S Ndebele: State of the Province Address

8 February 2006

His Majesty the King, Hlanga Lomhlabathi
Speaker;
Deputy Speaker;
Members of the Provincial Executive Council;
Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature;
Mayors and Councillors of Local Government;
Amakhosi Present;
Heads of departments;
Excellencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen;
Schoolchildren from Richmond, Trust Freed and around Pietermaritzburg who have
come to hear us;
People of KwaZulu-Natal

A VISION FOR SOCIAL STABILITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

1. INTRODUCTION

For four hours on the 28th and 29th January more than 1.2 billion people in
122 countries had their eyes glued on Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and over 100 000
spectators converged around the city’s racetrack as it proudly hosted South
Africa’s first ever A1 Grand Prix. And we certainly did our province and our
country proud, delivering a world-class event and putting ourselves on the
global map as a winning destination.

I n the past year, KwaZulu-Natal has burst out off the starting blocks and
is blazing a trail to international recognition and regional prosperity. In
fact KwaZulu-Natal is well and truly in the race – be it by masterful handling
of our canoes in the annual, world-renowned Dusi Canoe Marathon; by foot in the
Comrades Marathon, on horseback in the Durban July Handicap – and last but
certainly not least, using an infinitely advanced form of horsepower, in the
driving seat of the international A1 Grand Prix.

We have shown again to the world that we do indeed have the will and the
skill to thrill an international audience. We have once and for all dispelled
the myth of Third-World ineptitude by effectively placing the Province and
South Africa on the world map for hosting high-tech sporting events.

KwaZulu-Natal leads the race
Among those present at the event were: Sheikh Al-Maqtoum, the founder of A1,
major business leaders, many of whom are contemplating KwaZulu-Natal as the
next site for corporate expansion, King Leruo Molotlegi of the Bafokeng, our
own King Goodwill Zwelithini, Bishop Lekganyane of the Zion Christian Church
and Dave Richards, who chairs the UK’s Premier Football League,

Allow me to briefly paint a picture of the phenomenal victory that hosting
the A1 Grand Prix represented for the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Accolades
received in the media acknowledged this feat. An article published in the
Sunday Times on Jan 29, 2006 read as follows:
“Durban business has been booming on the back of the successful organization of
the A1 Grand Prix in the city. Hotels and restaurants have been operating at
near capacity as visitors flocked into the city for the event.”

What Durban achieved in securing the Grand Prix is absolutely mind-boggling
when we consider that this is a World Cup consisting of 25 competing nations,
with 12 hosting countries. Amongst these 12 countries, we have won the race of
nations with South Africa as the chosen country, and Durban, the preferred
venue. KwaZulu-Natal also managed to beat to the post Gauteng, who boasts an
established world-class racetrack, Kyalami. Then, once we secured the prized
host status, we more than delivered the goods, winning a contract to host the
Grand Prix for a further three years. In the words of Emerson Fittipaldi,
former Brazilian Formula 1 Racing champion “I have never seen such a race in my
life!”

And the Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal wants its citizens to know
that the Grand Prix was not a flash in the pan but rather a sign of things to
come.

My message to holiday makers who spend their time in KwaZulu-Natal over the
festive season is: “Come to KwaZulu-Natal for the best and cheapest Christmas
you can ever have. By the 15th January go back to enrol your children at
schools. Come back by the 22nd January for the Wold Cup Motor Sport A1 Grand
Prix which will be held every last weekend of January”.

World Cup, here we come!

We are proud to announce that the 2010 Soccer World Cup semi-final will be
contested right here in Durban,

In partnership with the eThekwini Municipality, the Provincial and National
Government, and the South African Football Association, we will spend R1.6
Billion towards building an Iconic stadium.

Nothing was obvious or easy in securing the World Cup semi-finals for
KwaZulu-Natal. We did it. Nothing was easy to secure the building of a world
class soccer stadium which KwaZulu-Natal never had. After the meeting attended
by National, affected Premiers and affected Metros, a colleague Premier
expressed his amazement that after one hour we had walked out with more than R1
Billion for a new stadium.

It is going to be a landmark. It is going to be multi-purpose. It is going
to be a 70 000 seater. It is going to be iconic. It will be completed by
December 2008.

But what is a KwaZulu-Natal icon? What is a unifying and edifying symbol for
KwaZulu-Natal? Before the end of February 2006 we will be calling for
expressions of interests for the design of the stadium and for what constitutes
an icon for KwaZulu-Natal. We have proposed the name King Senzangakhona for the
new Stadium. His Majesty the King was consulted on the matter and agrees, but
there may very well be other suggestions.

Time is not on our side. The early return from the Africa Cup Nations in
Egypt has been a timely wake up call.

A decision has been taken to have an inter-provincial soccer tournament by
July 2006. This will produce a national squad of 40 players drawn from all
provinces. It is from this national 40 that the final national squad will be
selected. Being in place by July 2006 will give the national squad enough time
to jell together.

