North West, N Duma
28 March 2006
Honourable speaker
Honourable Premier of the North West province
Honourable members of the provincial legislature
Honourable members of Parliament
Leaders of political parties,
Executive mayors, mayors, speakers and councillors
Magosi a rona a a tlotlegang
Commissioners
Chairpersons and representatives of public entities
Business community, sports ambassadors, artists
Cultural activists and experts (intellectuals)
Comrades and distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
In this Age of Hope the showers of rain ensure that we celebrate ten years
of the adoption of the constitution of the Republic South Africa, with renewed
confidence in our democracy.
Let me take this opportunity to thank the majority of South Africans, who
exercised their democratic rights, by casting their votes in the recent Local
Government elections. Once more the people of this country have spoken. âThe
People shall govern.â
Let me also thank them, for showing confidence in the movement, whose roots
since 1912, has always struck resonance with the vision of creating a
non-racial, democratic, united and a free South Africa. The African National
Congress (ANC) has been given a renewed mandate of making Local Government work
better, for all communities.
Our achievements as a Department echo with key documents such as the Freedom
Charter which asserts that âThe Doors of Learning and Culture shall be open to
all.â As the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in the North West province,
we are achieving the implementation of this clause by a number of the successes
and accolades that we are gradually realising with time.
In the past decade, our public entity Mmabana Foundation has indeed opened
doors of learning and culture, to the majority of young people, by discovering
and nurturing the talent in them. This talent has manifested in a variety of
artistic codes ranging from performing arts to visual arts. Let me single out a
few names that came out of this foundation and are currently in the main stream
performances in the country and abroad:
* Tecna Coka (currently in Germany as a dancer)
* Kagiso Ntseane and Mary Martin (SABC 2 Strictly Come Dancing)
* Ezbie Moiloa (music director and a keyboard player for Hugh Masekela)
* Bhudaza Mapefane (a renowned Jazz artist from Lesotho)
* Tshidi Moholo (Malaika)
* KB Motsilenyane
Deputy Speaker, the list is long and I would not like to take much of your
time by naming the entire graduates from this institution who are playing a
regenerative role in the industry. However, allow me Deputy Speaker to
recognise among us here in the house, actions from the Oscar Winning local film
âTsotsiâ, Presley Chweneyagae and Zenzo Ngqobe who are the products of our own
Mmabana Foundation.
They are accompanied by their fellow actors, Moitheri Pheto and Rapulana
Seiphemo who also hails from the North West. May I ask those who have indeed
made us very proud as a province to rise? We would have loved their director,
Gavin Hood to be with them but because of other engagements, he could not.
The dawn of a new era in the Arts and Culture fraternity was given a new
lease of life, which saw the emergence of talent that put North West on the
World Map. A number of artists are trained and developed in the province and
they form an integral part of the arts and culture in South Africa.
The recent success poses a challenge to us as a province to begin to lobby
for investors in the film industry and promote the province as a film location.
We have vast spaces of land with flora and fauna, talent and infrastructure,
which makes this province a perfect location for the development of the film
industry.
Deputy Speaker allow me to salute our gold medallists who participated at
the Commonwealth Games in Australia, Sunnet Viljoen from Rustenburg, gold in
javelin and Anika Smit from Merafong, gold in high jump. We are once more proud
of these daughters of our province, for their achievements.
We are embarking on a vigorous realignment for libraries services, archives,
heritage, museums, crafts, performing and visual arts, sport and recreation. It
is the aim of the Department to ensure that we do everything in our power to
empower all communities especially those previously marginalised. The aim of
the Department is to carry out a policy shift so that all our activities are
integrated through developing our Head Office and District Offices to be
centres of excellence. We want our communities to be self-sustaining, developed
and successful.
It is also our intention to ensure that "The people shall share in the
country's wealth" through expanding activities of Mmabana new design of our
district offices, community arts centres, cultural villages, museums, academy
of sport, libraries and archive facilities, will have integrated programmes so
that our services will be used by all sections of our community. We intend to
pursue excellence in all our activities so that the North West province will
unearth the talents that we know exist in our communities.
