22 May 2006
The premier of Limpopo, Mr Sello Moloto, returned on Friday, 19 May 2006,
after a successful official trip to Xai Xai, Gaza Province, in Mozambique.
Accompanying the premier were the MECs for Economic Development, Environment
and Tourism, Mr Collins Chabani; MEC for Agriculture, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi; MEC
for Education, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi; Director-General Dr Hlamalani Manzini and a
technical team made up of senior managers from both the social and economic
clusters of the provincial government.
The two provinces have been establishing links since 1998. The main
objectives for this co-operation included:
* optimising the economic opportunities existing between the provinces, in a
manner that will improve the quality of lives of their respective populace
* facilitating the development of natural and socio-economic resources in a
manner that would lead to the sustainable upliftment of the provinces and
respective countries
* promoting the two provinces as viable economic development areas with a
comparative economic advantage
* promoting the two provinces as a unique ecotourism destination with
special reference to the emerging trans-frontier conservation area
* facilitating the development of human resources in the respective
provinces through capacity building
* creating conditions that would command investorsâ confidence and attract
significant investment in both provinces.
The Premier and the Governor of the Mozambican province of Gaza, Mr Djalma
Lourenco, signed a work plan that the technical teams from both provinces have
committed themselves to on Thursday, 18 May 2006, at a ceremony hosted at the
Governorâs offices in Xai Xai the provincial capital. The work plan outlines a
number of programmes and projects that the two provinces will be embarking upon
financial implications, sources of funding and timelines.
In his key note speech Premier Moloto said; âWe have committed ourselves as
Limpopo because we are confident this partnership is intended to fulfil one of
the strategic objectives of the province and that of regional integration. At a
national level, this will surely help achieve the objectives of the New
Partnership for Africaâs Development (NEPAD). As the two provinces we have
committed ourselves on paper in terms of the work plan we have developed and we
will ensure that the plan is working.â
The Governor of Gaza, Mr Lourenco, said in responding to the Premierâs
comments. âWe are representing our provincial governments and our people in
this commitment to fight poverty and malnutrition. As government the fight
against poverty means improving the lives of our citizens. We are therefore
promoting development of all our people.
âBut we still need to do more. Development does not have a ceiling. If you
reach one level, you need to move to another level. The commitment we are
making is not just for the sake of it. It is meant for regional integration
within the context of NEPAD. We are confident our victory is certain.â
The spirit and tone of the weeklong events were summarised by Frelimoâs
co-founder and veteran of the anti-colonial struggle in Mozambique and
currently an advisor to the governor, Mr Josias Miambi, when he said; âEach
time we meet as the two provinces, we renew our brotherhood and
solidarity!â
What Limpopo and Gaza Provinces committed themselves to:
The two provinces under the economic cluster identified a number of key
programmes and projects that they committed themselves to cooperating on. The
following are only a summary of such projects under each programme:
Tourism
* tourism corridor (route) development
* Great Limpopo Trans-frontier Park Development
* regional tourism marketing
* tourism promotion infrastructure.
Environment
* natural resource management
* environmental impact management.
Agriculture
* development of linkages of commodities
* promote access to livestock for restocking
* pest, disease and livestock movement control.
Transport
* raods development
* airports development
* information, communication and technology (ICT) exchange programmes
Mining
* mining investment promotion
* skills development in mining
* mineral beneficiation
* promotion of small scale mining
* alternative energy sources
* Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) development in the
agro-processing and manufacturing sectors.
On the social sector front, the two provinces committed themselves to
undertaking the following programmes and projects:
Education
* sharing of best practices in curriculum development and
implementation
* language policy implementation and its impact on learner performance
* promotion of values through education
* implementation of technical and vocational training programmes.
Health
* control and management of communicable diseases
* exchange of information on health care, technology and skills.
Social development
* sharing of experiences on women issues
* sharing of experiences on issues affecting people with disabilities
* management of substance abuse.
Security
* co-operating on crime prevention and combating
* control of drug and car trafficking.
Sports, arts and culture
* finding a way of involving the gaza province in preparations for the world
cup 2010, for example as portuguese interpreters for the soccer revellers in
2010.
* exchanges in the performing arts, visual arts and management of the heritage
resources
* launching the Limpopo/Gaza soccer tournament.
For more information contact:
Saul Molobi
General Manager for Provincial Communication Services
Tel: (015) 287 6311
Fax: (015) 295 3840
Cell: 083 444 2822
E-mail: molobis@premier.norprov.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
22 May 2006
