S Sigcau: Handing over of Vukuzakhe Community Development Centre

25 February 2006

Programme director and the Chairperson of committees in the KwaZulu-Natal
Legislature, Dr Meshak Hadebe
MEC for Works in KwaZulu-Natal, Blessed Gwala
Mayor of Umziwabantu Local Municipality, Mr MP Mteshane
Mayor of Ugu District Municipality, Mr SB Cele
Inkosi SS Machi and your council
Councillors from our local government sphere
Mrs Ruth Bhengu and other women activists
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and gentlemen:

In 1994, when we said we were going to create a better life for all, it was
not only a promise. It was a vow born of the African National Congress’ (ANC)
century of struggle for freedom, dignity and prosperity for our people. On the
eve of the first decade of democracy we met here at KwaMachi on 22 February
2004 to lay a foundation stone for the development of the Vukuzakhe Community
Resource Centre. At the time, you raised concerns among others about lack of
water, electricity and better roads.

As your government we noted that and committed ourselves to work with you in
delivering these services. I am encouraged to see that there is indeed progress
on that score. Currently, there are water projects taking place at Harding and
the surrounding areas. This testifies to the effectiveness of government
infrastructure programmes as led by the Municipal and Provincial Infrastructure
Grants programmes.

The road between Deemont and Izingolweni is completely under tar, helping to
facilitate commerce and speed up local economic development. The electricity
grid, which in 2004 seemed to be bypassing this area, is beginning to branch
out to reach the communities in need. Even the project we are opening today has
electricity connected. This all forms the building blocks for the Accelerated
and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (Asgisa) as espoused by
government and led by the Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. The vision
of Asgisa is to mobilise all resources to foster economic growth that will be
shared by all.

Following the announcement of Asgisa, the Minister of Finance presented a
peoples budget that confirmed indeed that what the country is producing, the
government is prepared to share with all the people, particularly those
vulnerable and less fortunate because of the legacy of apartheid.
Minister Trevor Manuel said: “The budget table gives practical effect to our
programme of social cohesion, and in particular to prioritising the needs of
the poor.”

Looking back at our history of continuous achievements, the Minister reminds
us that:
* Today, government spends seventy billion rand (R70 billion) on social grants
that benefit more than 10 million people
* Since 1994, more than 1300 hundreds clinics have been built or upgraded
* HIV treatment programmes are in place in 192 health facilities
* About 64 000 classrooms have been built since 1996 and today only 17 schools
in the whole country still have children learning under the trees and this will
be totally eliminated by end of March this year
* 3.5 million homes have been connected to electricity and water supply
infrastructure reaches 90% of the population
* 3.9 million and 2.9 million poor households are provided with free basic
water and electricity, respectively
* 350 000 new job opportunities are created every year.

Remember this is just the past. These are the real achievements stemming
from our commitment in 1994 to “create a better life for all” and “push back
the frontiers of poverty”

Let me give you the glimpse of the future because as your government we are
thinking ahead:
* In the next two to three years, 46 hospitals will undergo physical
rehabilitation
* School fees will be phased out in low income communities this year
* Government will spend R23 billion in the next three years to subsidise
500.000 housing units
* Government will also spend five billion rand towards improving infrastructure
in time to host a successful World Cup Soccer 2010
* Beginning this year, any body earning less than forty thousand rand (R40 000)
a year will NOT pay tax. Remember government has steadily been reducing tax on
low income earners to put more money in their pockets and reduce poverty
* From 1 April, old age, disability and care dependency grants will increase to
R820 a month and the child support grant to R190 a month.

Today we are handing over a completed R1,6 million structures, which are
going to increase the asset value of local community. The project is part of a
cluster of special projects that the Department of Public Works financed to the
amount in excess of R3 million in 2004 under its rural infrastructure programme
called Community-Based Public Works Programme (CBPWP). Although discontinued in
April 2004, the CBPWP had managed to change the landscape of rural South Africa
between 1994 and 2004. During that time, the programme traversed the width and
breadth of South African rural hinterland investing more than R2.5 billion in
seven of the nine provinces including KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape. More than
four thousand infrastructure projects were built and in excess of 163 000 job
opportunities created as part of poverty alleviation.

The Vukuzakhe Community Resource Centre stands as a beacon of successful
cooperation between government, amakhosi and the communities. The major
stakeholders who were originally actively involved in the identification
process include Inkosi Machi, Ms Bhengu, Ms Tshalata, Mr T Chala and the
members of the project steering committee. The project was identified, planned
and implemented with the local people. It is believed that the Local
Municipality will provide necessary support in the provision of basic services
and in creating further linkages to enhance the project.

The total value of the project is R1 630 487.50, which included a budget for
the physical structure, professional fees and training. The Centre comprises of
the following:
* Community hall
* Youth centre
* HIV/AIDS centre
* Administrative offices (for hire to the government departments and
Municipality)
* Crèche
* Skills Development Centre.

The main contractor of the project was a local based company called NuEra
Construction; managed by Mr J Mbuthuma, who has worked beyond his scope of work
to ensure that the project becomes a success. Every effort was made to ensure
that local unemployed people are utilised during the construction phase in
order to provide job opportunities. There were 198 jobs that were created and
both skilled and unskilled labourers were involved.

Fifty-one percent were mainly women, 23% youth and one percent disabled. The
project engaged the services of the local small, medium and micro enterprises
(SMMEs) for building material, construction of the building, electrification
and social development training. It is believed that this has contributed in
addressing the development of the SMMEs, which is a priority area for the
Government.

The Committee is currently involved in attracting investors to create
sustainable jobs by utilising the Vukuzakhe CRC. It is also the wish of the
management committee to create a small local economic hub for KwaMachi around
the Resource Centre. The Centre will be used as a learning facility, resource
facility, service centre and other important activities for the welfare of the
people. The community would like to see the Municipality supporting this
project as one of the Local Economic Development Projects in this area.

As the country prepares to hold its third local government elections on 1
March 2006, I urge all of you to stand up and participate in the process. It is
both your human and constitutional rights to do so. Without your vote this
government will not be able to exceed your expectations. Remember apathy does
not deliver services nor does it alleviate poverty.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Public Works
25 February 2006
Source: Department of Public Works (http://www.publicworks.gov.za)