N Mtsweni: Mpumalanga Culture, Sport and Recreation Prov Budget Vote
2006/07

15 June 2006

Madame Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Mpumalanga Legislature
Honourable Premier, Mr TSP Makwetla
Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders in Mpumalanga
Esteemed Members of the Executive Council
Honourable Members of the Mpumalanga Legislature and Members of
Parliament
Your Majesties Amakhosi
Mayors and councillors
Representatives of Multi-Faith Religions
Sport and Culture Stakeholders
Members of the media
Distinguished guests
Comrades and friends

I have been given a responsibility, which I happen to view with utmost
seriousness. Our country and its people has been fired with a patriotic zeal,
so clearly encapsulated in the African Renaissance that behoves to connect and
reclaim not just our cultural selves but the rebirth that will completely
remould the entirety of our national life. For the African Renaissance to
succeed, its constituent component, the Cultural Renaissance should be pursued
with renewed vigour and verve.

In the context of the fore-going remarks, Madam Speaker, all our people say
we must rewrite our history so that, we can tell the truth about inspiring
things, that remain hidden from our eyes. At the same time, not content to
marvel at what has gone before, but building on our heritage, we must discover,
develop and encourage talent for the enhancement of our sport and cultural
life.

Quite clearly Madame Speaker, Sport and Culture must be put at the centre of
socio-economic development in our society, so as to promote and support Sport
and Cultural Industries by creating opportunities for job creation and economic
growth apart from the attainment of social cohesion and Nation building.
Gradually step-by-step our Province proceeds further away from its painful
past. It is the past of a racially divided country of masters and servants
inspired by conflict and mistrust. There would be no better time than now to
ensure that sport and culture play a major role in instilling a sense of
belonging, common identity, patriotism and social cohesion by building bridges
across boundaries of race, language, religion, colour or creed.

It is our considered view as we mark a number of important anniversaries in
the national calendar, which includes inter alia the 50th anniversary of the
women's march to the Union Building, the 30th anniversary of the student
uprising of 1976 and the 20th anniversary of the tragic death of the Mozambican
President Samora Machel and his compatriots, that we as a nation should
commemorate these historic events of the peoples' struggles with a sense of
pride, as we begin the season of hope that has been ushered by the success
stories of the first decade of our freedom and democracy.

Many years ago, Amilcar Cabral described cultural practice as an act of
liberation and the freedom charter declares that “The doors of learning and
culture shall be opened to all” and our very democratic constitution places
sport and culture rights alongside such equally important functions such as
health, education, housing etc.

Stated in another way, the overall societal development and social
transformation can be achieved through opportunities that are created by a
democratic and free environment where, inter alia culture, heritage and sport
are made an accessible commodity for personal communal, national and global
consumption and participation. Madame Speaker, we must therefore translate into
reality our vision of people driven process of change, as well as the
fundamental principle that people are their own liberators.

In his address on Africa Day Celebration this year, our Honourable Premier
Mr TSP Makwetla had this to say, “We are proud of our culture, our heritage,
our languages and an assured bright future. We are no longer ashamed of being
from Africa.” Undoubtedly Madame Speaker, the above pronouncements attest to
the fact that as Africans, we need to take our cultural diversity, including
traditions, value systems, life styles and beliefs very seriously and use them
to enhance socio-economic development in our communities so as to fight poverty
and under development.”

Madame Speaker, we owe it to our people to educate and enlighten them about
the need to celebrate diversity of cultures that will shape our common future
where democracy is enhanced by vibrant artistic and sport practices within a
dynamic multi-cultural context.

What this means, Madame Speaker is that culture and sport matters are not
issues of privilege, but fundamental constitutional rights that even this
honourable house is compelled to uphold and protect.

Quite clearly, the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation covers a wide
range of responsibilities that seek to develop the full potential of our people
in various disciplines. In this regard, huge strides have already been made
however there are still challenges that lie ahead.

We have indeed entered an optimistic phase in the consolidation of our
democracy, which as Minister Trevor Manuel stated “has introduced a new phase
of policy development under the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative
(AsgiSA), we do so on the strength of continuing the implementation of our
Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), which itself was supported by
the macroeconomic consolidation initiated as the Growth, Employment and
Redistribution Strategy (GEAR).”

The key development in the economic policy development area has always been
underpinned by the strong social values that are clearly entrenched in our
constitution, which relate to the prioritisation of social cohesion, social
transformation, national patriotism and social justice.