For KwaZulu-Natal this means that we begin Districts Tournaments
immediately. The best in the District will then play in the Inter-District
Games that will produce the provincial squad who will carry our Provincial
colours to the Inter-Provincial Soccer Tournament. The District and Provincial
Squad will of course not only exist for national tournaments. Districts will be
playing against each other and provinces will be playing against each other as
well as against neighbouring states.

Like France we now know that we can not be a winning nation by merely being
a spectator nation.

It is not failure that is bad. Failure happens even to the best. The tragedy
is the inability to learn from failure. Part of this revival of soccer in
KwaZulu-Natal is going to be building on what already exists. We have no
shortage of veteran soccer coaches. We will use them.

We have a very strong support base for soccer. African Wanderers is
celebrating 100 years this year. It has very strong grass root support. We will
build on it. Amazulu have strong grassroots support. We will build on it.
Arrows has veritable grassroots support. We will consolidate it. Bush Bucks has
strong grassroots support. We will build on it. Maritzburg United. We will
consolidate and build it. There are many more.

King Senzangakhona Stadium will be a monument to a province reborn - a
province turning its scars into stars.

We want to improve soccer infrastructure in the Province. Part of improving
this
infrastructure will involve upgrading and developing soccer fields, making
soccer administrations accountable, instituting schools and youth soccer
leagues, establishing an academy for soccer coaches and a soccer academy,
providing technical expertise, training to assist clubs in securing
partnerships, creating a sponsorship base; and facilitating partnerships with
big clubs and private business.

Cultural revival

We should build on our strengths. KwaZulu-Natal has strong cultural
heritage. Legend has it that the period form 1828-1838, during the reign of
King Dingane was a period of great cultural development. It is said that this
period saw great creativity, particularly in dancing and singing. After all
King Dingane had come into power because the nation was war-weary. He was
hailed as “Umalamulela owalamulela izintombi nezinsizwa”. That tradition is
still preponderant today.

It was with this vision that the provincial government became involved in
the Kora awards. This is essentially an African version of the Grammy Awards.
It is continent wide and seeks to give recognition to musicians locally right
across the continent. It is broadcast across the continent and across the
world.

This is in keeping with the spirit of the African Renaissance Festival,
celebrated every May, where the people of the African Diaspora pay homage to
what it means to be an African and salute this wonderfully vibrant, creative
and growing continent of ours.

The staging of the Kora Awards was a private-public partnership. The
expectations of the Government in staging the Kora Awards was not met by the
private party. This led to the government to intervene at the last moments to
ensure that the Kora Awards of last December were successfully rendered.

Although the local concert was not well attended on 1 December 2005, the
Awards
Ceremony was a resounding success with artists from all over Africa and the
diaspora present to receive their awards. The event was broadcast live in at
least 40 countries all over the world.

In order to protect the investment of the Province and the artists, the
Government has gone to court and obtained an order that has frozen the assets
of the Kora Entertainment Company which includes the Kora Brand. This means
that this Province can now go forward and run this project and re-position
it.

Courageous Path Travelled

One hundred years ago there was no South Africa. After the battle of
Isandlwana and the Anglo-Boer War the idea that resistance was hopeless was
momentarily taking root.

It was Bhambatha kaMancinza Zondi who ignited the spirit of resistance
amongst Africans, not only in KwaZulu-Natal, but across the continent.

Similarly when the white supremacists sought to confine the Indian people to
Natal, it was MK Ghandi who led the forcible entry of the Indian people into
the then Transvaal. This was the birth of a South Africa as a home for all.

While historians have written about the Bhambatha Rebellion and about the
birth of Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha, they have rarely reflected on how these
two icons defined our struggle against colonialism and racism – not only in
Africa but also in India.
A Council’s decision has been taken by Msunduzi to rename Duncan McKenzie Road,
in Pietermaritzburg, Peter Brown Road and Greytown’s R33 will become Inkosi
Bhambatha Road. The significance of this is that Duncan McKenzie was the man
who killed Bhambatha, while Peter Brown later played a role in opposing the
apartheid regime.

As we commemorate the centenary of the Bhambatha Uprising in 1906, we look
back upon a time when, during the reign of King Dinizulu kaCetshwayo, the
colonialists introduced the Poll Tax (Head Tax) and other regulations designed
to force Africans to work for wages on white farms. The Zulu people, led by
Inkosi Bambatha, refused to bow their proud heads and a powerful spirit of
resistance developed, which, like the battle of Isandlwana, inspired
generations of South Africans.

But for a genuine commemoration of the Bhambatha uprising it is important to
set the record straight. The Bhambatha uprising was a vortex that swallowed
diverse people including Zondi, Maphumulo, Zulu, Shezi, Bhengu, Ngobese and
many others.

