Honourable Speaker & Deputy Speaker of the Free State Legislature
Honourable Judge President and esteemed members of the Judiciary
His Excellency the South African High Commissioner in India, Mr. Playfair Morule
Leaders of the African National Congress and the Alliance
Honourable Members of the Executive Council and Legislature
Honourable Members of the National Assembly and the NCOP
The leadership of SALGA and all local government leadership
The Head of the SANDF in the Free State, Brigadier General G.K. Sibanyoni
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant-General T.S. Mpembe and senior management of the SAPS Free State,
Morena e Moholo Thokoana Mopeli le Morena e Moholo Lekunutu Mota
The Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders
The leadership of the University of the Free State
Leaders of the business, sports, traditional and religious sectors
Veterans and stalwarts of our struggle
Viewers and listeners
Comrades, compatriots and friends,
Madam Speaker, RE YA HLASELA 2014-2019
It is not a coincidence that we are today celebrating the 59th anniversary of the Free Charter. It symbolises a significant moment in time as we commence the fifth session of the democratically elected Legislature of the people of the Free State. This is our tribute to the men and women who adopted the Freedom Charter on 26 June 1955 in Kliptown and proclaimed that; “The People Shall Govern”.
The Freedom Charter became a powerful force in uniting South Africans across the racial divide in a common struggle for the elimination of apartheid and the establishment of a non-racial democratic state. This is the foundation from which we are pursuing the second phase of the democratic transition that requires radical socio-economic transformation.
This is also a historic occasion as this is the first time in 20 years that we bring the State of the Province Address to one of the most rural areas of our province. We are pleased tonight that we are opening this session in QwaQwa and we thank the leadership of the University of the Free State for hosting us here.
Lena ke lehae la mohale wa ntwa ya tokoloho, ntate Edwin Thabo Mofutsanyana ,ya ileng a lwana ntwa ya sedula matswapong. A lwana ntwa ya molamu wa tshepe hore ntwa ya tokoloho e dule e phela mona. Baahi ba Qwaqwa ha e sale ba tshepahala ho ANC ka dilemo le dilemo. Le selemong sena ka dikhetho ba nnile ba tshepahala jwalo ka maoba le maobane.
The African National Congress secured a resounding victory in the May 2014 general elections, retaining 22 out of 30 seats in the Free State Legislature. We would like to extend our appreciation to the people of Qwaqwa and the rest of our people in the Free State for once more giving us this overwhelming mandate. I wish to acknowledge the efforts that all political parties put into the contest of these elections as political opponents and not as political enemies.
Kajeno ke leboha moahi e mong le emong wa Free State.Tshehetso ya hao le dithapelo tsa hao di re behile mona.O bile le rona mathatheng,hara dipula le dikgohola tsa bophelo,ka hoo re ya leboha. Le kajeno re kopa dithapelo tsa lona…..!
The People Shall Govern! Die Mense Sal Regeer! Batho batla busa!
Hon Speaker, the people of the Free State and South Africa have spoken, they have returned the ANC to power because of its tried and tested record of principles, policies and implementation of electoral commitments. They have done so for the past 20 years and because the ANC is their only hope and future. We shall therefore continue with the implementation of our 2009 Elections Manifesto priorities and the National Development Plan (Vision 2030).
We are firm in our commitment to implement the identified priorities in the January 8th statement of the ANC which forms the backbone of the 2014 Elections Manifesto that will bring about radical socio-economic transformation.
These priorities are as follows;
- Education
- Health
- Rural development, land reform and food security
- The creation of more jobs, decent work and sustainable livelihoods for inclusive growth
- Fighting crime and corruption
These are the priorities that define the second phase of the transition. This phase calls for decisive steps to place the economy on a path that eliminates poverty and unemployment, creates sustainable livelihoods and substantially reduces inequality.
The Free State Executive Council, together with leaders from our local government sector, recently retreated into a lekgotla. We produced the provincial interpretation of the Medium Term Strategic Framework and a clear programme of action, for this electoral term. We have formulated clear targets and timeframes for implementation.
Our emphasis remains on the improvement of service delivery in all areas of provincial competency, including the efficiency and effectiveness of local government together with improving the performance of the public service.
