Province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)
27 November 2006
Speaker
Deputy Speaker
Members of the Provincial Executive Council
Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature
Mayors and Councillors of Local Government
Amakhosi present
Director-General and Heads of Departments
Excellencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
People of KwaZulu-Natal
Structure of government
Last week we brought back the remains of Baba Moses Mabhida, home from
Mozambique. He was an outstanding fighter and unifier of our people for a
struggle to create a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa.
Formal democracy was established in 1994. This in itself has been a major
achievement and must be nurtured and defended. People must have the guaranteed
right to regularly vote for the government and national, provincial and local
level. The Executive Council, comprising of 10 MECs, together with Heads of
Provincial Departments operate as a collective in a co-ordinated manner for
more effective delivery.
We are consolidating our government to work in a synchronised fashion and to
act in concert for maximum effect. The Cabinet Cluster system is now fully
operational and aligned with the national cluster system. The Premier's
Co-ordinating Forum (PCF) is functional and operating in terms of the
Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act. The Technical PCF is also
operational where Provincial Heads of Department engage with Municipal Managers
and South African Local Government Association (SALGA)-KZN.
Enhancing democracy
But formal democracy though critical is not sufficient. People must not only
speak when they are spoken to and once every five years. We have established
not only formal democracy but participatory democracy. The programme of
Izimbizo takes democracy to a higher level and has become an international best
practice in taking government to the people.
Over the past two-and-half years numerous Izimbizo were held: In Amajuba,
uGu, uMgungundlovu, uThukela, Zululand and uMkhanyakude, whilst Sisonke, Ilembe
and uThungulu were part of the Presidential Izimbizo. uMzinyathi and eThekwini
still remain to be done. The last Imbizo was held in KwaHlabisa and had about
12 000 people in attendance.
On average 10 000 to 12 000 people attend each Imbizo, as well as Mayors,
Members of the Provincial Legislature and the Consular Corps. All political
parties also attend. At Hlabisa a record of 75 questions and inputs by the
community were recorded.
We could wait for 2009 to let the people speak through the vote, but there
is too much to do to build the country. We cannot wait and we are not afraid to
go the people. We are not afraid to be told how they experience government
delivery. The departmental izimbizo have also been going on and providing
citizens an opportunity to engage in sector-specific issues. At the end of this
month we will publish our first edition of our Provincial Communication called
EzakwaZulu-Natali so that information on government programmes, plans, news
etc. can be accessible to the people.
In the same spirit of consultation we will be forming the Senior Citizens'
Forum to, first of all, look at the problems of the aged, and harness their
experience. In the reconstruction of our communities, this will serve not only
to confine the senior citizens to neglect but to allow them to continue making
a valuable contribution to our reconstruction programmes.
Before the end of the year we will have established a Religious Leaders'
Forum, which will be one of the key instruments of constructive social dialogue
and intervention. Through the Growth Coalition in our province, a forum of
government and business will join hands to work with youth and tap into
opportunities the province can offer.
We are reviewing and improving the role and function of the Youth
Commission. This will function as a public entity more efficiently and focus on
giving capacity to the youth, such as improving skills and participating in
governance processes as the future generation. Gender remains a priority on our
agenda.
A recent visit to one of the Social Welfare Offices during the Public
Service Week revealed that child grants are also occasioned by fathers who,
while they can afford to do so, do not support the mothers of their offspring
in the upbringing of the child.
The taxpayer should not be burdened with child grants that result out of
neglect and derelict of duty. Much is achieved through South African Women in
Dialogue (SAWID), the advocacy work of the Office of the Status of Women, and
through departmental initiatives such as the recent Summit for women in
Traditional Leadership, hosted by the Department of Traditional and Local
Government.
This Conference will next year extend to participants of the whole continent
of Africa. The Department of Works also hosted a conference on "Women in
Construction" to allow women to acquire a meaningful stake in the construction
industry. The Executive Council has now four female MECs; and there are six
females amongst 13 Heads of Department (HODs). We are very serious about
non-sexism!
Heritage
At the outset we realised that we should build on our strengths.
