Environment and Tourism, at the NAFCOC Gala Dinner in Mount Frere
3 June 2006
Programme Director
Hon. Mpahlwa, Minister of Trade and Industry
Mr Nodada, President of National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (NAFCOC) and other leaders and members of the Business
Fraternity
Bishop Dabula, Rev, Sogcwayi and other Religious leaders
Hon. Doidge, member of the National Assembly
Hon. Bam, my colleague in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature's
(ECPL)
Hon. Mpumza, Executive Mayor and other Leaders of Local Government
Prince Makaula and other Traditional Leaders
Comrade Lepheana, and other leader of our beloved movement
Messrs Dela Mare and Caga from ABSA and all other Sponsors of this auspicious
occasion.
Abazali nazo zonke izihlobo nezizalwana zakwaZulu
We are a team from Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism under the able
leadership of Advocate Bisiwe, our Head of Department.
(Introduction of members of the Department)
I also wish to acknowledge the presence amongst ourselves of Mr S Ngqwala,
the Provincial Head of the Auditor Generalâs Office and Mr S Mpongoma who until
on Wednesday this week was the Provincial Commissioner of the South African
Police Service (SAPS).
Once more, I take this opportunity on behalf of the Premier, Government and
the people of the Eastern Cape to salute Commissioner Mpongoma for his period
of outstanding service to the people of our province. We wish you enjoy every
moment of your retirement.
Today marks the end of a week designated as the Child Protection Week and
this week marks the beginning of the South African Youth Month. For that
reason, I wish to present to you my special guests â Asavela, Ongeziwe and
Sinaso Sogoni. After a hectic schedule, they always do their best to make my
day!
I wish to take this opportunity to convey to them and MaNyawuza, my
appreciation of their contributions in shaping the person I am.
Le mini ibaluleke nangakumbi kubazali bethu nabangoyiswanga yingqele ukuzoba
lapha. Andiqondi ukuba banakho ukumlibala uNAFCOC ngokusondeza eli theko
kufutshane kubo.
(Introduction of Members of Family)
Ndiyitsho le nto kuba ndinesazela sokuba amatheko ache enziwa egameni lam
ngaphambili ndihlala ndifumana ubunzima ukubenza babekho.
* Ukubekwa njengoSodolophu eAlfred Nzo ngo 2000, kwakunye netheko lokuthi
ndlelantle kwaseAlfred Nzo ngo 2003
* Ukufungiswa kwam njengelungu lasePalamente eBhisho ngo 2003 nango 2004
* Ukufungiswa kwam njengoMphathiswa wePhondo ngo 2006.
Kodwa nangakumbi, ukubaphoxa kwam ndikwaye uthweso zidanga kwiUniversity of
Transkei ngokusabela ikhwelo leANC ukungavumi sibekwe izandla nguMatanzima
njengenkokheli yephandle.
Ndiyanibulela kakhulu bazali!!
I am humbled by both the presence of the Honurable Minister Mpahlwa and the
very thought by the NAFCOC leadership to organise this dayâs function in my
name, not as Mbulelo Sogoni, but as umntwana wenu enimkhulisileyo wafikelela
kwelinqanaba lokuba nguMphathiswa wePhondo.
Ndiwavile amazwi enkuthazo eniwathethileyo apha. Mna ndifuna ukuthetha lento
inye ngokuthi â ukunyamezela ingqeqesho yabazali (funda, khonza) kwakunye neANC
ziyamakha umntu!
Ndicela ukuba nindithandazise ukuze ndingasiphoxi isizwe!
As Government, we are mandated to create jobs and fighting poverty, both of
which are demons in the Province, particularly in the former homelands of the
Transkei and Ciskei.
The Premier, Honourable Nosimo Balindlela, asked me to make a humble
contribution in the realisation of this noble objective.
I must confess, for that whole week, (10th to the Easter Weekend in April),
I was not sure whether this was not the beginning of the end to my service to
the African National Congress (ANC) because of the many things that we have
seen happening to people in high profile positions.
I think that many messages that Iâve got from you and the warm reception I
got from the management and staff of the Economic Affairs, Environment and
Tourism strengthened me.
In the past few weeks, I have felt confidence building in me and I now know
that with your support and prayer, I can do it.
Government has adopted an ambitious programme with areas of focus in the
former Transkei.
* Agriculture
* Forestry and Timber
* Tourism
Progress has been made in the Forestry / Timber sector as we signed the
Steinhoff / P.G Bison investment deal two weeks ago. This R1.3 billion
investment in the beneficiation of our Timber stands to create 3 000 permanent
jobs and 10 000 temporary jobs.
But further, the furniture products surely will be much more affordable to
local consumers.
Plans are advanced in the implementation of the Kei Rail project, reviving
the railway line between Mthatha and East London. We are also working on
upgrading the aviation and related infrastructure at the Mthatha and Bulembu
Airports, and part of the plan is to make the businesses of doing business with
Bhisho easier.
One of the projects identified for this area is the Umzimvubu River Basin
project, also intended to exploit the untapped opportunities presented by the
Umzimvubu River.
Much work has been done in our Municipalities in the area of Local Economic
Development. I cannot forget the Goats Project, the Cut Flower Project and many
other tourism based projects. We will work with our colleagues in local
government to strengthen these efforts.
We are, however, cognizant of the fact that all our work will be in vain if
it does not address issues of Infrastructural Development, Skills Development
and Small Business Development.
Government considers NAFCOC as an important strategic partner in the fields
of policy making, small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) Development and
Finance and broad based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE).
Government is acutely aware of NAFCOCâs resourcing and capacity constraints
and would like to assist where practically possible.
Government is still of the view that the deracialisation and unification of
Organised Business is essential for non racialism and shared growth in the
economy. AsgiSA will not succeed unless organised business establishes itself
as a unified and non-racial service platform for all businesses.
The national outcome of unity talks has resulted in the advent of Chambers
of Commerce and Industry South Africa (CHAMSA)! However, this unity has not yet
filtered down to the local level for chambers. This has resulted in the uneven
allocation of business opportunities and resources at a local level.
Government requires social partners such as organised business to embrace
the constitutional principles of equity and non racialism. In addition, we need
strong social partners to assist us in achieving our economic mandate.
To this end we will make follow up on funding designated by ECDC for chamber
development. However, there would be conditions attached to the funding, that
being, the establishment of a single provincial chamber platform for SMME
development. We will assist in achieving this outcome on a collaborative basis
with all the federations active in the Province.
In this regard, the first step will be to convene a session of all business
organisations in order to identify the institutional needs of organised
business, so that we can begin to address these issues on a scientific
basis.
The political differences that exist between federations and within chamber
structures need to be ironed out so that we can all devote our energies to a
common economic vision.
I realise that many NAFCOC members are frustrated by constraints relating to
SMME finance, training and market access. Not to mention our responsiveness as
government in terms of paying your bills on time amongst others. All these
issues can be addressed via a competent network of chambers throughout the
province. Your role as our partners is absolutely crucial in achieving these
requirements.
I must concede that government too has its constraints. It is not only for
you to get your act together. It is incumbent on us to do the same, including
making our towns and streets clean. We will also follow up on progress made in
the work on the idea of establishing a micro-credit company that will partner
the APEX fund in rolling out essential financial resources aspirant
entrepreneurs.
We have similarly extended our hand of friendship to organised labour,
particularly COSATU as important partners in achieving the ambitious economic
growth rate we have set for ourselves.
Our doors will be open for engagement on all these issues and beyond.
And I mean today, tomorrow, together!!!
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism, Eastern
Cape Provincial Government
3 June 2006
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za/)