There shall be work and security and people shall share in the country’s wealth. (Ho tlaba le mesebetsi tshireletso mme batho bohle batla arolelana moruo wa naha ka ho lekana).
Hon Speaker, this term of government must give effect to our undertaking to achieve radical economic transformation through;
- A sustainable inclusive economic growth rate for the Free State;
- Much higher levels of employment creation and
- A more rapid reduction of inequality, including de-racialisation of the economy.
Ha re hlaseleng bofuma le tlhopeho.
Key to this will be the provincial government’s support of measures to promote local procurement and increased domestic production through progressive implementation of the target to buy 75 % of goods and services from South African producers.
In the State of the Province Address during February this year, we outlined high-impact strategic projects that include;
- The KwaZulu-Natal – Free State – Gauteng Development Corridor and the development of the Special Economic Zone;
- Energy projects such as the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme Project of Eskom and various Independent Power Producers projects;
- Water supply infrastructure projects and interventions in various stages of implementation in partnership with the Department of Water and Sanitation and various Water Boards
- The Mangaung Airport Development Node and the N8 Corridor Development working together with the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. The Maseru – Kimberley rail revitalisation project remains an integral component of this development.
We confirm our commitment to ensure that the implementation of these high-impact projects will be accelerated as this will make a major contribution to changing the face of the Free State economy.
Our programme of radical economic transformation will be further supported through emphasis on the following focus areas;
Infrastructure development will continue to unfold through the construction of roads, schools and health facilities in all districts of the province as well as the upgrading of resorts and reserves.
Kaho ya mebila ka lenane la Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) e tla shebana le QwaQwa Route, mebila e itseng Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu le Vrede, le mmila wa Monontsha Border Post.
I am happy to announce that work has already commenced on the following roads;
- Reitz to Kestell Road
- Zastron to Wepener Road
- Deneysville to Sasolburg Road
- Kroonstad to Vredefort Road (site establishment has taken place)
The rehabilitation of roads will also focus on the following roads;
- Work on the Rietpan road in QwaQwa work will start in 30 days
- Vrede to Memel and Memel to Newcastle roads
- Zastron access road
- Clocolan to Marquard
- Meadows Road ( Bloemfontein)
- Reitz Street (Kroonstad)
The construction of township roads, as part of our township revitalisation programme, is already in progress in all districts with other projects to start within the next three months.
Re tla eketsa matsete a rona ho tsa marangrang dibakeng tsa mahae, re kenyeletsa le ho nosetsa, disiu le terata ya ho kampela, ele ho ntshetsapele borapolasi-potlana, haholoholo ba tswang dibakeng tsa mahae a mehleng le dipolotong. Katleho ya ho eketsa disebediswa e tla matlafatswa ke ho sebetsa le borapolasi ba baholo ho tshietsa borapolasi ba qalang.
Our focus on Economic Development Investment Initiatives will be on the sectors of manufacturing, agro-processing, mining, tourism and waste beneficiation.
In the manufacturing sector, we will focus specifically on programmes aimed at the further development of the Special Economic Zone of which the Harrismith Logistical Hub forms an integral part. We will promote and support the establishment of the Fezile Dabi ICT hub, the broadband initiative, the Mabele Fuels project at Bothaville and solar energy projects at Bethulie, as well as the establishment of a printing plant.
With regard to the local industry development programme, as guided within the Industrial Development Policy Action Plan, our focus will be on revitalising the once thriving textile sector through a cut, make and trim initiative where 250 people will be employed in QwaQwa by the end of August. The progressive growth is estimated to reach 1000 full time jobs by the end of the financial year.
We will increase our investment in rural development through the accelerated implementation of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, which focuses primarily on the provision of social and economic rural infrastructure.
- During his recent State of the Nation Address, President Zuma stated that; “Over the next five years, we will prioritise support to small business, as well as township and informal sector businesses in particular, thus using the small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) development programme to boost broad-based black economic empowerment.” It is our belief that the potential of the Small Business Sector must be unlocked in order to stimulate economic growth and job creation.
- We will accelerate the support for co-operatives in marketing and supply activities to enable producers across all sectors to enter formal value chains and take advantage of economies of scale.
