successfully
lowering HIV and AIDS and expanding treatment demonstrate that the war against
the disease can be won..."

Under-Secretary-General Ocampo further assures us that a world with less
poverty, hunger and disease, a world with greater survival prospects for
mothers and their infants, better educated children and a healthy environment
is possible.

Indeed this world is possible, as seen from our own strides in the fight
against poverty, in the development of human capital, the provision of basic
needs and the comprehensive social security net that we have built for the
people of the province. I know of no other province that has flown where we
have.

Mo puong ya rona ya ngogola re neelane ka maikaelelo a go epa pitso ka ga
Lehumo/botlhoki re labile go loga leano legolo la go namola lehuma go ya go
ile. Ke motlotlo go bega fa gore, pitso eo e entse ka 05-06 tsa Sedimonthole
ngogola mono Mafikeng, le gore togamaano e wetse, ebile re tlile go e tsenya
tirisong mono ngwaga (2007/08). Leano le la rona le ikaegile ka Matshego a le
mane, e leng: Tlamelo ka diterelo, Theo ya ditiro, Kgolo ya Setshaba, le
phepo(nutrition).

Within the broad four pillars there are nine strategic themes that define
our overall Poverty Alleviation Strategy:

* Facilitation of small business/cooperatives funding, market access and
business linkages
* implementation of beneficiation programmes to create jobs
* promote community-based cooperatives as a form of ownership and job
creation
* emphasis on skills development, especially in adults to equip our people with
skills to access jobs and also run their enterprises
* Centralised Integrated Nutrition Programme
* formalisation of institutional arrangements
* maintain a comprehensive social grant system
* provide basic services, delivered through EPWP
* emphasis on community involvement, participation and awareness

Thus, as Ocampo says, we make possible a world with less poverty, hunger and
disease, a world with greater survival prospects for mothers and their infants,
better educated children and a healthy environment.

In line with our commitment towards AsgiSA, and recognising the need for and
benefits of Early Childhood Development (ECD) for nation building, the North
West Government has committed itself to the expansion of ECD services
throughout the province. To date we have established 105 New Early Childhood
Development facilities, twenty three of which have been approved for
subsidisation in line with Expanded Public Works Programme mandate. This
program takes a developmental approach and focuses on how to address the needs
of children according to specific ages.

Nation building and social cohesion

Honourable Members

Nation building and social cohesion are two of the most pressing and
continuing challenges facing us both as a province and as a nation. When we
embarked on building a new South Africa from the ruins of an order which sought
to deny people their dignity, we were aware of the enormous task we were
undertaking. For decades, apartheid had eroded any sense of self worth among
its victims, and made them believe that their lives and that of their fellow
beings had no worth. More than twelve years into the building of a new society,
we are still reaping the bitter fruits of that evil ideology.

The opening of the democratic space and the according of basic freedoms
contained in our Constitution seem to have fallen on an ill-prepared ground.
The result seems to be gross abuse of such democracy and freedoms. Many of us
are painfully aware of the lack of social cohesion and the degeneration of the
positive community values that we are so proud of. A day does not go by without
reading about shocking cases of behaviour which can only be declared morally
bankrupt. We believe the task of rebuilding our nation also needs to pay
particular attention to the continuation of building strong moral communities.
Let us always bear in mind that our Constitution is a value-based Constitution,
founded on the values of Ubuntu, equality and empathy, among others.

Let us all therefore commit ourselves to an aggressive campaign of
rebuilding social cohesion in our communities by promoting the values of Ubuntu
as enshrined in our Constitution, and as inherited from our traditional customs
and practices.

We commit to rallying all sectors of our society around our common heritage
and pride, including our sacred national symbols and commemorations. In the
tradition of a people's contract, let us join together to build a nation of
which all of us can be proud.

We call on our venerable Traditional Leaders, religious leaders, business,
labour, youth, cultural practitioners, sports groups, and women groups of our
province to join us as we declare war against crime, violence, and corruption
and all that is eating away the noble soul of our society.

The Directorate of Moral Regeneration established in the Office of the
Premier is currently developing a comprehensive multi-sectoral strategy that
will guide all our endeavours of instilling Ubuntu and nation building. We need
to declare that our vision is the creation of a caring, compassionate, and
prosperous society built and founded on the values of Ubuntu.