It is the intention of this Department to a develop multi-purpose sport
complex in each municipality that will cater for different sporting codes,
indoor sport and recreation activities in line with municipalities' Integrated
Development Plans (IDPs).
This should help to address the infrastructure backlog in disadvantaged
communities.
By September 2006 the Department, in collaboration with municipalities,
hopes to have completed an audit of existing sport facilities and
infrastructure gaps in the province.
A key element of the policy shift will be to ensure that we work in close
partnership with all 22 local municipalities in the province. The aim is to
develop and identify talent from all areas but in particular in rural
communities.
In relation to museums and the heritage sector, it is our intention to
develop these functions in all parts of our province so that our children are
aware of their history, their heritage and indigenous knowledge of their
communities. Museums and heritage will be developed so that our children can
learn to deal with the challenges of a modern society.
We want to instil pride in our communities and therefore make them aware of
the heroes and heroines in their history as well as the unknown role models in
the communities who happen to do extraordinary things and who touch the lives
of other human beings in significant ways.
This policy shift cannot be achieved without establishing partnerships with
all spheres of Government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and
businesses. We have major links with the Education Department in terms of
learning areas, which have been established in the curriculum for arts and
culture. The importance of sport and recreation and in particular school sport
will be a high priority.
Our biggest challenge in this policy shift is to reduce poverty and
unemployment but at the same time generate economic growth so that we achieve
the targeted 6% growth rate. We will professionalise the art and culture
sector, in order to make it an income generating industry in line with
Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA)
objectives.
In marking the 30th anniversary of the Soweto Uprisings, we will give
recognition to the youth of our province who gave their lives in June 1976 for
our freedom. Our young people deserve the best opportunities not in the
economic sense but also in arts, culture, sport and recreation. We want to open
career opportunities in librarianship, archives, drama, music, sport and
recreation.
We also want to recognise the 50th anniversary of our glorious march by our
mothers and sisters against the pass laws. It is for that reason that we will
have the Mosadi wa Konokono provincial competition on 25 April 2006. This
competition is aimed at giving recognition to the women in our society. We want
to particularly give career opportunities to women in the various disciplines
mentioned above.
Our plans for 2006/07 must be seen in the context of what we want to see in
the next ten years. We will make slow but fundamental changes so that we
transform sport, recreation, culture, libraries, museums, crafts, performing
and visual arts into a formidable economic driver for change. All these sectors
above have a big role in developing nation building, promoting mass
participation and engendering a South African patriotism.
Madam Speaker, allow me to mention some of the highlights the Department
experienced during the end of the financial year.
In sport and recreation, progress is being registered with regard to
ensuring that municipalities do access the Municipal Infrastructure Grant funds
from Building for Sport and Recreation Project (BRSP). That Municipal
Infrastructure Grant (MIG) is earmarked for provision of sports and
recreational facilities.
We have, in an effort to increase the society's participation in sport and
recreation, established four hubs, through the mass participation programme and
appointed thirty-six (36) activity co-ordinators.
In September 2005, we took position one at the national indigenous games.
This was the second time the province obtained position one and we intend to
continue engaging our elderly citizens in these indigenous games.
The financial assistance that the Department put to sport federations, is
steadily affirming that investment in sport development cannot be
over-emphasised. Our gymnast, Grace Legoete, who obtained gold in Australia,
won six gold medals at the South African games.
We are proud to present to this august house the 'NW Gymnastics Wonder
Girls'. They were adopted from disadvantaged families and placed in the
Gymnastic Federation Academy. These girls won between them 16 medals in the
Arafura Games that were held in May 2005 in Darwin, Australia. Our provincial
under 23 football team also came back with a gold medal.
Currently, Madam Speaker, Sibongile Ngekula is the Junior African Champion,
with Onthatile Rangaka as her runner-up. These wonder girls are in the national
team and are being prepared for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Just recently Mmabana Foundation hosted the French and South Africa Tumbling
Championships. These tumblers also displayed the sport to 1 500 schoolchildren
at the Lekoko Village where this game has never been played.
Sport development remains a fundamental cornerstone of any cohesive
structured sport participation. Development of sport for elite participation,
Madam Speaker, unfortunately is the competency of sports federations and the
reality facing these federations is lack of financial resources.