Madame Speaker, during the 2006/07 financial year we will have to ensure
that departmental systems and structures are strengthened and consolidated to
ensure optimal quality service delivery, hence the revision of the
organisational structure of the department in line with our strategic
objectives as outlined in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

As part of our Cultural Renaissance the Moral Regeneration Movement in the
province and the country as a whole, needs to be accelerated and promoted in
order to revive our nation's collective morality. Naturally our people have
high moral values which are evident in all our diverse African Culture, whilst
on one hand we take the challenge to transform the anti-social acts (behaviour)
that threatens our very existence as a nation such as women and children abuse,
greed and moral decay just to mention a few, on the other hand we need an
integrated approach where both government and the civil society must work
together to achieve the Moral Renewal of our society.

In this financial year we are determined apart from hosting the end of the
year Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) celebrations and commemorations in all
our regions, we intend to run a school outreach programme to popularise the
Moral Charter, and finally host the MRM Provincial Summit that will produce a
Provincial Programme of Action that will attempt to rebuild the moral fibre of
our society with a revived national spirit of ubuntu/botho so as to achieve a
truly caring society free from violence, moral decay, greed and corruption.

With regard to language development, Madame Speaker we all know that
language is central in the emancipation and development of a society. Following
the incorporation of Bushbuckridge to Mpumalanga, the department will be
expected to ensure that it stretches its limited resources to ensure that
language services are provided not only to the siSwati and isiNdebele speaking
communities but also to the Xitsonga and Sepedi speaking communities. Special
attention for now will be given to both the siSwati Language and Research
Development Centre and the isiNdebele Language and Research Development Centre.
There should be clear objectives for the centres and we must ensure that their
programmes are directed at developing the previously marginalised languages in
our communities.

With the first decade of democracy behind us, all indications show that
women are still largely under-represented and still largely remain in the
periphery of societal development and recognition. Taking cognisance of the
fact that principles that are fundamental to our Constitution and our democracy
include equality, representivity, inclusive participation etc. It is now the
time that these become fully entrenched in the society at all times in
resonance with Former President Nelson Mandela's view that “Freedom cannot be
achieved unless women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression”.

It is against this background Madame Speaker, that Government in its
Programme of Action has identified poverty eradication, social cohesion, social
justice and nation building as critical goals towards a truly non-racial
non-sexist and economically vibrant South Africa. This makes it imperative to
bring women to the centre of all development projects in the country.

In responding to the above and in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the
Women's March to the Union Buildings, a provincial programme is in place to
coordinate in partnership with all government departments and other
stakeholders with activities such as: The celebration and honouring of women
icons of the liberation struggle in South Africa, conscientise the nation that
women should be treated fairly and embraced as an integral part of our
political and economic activities, also to emphasize that the upliftment and
empowerment of women is fundamental in strengthening democracy.

When presenting the 2005/06 Policy and Budget speech of the department last
year, we indicated that the Premier has commissioned a heritage research
project under the leadership of Professor Delius in a quest to unearth and
preserve Mpumalanga's rich and diverse heritage. At the official launch of the
heritage research manuscript, the Honourable TSP Makwetla had this to say: “We
believe that among spin offs of this research will be the establishment of
additional heritage sites, new tourists' routes and the production of films.
Last but not least this report should be a valuable resource to educators for
the exploration of local history in the schools.”

Madame Speaker the memorial site of Samora Machel in Mbuzini will be
upgraded to create a cultural heritage precinct, which will include the
development of infrastructure around the monument, thus bringing service
delivery nearer to the people. It is envisaged that the erection of an
amphitheatre, widening of the access road to the site, building of ablution
block, the completion of Mbuzini Library as well as provision of water outlets
amongst other things to be done, will benefit the broader community of Mbuzini
apart from the cultural tourism that the site will generate to boost the local
economic development process. During the unveiling of the Samora Machel
Memorial in Mbuzini in January 1999, the First President of the democratic
South Africa had this to say, “Through our part in creating this memorial we
are doing all we can to ensure that our children's children and future
generations will remember those who opened the way for their freedom, as well
as the principles which inspired them.”

Dr Wally Serote, the CEO of the most ambitious heritage project of the
democratic government, the Freedom Park said “It is our sincere belief that we
will never achieve complete reconciliation, and a sense of shared nationhood,
until we come out with these names, and accord the departed ones the respect
that they deserve.”