Building safer communities

Although progress has been made in reducing serious crimes, crime continues
to impact severely on the quality of life of all people. We need decisive
action since crime has the potential to undo all our gains since the democracy
and freedom we gained in 1994. We view crime as the new enemy of our democracy.
Too few people would claim not to have been affected one way or the other by
crime. In his State of the Nation Address, the President went to great lengths
spelling out the specific decisive steps the government is embarking upon to
fight crime. We align ourselves to all his stated plans.

Therefore a more intensified partnership is needed. Police services and
government agencies alone cannot win this fight. It's a collective
responsibility. It requires the involvement and active participation of all
sections of our society. Let us together make 2007 the year in which we make
every possible effort to tackle this challenge in a united onslaught.

In this regard we must acknowledge the important victories that we continue
to score, particularly in the categories of violent crime and illegal drugs.
For this reason, we would like to pay a special tribute to our men and women of
the South African Police Service and other law-enforcement agencies who daily
risk their lives and limbs in the protection of life and property; in the
prevention as well as the detection of crime. We commend the police for the
successful raid on a drug factory in Mooinooi.

Madam Speaker, during the year under review the major contact crimes
reported were robbery cases, including armed robbery, women and child abuse,
stock theft and house breaking.

Over and above the contact crimes the police were successful in effecting
arrest in a number of armed robbery cases including the syndicates which
operated in the Mafikeng area where a large number of suspects were arrested
for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The South African Police Service
(SAPS) also had a huge breakthrough by arresting stock theft suspects in the
Bothitong area.

We must also report that the SAPS boundaries have been finalised in view of
aligning them to magisterial boundaries. The proposed date of implementation is
December 2007. The Department of Justice still has to clarify minor
cross-boundary issues. To increase service delivery, the SAPS have already
implemented some of the proposals where our communities can benefit from being
served by a police station closer to them. There are currently 10 378 police
officers in the province, 846 of whom were appointed in 2006. A total of 269
reservists were also appointed last year and a further 93 commenced their
duties in January 2007.

Madam Speaker, with regard to anti-corruption and fraud measures in the
province, we officially launched the Provincial Forensic Management Committee
last year. This Committee is made up of key stakeholders that include the
Auditor-General, head of SAPS Commercial Unit, the Special Investigations Unit
and the Diractor-General of the province. The primary role of the committee is
to oversee all forensic projects in the province.

Various workshops were conducted for officials of various departments for
the purpose of improving their anti-corruption capacity. The workshops included
the handling of hotline cases received through national Public Service
Commission. Further, training in the formulation of internal anti-corruption
strategies was given to departmental officials.

The multi-sectoral technical team of the Provincial Anti-Corruption Forum
will hold a Provincial Summit on anti-Corruption during the next financial
year.

Growing healthy communities

The World Health Organisation's definition of health is: "the optimal state
of physical, mental and spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of
disease". Public Health therefore is a responsibility of all citizens of the
North West province, not just the Department of Health. Healthy life styles
should be the daily habit of everyone, starting before conception with healthy
educated mothers, making informed choices about their fertility, supported by
responsible male partners. Correct choices about infant feeding, followed by a
healthy balanced diet throughout life, augmented by regular exercise, is
fundamental.

In addition, the provision of education, sanitation and water and other
environmental waste management is vital to provide a clean, healthy environment
for optimal health. Therefore, there is no quick fix or cure-all pill, but a
lifelong commitment by all. With this spirit Madam Speaker, I call on all our
people to commit to healthy life-styles starting with healthy diet, exercise
and responsible parenthood. Among other things, let each family have a
vegetable garden to fight malnutrition and related diseases. This year as part
of our overall acceleration of public healthcare Government will embark on a
programme to reconfigure and align all our hospitals to the form and function
of our democracy. This will include among others proper gazetting of our health
facilities.

While our focus remains on all communicable and non-communicable diseases,
the HIV and AIDS pandemic continues to overwhelm available resources with an
ever increasing demand for care and treatment. Statistics indicate that our
numbers are increasing as a province. To meet these growing needs, the
department is continuously enabling down-referral clinics for the ongoing
provision of anti-retroviral treatment (ART). Since the inception of the ART
programme, more than 24 000 patients as against the target of 20 000 are
enrolled on this programme.