KwaZulu-Natal has a strong cultural heritage. Last week we brought back the
remains, spirit and life of the Late Comrade Moses Mabhida. An outstanding
leader of peasant origins who became a dominant figure in the trade union
movement, the ANC, and the Communist Party of South Africa, both inside South
Africa and in exile. In a eulogy at his state funeral, Oliver Tambo observed
that Mabhida had been educated in "the stern university of mass struggle. It is
rarely given to a people that they should produce a single person who
epitomises their hopes and expresses their common resolve as Moses Mabhida did.
In simple language he could convey the aspirations of all our people in their
magnificent variety, explain the fears and prejudices of the unorganised and
sense the feelings of even the most humble among our people."
The Bhambatha kaMancinza Zondi and Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha celebrations
were also successfully held during 2006. The Bhambatha Centenary Commemoration
has been an inspiration not only to the people of KwaZulu-Natal but to the rest
of South Africa and even beyond as the huge media interest both within and
outside South Africa has shown.
The highlight of the Satyagraha Celebrations was a train drive covering the
route where Ghandi was evicted from the train in Pietermaritzburg and which
become the moment where he embarked upon the passive resistance movement.
India's Prime Minister and his delegation, Dr Essop Pahad, Minister in the
Presidency, and Dr Pallo Jordan, Minister of Arts and Culture participated in
this illustrious occasion.
The statue of King Dinizulu, sculpted by Peter Hall and assisted by Mondli
Mdanda, will be unveiled in the current financial year. The statue of King
Cetshwayo has also been commissioned to be put before the Natalia building in
Pietermaritzburg facing the Freedom Square. We intend to erect the King Shaka
statue on the southern bank of the Tugela River, next to the N2 within the
Harold Johnson Nature Reserve.
The structure includes a rotunda, a restaurant, a viewing point and a plinth
on a central column topped by a 3,5-5 m statue of King Shaka. Across the road,
around the site of the ultimatum tree, we also wish to erect another King
Cetshwayo statue to mark the historical heritage site of an important meeting
between the British and the Zulu preceding the Anglo-Zulu wars that ensued
thereafter. The artistic depiction of the Battle of Isandlwana is also in
advanced stages. The monument is to be styled in the same manner as the
monument of the battle of Waterloo in Belgium, Europe. The Heritage Park at
eMakhosini Valley and the Multi-Media Interpretive Centre that will effectively
restore the 19th century environment is making good progress.
A further heritage development initiative is the proposed R24 million
multi-media centre situated on the site of King Dingane's residence. The work
has been commissioned and construction is commencing this year. The intention
is to have the project completed by the end of next year. Local Heritage Forums
are organs of civil society that are intended for the massification of heritage
issues. Through these forums Government wants to encourage local community
participation on matters of heritage and encourage socio-economic activities
around heritage.
A total of six District Heritage Forums have been formed already and have
been launched. We are still to give expression to the importance of the
Ingcugce women's rebellion of 1876. Similarly, we have designated the year 2007
to commemorate 40 years of Chief Albert Luthuli's death. Cabinet has also
commissioned the construction of a chapel as a monument at Kwa-Ceza to mark the
site where King Dinizulu knelt and prayed.
Forgotten injures and pardoned pains
Mr Speaker, you would also recall that in February 2005, I pronounced that I
would set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate and report on political
violence and make recommendations towards reconciliation, amnesty and
prosecution, which would bring closure to KwaZulu-Natal's history of
politically motivated violence. You will also recall that we have reconsidered
this approach, as it could very well have counter productive results.
Under the leadership of MEC Bheki Cele a visit was undertaken to Ireland,
which we all know shares a similar history of violence and intolerance. This
visit was to establish the nature, extent and success of peacekeeping
initiatives, with a view to investigating best practices that may be employed
in our province, given our own history of socio-political conflict. This
engagement proved fruitful.
Not only were best practices adopted in our province such as the concept,
"Communities-in-Dialogue," but it transpired that KwaZulu-Natal has much to
offer to the world in terms of peace and normalisation of society. Therefore
this engagement is continuing with role players such as the London Metropolitan
Police Service and the Western Cape Provincial Government. In the past weeks
the Portfolio Committee on Safety and Security has also visited Northern
Ireland to continue the dialogue.