The intervention that the Department is continuously making by giving grants
to the federations through the academy of sport ensures that the Department is
able to input meaningfully and monitor progress of sports development in the
province.
Through the ward system model, the Department is engaging local
municipalities with the view to developing sport grounds at the wards. We will
invest on providing equipment for sporting codes such as soccer, netball,
volleyball, basketball and softball, which will ensure as well, promote
participation by the communities in their own localities. Already, eleven sport
promotion officers were employed in November 2005 in order to assist the
Department to achieve this objective.
This financial year, the Siyadlala Mass Participation Programme (MPP) will
be rolled out. The Department engaged national Sport and Recreation with the
view to rolling out the MPP to all local municipalities. This will translate
into hundred and twenty-six (126) co-ordinators being employed.
The MPP, which is implemented throughout the country, is fundamental as it
encourages communities to actively participate in sports activities, create
opportunities for employment, with on-the-job training to develop skills,
identify talent and above all, focus on improving a healthy lifestyle for our
people. MPP channels the energy of youth away from crime and social ills such
as substance and drug abuse, and it engenders collaboration with sister
Departments of Health, Social Development and Community Safety.
The football federation in our province, Madam Speaker, has re-demarcated
their structures to have local football associations at all municipalities. It
is our view that this is a progressive development, because it will benefit
structured sport at a local level.
Cricket North West has also resolved to establish four district development
forums that will look at development and capacity building of cricket in the
four districts of the province. All these initiatives will require involvement
of the Department, Local Municipalities, Sports Council and active
participation of all members of the communities.
The Department and North West (NW) Academy of Sport will ensure that we work
towards strategic capacity building within the satellite academies in our
districts. These are structures at the local sphere that, in conjunction with
sport federations and sport councils, will identify talent and develop a
database of athletes with potential, to be enrolled in the provincial academy
for scientific nutrition and life skills development programmes.
Ten years down the line we can look back and reap the benefits of having
started earlier. A journey of 1 000 miles starts with a single bold step. We
are starting that journey.
Transformation remain a critical matter within society, sport is not an
exception. The Department, in line with all provinces, held a Transformation
Indaba that made an input which led to the adoption of the final draft of the
National Transformation Charter. This charter will guide sport development in
the country. It is envisaged that it will bring uniformity to sport development
in the country including issues of accessibility for all communities
irrespective of gender, race and disability.
Madam Speaker, we echo the complements by the Honourable Premier during her
state of the province address on commending the Rustenburg Local Municipality
for being one of the cities to host the 2010 World Cup matches. This was after
the successful visits by FIFA Inspection team and subsequent professional
presentations by both Matlosane and Rustenburg municipalities.
The provincial government supports the host city and other cities that might
be identified for match practice and camp venues.
The province already needs to reposition itself to the international
community and ensure that we sell the province as a product to be consumed in
2010 and beyond. To this effect, Madam Speaker, the working Committee that
consists of participating Departments, district and local municipalities will
report to the Political Oversight Committee, which has been established.
We are confident as residents of the Host City, the Country and as the
Continent of Africa that we will present FIFA and the World with a memorable
2010 Soccer World Cup.
The Department will continue to support the Mafikeng Easter Tennis Classic.
This tournament has over the years enjoyed participation by Southern African
Development Community (SADC) countries, including Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia,
Zimbabwe and participants from Coted'Ivoire. These are events, including
departmental activities like NW Games and Provincial Indigenous Games that
contribute to uplifting the emerging entrepreneurs, who are service
providers.
In the coming financial year, Madam Speaker, the Department pledges to
continue with the implementation of rural sport and recreation development
programmes. We will continue to fund and support sport programmes for people
with disabilities and strengthen participation by women and youth, with more
emphasis on mainstream participation to promote inclusion rather than
exclusion.
Deputy Speaker, the Department will be implementing a recreation programme
for senior managers and Honourable members of the Legislature. We would like to
ensure that we promote a healthy lifestyle and fitness of all our citizens; as
such an activity reduces levels of stress and improves their health.
