S Ndebele: KwaZulu-Natal Alumni Dinner

31 May 2006

This is an unusual and historic occasion. Never before has a province of
this country sought out its alumni the way we have in KwaZulu-Natal over recent
months; gathered them together under one roof in such a major coming together
of talent, energy and expertise.

KwaZulu-Natal has produced a vast quantity of human talent over the years;
individuals who have made their mark in various spheres of business and other
professions, e.g. chartered accountants, the arts, science, sports and
political leadership and these we term "alumni" of our province. They come from
a variety of backgrounds and have a range of interests. But I believe they have
one thing in common: affection for the province that nurtured them and
implanted the values they hold. That attachment is obvious every time a sports
team from KwaZulu-Natal takes the field in another province and large sections
of the crowd clearly support it.

Many of KwaZulu-Natal's alumni have naturally gravitated toward other
regions of the country where there has been a demand for their skills and
talents, notably this industrialised megalopolis of Gauteng. They have played a
significant role in building South Africa's industrial and other strengths and
we who still live in the home province are proud of that contribution to South
Africa's overall prosperity and culture. Part of the purpose of this evening is
to recognise and honour it.

However, ladies and gentlemen, this is much more than a reunion of those
with their origins in KwaZulu-Natal. It is the meeting of great minds. Tonight
we celebrate the socio economic achievements of our province; recognise all of
you present tonight for the role you have each played in flying the
KwaZulu-Natal flag high through your individual achievements and urge you to
walk the next mile with us as we ensure the province reaches greater economic
heights.

I would like to take the opportunity this evening to share a few thoughts
with you on developments in your province of origin; also to invite you to
contribute in any way you can to make reality of the plans we in government
have for it.

I believe internal and certain external factors are combining to put
KwaZulu-Natal in a position where it is going to play an increasingly dynamic
role in the South African economy and an equally dynamic one in the African
Renaissance to which our President has committed us. Let me sketch a
scenario.

There is stability in KwaZulu-Natal. Political animosities have subsided.
The people of KwaZulu-Natal are at last being allowed to channel their energies
in constructive directions. A return to the conflict of the past is simply
inconceivable. Nobody wants it.

There is political certainty about KwaZulu-Natal. Our legislature has the
highest number of party representation in the country, seven parties in all. We
boast a broad based government in KwaZulu-Natal where no less than three
parties sit on the province's executive council.

Through the KwaZulu-Natal Traditional Leadership and Governance Act of 2005,
his Majesty the King gets formal recognition for the first time. Very soon we
will be passing the Royal Trust Bill which will ensure that the King and the
Royal Household become self-reliant and are commercially viable. We are also in
the process of establishing district houses of traditional leaders across the
province as part of government efforts to enhance and recognise the role of
traditional leadership in our province. This is proof that all the people our
province and all the spheres of our provincial are looking nowhere but up and
forward.

There is also untold economic growth potential for the province of
KwaZulu-Natal. The province's strategic location and its harbours have become
increasingly important. Durban and Richards Bay are the vital economic arteries
of the whole of Southern Africa and the hinterland beyond. In a globalised
world, proximity to harbours is a competitive advantage, making industrial
investment in KwaZulu-Natal an attractive and sensible option.

Durban and Richards Bay are on the Indian Ocean Rim, natural entry points to
Africa. Economists and political strategists predict that during the 21st
century India and China will emerge as major industrial and trading powers to
rival the United States (US) and the European Union (EU). Durban and Richards
Bay are strategically placed to handle the economic traffic that will flow
between those nations and much of sub-Saharan Africa.

The National Ports Authority (NPA) is committed to widening and deepening
the Durban harbour entrance so that the new generation of super freighters will
be able to use the port also to deepening wharf berths and enhancing container
handling capacity. Similarly, Richards Bay is being maintained as a world class
bulk handling harbour, as well as for containers and general cargo.

All kinds of factors are falling into place to make KwaZulu-Natal develop
during the 21st century into one of the most dynamic and economically vibrant
regions of South Africa, a worthy complement to what is already happening in
Gauteng and closely connected with it.

Tourism has become a major international industry and KwaZulu-Natal is well
placed to tap into it. We have scenic grandeur and climatic zones that range
from high mountains to coral reefs. We have pristine wilderness and the big
five of eco-tourism lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. In one place
Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, we actually have the big six with whales added
to the list. Where else can tourists view the largest terrestrial and the
largest marine mammals? We have history. We have a vibrant cultural diversity.
Tourism is already a major industry in KwaZulu-Natal. We are already the
leading domestic tourism destination in South Africa and we are making big
inroads on the international market as well.

Our province has a rich heritage that although we have begun to tap into is
largely unexploited. This year for example marks the centenary of the Bhambatha
Uprising and the beginning of the Satyagraha movement both of which happened in
KwaZulu-Natal. While our government is leading the celebration of these
examples of our heritage this year, there is a lot that can still be done with
other heritage projects and the expertise of some of you will enhance and add
excitement around our heritage campaign.

In preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and beyond we have adopted and
are implementing a strategy to develop soccer in KwaZulu-Natal. This will
include among other things the establishment of a soccer academy, the
resuscitation of school soccer as well as the establishment of a coaching
school. A total of R50 million has been set aside to fund this strategy for the
current financial year.