Mr Speaker, it is appropriate that a sincere vote of appreciation and
gratitude is extended to the South African Police Service, led by Commissioner
Ngidi for their sterling work this year. The quick and efficient manner in
which the arrests were made in the recent cash-in-transit heists have certainly
ensured that organised crime has shifted their attention to other areas.
With more than 40 vehicles deployed on the highways, the Police services
have, amongst others:
* arrested 25 suspects in the Umfolozi area and recovered a substantial
amount of money after a cash in-transit heist
* recovered several firearms on the Southern freeway when a cash-in-transit
heist was thwarted
* arrested four suspects after arriving from Johannesburg where they disposed
some of the stolen jewellery and watches
* arrested four suspects in Inanda and recovered several high calibre
weapons.
Similarly, very quick arrests were made in the murder case of our friend and
colleague in the Office of the Premier, Mr Thulasizwe Mngomezulu, as well as in
the cases of the Municipal Manager of Stanger and the Councillors of
Escourt.
The message is clear: KwaZulu-Natal is a "no go" area for organised crime.
However, ordinary crime remains a real problem. As much as the police are doing
their best, it is not enough. Ordinary citizens must join the effort and take a
stand against crime. Ordinary citizens, even well respected people in
communities, are the buyers of stolen goods. We as government should take the
lead in removing the market for stolen goods. This should be the position of
this Legislature, of the Executive Council, Local Government Councils, other
public and private entities and civil society to mobilise and to take a united
stand.
Literacy campaign
Mr Speaker, as much as we are training and skilling our people, we cannot
develop skills in people who cannot read or write or count. We now have R100
million to be spent over a three year period for our literacy campaign. We will
create awareness about our literacy campaign throughout the province and be
activists wherever we go so that we develop a singular purpose in solving the
plight of almost 2 million people. We invite this august house and the
community to make proposals on this matter. In the State of the province
Address of 2007 the full Programme of Action for Literacy will be tabled.
Re-connecting KwaZulu-Natal to the international world
Apart from the singular significance of hosting the semi-final of the Soccer
World Cup in 2010, the International A1 Grand Prix took place in January 2006,
with KwaZulu-Natal hosting this event for the next three years. KwaZulu-Natal
is currently also bidding to be a host for the World Rally Championships. It is
commonly accepted that our scarce resources need to be augmented by strategic
partnerships in the international arena: The past two-and-half years have
therefore seen a very deliberate and focused unfolding of an international
relations strategy.
This strategy aims to forge strategic partnerships, not only with the
traditionally affluent western nations, but also with third world countries
with which South Africa shares a common history for liberation and similar
visions of development, for example:
* from China we have imported the Dryland Rice and Mushroom Technology that
addresses the very basic need of food security
* From Indonesia we are importing the skills of furniture making and wood
carving. Strong links have also been facilitated in the textile and garmenting
industry
* Belgium has committed a R60 million grant over five years at R12 million a
year to our food security programme
* from Germany the province is gaining invaluable insight into the organising,
programming and preparation for the 2010 World Cup. In 2006 Germany was also
visited to re-open the doors with the province of Baden-Wurtemburg
* from India and the province of Punjab known as the "food basket of India" we
are co-operating in agriculture, science and technology and development of
co-operatives;
* interactions are well advanced with France to establish an Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with Pays de Loire and also with Reunion Island, the trade
gateway to the European Union.
During the African Renaissance celebrations of 2005 an MOU was signed with
Maputo. In the beginning of 2007 we will be receiving the Governor of Maputo to
develop concrete co-operation in the areas of tourism, agriculture and crime
prevention.
Already the Police Commissioners of KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique are dealing
with each other on matters such as hijackings that have become a serious issue
in Umkhanyakude and surrounding areas.
Economic Cluster
Mr Speaker, to grow and to develop we need a vision, science and technology
and investment. The Economic Cluster is the main driver of the vision of the
Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) programme,
whereby the economy is to achieve a growth rate of between five percent and
seven percent and the divide between the first and second economies is bridged.
The Dube TradePort is our key flagship project, set to provide a major economic
stimulus to the province and country by developing a world class integrated
logistics platform at La Mercy.