Matsatsing a mmalwa a tlang, re tla shebana le ho hlahlobisisa dikoporasi dikolong tsa Thabo Mofutsanyana e le ho tiisa lenane la phepo dikolong. Hosane hoseng, re kopana le diprinsipala tsa dikolo tsa Maluti a Phofung ho buisana ka lenaneo lena, le ho le kenya tshebetsong. Ho tloha mona ho tla latela dibaka tsohle provenseng. Re tlo phatlalatsa le lenane la dikoporasi tse tlang ho roka diuniform tsa dikolo le Mmuso wa Provense. Re tla simolla mane Ficksburg, Setsoto.
Support will be provided to the SMMEs in various sectors of the economy. An extensive training programme, focusing on the training and development of at least 350 individuals in sector specific industries, will provide critical support. This will form the foundation from which we will implement the accelerated support programme throughout this term.
We will establish a provincial database of informal traders and hawkers, detailing the nature of business and areas of operation. This will enable us to develop a focused support programme aimed at bringing informal traders into the structured economy.
Re tla hlomamisa lenane la profensi bahwebi ba diterateng le bontshang dikgwebo tseo ba di etsang le dibaka tseo basebeletsang ho tsona. Hona ho tla re thusa ho simolla leano le tsepameng le tla thusa ho tlisa bahwebi ba diterateng bohareng ba moruo.
The tourism sector contributed significantly in sustaining national economic growth through the global recession. This sector equally holds the potential of unlocking the Free State’s growth potential. Our focus on the tourism sector will be intensified through a combination of initiatives.
Specific programmes and events will be supported, including the Fauresmith Equestrian Endurance event, the Cherry Festival held annually in Ficksburg, the Bethlehem Airshow and the Powerboat Festival. In addition, we will focus on the development the Ikgatholeng Resort in Dihlabeng as a recreational facility.
We will address the skills development and empowerment of entrepreneurs in the industry through a skills enhancement programme that will provide training to 200 stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry.
The hon. President announced in the State of the Nation Address that there will be a dedicated focus to the revitalisation of mining towns and Matjhabeng is included in this programme. We want to extend this programme to the mining areas of Theunissen in the Masilonyana municipality as well as Koffiefontein and Jagersfontein in the Letsemeng and Kopanong municipal areas of the Xhariep district. We have already engaged with national government in this regard. I am also pleased to announce that we have signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Sasol that will assist us in the implementation of this priority project.
The Expanded Public Works Programme Phase 3 commenced in 2014 and will end in 2019. The programme will continue to provide work opportunities and income support to poor and unemployed people through labour intensive delivery of public and community assets and services. We will create at least 58 thousand 5 hundred and 5 work opportunities in the current financial year.
Together, we move Free State and South Africa forward!
The land shall be shared among those who work it (naha etla arolelwa bohle ba sebetsang hoyona).
Hon Speaker, we will increase our investment in rural development through the further implementation of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, which focuses primarily on the provision of social and economic rural infrastructure.
We have engaged the Minister of Labour to establish the Free State as the chicken hub of South Africa. This will result in major poultry hubs being established in the Lejweleputswa and Fezile Dabi districts.
Other priorities will include;
- The development of the agri-village at the Wilhelmina Farm in Setsoto is nearing completion. We will sustain our support of this project.
- Strengthening agricultural production and agro-industries, and promoting food security.
- Roll out and expand aquaculture projects both to enhance job creation and promote access to high protein food.
- Encourage further investment to promote the production of bio-fuels from locally produced crops.
- Further intensify the development aspect of land reform, ensuring that all land-reform farms are productive and contribute to food security.
- Enhance the success of our recapitalisation programme by continuing to work with commercial farmers to support emerging farmers in exchange for speedy implementation of the land reform programme.
- Increase the number of youth participants in the National Rural Youth Service Corps in the next five years.
Together, we move the Free State and South Africa forward!
The doors of learning and culture shall be opened! (menyako ya thuto le setso etla bulelwa bohle)
Hon Speaker, education remains the apex priority of the ANC government. The key commitments laid out for the next five years are making early childhood development a priority, eradicating illiteracy and improving the quality of teaching and learning in schools.
