On 5 August 2011, Limpopo Provincial Treasury hosted the first Limpopo Policy Dialogue Forum in Polokwane. The forum was facilitated by the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Provincial Treasury, Mr David Masondo, with two guest speakers - Professor Vivek Chibber from the University of New York and Professor Adam Habib from the University of Johannesburg.
The interaction was with representatives of Members of the Executive Council (Limpopo Provincial Cabinet), leaders of Government Institutions as well as social partners from among others Business, Labour and the academic fraternity. In this debate, Professor Vivek Chibber explained some of the institutional and economic challenges that South Africa faces which may prevent it from fully defining itself as a developmental state. Professor Chibber further stressed that fiscal resources and appropriate monitoring policies were crucial in the journey towards this. "South Africa has the capacity to become a developmental state. The infrastructure that this country has, in some instances, surpasses some of the developed European countries," said Professor Chibber.
Professor Adam Habib emphasised the need to focus on some areas including defeating corruption, providing the skills that our socio-economic environment demands and an urgent need for bureaucratic integrity. "Empowerment should also mean the creation of entrepreneurs and a process that must benefit the disadvantaged communities to participate in the economy" said Prof Habib. MEC for Provincial Treasury, Mr David Masondo, emphasised that this forum will continue to exist as an attempt to create a dialogue so that we can look at things from varied perspectives.
"We need to be positively critical and discuss matters. This forum must be a platform through which people can express their positive differences in opinion so that we can enhance our democracy", said MEC Masondo.
The Executive Mayor for Polokwane Municipality, Mr Freddy Greaver, also embraced the project as representative of the desire for all South Africans have to "…learn and influence one another". MEC Pitsi Moloto, speaking on behalf of the Limpopo Premier Cassel Mathale, emphasised that a forum of this nature will go a long way in enhancing thought leadership and generating debate in Limpopo. "Our own experiences are a valid position to launch our own paradigms", said MEC Moloto.
MEC David Masondo assured the guests that this forum will take place on a monthly basis. He emphasised that people must feel free to contact the Limpopo Provincial Treasury Communication Services and forward their thoughts and identify topics. The next forum will sit in September 2011. The exact date will be announced soon.
For more information, call/email:
Andile Msindwana
E-mail: communication@limtreasury.gov.za
Cell: 082 809 5173
Tel: 015 298 7186
