Programme Director,
MECs present
Executive mayors
Mayors
Speakers
Chief whips
Municipal managers
Heads of departments
NHBRC
HAD
SALGA Limpopo
Banking institutions
Members of the Advisory panel
Members of the Limpopo Rental Housing Tribunal
DBSA
Mining institutions
House of traditional leaders
Members of the media
Distinguished guests
Comrades and friends
Ladies and gentlemen
Programme director,
Tonight, we are hosting Provincial Govan Mbeki Human Settlements awards at the time when the nation is commemorating the month for women. Let me take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to all the women of our province for a happy women`s month. This month is of historical significance as we continue to pursue our goal of a united, non racist, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa which prides itself on the values enshrined in our Constitution.
Having celebrated 20 years of freedom and democracy into a society based on the principles of equality and justice, we must reflect on the gains we have made together and the challenges that still remain as we continue to work for the building of an equal and non-sexist society. We have travelled a long way since August 9, 1956, the day of the historic Women`s March of that year. Indeed South African women live in a better South Africa than it was before 1994.
We continue to be inspired by examples set by the countless heroines of our struggle such as Getrude Shope, Lillian Ngoyi, Albertina Sisulu, Helen Joseph, Ruth First, Adelaide Tambo, Amina Cachalia, Epainette Mbeki and many others.
The courage, determination and heroism of the many women we have mentioned and other unsung heroines, and the central role of the masses of women of our country in the struggle for liberation galvanized our democratic government to put the critical matter of the emancipation and empowerment of women at the centre of the democratic order. I am sure that many of you have seen with your own eyes that if there is a magic bullet for successful development, it can be summed up in two words: Educate women!
Today and beyond we should keep the memories of our heroines alive, for it constantly reminds us to hold our freedom very dear, as it was achieved through great sacrifice and loss. We must use the same courage, determination and heroism to drive us to work to the best of our abilities in the spirit of women empowerment and development so that together we can realize our vision of a society in which women are equal and active partners in building this country and are real beneficiaries of the new socio-economic order.
Women should occupy their rightful place as leaders of our people and this government has made important progress in our governments and legislatures at all levels. Sometimes in our lives we need to ask ourselves tough questions such as, what right do we have to hold back and not give our all to the poorest and the homeless of our people? Do we have that right? If yes, where is it enshrined? We are here tonight because our gallant men and women who chose not to hold back. They chose to do something about the plight of our people and therefore they deserve recognition.
The least we can do is to take part meaningfully in our respective fields in the reconstruction and development of society to ensure a better life for all. We know that in all the things we do, the main challenge has always been the struggle against poverty and underdevelopment. This is a struggle to be pursued by all of us.
Programme director,
It is for this very reason that we are gathered here this evening with all our partners in the housing field to celebrate the Govan Mbeki Human Settlements awards for the work done in the financial year 2012/13. The awards we are handing out tonight are the kind that will make any recipient very proud to be associated with as they bear a name of one our struggle icons, Oom Govan Mbeki. He would himself feel no shame at being associated with these awards but feel very proud given what is happening here tonight. As we honour our men and women on this occasion, we do so because we strongly believe that they exude rare qualities of selflessness and utter devotion to the plight and cause of the oppressed and exploited thousands of our province.
This is exactly what Oom Govan Mbeki stood and fought for as the leader of our people over many decades. He was described as an organizer and tonight we want to give recognition to those who have organized their resources, human and otherwise to do their best in responding to the voice of the Freedom Charter where it says: "There shall be houses, security and comfort"
It must be mentioned here and now that no amount of words can sufficiently stress and emphasize the importance of owning a house, having security and living comfortably. These are the things our people yearn on a daily basis. It is therefore perfectly justified that we are congregated here today to celebrate unselfish human commitment to the challenges faced by the poor of our people in the terrain of housing. Oom Govan fought selflessly so that workers who are the mainstay of the South African economy should have homes and secure tenure. We surely need workers in the delivery of quality sustainable human settlement. They are an important resource to human settlements delivery.