Madame Speaker, we need to ensure that communities led by municipalities are
central in the process of investigating the names of our fallen heroes and
heroines, so that the well-deserved respect is accorded to them. I am please to
report that last year, we unveiled a cenotaph for the Nkangala Region depicting
heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle. The process for Ehlanzeni and
Gert Sibande Districts has started and as soon as the names are ratified, the
cenotaphs for both districts will be constructed and unveiled.

Others have been arguing that there was and there is still no need for these
heritage monuments, that it is a sad reminder of our past and a reminder that
might entrench polarisation. It is people like Dr Wally Serote and others who
continue to argue that individuals and institutions that do not acknowledge
past mistakes are bound to repeat them. This is what drives us as a department,
to ensure that though, total reconciliation is a process; progressive
programmes are in place to ensure maximum participation by our people in
ensuring a united nation.

Madame Speaker the Provincial Geographical Names Committee during the
2005/06 financial year facilitated the standardisation of more than 60 place
names. Boesmanspruit changed to Waterfall, Kaffirskraalkoppie to
eNdlulamithini, Kaffirskraal to Ezimbuthumeni, Tweedronk to KwaZibhebhu,
Grootboom to Magnus, Diepdale to Etinkhulungwane, Diepgezet to Dibaba,
Ackerville to KwaThomas Mahlangu, Kriel to Ga-Nala, Witbank to eMalahleni and
Kameelrivier to Ga-Morwe, amongst others. In this financial year, we have
targeted 80 names to be submitted to the South African Geographical Names
Council for consideration. Madame Speaker, what is left now is for us together
with the Departments of Public Works and Roads and Transport as well as the
Local Municipalities to ensure that proper signage is put in place in this
regard.

Cultural tourism is a focal point for the future of our culture. As we
continue with the creation of access for our people to heritage activities in
our Province and in attracting the world to our heritage icons, the department
in collaboration with other government departments and stakeholders hosted the
21st World Gold Panning Championship in September 2005 in Pilgrim's Rest.
Approximately 1 000 gold prospectors from 16 member states converged into our
province for a weeklong competition.

My congratulations must go out to all local organisers and participants,
especially the political task team which comprised of MEC Madala Masuku, MEC
William Lubisi and MEC Candid Mashego-Dlamini, who also competed during the
championships. Madame Speaker, the South African National Team won a gold medal
and several gold medals by individuals. This year the event will take place in
Finland and the Province will be sending 10 panners to represent us.

Madame Speaker, may I announce that we are going to host the Heritage Summit
in July 2006, we are also planning to host the National Ubuntu Conference spear
headed by the National Heritage Council in September 2006, all these are done
in order to enhance the status of heritage in the province and forge an
integrated approach in transforming, preserving and protecting our
heritage.

The notion of cultural industries generally includes printing, publishing
and multimedia, audio-visual, phonographic and cinematographic productions, as
well as crafts and design. For some countries, this concept also embraces
architecture, visual and performing arts, sports, manufacturing of musical
instruments, advertising and cultural tourism. They are knowledge and
labour-intensive, create employment and wealth, nurture creativity (the "raw
material" they are made from), and foster innovation in production and
commercialisation processes. At the same time, cultural industries are central
in promoting and maintaining cultural diversity and in ensuring democratic
access to culture. This two-fold nature both cultural and economic builds a
distinctive profile for viable cultural industries.

Cultural industries continue to grow at a steady apace. The sector of
publishing, music, audiovisual technology, electronics, video games and the
Internet are booming. Their international dimension gives them a determining
role for the future in terms of freedom of expression, cultural diversity and
economic development. Although the globalisation of exchange and new
technologies opens up exciting new prospects, it also creates new types of
inequality.

The world map of cultural industries reveals a yawning gap between North and
South. Strengthening local capacities and facilitating access to global markets
at national level by way of new partnerships, know-how, and control of piracy
and increased international solidarity of every kind can only counteract
this.

To this end, Madame Speaker, I wish to exhort the general public not to buy
pirated copies of CDs and DVDs since this robs our artists and producers of
their livelihood and income. In addition I must indicate that the department in
collaboration with South African Music Education Trust (SAMET) have initiated a
music education project where the youth is afforded the opportunity to learn
how to play music instruments so as to broaden the skills base of the province
with regard to the music industry.