The TradePort will consist of an International Airport, Trade Zone,
Cyberport Support Zone and a Agric/Business Zone, and the development will cost
at least R2,5 billion. The Project will commence in February 2007 and be
completed in time for the 2010 World Cup. It is anticipated that this
initiative will contribute between R12,3 billion and R20,5 billion to the
national Gross Domestic Product and create an estimated 150 000 to 244 000 jobs
by 2010.
The Executive Council has engaged with the representatives of the Makhathini
Flats to discuss the agricultural potential in the area. This brings to
implementation an issue that has been the topic of discussion since 1903. The
outlook is that Makhathini Flats is a place best suited for sugar cane and
cassava that were added to the KwaZulu-Natal AsgiSA in 2006. With agriculture
recognised as one of the key economic drivers in the province and in the
country as a whole, the Agrarian Revolution forms a vital platform for moving
our people from unemployment, to employment and to self employment.
The agricultural revolution is based on the fundamental fact that people
cannot grow and develop physically, mentally and economically on empty
stomachs. Considering that our province has the land and the climate to
quadruple current agricultural production, agriculture is seen as a lever in
linking the first and second economies. This is being rolled out throughout the
province. A new and major five-year expansion strategy has been developed for
food security. It includes expansion and investment in the tea industry,
revitalisation of the Nguni and livestock industry and the establishment of
mushroom and dryland rice industries.
In addition to these expansion initiatives, we are also implementing a new
alien weed eradication programme. Premised on proposals from a Task Team of
experts in 1995, the 'Community Access Road Needs Study' laid the foundation
for a new approach in creating jobs through roads construction. This
methodology has subsequently been replicated by other provinces such as the
Eastern Cape and Limpopo. Similarly, a Task Team of experts has been
established to assist the government with planning the best course for
implementing the agricultural revolution. Members of this Task team include Mr
Bonile Jack, the former senior Land Bank executive, Mr Charles Machete, an
agricultural economist and Professor Jan Reatz, Dean of the Department of
Agriculture at Fort Hare University.
The Task Team is starting work immediately and will welcome proposals in
this regard. Six Corridor Development projects are being rolled out, including
Mhlatuze-Durban, Greytown-Dundee, Port Shepstone-Ixopo, Lebombo Spatial
Development Initiative, Ulundi-Richards Bay. In terms of transport, the
Zibambele ("Doing it ourselves"), Vukuzakhe ("Arise and build yourself") and
Expanded Public Works Programme continues to build the infrastructure backbone
of our province using an empowerment approach. Operation Mbo was rolled out at
Msinga and Nkandla, with the intention of expanding this massification
programme to other municipalities over the next few months. To me, Operation
Mbo is an example of the cross-sphere and cross-departmental co-ordination and
implementation, resulting in expedited and efficient service delivery,
ultimately eradicating poverty and creating wealth.
The key challenge to the economic cluster is the fundamental issue of
creating wealth in our African community. We have asked in February in the
State of the province address: "Where are Africans located in the economy?"
Social Cluster
Honourable members, this Cluster deals very directly with the legacy of
apartheid. A legacy of social and structural disempowerment and
de-humanisation. The work of this Cluster resonates with the macro social
objectives of government that seek to build a social compact with the community
through social upliftment and empowerment. I am pleased to announce that, in
terms of education; we have met and in some instances exceeded the building of
classrooms and toilets over the past two years. 1 571 classrooms (105% of
target) were built by the end of March 2006, with an additional 400 built in
the financial year.
In line with the policy pronouncement to promote maths science and
technology, all 9 Further Education and Training (FET) colleges in the
provinces have been connected to computer networks. During this financial year
70 Maths and Science focus schools have been established. The re-skilling of
educators in maths, science and technology is ongoing and set to meet the
target of achieving a 50 000 maths and science output by 2008. Almost 3 500
schools are involved in the school nutrition programme with 1,6 million
learners provided with nutrition. In line with building the 2nd economy, 43
women co-operatives have been trained and are currently providing food to
selected schools.
The Masifundisane Adult Literacy Campaign is now operational where 40 000
adults will be taught to read and write by March 2007. This Campaign is driven
in conjunction with religious organisations, labour, education institutions and
business. Adult Based Education and Training (ABET) programmes aimed at
improving youth skills are implemented in four sites per education district.