These awards, as they have come to be known, honour role players in the human settlements value chain, including developers, building contractors, banking sector, community based organizations, mining sector, building material suppliers, professional associations that have committed to partner with government in building sustainable human settlements and making the millennium development goals achievable.
It is my firm belief that these awards will serve to motivate all stakeholders in the housing industry to harness human and other resources in accelerating housing delivery. This we must do to improve the lives of millions of poor people by continuing to build sustainable livelihoods, communities and human settlements, providing choice of quality housing, opportunities with secure tenure and access to social amenities.
Programme director,
It is in that understanding that through these awards; we take the course of building a caring society as we continue to provide shelter to our people. Tonight is a confirmation that nothing is beyond reach of those who have vision, understanding and commitment. With these three attributes, we must step boldly into the world and the world will give us whatever we ask of it.
As the spotlight is lit brightly on our men and women, organisations and formations who have responded positively to the challenge of housing our people in this very province, we must use this opportunity to share information, lessons learnt and to also strengthen existing networks and establish and develop new partnership. We must do this while taking into account the damage of separate development which was enforced by the apartheid`s Group Areas Act that was passed way back in 1950. Such an undesirable legacy must be reversed and it calls on all of us to go beyond the normal call of duty and do our work diligently and excellently.
It calls on all of us to beef up our approaches to building cohesive and sustainable communities with a clear focus to development of integrated and de-radicalised human settlements. It is everybody`s responsibility, gathered here in this manner, to build a truly united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society. This remains a social transformation imperative that we must continue to pursue with all our might. We must not be side-tracked when it comes to this important national imperative.
Programme director,
The country`s National Development Plan (NDP) says South Africa is faced with addressing the accommodation needs of the mass of its population in a way that builds long term settlement sustainability and strengthen the capabilities and livelihood prospects of its citizens. As part of the department`s Integrated Human Settlements programme, we aspire to bridge the divide between all races, rich and poor. These innovative programmes are indeed changing our landscapes, reversing apartheid settlements patterns. We must all participate.
Programme director,
In honouring different nominees tonight, I must emphasise that the test of any man`s character lies on how they take praise. We surely praise you for a job well done. The very fact that you are being honoured tonight should tell you that government does not take you for granted in your efforts of assisting in the creation of a better life for all.
We take this time to pat you on the back for the patriotic victories you have scored for the people of Limpopo. We are proud of you and you have every reason to be proud of yourselves. The thousands of people who now have homes are also celebrating with from wherever they are in the four cardinal points of Limpopo. You have indeed made a monumental difference in their lives. To that we say bravo!
Let tonight go beyond just receiving accolades. Continue to create jobs for the jobless, continue to assist in the eradication of poverty and continue in your efforts to bring the much needed improvements in the lives of our people.
We urge you not to be complacent; there is still work to be done. It goes to show how much can be achieved when Government works with partners whose passion is unparalleled. Let these awards serve as personal inspirations but most importantly inspire those that still share a view that it is impossible to deliver a quality product for our people. Tell them that it is very much possible to deliver good quality housing products that we can all be proud of.
Ours is a revolutionary task to create a better province. It is both an individual and a collective task. Let me indicate that the delivery of service is in the main, a government responsibility. However, the private sector, business community, community based organisations and individuals have a serious role to play in the delivery of services to our people.
As a department, we would like to thank and acknowledge all stakeholders who as and when we reach out to them requesting one intervention or the other, respond positively and go an extra mile by delivering one or two services for our people. Together, we can do more - even much better to move South Africa forward. There is a huge demand for houses and believe me; the need for houses grows daily. To satisfy this demand, Government has to be assisted. It is a challenge, but progress is being made. I therefore want to challenge every one of us tonight to join hands in this regard.
Congratulations to all the winners here tonight. To all the contestants, especially to those who are going to compete at national, know that the whole province is behind you, all the way. Just by representing us at the National Awards Ceremony, you have already won. Go hoist our Limpopo flag high and represent our province of Peace. Together we move South Africa forward.
I thank you.