In libraries and archives, success has been recorded during the 2005/06
financial year with the project of automation of community libraries. In total,
it is sixty four (64) community libraries have received computer equipment. We
are making strides in bridging the digital divide. Madam Speaker the main
objective of this project is geared towards empowering our people in
Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This is vital if we want to
move our people from the second economy to the first economy.
The following key areas of delivery have been identified for this
project:
* access to national and international databases through the internet
* access to e-mail services
* enabling resource sharing and transfer of data between libraries on local,
provincial and inter-provincial level by connecting community libraries to the
North West province Wide Area Network (WAN)
* to maintain a computerised library and information system, Phonological
Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) in community libraries ensuring access to
bibliographic records of the North West provincial library service and those of
other provinces and
* training of community librarians in the effective use of ICT.
In an effort to get connectivity for community libraries that are in rural
areas where there is no Telkom infrastructure, the programme has engaged State
Information Technology Agency (SITA) to assist with dial-up connection for the
libraries. This will be piloted in Supingstad in Ramotshere Moiloa Local
Municipality, Cassel in Moshaweng Local Municipality, Tshing in Ventersdorp
Local Municipality Setlagole, Tshidilamolomo and Disaneng in Ratlou Local
Municipality.
The Library Automation project will be extended to the final twenty-five
(25) community libraries. The automation will include purchasing of computer
equipment and cabling. The project will include training of community librarian
on the use of ICT and also training volunteers from the community (training the
trainer) who will impart the information skills to other members of the
community
The design phase and technical preparations of the archives building project
have been concluded and the adverts for tendering were done and we are happy to
report progress registered to date. The next phase is the actual construction
phase, which will commence in May 2006 as scheduled.
Deputy Speaker, during the construction of this project it will positively
contribute in achieving our government policy objectives in fighting poverty
through job creation and social infrastructure development. It is estimated
that three hundred and fifty (350) temporary jobs will be created. Expanded
Public Works Programme (EPWP) principles remain the key throughout the
implementation of this project.
The long-term benefits of this project will be realised by creating
permanent jobs in the acute scarce-skills field of archivist and
para-professional staff that currently are regarded as endangered species.
In building capacity through addressing skills development in library,
information and archives service, we will give ten annual scholarships in
archives and libraries to our previously disadvantaged students. The archives
field, as members are aware, was previously a privileged profession for the
white community only.
The building project of Supingstad and Montshioa community libraries were
completed and officially opened in November 2005 and March 2006 respectively.
During the construction of these libraries approximately 70 temporary job
opportunities were created and at the same time it afforded opportunities to
emerging females in the construction industry.
Our long-term vision is to have library service in all our wards in the
province. In this financial year we will build at least three library
facilities.
Madam Speaker, all these new libraries come equipped with modern facilities
in line with the international standards. To ensure that the new and existing
libraries remain relevant to the people they serve, there is a continuous
selection and acquisition of information resources to build a balanced
needs-based collection.
These resources include reference, study, literacy and periodicals. We
intend to customise our information resources to take account of specialised
needs of the community. The Department is gradually achieving its purpose of
allocation of conditional grants to local municipalities to assist with the
provision of library and information services.
In 2005/06 the Local Municipalities of Mamusa, Madibeng, Rustenburg,
Mafikeng and Kgetleng-Rivier were able to expand access to library and
information services in their communities with the financial assistance
received from the Department. Libraries were opened in the communities of
Ipelegeng, Monnakato, Mothutlung, Reagile, Miga and Barolong Boo Ratshidi. The
municipality of Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp and Ventersdorp were able to improve
existing libraries in Ikageng, Khuma and Ventersdorp Community.
The allocation of conditional grants to local municipalities in 2005/06
financial year contributed in the creation of jobs in the province. To date
there are more than forty people employed by municipalities in the community
libraries who are paid by the allocation made by the Department. Generally
there is improvement in the conditions of most community libraries as they have
managed to install air conditioners, purchase of library furniture and other
equipment like faxes and photocopiers to render these facilities more users
friendly. In some libraries security fences have been installed.
Deputy Speaker, in our efforts to inculcate the culture of reading amongst
our Communities, the Toy Library service project is established in support of
Early Childhood Development (ECD). This novel initiative will be continued in
the financial year 2006/07 when it will be extended to ten more community
libraries in the province.
