The Program Director
Hosi Makuleke
Tihosi
Deputy Minister of Environment and Water Affairs, Ms Rejoyce Mabudafhasi
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Tokozile Xasa
Vhembe District Mayor, Councillor Florence Jombere
Thulamela Mayor, Councillor Grace Mahosi
Ladies and gentlemen
Avuxeni.
Although there have been many great events for the community and the people of Makuleke, each day becomes better than the other. Since the time this community won the right to own this piece of land, the democratic government has continued to make sure their life becomes better and well, each passing season.
Program director, the world is changing fast, and the population growth is making our living space to shrink each time we raise our eyes to the horizon. South Africa, according to latest statistics would have been having more than 55 million people today if not more than 6 million people did not die of HIV and AIDS and related diseases in the past few years.
Despite this mortality rate, the more than 50 million people that are there need food. Our reserves as we speak are shrinking fast, and the price of maize according to our Agriculture Marketing Council will shoot through the roof by June this year. Maize is the basic staple food for all of us in South Africa.
As we speak, the price of petrol has just gone up yesterday. In simple terms, farmers will have to contend to the fact that there is not short cut, but to increase the price of all crop commodities. This type of phenomenon would mean we need to come up with alternative ways of producing food. The challenge we face as a country is not of our own doing, but because we benchmark our currency on the dollar and pound of both USA and Britain.
Program director, I am saying these things deliberately as we celebrate world wetlands with the people of Limpopo and those here at Makuleke. This community that provides a buffer zone between us and Africa’s largest park, the Kruger National Park, is a shining example of livelihoods between human beings and animals.
Without stealing the limelight of the two deputy ministers, the Makuleke reserves should by now be the only or the preferred destiny of most tourists that visits Limpopo. I do believe that the fact that we are here today, provides the necessary reason why next time we come back there should some of the best developments in this area.
The challenges I have just mentioned above have hit European countries and the Americas to such an extent that there’s fear for a repeat on the 2008 financial meltdown. When our President Jacob Zuma was addressing the world's elite at Davos a few days ago, he made a clarion call to developed nations not to forget Africa. We here are saying do not forget Makuleke, do not forget Limpopo.
The Department of Agriculture has developed timelines together with the Department of Land Affairs and Rural Development that each and every homestead should at least have all basics for survival. Each household should have a backyard garden, running water, electricity, toilet and of course a house. These are basic needs that this government has committed itself for.
Program director, it is my plea from the provincial government that as we serve our people, lets serve with honesty and dedication. Those civil servants who provide assistance to our elderly and infirm, those that pay grants, those that provide food to hospitals and clinics and everywhere else, let’s serve with pride and dedication. Let it be a call that I want to serve. The communities should assist us to identify gaps where needs be. We have been elected to serve not the other way round.
I thank you.
