North West Provincial Budget Speech by MEC for Finance Paul Sebegoe
Hon Speaker,
Hon Deputy Speaker,
Hon Premier, Mme Thandi Modise,
Hon Members of the Executive Council,
Chairperson of Chairpersons,
Chairperson of Scopa,
Chairperson of the Finance Committee,
Chairpersons of Legislature Committees,
Hon Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs),
Hon Executive Mayors and Mayors,
Speakers of municipal councils,
Chairpersons Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosizibi,
Dikgosimaapara-Nkweagaetsho,
Leaders of business,
Civic and religious organisations,
Senior government officials,
Esteemed guests.
Honourable Speaker, once more it is an honour to table the 2014/15 Medium Term Budget Expenditure Framework to this august house. The year 2014 is an eventful calendar year for the country as it marks the celebration of 20 years of freedom and National General Elections.
Indeed, it is an exciting and interesting year, particularly, in that, what makes the upcoming National General Elections fascinating is the fact that young people born in 1994, the 1994 detachment, often called the born-free, will for the first in their lives exercise their democratic right to vote for government of their choice.
Honourable Speaker, it is however very much unfortunate, very painful indeed, that we celebrated the 20 years of democracy at the time the country has lost one of its legends, a true leader, a world acclaimed icon, the Father of our Nation, the Founding President of our democracy, the late statesman, President Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela.
Honourable Speaker, we salute Tata, we honour his legacy, for he has taught us important lessons about what revolution and struggle should mean to us, the sacrifices he has made as a person for the sake of freedom of his people, the statesmanship he has demonstrated in the quest for the Unity of the Nation, and the Ideals he has shared with us, make him an outstanding leader of the 20th Century.
Honourable Speaker, as we take South Africa forward to uphold and honour the Madiba Legacy, appreciative of the foundation he has laid for us, it is upon the generation of today to live to fulfil Mandela's ideals and carry forward his legacy, to build a better South Africa for all.
What resonate with the past 20 years of democracy is that, despite all the challenges we have faced in the government, we have a 'Good story to tell, and that story revolves around' what the government of the people has done since the advent of the democratic dispensation in 1994, and of great significance is that the 'Good story' itself is profoundly embedded in the life and day to day experiences of people Honourable Speaker, allow me to hasten on the broader political issues so that I can begin to dwell much on issues that are pertinent to our province, the platinum province, and outlined what the current administration has delivered under the leadership of veterans and legends of the struggle of the people's freedom, the Premier, Mme Thandi Modise over the last five years, has been challenging, yet exciting, for it has filled us with many lessons, to transform the lives of the people of this province for the better.
It is of vital importance that before I outline progress we have made on the implementation of the Province's infrastructure programme and other government priorities in relation to the expenditure of the last five year, (MTEF) that I briefly, reflect on the state of the economy in the North West Province, within the broader context of South Africa's economy and the Global economy.
Overview of economy and the 2014 MTEF budget
Honourable Speaker, we must therefore at all material times make an effort and take pain to understand and comprehend complexities of government and economic systems. For instance, the fact of the matter is that we live in the globalised economy and of necessity, we are expected as a country not only to put in place certain economic fundamentals but to follow global economic policies which sometimes put constraints on the ability of government to deliver on its mandate.
The dollar-rand exchange rate, has had an effect on the current price of fuel, and this has repelling effect on economy, for example, consumer spending has risen due to increase of commodity price, and this illustration outlines basics of the socio-economic effects on issues around global economy versus domestic economies.