Madam Speaker, the provision of curative health services to our communities
remains central in our Agenda. A total of four business cases (Zeerust,
Rustenburg, Lichtenburg and Bophelong Hospitals) have been completed for the
national Department of Health's approval and funding. Due to reduction in
National Treasury allocations to all the provincial Departments of Health, time
frames of all capital projects nationally have to be adjusted. This is of
considerable concern particularly for the Brits hospital revitalisation project
as the current facility no longer can safely meet the health needs of its
catchment population. However, temporary measures are in place to provide
additional space.

Free health services are being provided to persons with disabilities, with a
comprehensive audit of all health facilities scheduled for the first quarter
2007, to assess the accessibility of facilities for people with disabilities
and therapy plan appropriate remedial action.

Madam Speaker, in order to improve emergency medical and rescue services
(EMRS) in the province district control centres were established. Vehicles have
also been purchased as part of our efforts to improve quality emergency medical
and rescue services. In order to improve local accountability, the management
of emergency medical and rescue services will with effect from the 1st of April
2007 be decentralised to Health Districts. This will improve our response time
in areas of dire need.

Building infrastructure for growth and development

Honourable Members, roads are the critical nerve through which our economy
and industry live. For the people of this province, roads mean a better life,
they mean the inclusion and integration of communities; they end isolation as
much as they attract industry, but most importantly, good roads save lives.

We may need to be reminded that at the dawn of democracy, a majority of our
roads were designed to serve a minority section of our population. We embarked
on a programme not only to maintain existing roads but to extend the programme
of better roads into previously neglected areas. Since 2004, we have embarked
on an aggressive programme of roads construction and rehabilitation, and as
promised last year, we have completed the Mafikeng-Zeerust road. Due its
strategic importance, and also because of the heavy traffic it carries, we will
be prioritising the Mafikeng-Lichtenburg road. As alluded to earlier on when we
dealt with asset management, N12, N14 and N18 will continue to be rehabilitated
and maintained. The roads in the Bophirima region will also get attention.

We will also continue on the programme of rehabilitation and resealing of
roads given that most of the roads are in need of attention with the backlog
maintenance increasing every year.

We are also making progress with our multi-year flagship project of Mafikeng
Industrial Development Zone project. The Mafikeng-Ramatlabama road, which is
part of the revitalisation of our Capital and also expected to provide an
important link between Mafikeng and Botswana Border, is nearing completion.

One of our ongoing concerns is the matter of road deaths and a constant need
to improve road safety. We are heartened to learn that our Annual Statistics of
Road deaths show a decline. But we still have sad memories of the many
outstanding citizens of our province who lost their lives in the past year due
to road accidents.

There is an urgent need for all of us to deliberate on necessary strategies
we need to adopt to halt this carnage on our roads. We shall be calling a multi
sectoral Provincial Road Safety Indaba to deliberate on this matter. We are
conscious that this is a national problem, but we are determined to do our part
to contribute to the promotion of a new consciousness of roads users
particularly in our province.

Madam Speaker, the National Treasury introduced a programme last year called
– the "Infrastructure Delivery Improvement Programme" (IDIP), which aims to
provide a business model that is applied across 'infrastructure delivery
Departments'.

This is not only ensuring improved infrastructure delivery, but through its
implementation ensures that infrastructure delivery contributes fully and to
its maximum extent to the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS).
The IDIP thus requires 'joint service delivery' by Departments such as Public
Works, Education, Health, Office of the Premier, Provincial Treasury, etc.

Madam Speaker, the tide continues to turn in the implementation of our
Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Over and above the two other EPWP
projects, we launched the Modimong EPWP last year to contribute to our job
creation and poverty alleviation efforts. All our EPWP continue to bear the
necessary fruits by equipping our people with skills whilst giving them some
employment. The total job opportunities created is 7441 as of 31 December 2006.
This excludes jobs created at municipal level.

The interdepartmental multi-disciplinary EPWP projects at Modimola and
Modimong have proved to be highly beneficial to these communities. We must
express our appreciation that Modimola Project continues to perform beyond our
expectations, having just won another award at national level, the Impumelelo
Award.

In line with the decision to expand on this mode of delivery, the Tosca area
has been identified as the next target area in this regard. The planning of
this project will commence in 2007/08, whilst the construction/implementation
of the various projects will only commence in 2008/09. Projects will be
explored in the following areas:
* road construction
* road maintenance
* village access roads
* agricultural initiatives
* household food security
* community halls.

