Public Enterprises Alec Erwin, Kokstad
9 October 2006
Introduction
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
This occasion is an important one. Today we unveil to the community, the
refurbished centre that will be used by the Khanyiselani Development Trust. The
importance lies not in the fact that my department and the entities that report
to us donated close to R2 million to renovate the centre, but it lies in the
fact that this centre represents the product of collective effort by a number
of roleplayers to contribute to the creation of a healthier community in
Kokstad.
Background
Established in 2002 the Khanyiselani Development Trust has been working
closely with a number of government organisations including the provincial
Departments of Health and Social Services, the local municipality, healthcare
workers, educators and the library to provide care, support and empowerment
services to vulnerable children, youth, women and their families.
We as the Department of Public Enterprises and the entities that report to
us were greatly impressed by the dedication and passion of the staff of
Khanyiselani and the quality of services that they provide. Having always been
committed to government's 16 days of activism against violence and abuse of
women and children campaign we decided to dig into our pockets and make a
contribution that is visible and lasting.
We wanted to assist in providing adequate social structure and creating an
environment where communities feel safe. After consultation with the national
Peace Accord Trust, it was deemed appropriate that my Department and our State
Owned Enterprises (SOE) play a leading role in upgrading the facilities used by
the Trust.
Later when we go to the Centre itself, you will see the pictures of before
and after the renovations. The centre has been expanded to offer better
counselling rooms, trauma and 'safe house' facilities; areas for training and
edu-care and better office space. In the building of the Centre, we also used
local skills and materials as far as possible to ensure that the people of
Kokstad benefit and remain part of the process at all times.
Our contribution is but a meagre one, and the Trust still has many more
vibrant ideas on how it can be improved. But we are proud of our contribution,
because it forms part of a bigger vision, a vision where the people of Kokstad
are healing, protecting and empowering themselves, so that they not only
improve conditions within the Sisonke Municipality and KwaZulu-Natal, but in
the long term will be contributing to the creation of a better South
Africa.
Better delivery and faster development
Healthy minds need healthy bodies. I would like to congratulate Khayiselani
on the soup kitchens, gardens and food parcels that they provide, but we need
more. Kokstad is a beautiful area, with a rich history and significant
resources. A town that is known for having South Africa's first indigenous
currency should not have so many people living below the poverty line.
The presence of government buildings and visits by Parliamentarians and
Ministers should not be the key generators of income in a town of such cultural
significance and the home to the original Griqua Church. You can easily develop
a cultural tourism hub and route. You can package you products to promote
unique brands like Griqualand Beef Biltong or Crystal Springs Water!
You have untapped talent. There are young ladies and men between the ages of
22 and 31 in this area who are doing very well. They are qualified
professionals, some working as attorneys, engineers and bank officials. But
there are also young people that are falling prey to crime and unplanned
pregnancies due to a lack of recreational activities. This cannot be allowed.
We need better delivery and faster development. We need to share skills, mentor
each other and work together in an integrated manner based on a jointly
developed plan.
Conclusion
The teamwork and community effort displayed to make today's launch a success
makes me confident that if we all apply our minds, this vast potential that the
Greater Kokstad Municipality has to offer can be developed to make this a truly
vibrant and wealthy area. The foundation for greatness is in place. Continued
intergovernmental co-operation and stakeholder partnerships around key issues,
which are clean of corrupt practices, will uphold Kokstad's proud history.
As I said in my introduction, when you look at the new Centre, I don't see
the money given by the Department of Public Enterprises and its SOE; I see the
magnificent consequences of joint work.
I would like to thank the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Khanyiselani, the
Board Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Members, the District and Local
Municipality leaders and officials and everybody who made this event possible.
I would also like to thank my Director-General for her initiative and the
departmental staff for all their efforts.
The impact of this Centre on the Greater Kokstad Community will be dependent
on the extent to which you use it - so please, do take full ownership of this
building and transform it into a tool for growth and development.
Issued by: Department of Public Enterprise
9 October 2006
Source: Department of Public Enterprise (http://www.dpe.gov.za)