In November/December of the 2006/07 financial year, we will be staging a
revamped Mpumalanga Arts and Culture Festival, featuring National and
International acclaimed artists. The revamped Mpumalanga Arts and Culture
Festival were successfully launched in Witbank in March 2006 with the intention
to brand the Province and promote its cultural diversity. During the same
occasion, Imisebe Ye' Langa, Letšatši, and Elangeni Awards in recognition of
the contributions made by the people of Mpumalanga towards arts, culture and
Heritage development, promotion and transformation in arts, were conferred.

It is during this financial year that the department will be for the first
time collaborating with Innibos during their multi-cultural Festival. This
event will cater for all genres of music and dance and our crafters will be
offered an opportunity to exhibit their work.

In addition Mpumalanga Arts and Culture Festival will attract patrons from
all over the world to converge in the Province at Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete
Municipalities. It is envisaged that this unique festival will generate huge
economic spin offs for the two municipalities through cultural tourism that
will result from a large number of expected tourists.

Madame Speaker, during the 2005/06 financial year, the Letsa Litsemba Mobile
Craft Clinic contributed to the skills development of the crafters and fine
artists in Mpumalanga. In partnership with media, advertising, printing,
packaging and publishing SETA (MAPPSETA) and the investing in culture unit of
the national Department of Arts and Culture, ninety (90) artists and crafters
were trained and assessed. The South African Qualification Authority (SAQA)
certified this training. In partnership with the Kruger Mpumalanga
International Airport (KMIA), the department will mount a permanent exhibition
of the crafts of Mpumalanga at the airport. The project will afford our
crafters the opportunity to market their products to tourists who pass through
the airport.
Madame Speaker, the provision of library and information services remains our
obligation and responsibility. We have realised the need to vigorously
transform our library services.

The purchasing of books for our libraries must reflect the demographic
relevance of the Province and the country. The reading material that we provide
in our libraries should relate to the current situation in the country, these
reading materials should reflect our African identity without compromising
international standards. As we do that we will ensure that books that are
written by our local authors are procured for usage in public libraries. The
“Fundza for Fun” campaign is continuing to encourage and offer young and old an
opportunity to read. During the 2005/06 financial year just above 29 000 people
participated through 77 public libraries and 246 schools. Four final winners
were selected and each of them received a once-off study bursary of R50 000.
This is a clear indication of our seriousness to revive and inculcate the
culture of reading.

This year, the following three additions will be made to the Fundza for Fun
campaign, i.e. writer development for assisting five writers to publish their
work in African languages, assist in the translation of three South African
children's books into siSwati and isiNdebele and establishment of a collection
of Braille and books on tape and CD for blind people in our Provincial
Reference Library. This will enable blind people to go to their nearest public
library and register as a member and select books from the list of titles
available. These additions will be done in collaboration with the Centre of the
Book of the National Library of South Africa and National Library for the Blind
in Grahamstown.

During the 2005/06 financial year an amount of R3 million was spent on
purchasing library material. This year an amount of R4,088 million has been set
aside to purchase library material for all 139 public libraries. We will
continue to offer alternative library services through installing book boxes in
the Thembisile and Dr J S Moroka Municipalities. We believe that libraries
should address the needs of their communities but also provide access to the
widest possible subject range. Books in African languages remain a challenge
because of limited number of titles available; however material reflecting the
African experience is one of the focus areas for continuous development.

I would like to express my appreciation to the Executive Council for
approving both the plans and the budget for the construction of a Provincial
Archive Centre for proper records management and storage of archival material.
Construction is planned to commence this financial year.

Madam Speaker, Sport improves social cohesion; therefore sport participants
experience a high degree of interaction with other individuals, on their own,
in association with family members and as members of teams. These interactions
improve interpersonal relationships, establish the basis for trust and build
teamwork skills that foster social cohesion. Sport works by constructing
associations of people that constitute social networks with a defined purpose.
These networks generate trust and create an attitude of willingness to interact
with others outside sport. This willingness can be harnessed to social and
economic advantage.