We are in the process of the construction of an iconic stadium in Durban a
la Allianz Stadium in Munich, Germany that will cost around R1,6 billion. This
will be more than just a soccer stadium but a tourism draw-card and as well as
a centre where we will showcase our diverse heritage.

In our pursuit of liberating the province from the shackles of poverty and
underdevelopment it is our obligation to learn from the experiences of the
international community, to access international resources and expertise and to
re-connect with the global community. In this regard our government has led a
number of international official visits to countries like India, China,
Germany, France and the Gulf. Some of the ideas we glean from these countries
can best be pursued by businesspeople than government. We believe some of you
may want to join us in some of the future visits.

Agriculture is another major economic activity with great potential for
expansion into new niche markets. KwaZulu-Natal's bio-climatic diversity is
such that virtually every food or medicinal crop known to the world can be
grown somewhere in this province.

I come now to the piece of the jigsaw that will connect all these factors I
have mentioned. The construction of the Dube Trade Port, 50 km north of Durban,
will add a new dimension.

The Dube Trade Port will add an airfreight capability to KwaZulu-Natal,
complementing the seaports and connected to them both by road and rail. It will
become the natural entry and export point for airfreight to and from the Indian
Ocean Rim. It will project KwaZulu-Natal as a transport node deep into Africa,
beyond the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

The King Shaka International Airport that will be part of the Dube
development will take direct long haul international passenger flights, giving
direct overseas access to the attractions of KwaZulu-Natal putting tourism on a
new trajectory.

And it will make possible the development of niche markets in agriculture,
fresh produce being flown to the European Union (EU) and elsewhere in the world
virtually on a daily basis.

We are serious about developing KwaZulu-Natal. Within the next 30 months we
will spend approximately R4 billion of new money into the development of the
Dube Trade Port and the construction of the new iconic stadium. Already
opportunities for partnerships are evident.

Our vision is to see KwaZulu-Natal becoming nothing less than the Singapore
of Southern Africa; a place where international shipping converges on Durban
and Richards Bay where international airfreight uses Dube as a jumping off
point for Africa; where international tourists arrive regularly and in
increased numbers and from which fresh produce, cut flowers and other
agricultural niche products are flown daily to overseas markets.

This will bring to life the prophetic words of one of our foremost
intellectuals and freedom fighter, Dr Pixley Seme who in 1906 said;

“The brighter day is rising upon Africa. Already I seem to see her chains
dissolved her desert plains red with harvest, her Abyssinia and her Zululand
the seats of science and religion reflecting the glory of the rising sun from
the spires of their churches and universities. Her Congo and her Gambia
whitened with commerce, her crowded cities sending forth the hum of business
and all her sons employed in advancing the victories of peace greater and more
abiding than the spoils of war.”

Yes, the regeneration of Africa belongs to this new and powerful period! By
this term regeneration I wish to be understood to mean the entrance into a new
life, embracing the diverse phases of a higher, complex existence. The basic
factor which assures their regeneration resides in the awakened race
consciousness. This gives them a clear perception of their elemental needs and
of their undeveloped powers. It therefore must lead them to the attainment of
that higher and advanced standard of life.

I believe this is an achievable vision. The pieces are already falling into
place. My appeal to you tonight is to become a part of achieving it. You as
alumni are the proven achievers, the doers, the movers and shakers. There is a
limit to what government and parastatals can do. We can provide the framework
but we need your ideas, your creative energy, and your investment.

We have deliberately mentioned some of the flagship development projects
currently under way or envisaged in KwaZulu-Natal particularly to boldly make
the point that there is good and rewarding business to be done in
KwaZulu-Natal. The regeneration of KwaZulu-Natal has begun. Our worry is that
given the natural resources and the political will, it is not moving at the
pace that we would want it to do it.

My appeal to you tonight as alumni of KwaZulu-Natal is to become part of
this exciting process, plough something back into the province that nurtured
you and in the process, serve South Africa and the African Renaissance in which
we have such a leading role to play.

That is why we brought you together here tonight, a complete cross section
of achievers from KwaZulu-Natal from all kinds of backgrounds. This is just the
start of a process. In the weeks and months ahead we will maintain contact
through a quarterly alumni newsletter. We will also set up a website which will
act as a hub of information and keep you informed of all major developments in
the province, including a KwaZulu-Natal Investment Conference that is planned
for later in the year.

We will also be reaching out to KwaZulu-Natal alumni who have made their
mark in other parts of the world. Many of these will we are sure wish to
contribute to the regeneration of the place that moulded them into the leaders
that we all so proud of. I am sure that people of your proven organising
capabilities will very soon come up with creative ideas of your own on how to
enhance the alumni campaign. We seek such synergies.

As I say, tonight’s gathering is merely a start as KwaZulu-Natal calls
together its sons and daughters wherever they may be. I ask you to enjoy this
first step of a very exciting journey and I appeal to you to give our vision
and your potential part in it very serious consideration.

I thank you for your attention.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
31 May 2006
Source: SAPA