The Bhambhatha Centenary Committee has been formed to commemorate the 100
years of the 1906 Bhambatha uprising. This is an inclusive Committee consisting
of AmakhosiakwaZondi, historians, SANDF Reserve Forces, and others. This
Working Committee has identified what is considered as the pre-requisite for
honouring Inkosi Bhambatha. Inkosi was deposed on the 4th of April 1906 by the
Natal Colonial Government. We are legally the successor to that government. But
we are different. How can we celebrate a centenary with Bhambatha remaining a
commoner in our legal historical records. The posthumous restoration of Inkosi
Bhambatha kaMancinza Zondi therefore constitutes the first step in giving him
just recognition. My colleague, MEC Mabuyakhulu and the Department of
Traditional and Local Government Affairs is therefore requested to do the
necessary legal work.

I fully support the posthumous restoration of the status of Inkosi
Bhambatha. I know what Ubukhosi bakwa Zondi and all democratic people feel
about this. I remember the indignity I was subjected to when I entered
Australia and was held at the airport for almost two hours because the computer
reflected that I had a prison record. Others like Mr Tokyo Sexwale were turned
back in the United States for the same reason. We are no criminals and have
submitted applications for that record to be expunged.

The Centenary Committee has also embarked on an ambitious restoration of a
game lodge at Ngome, which will be renamed the Bhambatha Game Lodge. Once
completed, it will be one of KwaZulu-Natal’s tourist destinations with a clear
economic benefit to the people in the area.

As part of the centenary celebration, a Centenary Celebration Committee of
Satyagraha is to be constituted without delay. It will have a provincial,
national and international aspect to it. In September this year I will be
hosting my counterpart and the Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs Sheila Dikshit, as
part of the Centenary Celebration.

The Heritage Park, Library and Museum which will commemorate the memory of
our heroes will be incorporated in the multipurpose King Senzangakhona Stadium
for maximum accessibility.

I am sure that the vast majority of you will be aware of the eMakhosini
Valley and its importance to the Zulu Nation. Many of you, however, may not be
aware of the existing developments that are taking place there. The Provincial
Heritage Body, Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali, in partnership with the Provincial Nature
Conservation Body and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife are in the process of acquiring the
farms in the valley. These, together with the Ophathe Game Reserve comprise
some 30 000 hectares. This land will be developed as one of the Province’s
premier tourist destinations. The consolidation of this Heritage Park will
effectively restore the 19th century environment. The important cultural sites
will therefore be viewed in their historical context.

The Multi-Media Interpretive Centre will be a world-class must see, must do
facility which is unique to the Province. In the broader context the Centre
needs to support economic sustainability by growing the tourism sector of the
Province in terms of the numbers of visitors and rands spent. It should cement
KwaZulu-Natal’s dominance of the domestic tourism market and grow its share of
the foreign market, and should build and support the branding of the province
as the Zulu Kingdom.

We have been attracted to the artistic depiction of the Battle of Waterloo
in Belgium. We intend to replicate a similar concept at Isandlwana. I have
extended an invitation to the Honourable Dr M G Buthelezi to visit the Waterloo
site in Belgium to observe first hand possibilities that exist.

Saluting our past Solid progress has been made with the making of the statue
of King Dinizulu. His Majesty, our King Goodwill Zwelithini had the opportunity
to see the almost complete artwork which is being sculpted by Peter Hall,
assisted by Mondli Mdanda. It will be erected at the lower end of Berea Road,
in Durban, later this year.

The statue of King Cetshwayo, which will be cast in marble, is also nearing
completion. Sculpted by a young African sculptor from KwaZulu-Natal based in
Mpumalanga, the only place where verdite marble is found, it will be erected
outside the legislature in Langalibalale Street in Pietermaritzburg. Amafa,
which is housed in the Premier’s Office, is overseeing the statue’s
installation.

When we cast our eye over all sectors of our province, we see the birth of a
new KwaZulu-Natal, a place which is proudly acknowledging its past while
building a prosperous future.
We have put the turbulent past behind us and replace it with a zeal for
advancement.

Peace and normalisation of society

Mr Speaker, we are no strangers to violence in this Province. The high pitch
of A1, our pristine beaches filled with laughter and appreciation for the
festive spirit bears testimony that we have left violence behind.

In an open display of promoting governance and transparency, the government
of KwaZulu-Natal established in March last year a Commission of Inquiry into
policing. Whilst it is accepted that police are duty-bound to protect the
public, they have an equal responsibility to act in a manner which supports
democratic political life.

Later this year, the Commission of Inquiry will release its report on
policing in KwaZulu-Natal. I look forward to the Department of Community Safety
and Liaison concluding this process and submitting a report.

Forgotten injuries 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 towards KwaZulu-Natal’s history of
politically motivated violence.

But establishing such a Commission could very well itself revive forgotten
injuries and pardoned sins.

After deep thought we decided that promoting the concept,
“Communities-in-Dialogue”, will achieve better results.

It will be local, participatory and healing. The Department of Community
Safety and Liaison will be the lead department in this process. Meanwhile, the
Department of Justice has announced that those people who did not appear before
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, can come forward voluntarily with full
disclosures so that their own personal circumstances might be settled once and
for all.