Madame Speaker, allow us to join others in the province and country and
congratulate Sipho Ngomane who, once again has made us proud when he obtained
position three during the Two Oceans Marathon on 15 April 2006. He was the
first South African to cross the mark after trailing two Zimbabweans. Recently
10 athlete from Mpumalanga Academy of Sport, participated in the international
road races and cross country competition in Armach , Northern Ireland where
they performed well by obtaining six Gold medals and two silver medals. In
addition four athletes also from the Academy participated in the 22nd Tour Du
Pays De Caux in France and won ten trophies. We are proud to announce that
Moses Mashiane hailing from eMalahlane Municipality is the current champion of
the 22nd Tour Du Pays De Caux 2006. It is through this programme that
successful athletes like Sipho Ngomane’s prowess were nurtured. We hope we will
be in a position to produce more athletes like him. This is dependent on size
of resources allocated to the department and the strategies we put in place to
utilise those resources.

We want to take this opportunity and wish him and other provincial athletes
good luck in tomorrow's 2006 Comrades Marathon. We also like to acknowledge the
recent achievement from our own World Boxing Champion Thomas Mashaba for
successfully defending his IBO Featherweight title against Venezuela's Yober
Ortega. The Province is going to see more fights of this calibre through World
Sport Promotion. Added to this, we are also proud to announce that the first
woman referee who is accredited by Federation International Football
Association (FIFA), Nomvula Masilela hails from Mpumalanga, a Province of
ordinary people who do extra-ordinary things.

The Siyadlala Programme has proven over the years that it has a strong
element of social change for active participants and volunteers. To this end
this programme has offered participants opportunities for self-expression and
the fostering of camaraderie in achieving our cardinal aim of mass
participation amongst the youth in the crime hotspots areas, most youth have
embraced the programme and have started moving away from anti-social activities
such as crime. Currently 140 000 participants are enjoying the benefits of the
Siyadlala programme.

We have taken a deliberate position as a department to ensure that we have a
hub for Siyadlala programme in each municipality. In this regard 10 extra hubs
are going to be launched and 168 volunteers will be engaged to assist in the
coordination of this programme. The new hubs will be in the following
municipalities: Delmas, Dr J S Moroka, Emalahleni, Emakhazeni, Umjindi, Steve
Tshwete, Pixley Ka Seme, Thaba Chweu, Dipaliseng and Bushbuckridge. Madame
Speaker a budget of R6,470 million from the national conditional grant has been
set-aside for this purpose.

During the 2005/06 financial year, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed
between our department and the Department of Education. We did that to ensure
that sport is in touch with youth culture and provides the opportunity to make
the important link between school and community life.

The Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Education will
facilitate easy coordination of school sport. Madame Speaker, we have received
a national grant of R3,5 million to coordinate this programme. 53 schools in
the province are going to be involved as we begin with the roll-out of the
pilot programme, coordinated by 954 educators and volunteers and participating
in six different sporting codes. We are going to appoint five cluster
coordinators on a one-year contract basis at a stipend of R1 800 per month, to
coordinate the following identified clusters, i.e. Nkomazi West, Ermelo, Piet
Retief, Middelburg and Siyabuswa. 53-sport assistants that will each receive a
stipend of R1 200 are going to be engaged. Undoubtedly this programme has
created a number of jobs for the youth in the province.

Further more, Mpumalanga will be hosting the National Indigenous games in
September on behalf of the country to promote cultural diversity and enhance
the African Renaissance vision. Nine Provinces will converge in Mpumalanga, at
Badplaas Aventura for the 3rd National Indigenous Games. 900 participants are
expected and an amount of R900 000 has been set aside for coordination of the
games. Morabaraba, kgathi, intonga, dibeke, juskei, incuva, kho-kho and diketo
will be played.

The Albert Luthuli Municipality will receive all the equipments that shall
be used in the National Indigenous Games as a donation from Sport and
Recreation SA. The equipment donated will be part of the legacy in empowering
our people to increase mass participation in our Indigenous games.

Once again, we need to congratulate the Mbombela Local Municipality assisted
by various stakeholders for being chosen as one of the host Cities of the 2010
FIFA World Cup games. As part of the activities towards the 2010 FIFA World
Cup, the department launched the Mayoral Cup in 2005 where 288 teams from all
municipalities participated in a quest to unearth talent so as to at least
produce two soccer players who will participate in the National Team in 2010.
In addition the department will be hosting the Football Indaba with the
intention to unveil a comprehensive football programme.

Madame Speaker, let me take this opportunity to inform the house that
Mbombela Municipality has appointed the professional team to run with the
construction of the stadium and that both the department and municipality will
be appointing 2010 coordinators. There is no argument about the positive
spin-offs, which will result from the 2010 FIFA World Cup. I want to caution
that as we prepare for the hosting of these games we need to guard against
opportunistic individuals. I am referring to those who have been advantaged
with having the infrastructure and tourism coordination capacity and who may
want to exclude our Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) in the mainstream of doing
business and get empowered during the preparations and hosting of this event,
let us all ensure that a whole range of needy people benefit from this
project.