However, considering that we have set the target of eliminating illiteracy by
2008, we are intending to massif our efforts in literacy training.
One of the key approaches to eradicating poverty is comprehensive social
security. Comprehensive Social Security has three pillars: social grants
offered by government; contributory schemes, such as the Road Accident Fund
(RAF) and health insurance; and lastly individuals making their own social
security without intervention of government. Considering that as at May 2006
more than 1,6 million children in this province are in receipt of child support
grants, much work is still to be done to move people from dependency to
independence.
The National Security Agency has been operational since April 2006 with the
budget transferred to the national sphere of government and inter-agency
agreements concluded with the provincial department of Social Welfare to
streamline and integrate social services. A Chief Directorate in the Office of
the Premier has been put in place to co-ordinate the implementation of a
comprehensive, integrated response to HIV and AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal, whilst the
Department of Health has implemented the comprehensive plan for the management,
treatment and care of HIV and AIDS in line with the National Department of
Health guidelines.
The total number of facilities providing Prevention of Mother to Child
Transmission service is 493 which include all hospitals, community health
centres and primary healthcare clinics that provide antenatal care. There are
67 accredited sites for antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment in the province
[at least four ART sites per District, three Correctional Services sites and
one non-governmental organisations (NGO) site]. At the end of July 2006, 206
399 patients have been screened. A total of 59 301 individuals have been put on
treatment with 6 596 of these being children. Stable patients are referred to
over 300 Primary Health Care Clinics. Work is ongoing in meeting the increasing
challenge of housing and human settlement in the province. This includes the
review of the Provincial Housing Development Plan to ensure alignment with the
policy framework and assisting 38 municipalities to finalise their housing
development plans.
To eliminate the duality of living spaces inherited from apartheid 2 800
people received assistance in the forms of subsidies and housing to vulnerable
groups during this year. 1 250 hostel single units were redeveloped and
upgraded into residential family units. Other programmes include the transfer
of rental housing stock to the poor and the capacitating of municipalities to
provide sanitation services and electricity.
Strategic Challenges
Honourable members, good progress does not mean being blind to the
challenges that militate against achieving the vision of social stability and
economic growth. Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) is an ongoing challenge. The
creation of an enabling regulatory environment that provides exposure and
opportunities for previously disadvantaged individuals and communities has not
yet been achieved. More critically, we need to break away from the mould of
fighting poverty as an end in itself, but move towards being a truly
interventionist state by creating wealth in numbers in our society.
We are still waiting for the private sector to move beyond its current
commitments to making an impact in the development of our society and the
creation of wealth in our community. In spite of progress made, our youth
programmes are not yet as effective and encompassing as they should be. The
youth is the future of our society. Much more work is required to capacitate,
involve and open opportunities for our youth. The unacceptably high levels of
violence and crime are both a legacy of the past as well as a behavioural
mindset of the present. If left unchecked, our people will remain locked in a
vicious cycle of seeing crime as an escape from poverty.
Crime and violence is also a major issue that militates against our efforts
to showcase South Africa in 2010. For this reason the province is establishing
a fourth Cabinet Cluster, called the Safety and Security Cluster, providing a
dedicated focus on safety and security. With the Intergovernmental Relations
Framework Act being operational, the central issues of alignment, integration
and co-ordination of government across spheres and sectors demand that we move
beyond establishing structures, but insist on their effective functioning and
utilisation. These challenges demand of us not to be complacent or defensive,
but to be self-critical so that we can improve our efforts.
Conclusion
Mr Speaker, our country has changed and so has our province. All over
KwaZulu-Natal women and men are emerging, women and men not bound by the
traditions of the past, not blinded by old hates, prejudices and petty
rivalries, women and men who can cast off old slogans, delusions and
suspicions! A new profound identity is emerging. During the Age of Hope
KwaZulu-Natal is leading the country in building hope, reaching out to people,
acting professionally in running government affairs, looking ahead carefully,
and making strides locally, regionally, nationally, continentally and
globally.
I thank you.
Masisukume Sakhe!
Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
27 November 2006
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)