Consolidating our provincial government

As of midnight the 1st of March, Umzimkhulu will be part of KZN. This will
put an end to the uncertainty that has prevailed in this area for more than 100
years. Apart from immediate challenges of integration it presents the people of
Umzimkhulu with a sense of stability and certainty. As for Matatiele the issues
were two-fold. Firstly it was a consolidation of Matatiele into one
municipality inclusive of urban and rural. Secondly, the question was to which
province will a consolidated Matatiele belong.

Strong feelings have been expressed in this regard on the latter issue. The
issue for us is to collectively ensure that no matter to what province they
belong, South Africans simply because they are South Africans, should be
entitled to development unreservedly.

We have consolidated our provincial government in Pietermaritzburg. The
Executive and Legislature now exist and function within the same precinct,
ending years of fragmentation and “separate development”.

The Office of the Premier is located at 300 Langalibalele Street, the
Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism is at 171 Boshoff Street, the
Department of Community Safety and Liaison is at 179 Loop Street and the
Department of Sport and Recreation is at 135 Pietermaritz Street. Agriculture
and Environmental Affairs is at 1 Cedara Road, Provincial Treasury is at 145
Commercial Road, the Department of Education is at 228 Pietermaritz Street, the
Department of Health and Department of Traditional and Local Government Affairs
are located at 330 Langalibalele Street, the Department of Housing is 199
Pietermaritz Street, the Department of Transport is at 172 Burger Street and
the Department of Works is at 191 Prince Alfred Street. The rest are continuing
to be housed at the capital city of KwaZulu-Natal.

The process of consolidating the administrative arm of provincial government
has not been without its challenges, most of which arose from the different
individual circumstances related to relocation, to which personnel are exposed.
The Office of the Director-General is presently dealing with this issue.

Government’s commitment to come to Pietermaritzburg has been fulfilled. We
believe and hope that this example will motivate the private sector to build
and grow the city of Pietermaritzburg into a true and worthy Provincial
Capital.

The Premier’s Coordinating Forum, established in terms of the
Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, is fully functional. For the first
time the leadership of the provincial and local government are utilising a
statutory mechanism to drive co-ordination and alignment between spheres.

Crafting necessary Laws

During 2005, key legislation was passed by the Provincial Legislature. This
includes the KwaZulu-Natal Public Transport Act, the Procurement Repeal Act
that aligns provincial procurement with national legislation, the Cemeteries
and Crematoria Amendment Act that, amongst others, allows for burial of farmer
labourers on farms as well as the Traditional Leadership and Governance Act and
the Youth Commission Act.

In 2006 it is anticipated that key legislation will be passed by the
Legislature that will enhance and support the vision for social stability and
economic growth. This includes the KZN Royal Household Trust Bill, the Gambling
Amendment Bill, the Sports Council Bill, the KwaZulu-Natal Heritage Bill and
others.

Listening to the voice of the people

The cornerstone of a developmental state is constant dialogue and listening
to the voice of the people. During the past year we made it our mission not
just to wait for telephonic or even postal messages of complaints and concerns
from our people – we conducted izimbizo in many areas in the province. We took
government to the people. In 2005 we were able to hold izimbizo in Amajuba
District, Ugu District and in the Ilembe District.

Citizens’ Charter

The Citizens’ Charter is now in place. This is a tool which, among other
things professes our commitment to seamless service delivery. The Charter sets
out mechanisms and recourse that the citizens have, should they feel that
either the services promised have not been or the services provided have been
exceeded!
NEPAD and International Relations

It is a known fact that KwaZulu-Natal has been leading in NEPAD initiatives
in South Africa. This was demonstrated during last year in Durban when our
communities held a conference called ‘Taking NEPAD to the People’. This
conference showcased community organizations from around the SADC region
including Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Angola as ready to take development into
their own hands in partnership with government. The African Peer Review
Mechanism which was launched on 17 November 2005 will recommence shortly when
the Provincial Governing Council holds its first meeting. It will be completed
in August 2006 in line with the rest of the country.

Mr Speaker, the past two years have also seen a very deliberate and focussed
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 rand grant over five years at 12 million
rand a year to our food security programme. Correspondence received from the
Government of Flanders in December 2005 reads as follows (letter);
* From Germany the Province is gaining invaluable insight into the organising,
programming and preparation for the 2010 World Cup; and
* Strong linkages have been established with India which has become a world
leader in the field of science and technology. A Memorandum of Understanding
was concluded on the evening of the 24th December 2005 with the Province of
Punjab.
This province, known as the “food basket of India”, produces more grain and
wheat than countries such as Canada and Australia, will be sharing their
agricultural expertise with us.

Increased Tourism KwaZulu-Natal is definitely becoming the major tourist
destination of the country. According to statistics provided by the Tourism
Authority of KwaZulu-Natal for the year 2004, the Province received a total of
13.9 million domestic visitors and 1.3 million international visitors. At a
conservative increase of 2% that is projected for 2006, this translates to a
value of R33 Billion to the provincial economy.

