Mhlaba Chamber, Eastern Cape Legislature, Bhisho
26 February 2009
The honourable speaker
Deputy speaker
Members of the executive council
Members of the provincial legislature
Leaders of civil society formations
People of the Eastern Cape
Ladies and gentlemen
I am honoured to be present at the inauguration of this modern new Raymond
Mhlaba Chamber of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. Thank you so much
for giving me the opportunity to say a few words of appreciation.
The Eastern Cape province was conceived in 1992 at the World Trade Centre in
Kempton Park when the representatives of the major political parties in South
Africa reached agreement on the establishment of a new system of provincial
government.
Being a new province, it inherited the administrative and legislative
infrastructure from the past homelands and the apartheid provincial
establishment. Therefore, this chamber, being launched on the eve of our fourth
democratic elections, symbolises the development and progress that has
characterised the democratic era of this country. It also characterised the
important role that our first Premier âOomâ Ray played in âthe struggle for a
free, democratic, united, non-racial and non-sexist South African society.â
In addition, staff in government departments based here as well as visitors,
will every day be reminded of the rich history of this country and province,
when they look at this beautiful work of art. It will attract tourists. Foreign
capital will flock into the province which will in turn boost local economic
development and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the province.
This legislative chamber with its modern technology provides a remarkable
opportunity to connect ordinary people from the wards in which they live,
through the local council chambers and the legislature to the national
Parliament. I discovered during imbizos that the people of this province have a
lot to say, and this legislature should provide a vehicle to let their voice be
heard.
Madam Speaker, the opening of this chamber is for me as MEC for Public Works
and my department in particular a great milestone. This achievement was not an
easy journey. Thirteen years ago when we started planning the revamping of this
chamber we have numerous difficulties to overcome. A sufficient budget was the
biggest obstacle, but thanks to God we acquired R33, 5 million in the 2008/09
financial year to complete this major complex project.
Throughout the construction of this project we as the Department of Public
Works remained firm to the commitment of the Expanded Public Works Programme
(EPWP) to provide training along with short to medium term work opportunities
to the unemployed, in order to improve their chances of finding work in the
future. As a result of our commitment to the EPWP and the aims of the Skills
Development Act of 1998, which aim is to develop the skills of the South
African workforce and to improve the quality of life of workers and their
prospects of work, we have utilised two-thirds of the budget to support local
sub-contractor development. A total of 40 unskilled workers were employed, 32
of them were youth and 15 were women.
We have utilised the services of fast move electrical as the main
contractor. Fast move electrical is an emerging company that went two years ago
into building construction. This project was their first mayor complex project,
which was completed in line with international standards. Madam Speaker, allow
me to use this opportunity to thank them for a job well done.
Madam Speaker, may I also use the opportunity to thank you, your entire
team, all Legislature officials, the project leaders, contract leaders and the
Department of Public Works for a stunning performance. I am proud of us,
because we have brought change and a wonderful portion of art work.
Thank you
Issued by: Department of Public Works, Eastern Cape Provincial
Government
26 February 2009
Source: Department of Public Works, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
(http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