Linked to this initiative, there will be a number of developmental
sustainable programmes for the parents and educators involved in the project,
which will empower them with life skills such as, literacy, early parenthood
and basic financial skills.
The Department will work closely with the Department of Education and other
partners on this project.
We will intensify our efforts to forge partnerships with relevant
stakeholders during the 2006/07 financial year to strengthen our programs in
the following critical areas: Reading Awareness, Adult literacy Training, ICT
and Skills development.
In an effort to close the gap in the provision of library and information
services in the province, the Department will design and purchase a mobile
library. This will be a model library that will be used to promote services
that will reach communities which are in remote areas and have no access to
libraries. Among those who will benefit immensely are our farming
communities.
In archives and records keeping, the roll out of the mandatory records
disposal programme commenced in earnest in the Department of Public Works as
pilot. This also offered fertile work place training for ten (10) project
management learnership candidates. It must be emphasised at this point that
this programme when in full swing will ensure among others, enrichment of the
provincial archival collection through records transfers to the repository and
a potential for job creation.
It is the Department's role to ensure that all spheres of Government,
traditional authorities included, have a records management system in place. In
addition they must have a policy on records disposal. This must be in line with
the guidance given by my Department and the National Archives Office. We are
ready to assist all structures but they must appoint record managers to
implement both records management and records disposal.
In the visual arts and crafts sector, we are proud to have hosted the
National Craft Imbizo, which was attended by the Honourable Minister, Dr Pallo
Jordan and the Deputy Minister Honourable Mantombazana Botha. The Imbizo, which
is a national Department's initiative, is a gathering of best crafts from the
entire country.
Our visual artists and crafters in the province participated in several
events on the national and international stages. These are one of a kind held
in Midrand, Gallagher Estates, and Botswana International Trade Fair.
The Government wants to attain a 6% growth through AsgiSA. This initiative
should halve poverty and unemployment by 2014. The cultural industries are one
of the five prioritised sectors contributing towards the Accelerated Growth
Strategy led by Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka.
The Provincial Craft Development Initiative was launched at Bakubung Lodge
in 2005. Other Departments and organisations, with similar interest, like the
North West University and Invest North West will be invited to join this
groundbreaking partnership.
We want to establish a brand in the craft sector unique to the North West
province. This will help to establish the craft sector as a viable industry. We
will support, promote and develop the craft development initiative in the
following manner:
* Identify twenty craft businesses that we will support. The group will consist
of new, emerging businesses as well as projects and individuals.
* The crafters will be assisted to develop their corporate identity with
business cards and brochures that will identify them as part of the North West
province.
* A craft route map in which all projects will be identified will be
developed.
* Research will be conducted to assist product developers to translate
traditional, indigenous, heritage as well as modern iconography into a unique
North West product.
* A permanent exhibition stock will be established to travel to different
market or wealth opportunities. A catalogue will be published.
By the end of the year, the North West Craft and Design Institute will be
established. This will be a model for best practice in the craft sector. It
will pioneer a market driven approach to craft development that will build
sustainable businesses in the long term.
In addition we intend to develop Cultural Villages in Maubane and Mogwase.
This will be to assist local crafters to have space to make and to market their
crafts.
In language and heritage services, we will make a concerted effort to ensure
that we service all sectors of our community, including people with
disabilities. We are pleased to inform the house that, the Department has
during the past year, acquired the services of one full time South African sign
language interpreter on a permanent basis. We intend to host a sign language
workshop annually for parents and deaf children.
We were able, in collaboration with other stakeholders within the province,
to produce the following multilingual dictionaries: Parliamentary dictionary,
Natural Sciences, Information and Communication Technology dictionary as well
as Mathematics dictionary. All of these dictionaries were launched last year,
2005.
The Provincial Geographic Names Council (PGNC), which is critical to the
changing or standardisation of place names, has consolidated its activities and
administrative system over the three years of its existence. As of the end of
December 2005 the council had submitted 323 names that were captured on the
database. Municipalities discussed about 93 names and 869 names have been
researched to identify the need to either change or retain the names. A report
to that effect is being compiled.