Health, HIV and AIDS
I n addressing the HIV and AIDS epidemic, our target of 30,000 patients
receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment by March 2006 will be met. Already by
December 2005 a total of 28,163 patients were on ARV treatment. Also efforts
towards constructing 10 new clinics, 2 new community health centres, 2 district
hospitals and deploying 150 new ambulances are on target to be completed by the
end of this financial year.

A strategic shift in combating HIV/AIDS was the creation of a Chief
Directorate in the Office of the Premier, headed by Dr Ndlovu, to coordinate,
at a provincial level, a fully integrated and comprehensive response.

The immediate priority set for this Chief Directorate is the compilation of
a status report and the creation of an integrated, spatially-referenced
database of all HIV and AIDS programmes, projects, service providers and
infrastructure in the Province.

Furthermore, to conduct a preliminary survey of sector readiness to manage
and mitigate HIV and AIDS impact and to develop a process that establishes
agreement on implementation guidelines which will include verifiable indicators
of achievement.

2. A VISION FOR SOCIAL STABILITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
The State of the Province Address of 2004 and that of 2005 embraced the
fundamental principle of a developmental state, which translates into an
urgency to meet the basic needs of the people, reduce poverty substantially,
and provide work opportunities to all. Meeting these obligations lays the
foundations for peace, prosperity and a better life for all.

The sentiment of these goals are well captured and echoed by the Joyous
Celebration Singers led by Mthunzi Namba, Jabu Hlongwane and Lindelani Mkhize,
who are all sons of this province, in singing:
Let the weak say: “I am strong”
Let the poor say: “I am rich”
Let the lost say: “I am found”
Let the blind say: “I can see”

In July 2005, the National Cabinet Lekgotla developed fundamental principles
to direct the 6th Mid Term Strategic Framework for South Africa. These are
accelerating growth in the economy and reducing the gap between the first and
second economies, whilst ensuring that social security support reaches all who
are eligible.

At the Provincial Cabinet Indaba held at Didima in August 2005, the
KwaZulu-Natal Cabinet took the principles to the operational level, the
emphasis being a marriage between growth and inclusion. The four key
development projects adopted and announced in the End of the Year Report
are:
* The Dube Trade Port project;
* Operation Mbo, that describes the “massification” of service delivery effort
in prioritised areas, commencing with Nkandla and Msinga;
* The Agrarian revolution; and
* Corridor development.

Fighting poverty and creating wealth

At the outset one has to distinguish between poverty of communities and
poverty of individuals. It is the role of Government to deal with communities
that are poor. More and more communities are now finding access to potable
water, roads and electricity and other means of communication.

That gives individuals an equal opportunity to be unequal. For example, once
you have electricity it can be used for different purposes.

The developmental vision for this province is based on the twin goals of
eradicating poverty and creating wealth.

I want to propose however that achieving the one goal does not automatically
translate to achieving the other. What do I mean by this? I mean that in
government since the dawn of the democratic dispensation twelve years ago we
have been clear about the need to eradicate poverty. This has been the central
theme of government’s programme of action to date, and honourable members will
recall that I devoted much of the State of the Province address a year ago to
exactly this challenge. We have always been clear about the dimensions of
poverty in the province, and in the last two years we have made progress in
plotting the spatial dimensions of poverty.

Most of our government programmes are geared, quite appropriately, to
eradicating the scourge of endemic and deep-rooted poverty in our province. In
health we are focused on improving access to primary health care, alleviating
the impact of the HIV and AIDS pandemic, improving nutrition, and improving the
quality and reach of our secondary and tertiary health care services; in
education the challenge is similar – to improve the quality and accessibility
of our education system and facilities; in social welfare we have made
incredible strides in the last decade in broadening access to social security
grants for the elderly, infirm and unemployed mothers. In other government
departments the focus is equally on second economy interventions, providing
employment opportunities, improving household food security, and providing
better access to basic services such as housing, water, sanitation and
electricity.

All in all, the provincial government spends approximately 90% of its budget
on second economy interventions aimed at alleviating and ultimately eradicating
poverty. Let me be quite clear about this. This government’s focus on poverty
alleviation programmes is not going to change the scale of the developmental
challenge is such that for the next decade at least we will be directing most
of our resources and programmes to combating poverty in all its dimensions, at
all its addresses around the province!

What does this mean in practical terms for this government and its
developmental vision and goals? It means that we should focus equally on the
flip side of the poverty coin, namely the need to create wealth among a much
broader cross-section of society. The absence of poverty itself does not imply
or result in wealth.

We therefore as a developmental province need to take on the responsibility
of empowering and creating wealth in numbers in our society.

Democracy has removed the racial obstacles that historically prevented black
people from playing their chosen role in the economy. Broad based economic
empowerment however implies a much more active role of the state. This is what
is meant by broadening participation in the economy and by building an
integrated and inclusive economy capable of achieving sustainable-higher growth
rates – this in short is what is embodied in the concept of Accelerated and
Shared Growth.