The above list is not final as the district and local municipality, and the
local community will be part of the conceptualisation and scoping of all
projects. It is almost certain that projects unique to the Tosca area will be
identified.

Implementing the plan to make Local Government work better for the
people

Madam Speaker, the 2006 Local Government elections ushered in the 2nd term
of the final and consolidation phase of the transformation of the local sphere
of government. From being a purveyor of services to being developmental in it's
orientation and true to the notion of a fully fledged Local Government within
the realm of our unique intergovernmental system, our local government scene
has changed significantly. It is now configured consistently with the
universally recognised principles of subsidiarity which all democracies are
aspiring to achieve.

Having elevated the local sphere to this level therefore requires of us to
capacitate it to enable it to play the role of a developmental Local
Government. We have had the opportunity to reflect on our experiences during
the first two phases and have been able to craft a plan which would bring the
requisite capacity to this sphere. This plan, that was jointly developed by the
three spheres of our government and is known as the Five Year Local Government
Strategic Agenda. Among other things, the plan seeks to mainstream hands-on
support to Local Government to improve municipal governance, performance and
accountability; to address the structure and governance arrangements of the
State in order to better strengthen, support and monitor Local Government; and
to refine and strengthen the policy, regulatory and fiscal environment for
Local Government and lastly to give greater attention to the enforcement
measures.
We must note, however, that there are glaring challenges facing us with regard
to the implementation of a number of actions that we have to perform to support
Local Government. Local Government's capacity to deliver services is
continuously being hindered by some number of deliverables that lags behind. We
all know by now that in his State of Nation address, the President referred to
the fact that the North West has a challenge of unfilled vacancies at senior
managers' level and has also signed only forty two % of these managers'
performance contracts. We therefore have to ensure that we develop more
capacity to bring delivery to speed in that regard.

The MEC for the Department of Local Government and Housing will in his
policy statement reflect in more detail on these and other challenges as well
as solutions we have developed. Despite these identified challenges, we must
say that we are well on course.

It is common knowledge that we have received the Merafong Local Municipality
as part of the new configurations in compliance with the Constitution's Twelfth
Amendment Act, 2005 which disestablishes the cross-boundary municipalities. In
this respect, Honourable Members would be aware that Premiers of Gauteng,
Northern Cape and North West have already signed implementation Protocols
including Service Level Agreements on 28 February 2006, in terms of the
provisions of Section 35 of the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, 2005
(Act No. 13 of 2005). This is the framework to ensure that service delivery in
the affected demised cross-boundary municipalities is not compromised.

All departments have signed Service Level Agreements between both releasing
and receiving provincial departments in Gauteng, Northern Cape and North West
provinces, pertaining to budgets, employees, assets, liabilities projects,
programmes and other service delivery functions.

Ours is just to continue with service delivery provision at local government
level. We are confident that our people who are now part of Northern Cape and
Gauteng have been fully integrated in as far as we have fully integrated
Merafong. What is important to remember at all times is that we are all equal
South Africans, belonging to one Country.

Merafong Relief Plan

In this context Madam Speaker, this being the only area we have received as
the Provincial Government, ours is to ensure that we bring Merafong into the
fold of our Five Year Local Government Plan. We have put in place a
comprehensive plan not only to ensure that Merafong is part of the five year
plan of the North West family but to bring their services in line with all of
our Municipalities in the province.

The Merafong Relief Plan will co-ordinate government's relief programme so
as to maximise the impact of the various departmental programmes in Merafong.
While the various departments will further articulate their relief programmes
in the context of the Five Year Local Government Plan during their policy
speeches in this House, we must mention that there are already certain
immediate interventions that will take place with immediate effect. They
include rebuilding destroyed amenities and facilities such as libraries,
swimming pools and other places of shelter.

What is of critical importance to us is that the Merafong Relief Plan
contains within it both long-term and short-term interventions by the
Provincial Government and will certainly put this community at ease and on par
with the rest of our municipalities.

The overarching objective for us as government, Madam Speaker is to
demonstrate that we can manage transition and that where such transitions are
necessary, they must be measured by the improved services people receive. We
are confident that after all is said and done, all our people in the province
must receive even better services than before.

