Programme Director
Executive Mayor of Mbombela Local Municipality, His worship Councillor
Lassy Chiwayo
Honourable MECs present
Honourable Members of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature
Mayors from various municipalities present
Our sponsors, MEGA and Proudly South African
Members of the panel of adjudicators
Finalists of the Exporters Awards
Senior government officials
Members of the media present
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Good evening!
We are gathered here this evening, to celebrate and congratulate the companies which continue to put our province on the map. Their dedication to export our local produce continues to give us confidence that we are as big as any player in the world economy; that as a province, we are a force to be reckoned with, and that we have the ability to claim a slice on the economic pie of international markets, with pride. It is a sign that we are confident about the quality of our produce. To borrow from the words of a British author and writer, Thomas Edward Lawrence and I quote: “All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible.”
I am proud to say that our exporters, both men and women, are day dreamers who dream with their eyes open, and make it possible. They are not the night dreamers who continue to dream with their eyes closed and never wake up to realise their dream.
However it is unfortunate that this happens when our country and the province experience the economic meltdown. Large numbers of our people continue to be laid off from their jobs increasing the rate of unemployment in our province. According to the latest Labour Force Survey conducted by Statistics South Africa, the South African economy shed 267 000 jobs in the second quarter of this year.
Economists believe that the economy could shed up to 700 000 jobs before it starts to recover next year. This also negatively influence the employment rate in our province, with 39 000 people recorded as having lost their jobs in the first quarter of this year. As a result, our provincial official unemployment rate has increased from 24.7 percent in the first quarter to 26.5 percent in the second quarter of this year.
Despite this, indications are that we will weather the financial storm. It is forecast that our provincial economy will grow by at least 1.6 percent next year thanks to our intervention by increasing investment in infrastructure spending especially for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
As our mandate as the department is to facilitate economic growth in the province, we are more than ready to fulfil that mandate and transform our economy to create decent work and sustainable livelihoods in order to mitigate the effects of recession. Amongst others, we will also utilise the asset base of our public entities to mobilise financial resources to fund the accelerated delivery of massive economic and social infrastructure in the province, and we dare not fail our people.
May I also indicate that the process of merging the Mpumalanga Agricultural Development Corporation (MADC) and the Mpumalanga Housing Finance Company (MHFC) with the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) in progressing very well. The Executive Council has just recently approved publication of the bill for the creation of the new entity to be known as the Mpumalanga Economic Development Agency (MEDA), for public comments.
Programme Director, despite the prevailing economic conditions, our exports have done better than expected considering that things started going badly in April 2007, with inflation getting out of control. While the rand remained strong during the financial year ending 2008, fuel costs went sky high. Our exports as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Products (GDP), was 7.1 percent and trade accounted for 8.8 percent. This meant that exports grew by at least 1.7 percent during the past financial year. All we can wish henceforth is for the storm to pass us. In the midst of a storm, you just have to weather the storm.
May I at this point, extend our sincere gratitude to Absa for having been there for us “today, tomorrow, together!” You really lived up to your promise and thank you very much. To our new sponsors, MEGA and the “Proudly South African” Initiative, your contribution is much appreciated. The Proudly South African Initiative was established by National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) some few years ago to promote a virtuous cycle where consumers make conscious choices to buy proudly South African products from companies that adhere to good practice and to our laws. These decisions can set off a chain of events that support local production and create or sustain local jobs. This can only confirm that indeed, “working together, we can do more!
As we honour our social partners, our provincial exporters tonight, who continue to make a positive impact towards re-kindling our economy, it is befitting that we congratulate them for continuing to do much better despite the current situation. I am therefore honoured and humbled to be part of this event, to recognise and honour them. To us, you are all winners because of your positive contribution to our economy. It is just unfortunate that there can only be one winner in a race. Congratulations to you all!
Programme Director, as we approach the national Women’s Day on 9 August, I wish to also take this time to pay homage to women of our province, especially the unsung ones, for their relentless contribution towards the struggle of the human race in South Africa. Some of them never lived to see that day, but their priceless contribution will forever be cherished. You continue to play a very significant role in growing our economy women of Mpumalanga; we salute you! To the women finalists of these awards, thanking you caring about your people and province. We appreciate your efforts to assist us to reduce unemployment and poverty. Working together, we can do more and reach our 2014 goals of halving unemployment and poverty.
As I close, “If you want your life to be a magnificent story, then begin by realising that you are the author and everyday you have the opportunity to write a new page.” Mark Houlahan
Once more, congratulations to all our winners.
I thank you!
Issued by: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
7 August 2009
Source: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mpumalanga Provincial Government (http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za/dedp/index.asp)