As a government we want to be in the leading edge of the crusade of creating
wealthy black communities and wealthy individuals. To pursue the black economic
strategies more vigorously we will be engaging with the sugar industry, paper
and pulp industry and other manufacturing ventures.

Let me take this opportunity therefore to announce that in this year
government will be rolling out a comprehensive set of programmes and
interventions designed to accelerate growth and to create wealth in numbers
that we have to date not dreamt possible. These programmes include:
* Implementation of the Dube Trade Port;
* a comprehensive provincial strategy to build infrastructure, including
appropriate infrastructure for the 2010 World Cup event;
* the roll-out of the multi-billion Provincial Growth Fund;
* the establishment of a small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) development
fund with participation by leading financial institutions;
* increased funding for the agrarian revolution in the province;
* the establishment of secondary and tertiary cooperatives in the province.

In all of these programmes, the overriding consideration in determining
priorities, approving
Individual projects and allocating funds and resources will be the need to
stimulate black economic empowerment, in other words, to create and to spread
wealth among a much greater cross-section of society than before.

During the recent swine disease in the Eastern Cape, similar to the
foot-and-mouth disease that struck this Province a few years ago, I was taken
by the fact that more than a 100 000 pigs were culled, mostly belonging to the
African communities. Of course due compensation were effected. But what stuck
in my mind is that African communities in the Eastern Cape owned so many pigs.
The estimate made by our Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs
indicate that Africans in KwaZulu-Natal own less than 5000 pigs in the province
collectively.

Where are Africans located in the economy in KwaZulu-Natal?

The Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative is going to be of most
immediate relevance to KwaZulu-Natal. We are already seeing this in practice.
KwaZulu-Natal consumes some 7000 goats per month. KwaZulu-Natal itself produces
far less than 30% of this figure.

The entrepreneurial spirit of all the traditional leaders of eThekwini is
extremely significant for KwaZulu-Natal. Amakhosi Community Support Services
have just purchased KwaBotha-Ezimbuzini, a major supplier of the goat
requirements of the Province. The express determination of Mr Botha that his
business should pass to black hands is evidence of a new spirit and true
patriotism that is emerging in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly when it is noted
that Mr Botha has held this business for the past 38 years.

Implementing accelerated growth in KwaZulu-Natal

* Flagship Projects

Mr Speaker, in the End of the Year Report of November 2005 the flagship
projects of KwaZulu-Natal that are set to drive economic growth to 6% and
beyond were announced.
As these projects have really been conceptualised during the latter part of
2005, the aim for 2006 will be to finalise project development, continue with
the consultation process with all stakeholders and, most importantly, to
vigorously pursue the funding mechanisms and capacity issues so that all of
these projects can be rolled out without delay. It is appropriate to briefly
highlight each of these projects:

* The Dube Trade-Port Project

The Dube Trade Port is an initiative set to provide a major economic
stimulus to the province and country by developing a world class integrated
logistics platform at La Mercy, north of Durban.

The Dube Trade Port is estimated to grow import/export cargo by more than
50% and to stimulate local economy and job creation. It is therefore a pleasure
to announce that the Dube Trade Port Project has now been approved by the
National Cabinet as one of the programmes of the Accelerating and Shared Growth
Initiative (ASGI-SA).

At this stage the Feasibility Study has been completed and the land
transaction with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has been finalised. With
the site preparation ready to be launched it is anticipated that KwaZulu-Natal
will be ready to accommodate the logistical demands made to host major economic
activity and international events like the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

* The Agrarian Revolution

During the 2005 State of the Province Address and again in the End of the
Year report it was emphasized that it will take an agrarian revolution to free
KwaZulu-Natal from hunger and grinding poverty.

The revolution is based on the fundamental fact that people cannot grow and
develop physically, mentally and economically on empty stomachs. According to
Statistics South Africa, 35% of the total population is vulnerable to food
insecurity with women; children and the elderly are the most at risk. Food
insecurity and malnutrition are highest in Provinces with large rural
populations such as KwaZulu-Natal where 3, 5 million of our people in
KwaZulu-Natal do not have access to a square meal per day.

This is a situation which cannot be tolerated and our vision for growth and
social stability therefore dictates that no one in the Province goes to bed on
an empty stomach.

It is a well known scientific fact that our Province has the land and the
climate to quadruple current agricultural production. Seen in the context that
Agriculture has a comparative advantage in linking the first and second
economies, this Government has already increased its investment into this
sector.

Various lead projects have been launched across the province to lead the
agrarian revolution, some of which will be briefly mentioned. The Mapophoma
Maize Project, where production was essentially zero, production has now
increased to between 6 and 7 tons per hectare. Production was tripled in the
areas of Nongoma, Emahashini, Nkonjeni, Dabhase and now more than 3 700
hectares are under maize and beans.