Madam Speaker, our provincial team performance at the South African Games
needs to be improved so as to afford our athletes the opportunity to be
selected for both National and International competitions. Quite clearly the
Mpumalanga Academy of Sport should be sufficiently resourced and supported by
the department, the private sector as well as Sport Federations to continue
produce world-class athletes.

Tomorrow we are celebrating 30th Anniversary of June 16, our department like
other departments we have ensured that our programmes are also about the
emancipation and the development of our youth, hence programmes such as “taking
archives to the people” campaigns that started from the 12 to 16 June, where we
are making communities aware of the importance and services rendered by
Archives. I would like to wish them a successful celebration at Kanyamazane
where I hope we are all going to join in.

Madame Speaker, allow me an opportunity to present the budget allocation for
the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation for the financial year 2006/07.
The Department has been allocated an amount of R93,604 million.

The 2006/07 departmental budget consists of R 73,584 million from the
equitable share, R10 million is from own revenue and R10,020 million is a
conditional grant.

An amount of R55,120 million (that is, 58,9%) is allocated for the
compensation of employees, whilst (37,5%) of the budget which amount to R35,115
million is set aside for operations and departmental programmes, R1,931 million
(that is 2,1%) is for grants-in-aid/transfers and R1,438 million (which is
(1,5%) is set aside for capital assets.

An amount of R28,679 million has been set aside for the programme
administration to coordinate and facilitate the activities, projects and
programmes of the department. This budget is also meant for the implementation
of systems and structures for the efficient coordination of the functions of
the department. This programme is charged with the provision of strategic
support for the achievement of the departmental goals.

Madame Speaker we have set aside an amount of R29,684 million to facilitate
the establishment and support for institutional structures, accelerate
transformation through community governance and participation, promote cultural
tolerance, social cohesion, develop and maintain Arts, Culture, Heritage
facilities, monitor access and utilisation thereof.

It is through this budget Madame Speaker that the department will seek to
facilitate sustainable development, access to and mobilisation of resources and
promotion of Arts and Culture activities with emphasis toward disadvantaged
communities.

The promotion of excellence through cultural programmes and language
services programme at local and provincial levels as well as promoting the
provision of access to information shall be given the attention it
deserves.

Further more, in order to ensure equitable access to an effective and
efficient library and information services, an amount of R16,887 million has
been allocated to the Library and Information Services programme.

An amount of R18,354 million has been set aside for the establishment and
support of institutional structures and monitor the utilisation thereof. We
envisage utilising this money to coordinate the 2010 programmes, Siyadlala
programme and coordinate school sport.

Conclusion

Madame Speaker we have set milestones for ourselves for the 2006/07
financial year. We have given reasons for setting these milestones. We are now
required to gear ourselves towards ensuring that these milestones are achieved.
We are committed towards achieving these goals using the limited available
resources.

Deepak Chopra in his book entitled, Seven Laws of Success writes that,
“Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us, in like kind what
we sow is what we reap, and when we choose actions that bring happiness and
success to others, the fruit of our Karma (cause and effect) is happiness and
success”. Madame Speaker what we decide as our action plan will exactly yield
exactly what we have planned for. If our plan is to succeed, we are really
going to succeed. Ingeminate plus courage plus work equals miracles.

I would like to take this opportunity and extend my gratitude to the Premier
of the Province, Honourable TSP Makwetla, Members of the Executive Council,
Hounarable Screamer Skosana, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on
Education, Culture, Sport and Recreation and Members of the Portfolio Committee
for their continued support and guidance to the department.

In addition, I wish also to thank all the culture and sport bodies in the
province for co-operation, dedication and unwavering support to departmental
programmes and projects. The dedication and diligence by my departmental
officials especially the staff in my office, it gives me hope that if we
continue to work together as a team, we can succeed to maximise our performance
and ensure quality service delivery to our people.

Before I sit down, I would like to extend my appreciation to my family for
their unswerving support.

As Milton Berle puts it: “If opportunity does not knock, build a door.”

Ngiyabonga, Ngiyathokoza, Re a Leboga, Thank you, Baie dankie

Issued by: Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mpumalanga
Provincial Government
15 June 2006