The province has made tremendous strides in eradicating the bucket system
and is on course in compliance with the Presidential target to rid our
landscape of this inhumane system by the end of 2007. Whilst we are succeeding
in addressing this problem we are conscious of the challenge of the wider
sanitation issues, including pit latrines. This problem is most acute in
Potchefstroom. province in partnership with the other two spheres is committed
to dealing decisively with this challenge. We therefore must ensure that we
eradicate the pit latrines in the Potchefstroom.

Madam Speaker, last year we reported that two pilot projects in Rustenburg
and Matlosana were underway as part of the Integrated Human Settlement
Programme. We are happy to give an update to this House as follows: Contracts
agreements for the project have been signed between Rustenburg Local
Municipality (RLM) and North-West Provincial Government. These include the 800
linked (bond houses), 3 200 project-linked (low cost houses) and 1 000 social
housing units.

The Matlosana Informal Settlement Upgrading Project has progressed even more
smoothly than the Rustenburg pilot. The following status report is a clear
indication that the project is on course:

* 997 foundations in Kanana and 701 houses completed.
* 700 foundations in Jouberton and 318 houses completed.
* All sites have been serviced and construction runs parallel to subsidy
administration.

Madam Speaker, let me once more acknowledge the sound and good relationship
that we continue to enjoy with Dikgosi in the province. As per our commitment
in 2004, we have made good progress in strengthening the Institutions of
Traditional Leadership. We are among the first provinces to develop and enact
Traditional Leadership legislation. The introduction of the new legislation on
Traditional Leadership has institutionalised cooperative governance between
government and Dikgosi. This legislation calls upon the two institutions to
work together to better the lives of our people. We have already established
two local houses of Traditional Leadership. These houses will work together
with both district and local municipalities in the common efforts to develop
our rural communities.

We will continue to give both administrative and financial support as well
as providing the necessary infrastructure enabling the Dikgosi to function
effectively. This infrastructure, among others, includes building of
traditional council offices and provision of computers. In this financial year,
the Local Government Seta (LGSETA) will roll out a capacity-building programme
for all Dikgosi in the country including our province. This programme will
capacitate the Dikgosi to deal with new opportunities and challenges posed by
transformation.

During this period where we experience serious moral decay and lack of
Botho, we have decided to call upon Bahumagadi, as mothers, to take their
rightful place in the moral regeneration and social cohesion movement. Towards
the end of last year we convened a Bahumagadi Conference where they openly
talked about these challenges and what role they could play. That conference
set a tone for future engagement with Bahumagadi. Kana Motswana a re mmangwana
o tshwara thipa ka ga bogaleng.

Building the capacity of the State and improving governance

Madam Speaker, realising that the objectives of a developmental state
requires available, able and willing Public Service employees, we recommit
ourselves to treating our Human Capital as the most valuable asset driving the
Public Service. Our commitment to actively implement the Performance Management
and Development System (PMDS) in order to sustain and improve a culture of
improved service delivery will continue with more focus.

Our enduring partnership with the Department of Labour on skills development
has seen the earmarking of R98m from the National Skills Fund for training of
the unemployed within the context of AsgiSA/PGDS programmes during the next
Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period. We therefore continue to call
on all our partners from business and civil society formations to triple their
efforts in our joint Skills Development Programme in the true spirit of a
Renewed Pledge for a National Partnership to Build a Better Life for All.

Madam Speaker, the province will embark on a province-wide Information
Communications Technology (ICT) strategy that seeks to optimise the pace and
extent of addressing our provincial growth and development plans. The province
therefore has a long-term vision of being a leading province in harnessing
ICTs' for socio-economic development and poverty-alleviation. To this end, we
have been entrusted with this responsibility of the Chairpersonship of the
national Government Information Technology Officer's Council (GITOC) of
steadily moving South African Government towards being a leader in optimally
using ICTs to improve service delivery and thus enhancing citizen
convenience.

Most importantly I would also like to welcome the Information Society and
Development (ISAD) IGR Forum that was launched in December 2006 and emphasise
the platform that it creates for dialogue and engagement with all stakeholders.
The National ISAD Plan as adopted by this forum will serve as a framework for
the building of an inclusive Information Society in the Country.

Madam Speaker, the improved Delivery Management is the key to a public
sector that works smarter and more productive. The province is indeed fortunate
to gain optimally from the project management capacity-building programme that
we initiated in 2003 and the establishment of a Project Management Information
System (proMIS) that was launched in co-operation with the Independent
Development Trust (IDT) and the DBSA in 2004. Last year it was reported that
the pilot system had reached the stage where it can be rolled out as a
web-based system with the potential to become a one-stop depository and source
of provincial programme and project planning, implementation and delivery
information.