Another such project is in the Empangisweni area under Inkosi Zondo. This
area lost all production after the land transfer. Last year the community
harvested 740 ton of maize and 360 ton of beans from this project, earning
close to R 1.5 million for the two crops respectively. Similar projects are
being rolled out in areas such Pongola, Makhathini (Cotton Out-growers Scheme),
KwaNxamalala. In Escourt R10 million has been invested to plant 700 hectares
under maize and beans, to fence grazing land and assist in purchasing of Nguni
Cattle.

The Nguni Revitalisation Programme is well underway. This programme aims to
bring back the lost dignity and pride of the Zulu people. However, we are not
bringing these cattle to just beautify our countryside, but to brand and
commercialise Nguni meat as a unique product from KwaZulu-Natal. We are already
engaging with German scientists in this regard and they will be coming to visit
our Department of Agriculture towards the end of this month.

This partnership is a “first-of-its-kind” breeding programme to monitor the
breeding lines of this herd and to establish a unique database of purebred
Nguni. We will also be investigating various strategies of marketing the
indigenous Nguni meat across Europe and Eastern Countries as our initial focus.
I will be officially launching the Nguni Project on Friday the 10th of this
month at Willowfountain.

Mr Speaker, the role of international relations in our growth and
development can not be over emphasised. Careful selection of international
partners is paying dividends to our province.

We have recently visited India and inter alia visited the Province of
Punjab. The similarities between Punjab and KwaZulu-Natal are quite pronounced.
As is the case with Punjab, KwaZulu-Natal has a mostly rural based population
of whom the largest part is involved in the agricultural sector.

What makes Punjab unique is that this province produces sufficient food not
only for its own population, but as much as 80% of the food for the rest of
India. This is done because they utilize their land potential efficiently,
using appropriate and relatively simple technology and equipment on an average
of 1 hectare per farmer. People do not own large tracks of land but still
manage to feed themselves and prosper economically. The results speak for
themselves.
Farmers in our Province sometimes own up to 600 hectares but still are not as
efficient as the Punjab people. We in KwaZulu-Natal are currently vastly
under-utilizing our agricultural resources with large tracks of land lying
fallow. This situation must change.

Mr Speaker, what we have learnt in Punjab around agriculture is refreshing.
We have already placed an order of some small appropriate equipment to address
the problems associated with emergent farming. Furthermore, a group of hand
picked experts from Punjab will be arriving in KwaZulu-Natal to work with their
counterparts around key challenges facing our emerging farmers particularly
around water provision, low cost irrigation techniques suitable for massive
production but using appropriate technologies.

Mr Speaker, and Honourable members of the House, we have the agricultural
potential, we have the scientific know-how and we have a Government vision of
an agrarian revolution. What we need is increased investment in this sector and
furthermore we need committed and efficient users of the land. The Bi-national
Co-operative Agreement between South Africa and Flanders that has now
redirected all funding to food security is a huge injection into the agrarian
revolution.
The commitment by the Flemish government for implementation over the next five
years with a budget of 7.5 million Euros (approximately R536 million) will go
to improved agricultural production, improved household income and improved
food assimilation and health status.

This exciting programme will be rolled out from the pilot areas to the rest
of KwaZulu-Natal during the latter third of the five year period. Also with
Belgium, the co-operation project with Wallonia cattle and pigs is showing
remarkable results. Experiments with the Belgian Blue cattle are indicating an
increase of up to 80% more meat relative to the other components of the carcass
such as bone skin and hide.

Aquaculture, which has a huge potential in the frost free areas of
North-East KwaZulu-Natal and some of the river catchments areas such as the
Tugela River basin are presently being investigated with Denmark and Sweden.
Belarus, located in Eastern Europe, is yet another foreign country which has
indicated a desire to engage our Province with regard to markets for
agricultural products, as well as mechanization.

A major international project that is directly impacting on food security is
the Mushroom and Rice Project which have been embarked upon with the Fujian
Province of China. Since the start of the Mushroom Project in July 2005, no
less than 30 mushroom sites in the Province have been established and already
70 000 sub-strates of mushrooms have been distributed from which no less 52.5
tons have been harvested. This has so far benefited over 2000 people. Up till
now, a lot of research has also been done and with the knowledge gained, an
estimated one million sub-strates will be distributed during the 06/07
financial year. It is estimated that around 750 tons of mushrooms will be
harvested benefiting up to 30 000 people.

Mr Speaker and Honourable Members, I am passionate about the role that
agriculture can play in our province. The Food Security initiative allows our
people to cross the divide from hunger and disempowerment to being healthy and
empowered.

* Transport Corridor Development

As announced this Project focuses on continued support for the Lebombo
Spatial
Development Initiative that is linked to the construction of P700. The
revitalisation of the rail link in the area of P700 will lead to spin-offs
similar to those seen on the M4 to Mpumalanga. Importantly, the corridor has
the potential of linking Richards Bay and Vryheid.

Significant progress has been made in the construction of some of the roads
and measures to affect the integrated aspect in the planning are in place.

