Program Director,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Gauteng is a region born out of gold, with Johannesburg being the largest city in the world not situated on a lake, navigable river or by the coast. The region has always provided for culturally-diverse people, attracting travellers from all walks of life creating a unique mixing pot of culture.
Although times have changed the atmosphere of gold has remained interwoven into its natural resources, its people and their cultures, with Gauteng being the gilded hub of Africa that radiates South Africa’s potential, connecting and celebrating the world’s communities.
It is also a well-documented fact that Gauteng province plays a significant role in the economic profile of South Africa. Not only does the province contribute the largest percentage (35 percent) in national GDP, its share is higher than both the 2nd and 3rd placed contributors KwaZulu-Natal (15.7%) and Western Cape (14.2%) combined. Over the last decade, the Gauteng province economic growth rate has typically exceeded that of national average, which suggests that national growth is driven by the province.
Much has been made about Gauteng City Region as a Gateway for Trade and Investment to the Rest of the African region. What this means is that the rest of the world consider the opportunities for trade and investment through South Africa’s filters, that by settling first in South Africa, they will be able to access the market opportunities that are abundant in the African market.
Because of its advantages in terms of production and service infrastructure as well its preferential trade relations (through South Africa), Gauteng will be the ‘factory’ to manufacture goods for the broader African markets. The foreign investments trends in South African companies bear testimony to the prominent role that the country plays on the African continent.
While we are a geographically small province in South Africa, we are however endowed with a vibrant population whose majority consists of a highly energetic and talented youth. According to the recent 2011 Census, South Africa has a population of close to 52 million people, of which the youth between the age of 15 and 35 years, constitute 37 per cent and the greatest number of these young people reside in Gauteng.
As a result, in Gauteng we have place high premium on education and skills developments necessary to feed into strategic areas of economic growth. Through our commitment to skills development we established investment support programmes in the automotive industry in collaboration with industry players. We have also reposition our institutions of Further Education and Training through the injection of requisite resources and emphasis on technological and engineering subjects necessary for economy.
The province’s achievements in education go beyond the Grade 12 results. According to national government monitoring reports, Gauteng has made strides in key areas such as accountability for performance, communications and a clear literacy strategy, which is one of the best in the country.
This is borne out by our strongly held belief that interventions to improve educational performance must start with Early Childhood Development and be sustained across the education system. Above all, we are driven by the understanding that for our economy to grow to sustainable levels we need to invest in programmes that will be benefit the youth who are the future of this country.
Currently we are working on a revival of industrialisation and the creation of SMME development opportunities.
All the potential investors and business people who wish to establish operations within the Aerotropolis are encouraged to take the Gautrain to Sandton, hop into the Gautrain bus and visit the Gauteng Investment Centre which is currently under construction in Sandton.
The main objective of the Gauteng Investment Centre is to facilitate the business start-up process, from the initial application to the start of business operations. All investors can direct their applications to a single point of contact through the various delivery channels that will be provided at the Centre.
On the tourism side, the Airport Cities World Conference and Exhibition is of major significance from the perspective of tourism. Airports have the potential to use "city airports" to produce "airport cities". In the case of Gauteng there is even potential to become an “airport province” as we say with confidence “It starts here”. This is especially true when considering the importance of ORTIA as a gateway into South Africa and Africa.
According to SA Tourism, 8.3million international visitors arrived in South Africa in 2011, most of these visitors arrived through OR Tambo. In recognition of the importance of this gateway, Ekurhuleni, Airports Company of South Africa, the National Department of Tourism and Gauteng Department of Economic Development through Gauteng Tourism Authority have been working in partnership to establish a National Tourism Information Gateway at OR Tambo.
The purpose of this Tourism Information desk is to expand the space to talk directly with our visitors about exploring our wonderful tourism offerings in the province.
This proves that Gauteng is not only a business and convention destination but also a perfectly placed destination for those seeking that authentic ‘South African’ experience. We therefore would like to invite you to celebrate our regions diverse offering that provides unique experiences conveniently within our bustling region. On the city’s doorstep guests can enjoy a variety of experiences that suit every taste and budget.
We invite you to visit the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site which celebrates the origins of humanity, another good another reason to say “It starts here!” The traditional big five game reserve visit has traditionally required a second flight or a long road trip to reach such a destination, but the recently launched Dinokeng Game Reserve brings wild safari experiences to within the boundaries of South Africa’s smallest and most powerful province.
Moreover, the year 2013 is a special year for South Africa, as we enter our 20th year of democracy and it is in Gauteng that you can explore our unique journey to democracy. Visit the Apartheid Museum, the Hector Peterson and Mandela Museums in Soweto, or Consitution Hill or Liliesleaf in Johannesburg. These extraordinarily powerful attractions breathe life into our stories of struggle, inspiration, the triumph of democracy and the amazing promise of the future.
Tourism in Gauteng offers tremendous investment opportunities. The progressive investment opportunities currently in the pipeline include the Roodeplaat Hub in the Dinokeng Project area which will seek innovative solutions to make waterways and natural areas accessible to the public in ways that are beneficial to the local communities and tourism economy.
Two further examples are envisaged for within the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and the Developments on the Maropeng Hotel will make this pivotal space in the Interpretation Centre Complex into a highly competitive large conferencing facility. Investment in a world class exploration centre will advance innovation, science and public access to knowledge. This centre will incorporate exploration into our earliest origins with the almost futuristic science of radio astronomy, both of which are already established in the site.
Having shared this information with you, allow me to thank and appreciate the value of having you here in the Golden Province as both delegates and potential investors. The conference has highlighted the strategic role that airport cities in modern economies can play.
Please go out and enjoy our peoples’ hospitality and all that our province offers in terms of tourism.
As you can see, this is a golden tourism Mecca, where there is always something new starting up, yet the action never ends.
Dankie. Ngiyabonga!