The system developed is in its final stages of becoming fully operational as
a central data base, accessible to all departments and linked to municipalities
and other structures of government.

At the same time, the National Treasury has also launched an Infrastructure
Delivery and Improvement Programme (IDIP) in the Department of Education which
is also intended to roll out the infrastructure delivery improvement programmes
to other departments and also other delivery systems in government.

We as government have high expectations regarding the impact of both these
initiatives for improved service delivery in the province and we intend to
officially launch the NW ProMIS in May 2007.

As our democratic government is rooted in the masses of our people, we
continue to value Izimbizo as part of participatory democracy. However, one of
the critical areas that need to be attended to is the slow pace of report-backs
to communities. Most departments do not have effective systems to respond to
issues raised during Izimbizo. This compromises government's capacity to follow
up on the undertakings made and to provide feedback on the implementation or
otherwise of such commitments.

As I have cautioned previously, unless our people receive direct feedback,
the concept of Imbizo runs the risk of being dismissed as a mere public
relations exercise that has no practical value and relevance to our people, and
the effort of nurturing and consolidating our participatory democracy shall be
defeated.

Izimbizo provide a platform for the people to voice not only their concerns,
but also their views on how we can take forward our nascent democracy. During
these events, government performance is subjected to intense public scrutiny
and the perspectives of ordinary people are integrated into the policy
formulation and implementation processes.

In addition, part of strengthening the government interaction with our
communities is the establishment of the Multi Purpose Community Centres
(MPCCs). I am confident that our strategy relating to the implementation of the
Second Generation of MPCCs is firmly on track. Our programme of implementation
reflects our commitment to respond to the President's call to have at least one
MPCC per Local Municipality by 2014. We are well on course.

Consistent with our programme, we will launch two MPCCs in Rustenburg and
Kgetleng Local Municipalities by the end of April this year. This is part of
our commitment to bring government closer to where people live and to make
government services more accessible to our people.

Madam Speaker and people of the North West, many of us gathered here must be
acutely aware of the difficulty any government in the world has of managing its
image. As it happens, all minor hiccups spread faster than our good
achievements. It is therefore pleasing to note that the Public Service
Commission (PSC) singles out the North West province in its Annual Reports
2004/2005 as having completed all due Heads of Departments evaluations.

We are most delighted to announce that once again that the North West
province Government has completed all 2005/2006 HOD evaluations, despite the
low number of completed HOD evaluations elsewhere in the country. This means
that we have consistently evaluated all qualifying Heads of Department (HODs)
in this province for the last four years.

In order to ensure improved performance management this year, we will ask
the PSC to investigate poor performance in the public service in order to
effect improvements.

As Honourable Members would know, in order to manage any conflicts of
interest, all senior managers in the public service are expected to declare
their financial interests and participation in companies. I am happy to inform
this House that for 2005/06 financial year all senior managers in this province
have filled and submitted their forms.

This is a 100% record where 70% seems to be the average elsewhere. HODs can
now effectively manage conflicts of interest through ensuring that those who
deal with tenders do not have a financial interest therein. We think this is a
significant achievement in our fight against corruption.

We will continue to be vigilant in pursuit of exemplary public servants who
live and work by, as well as epitomise our Code of Conduct to ensure that our
complete Public Service always strive to have a good name and standing in each
and every community in our province.

Two years ago we issued each public servant with a copy of an "Explanatory
manual on the Code of Conduct". The time is now ripe for us to check whether
the good administrative principles found in the Code of Conduct are embedded in
the behaviours of our public servants.

In order to ensure that public servants choose the most efficient contractor
at the most reasonable costs, we expect the Public Service Commission (PSC) to
carry out a study on the Batho Pele principle of "value for money". Once the
findings are out, we will expect all departments to implement recommendations
so as to ensure that public services are rendered as cost effectively as
possible.

Prudent management of government resources

Madam Speaker, a common problem of government is building the necessary
in-house financial management capacity. One of the areas were the capacity of
the state is stretched is in financial management. We are pleased to report
that we have seen a general improvement in the management of the coffers. There
is now an even greater challenge to build financial management skills at
municipality level, especially as we begin the roll out of Municipal Finance
Management Act.