* Comprehensive Plan to provide Water, Sanitation and Energy to the
Province

Initial indications are that the backlog for water, sanitation and
electricity requires aboutR10.7 billion in order to meet service delivery
targets. The magnitude of the problem becomes more apparent when this figure is
compared with the Municipal Infrastructure Grant allocation of R4 billion for
the period up to 2009. This poses an enormous challenge and is therefore a top
priority for government in 2006.

Over the last financial year the Department of Local Government and
Traditional Affairs facilitated more than 98% expenditure on Municipal
Infrastructure Grant, a commendable achievement. Municipalities are also being
assisted to have proper institutional arrangements to implement projects.
Project Management Units have been established in all districts
municipalities.

* Operation Mbo - Massification projects in prioritised areas (commencing
with Nkandla and Msinga)

“Operation Mbo”, is the provincial massification programme based on
geographic integration and coordination, with joint planning and implementation
of projects, that all contribute comprehensively towards poverty eradication,
human development and improved quality of life.

The Cabinet Lekgotla at Didima resolved that the initial focus of Operation
Mbo should be on the Nkandla and Msinga municipalities, both of which lie in
the heart of the province and are characterised by high levels of poverty and
service delivery backlogs. Project implementation will occur in the 2006/7
financial year.

* The Process of Provincial Human Resource Development

In the State of the Province Address of last year, I alluded to the fact
that between 1.4 and 2.1 million people in KwaZulu-Natal are said to be
illiterate – they cannot even read or write their own names. This status quo
cannot be left unchallenged. To tackle this unacceptable situation, the Office
of the Premier and the Department of Education has already worked on a massive
scale programme of basic adult education including the Masifundisane Adult
Literacy Campaign targeting the people. Plans to deliver this programme are at
an advanced stage. The target is to eradicate illiteracy by 2008.

Language is part of the heritage that we should nurture. It is therefore a
pleasure to announce that 469 schools (former model C) which were not offering
Isizulu as a subject are offering it for the first time in 2006.

The expansion of the use of information and communication technology (ICT)
in education in year 2006 will see 1320 schools that already have electricity
receiving computers for administrative purposes, 100 schools will receive five
computers each for teaching and learning purposes.

It is heartening to see the increasing involvement of the private sector in
the education of our people. MTN pledged to set up 17 laboratories in KZN, with
every district having a computer lab of 20 computers. An additional 5 schools
without electricity will receive laboratories. Vodacom has also come on board
by pledging hardware and a subsidy for connectivity of 100 schools.

At the level of the school, I am pleased to announce that the target we had
set ourselves to build 1,500 classrooms by end of March 2006 has been exceeded
by at least 150 classrooms, to a total of 1,650. Nine new libraries have been
built.

Also, the Office of the Premier has, with the assistance from the Human
Sciences Research Council, developed a working document, the Province-wide
Human Resource Development Strategy. This strategy addresses mechanisms to
ensure that KwaZulu-Natal citizens improve their skills through business,
technical and vocational training.

* Achieving our vision through our people

Mr Speaker, central to the vision I have articulated in my address and core
to our underpinning strategies to realize our vision for growth is the people
factor. It will take a specific type of a people to realize our vision for
growth. George Elliot, the famous English novelist maintains: “The strongest
principle of growth lies in the human choice”

The vision for social stability and economic growth cannot be chosen and
achieved by government alone but with and by the people of KwaZulu-Natal. They
too have to choose this path.

It is the identity of the people of KwaZulu-Natal that will determine
whether as a province, we have the wherewithal to realize our vision of growth.
Our heritage, amongst other indices, has many answers to the questions of our
identity. We have, for instance, many heroes and heroines whose memory imbues
us with a strong spirit of identity and oneness.

We find so much pride and energy in the praise words of Bhambatha Zondi:

Umfoka Mancinza kancinyane
Engancinza kakhulu kozwakala.
UBhambatha umuntu ngeqabanga
Abafokazana babhambatha ngemizaca.
Ukhamba olubushelelezi lokaMaPhakade
Abathe bephuza kulo
Abafo Iwashelelela!

Usobhixase inkomo
Ebhixe enye ngodaka emazinyweni.
Ngokubhixa uDlovunga
Kwabamhlope abelungu
Kwedlula akwaba ndaba zalutho

We find vigour in past heroes like Sgananda Shezi, Mehlokazulu, Ghandi, JL
Dube, Pixley Seme, Chief Luthuli, Bishop and Harriet Colenso and many others.
These icons remind us of our rich heritage and connect us to a journey of our
forbearers to

Conclusion

Mr Speaker, in conclusion may I add that there is never any certainty about
social transformation and to expect such certainty is to misunderstand the way
social change occurs. From crises, chaos and muddle that emerge from processes
of change, it is possible to discern new opportunities, social patterns and
positive economic spin-offs.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I have a vision of a prosperous, peaceful and palpably
dynamic KwaZulu-Natal. Through industriousness, relentlessness, focus,
cooperation and consultation we will achieve that vision.

I thank you.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
8 February 2006
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)