Program Director,
Mong mabu, Kgoshi Madimetja Kekana III,
MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Ntate Seaparo Sekoati,
Chairman of Masingita Group of Companies, Ntate Mike Nkuna
The Mayor of Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality,
All the Councillors present today,
Leadership of organised Business,
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Good morning!
I am delighted to be here today to open this marvellous and state-of-the-art Shopping mall. This opening marks an important milestone in the development of Zebediela. The opening also brings exciting opportunities to the people of Zebediela.
The building of a shopping mall is an immense and complex undertaking. It requires skill, resources and confidence. It is to the credit of Masingita Group of Companies who have undertaken this massive development.
I also know that development of this nature, particularly in rural areas takes place through the support of our traditional leadership. To this extent, I feel I must start-off by saluting all role players who have worked so hard to build this important shopping arena.
As I have said yesterday during the State of the Province Address ‘social and economic infrastructure is the backbone of the economy of our province. The next five years will, therefore, see us accelerate infrastructure development programmes to unlock the economic potential of our province’.
The opening of this Mall is therefore in line with our objectives to expand infrastructure for economic development and growth.
What is apparent is that there is no political objective or progress which can ever be registered without economic development; hence we view this mall as very vital symbol for Local Economic Development.
You will know that the opening of this Mall follows a chain of other Malls opened in various parts of our province over the past few years, this include the Blouberg Mall, Mall-at-Lebo and Seshego circle centre, just to name a few.
It is part of the beautiful story of our twenty years of freedom and democracy. It is also an evidence of what can be achieved when the private sector partners with local communities and the government to bring development to the people. It is always a win-win situation.
Our approach to the economy has always been about the need to create a supportive environment for the participation of the private sector. The private sector has a stronger muscle in building of the economy and creating opportunities for our people.
The government is therefore ever-ready to continue the cooperation with the private sector to deliver more projects like this. It is for this reason that we continue with our Affirmative Action policies and legislations which are in the main aimed at ensuring business advancement of Black people in general and women in particular.
The working together that has lead to the construction of this mall is further evidence of the fact that our policies are attractive to investors. The point that we want to emphasise is that without a genuine and serious contribution by the private sector the government alone cannot succeed in the effort to create opportunities for our people.
Our role as government is to facilitate and regulate the environment within which you carry out your work. Experience throughout the world has proved that the private sector is better placed as a driving force of efforts to improve the economy.
Programme director,
The opening of this mall is in line with our concept of renewal and revitalisation of our townships and our rural development programme. Through initiatives such as this Mall, we are truly taking development to the people.
Gone are the days were the people of Zebediela would travel tens of kilometres merely to buy a fresh loaf of bread. Today the people of Zebediela will have access to reputable grocery stores, clothing retailers, furniture shops and banking services, all, under one roof. This is certainly a good story to tell.
I am also confident that the people of Zebediela will support this development. It is a matter of simple logic, the development of Zebediela is dependent on your support for projects such as this Mall.
We do not expect you to leave Zebediela and go to spend your money in Polokwane or other areas. If you spend your money in Zebediela you will stimulate the economy of this area. This will in turn create more other opportunities for the people of Lebowakgomo.
Programme director,
Most importantly, the significance of this Mall is that it provides new working opportunities for our people. The hundreds of jobs which will am told have already been created will go a long way in alleviating poverty in this area.
The alleviation of poverty also means the restoration of dignity for our people. I also know it as a matter of fact that when you chase poverty out of a community you at the same time are chasing related social ills such as crime.
Programme director,
Perhaps as I near my conclusion, it is a correct time to invite other business people in the province to stop the mentality of quick and easy profit, and start investing in development oriented schemes. The government is ready to help.
It is also clear that there is a heap of opportunities in our rural villages, only waiting for smart and courageous individuals to seize them. We must begin to appreciate the fact that if we do not advance our economy ourselves, no one will do it for us.
The government of Limpopo is forward-looking, and in the same spirit we want to invite all of you to invest in the future. Projects such as this are a clear indication of our determination to improve people’s lives, as we prepare for the future.
The future we are talking about is the future where everyone who is willing to work has an opportunity to work; it is the future where no child goes to bed on an empty stomach.
We are working and looking forward to a future where a dream of a better life for all is fully realised. It is for this reason that we have invested and we will continue our aggressive investment in education because we believe that education is a catalyst for development.
In conclusion, I want to once again take this opportunity and extent my deepest gratitude to everyone who has made the dream of Zebediela Mall a living reality.
I am confident that the people of Zebediela will support this Mall and that in turn the Mall will create even more job opportunities for the local people.
Indeed working together we can move Limpopo forward!
I thank you.