We must stress, however, that there is room for improvement especially with
respect to the spending patterns.

Growth Fund: stretching the envelope

With a view to facilitate economic growth and accelerate the expansion of
our Provincial infrastructure base, we will be establishing a Fund which will
serve as a channel for private participation in enhancing the province's
economic structure, job creation and social development. We envisage this Fund
to focus initially on a limited number of sectors like infrastructure provision
and projects that enjoy sustainability and financial viability as well as
promote BBBEE activities.

To this end, we are looking forward, in particular, to partner with the
mining houses in the province to address some of the key developmental
objectives. Much work has been done under the leadership of the MECs for
Finance and Economic Development and Tourism who will provide further
details
during their policy speeches.

Preparing for 2010

Madam Speaker, the world soccer fraternity, led by the Confederation of
African Football (CAF) has declared 2007 the International Year of African
Football. In the light of this declaration and the fact that we promised the
footballing community of the world a truly African FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup,
we would like to make it clear that our contribution to the hosting of this
world showpiece is in line with our rejuvenation efforts under the auspices of
the African Renaissance. For us, the 2010 World Cup is not merely about soccer
but it showcases the whole of Africa to the world and Africa's ability to hold
its sway among the world's nations.

In this regard, and against a backdrop of persistent Afro-pessimism, we have
an obligation to prove the whole wave of pessimism wrong by scoring three
crucial goals during this tournament, being:

* job creation
* tourism
* South Africa and Africa's Unity

We must therefore spare no effort as the Provincial Government in ensuring
that we play our part in making the country host the best World Cup ever. This
year we will convene a 2010 Indaba where we will crystallise precisely these
kinds of roles for all of us in both the build up and during the event. We will
further solidify our working relations with the Rustenburg Local Municipality
and the Royal Bafokeng as the proud anchors of this showpiece in the province
and MECs will give details in this House in due course.

Conclusion

Madam Speaker, we are today and as always, privileged to have in our midst,
as on previous occasions, our distinguished Director-General, Dr M M
Bakane-Tuoane. It is with regret however that we have received notice that Dr
Bakane-Tuoane will be departing at the end of her current contract. This
occasion is therefore her last with us as our Director-General.

On behalf of the province, I am honoured to convey our humble thanks to you,
Director-General Dr M M Bakane-Tuoane, for your many years of dedicated service
to the North West Provincial Government. Under your leadership, our public
administration set benchmarks of service excellence and a model for other
government administration departments.

However, we find solace in the knowledge that your departure is not a loss
to the civil service as you will be taking on a new challenge at the eMfuleni
Local Municipality. No doubt you will continue to distinguish yourself as a top
class administrator. You go with our blessings and well wishes.

Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to acknowledge the sea of support and
invaluable advice without which we would not have reached these heights of
delivery of a better life for all. My special words of gratitude must go to my
colleagues in the Executive Council for their continued support and leadership;
the Director-General in the Office, Dr Manana Bakane-Tuoane; my political
adviser Reverend Dr Molefe Tsele, advisor on Traditional Matters, Kgosi
Motsatsi, the Economic Advisory Council, North West Research Council, House of
Traditional Leaders, all political parties, Heads of Department; Senior
management and all staff in the entire Provincial Government.

Last but by no means least, I would like to acknowledge the support of my
family, my husband Richard, my mother, my children and the whole extended
family. Individually and collectively, the work and dedication of all these
people I have mentioned has ensured that the North West province is counted
among the pioneers in the continued improvement of the human condition and the
ultimate carriers of our renewed pledge of a national partnership to build a
better life for all.

Ladies and gentlemen, on those rare days when I manage to retire home at
some respectable hour, I relax by watching the square box called television.
Going back a few years, my favourite programme was Hill Street Blues. I recall
how at the start of each episode, a Captain would brief all his men in blue
about all the crime hotspots for the day. The briefing ended with the words:
"Let's go do it to them before they do it to us." And then the men would burst
into action.

I have painstakingly outlined the monstrous challenges facing us as a
province. To all of us in EXCO and all our various stakeholders, I urge you:
Let's go do it to the monster before the monster does it to us.

Nko ya Kgomo mogala tshwara thata esere go utlwa sebodu wa kgaoga

I thank you for listening

Issued by: North West Provicial Government
16 February 2007