We were truly honoured by the World Heritage Committee during its 29th
Session in Durban last year, when it declared Taung Skull as well as Vredefort
Dome as World Heritage Sites.
It was in celebration of this declaration that the Department in partnership
with the national Department of Arts and Culture, the South African National
Defence Force, Bophirima District Municipality and Office of the Premier hosted
the National Heritage celebration, which was honoured by the presence of
President Thabo Mbeki.
The departmental arts institutions are undergoing transformation in many
different ways. These include the Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation
(MACSF). The Foundation has gone through turbulent administrative times over
the past five years, but I am pleased to report that they have this year tabled
an annual report with audited financial statements. Apart from achieving this,
Mmabana has also received the following awards:
* Premier's Public Excellence Award (Bronze)
* Professional Management Review (Golden Arrow Award) 1st overall for
institutions contributing most to arts and culture in the province.
In the arts and culture sector, music, drama, film making, literature and
poetry, the North West Arts and Culture Council has funded eighty-nine students
through tertiary institutions during the last academic year. This is our
commitment to skills development in our sector as well as the departmental
bursaries for archivists and librarians.
The Department has extended support and funding to eight local and community
museums. These include the following: Mphe Batho in Moruleng, HC Bosman in
Groot Marico, Klerksdorp Transport Museum, Potchefstroom Museum and Goudskoppie
Cultural village. We are proud therefore to inform the House that the
Department has added Kraaipan Museum to this number. Young People in the Ratlou
Municipality initiated the building of this Museum.
The Department wants the history of our people and indigenous knowledge to
be researched and recorded in our museums. We will respond positively to any
community that wants to set up small museums either in our libraries or in
appropriate structures. We must know our past if we are to avoid mistakes in
the future. Issues of identity, language and learning from history are
fundamental if we are to cleanse our society from past deeds created by
apartheid and colonialism.
The consolidation of the North West Cultural Calabash Festival is the
critical part of the economic development of Taung. The Department has
therefore increased its funding of the calabash, with a view to inviting other
Departments and other bodies to participate or join this partnership.
The calabash boasts a participation rate of over 24 000 young and budding
poets, actors, singers, choristers and dancers. We are also trying to develop
an audience for all these activities so that our music and drama can thrive.
Calabash has for the first time been hosted in all of the twenty-two local
municipalities, semi finals in the four (4) districts with the final in Taung
every September.
One of the activities held during the calabash is Wordfest, which is a
programme that identifies and develops budding writers, journalists and
composers. One of our best products, Mr Patrick Makinita, is a freelance
journalist at Motsweding FM. He is currently furthering his studies through
correspondence.
The Department wishes to thank our partners in the calabash such as the
Transnet Foundation, Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sport Foundation, as well as the
Bophirima District Municipality for their contribution towards the creation of
an artistically aware and emotionally rounded youth in our province.
Deputy Speaker, we are proud as a Department of our tradition, diverse
cultures and indigenous cultural and artistic practices and activities. It is
with a sense of pride that we boast of being the first province outside of
Gauteng to host the national Zindala Zombili Indigenous Dance and Music
Festival. It was held at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in November 2005.
The winners of the 2004 national festival, who are from the North West
province, were invited and participated at the Goree African Diaspora Festival,
which was held in Senegal during October and November 2005.
We thank our partners such as the African Cultural Heritage Trust, national
Department of Arts and Culture, the South African Broadcasting Corporation
Board as well as Local Municipalities and Tribal Authorities who made this
festival a success.
We, in partnership with the Department of Economic Development as well as
the North West Parks Board shall resuscitate and refurbish the Lotlamoreng
Resort and Cultural Village.
The Setlhwatlhwe Spiritual Heritage Site in the Ratlou Municipality is a new
addition to the development of heritage sites in this province.
In addressing the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS), the
Department has through the Directorate of Administrative and Support Services,
vigorously intensified the workplace skills development by implementing various
learnership programmes for both the employed and unemployed youth.
Learners have also been placed in the following learnership
programmes:
* project management
* human resource management (HRM)
* public sector accounting.
Three (3) Learners have been employed i.e. one in each programme.
Accommodation service and events co-ordination learnership will start on 1
April 2006.
We have further played our role in the eradication of illiteracy on all
levels of our staff, including staff that is on lower grades. A roll out
programme on Adult Basic Education Training (ABET) in basic literacy and
numeracy will be starting at the beginning of the financial year. The focus
will be on Communication, English and Mathematics. A total of 186 employees
have been assessed and they will be placed in four training centres across the
districts.
Deputy Speaker, we would not be able to present this report to the
Honourable House without the concerted effort of the team in the Department.
South Africa is indeed a nation of achievers. There is a lot we have attained
in just a short period of time.
I am very proud that since the formation of this Department in 2004 we have
kept within the principles of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and
therefore have received our second successive unqualified audit from the office
of the Auditor General. This shows our commitment to good governance and sound
financial management.
Budget appropriation and programmes:
Madam Speaker, let me now move closer to the purpose of this speech, the budget
appropriations for different programmes. This is for the financial year
2006/07.
The total budget for the Department is two hundred and eighty one million,
two hundred and ninety four thousand Rand (R281 294 000)
Programme one:
This is Administration, it has been allocated forty three million, forty
hundred and ninety three thousand Rand (R43 493 000)
The programme's main objective is to account and manage public funds, to
provide human resources, financial and general administrative support services.
In addition, it provides executive management, technical and administrative
leadership.
Programme two:
This is Cultural Affairs, an amount of eighty six million, six hundred and
forty nine thousand Rand (R86 649 000) had been allocated to the programme.
The programme's main objective is to promote culture, conserve and manage
the cultural, historical assets and resources of the province by rendering
various services.
Programme three:
This is Library and Information Services. A further amount of seventy seven
million, six hundred and thirteen thousand Rand (R77 613 000) is allocated.
This programme's objective is to assist local library authorities to render
public library services and provide archive services in the province.
Programme four:
This is for Sport and Recreation, which has been allocated an amount of seventy
three million, five hundred and thirty nine thousand Rand (R73 539 000)
This programme's main objective is the promotion of sport and recreation to
contribute towards the reconciliation and development of the North West
province community through the provision of equitable, accessible and
affordable facilities, programmes and services.
Mmusakgotla, ke rata go tsaya nako e, go leboga balaodi le badiri ba
lefapha, ka go dira ka natla mo go netefatseng gore maitlhomo a lefapha a go
direla baagi ba Porofense ya Bokone Bophirima a a diragadiwa.
Ke motlotlo gobo ke eteletse pele setlhopha se se itseng gore 'Sedikwa ke
ntapedi gase thata' le gore 'Tau di senang seboka di siiwa ke none e
tlhotsa'.
You continue to be our foot soldiers and our face, through out the province.
Your immense contribution is highly appreciated. We would also like to salute
all the fallen departmental members. May their souls rest in peace.
The support that we continue to receive from our partners, from
municipalities, public and private entities, as well as governmental
programmes, is of great value. Your support makes it possible for us to achieve
our success.
Ke rata gape ke leboge Komiti ya Palamente e e kaga Metshameko, Setso le
Botsweretsi, ka kemonokeng, thotloetso le dikgakolo tsa ka metlha.
In conclusion, I would like to remind the house of words from Don Mattera's
poem âSea and Sandâ as we reflect and look at the past in retrospection.
Bless the angry mountains
And the smiling hills
Where cool water spills
To heal the earth's brow
Bless the children of South Africa
The white children and the black children
Sunsets and dawns
Dawns and sunsets
I have seen them all
But when,
Oh when will I see that day
When love will walk the common way
To heal my wounded People and break the shackles
Around their hearts.
God Bless Africaâ¦!
Deputy Speaker, perhaps for this reason and no other I must tell who I
am.
I am my mother's son.
I am the product of the many thousands of feet that marched to Pretoria 50
years ago to confront the citadels of apartheid in protest against the
imposition of the dreaded pass books on the black women of this land.
I am the product of the thousands of women who laid down their lives so that
you and I could live.
I am my mother's son!
Issued by: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, North West Provincial
Government
28 March 2006