We will be implementing the following priorities;
- The Birth Certificate Campaign for Learner Admission will be expanded. It will be implemented between July and September each year and no child should be refused access to a school. We will retain our focus to ensure registration of school-going age learners throughout the province, particularly in farm schools.
- Two hostels for schools in farm or rural areas will be added to the hostel programme in this financial year.
- 80 Temporary teachers will become permanent employees by September this year.
- The induction of new teachers and principals will be prioritised and specific leadership programmes for principals will be facilitated.
- Early Childhood Development will be expanded with the establishment of 10 additional centres in poorest rural areas of the Free State. An audit will be conducted of all existing ECD centers to identify training needs of practitioners.
- We will increase Grade R enrolment, expand Gr. R classes in rural schools and give consideration to deploying unemployed qualified teachers and other support to this area.
- Inclusive education for secondary schools will be prioritised with the roll-out of additional special schools for physically challenged learners.
- We will improve the quality of teaching and learning in our schools through the Annual National Assessments and ensure regular communication of learner assessment results to school community.
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We have formulated clear targets for the education sector, including the following;
- increasing our matric pass rate this year to 90 %
- increase our Bachelor pass rate from 40 % this year to 60 % by 2019
- 60% of the learners in grade 3, 6 and 9 should perform above 50% in numeracy and literacy.
- We need to support our second-chance matric learners and at least one finishing school per town will be established during this term of government to ensure that appropriate support is provided to matric learners who are required to rewrite the NSC examination.
- Allow me to pause and recognise the achievement of the Thabo Mofutsanyana district in the 2013 NSC examinations. This district obtained an 88.4 % pass rate, an improvement of 7.1 % achieved in 2012 when the pass rate was 81.3%.
- We will reinforce the use of school assemblies as platforms for learner motivation, reinforcement of values and appreciation of the Preamble of the Constitution, as well as National Symbols. We will also be promoting Moral Regeneration in schools.
- Whilst increasing scholastic performance in Maths/Science/Technology, we will also be encouraging learners to explore Technical Subjects that will equip them with post-matric skills.
- Our extensive curriculum support programmes such as the Internet Broadcast Programme as well as the live broadcast lessons in partnership with the University of the Free State. The Department of Education will also begin to plan for the introduction of e-learning through the use of tablets in schools.
Allow me to congratulate our Free State recipients of the National Teacher Awards who obtained the first position in their respective categories:
- Kader Asmal Excellence Award: Mr Andy Taylor from Brebner High School, Bloemfontein
- Khari Ghude Maths Literacy Award – Supervisors: Ms Jane Motlatsi from Matla Primary Bloemfontein
Honourable Speaker, in promoting social cohesion and nation building, the ANC Manifesto proclaimed that; “A nation united in diversity and common purpose can move the country forward.” We have remained consistent with the proclamation in the Freedom Charter that;
“All people shall have equal right to use their own languages, and to develop their own folk culture and customs.”
Our key priorities in this regard will include;
- The construction of 5 libraries in Soutpan, Luckhoff, Smithfield, Arlington and Memel will be fast-tracked and libraries in Orangeville, Wepener and Hobhouse will be completed by June 2015.
- School libraries will be established in 7 schools through new conditional grant funding
- The project of fitting seats at the Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium in Botshabelo will continue. The track at Charles Mopeli stadium will also be replaced.
- Securing PSL and NFD fixtures at the Fezile Dabi Stadium.
- The development of Community Arts Centres will be prioritised
- Sport, music and cultural activities will be encouraged between departments and municipalities
- Mass participation in sport and recreation programmes will be facilitated.
- The promotion of the Bill of Rights, constitutional values & national symbols
- Social cohesion will be promoted in schools through the placement of 95 artists that will be conducting specific programmes during the current financial year
Honourable Speaker, in our efforts to address youth employment and empowerment, the provincial government will continue working with its partners in the area of skills development and training. Our partners include the Department of Higher Education, our various Technical Vocational Education & Training Colleges (TVET Colleges), the Sector Education and Training Authorities and the National Youth Development Agency. Together, we will achieve the goals of radical socio-economic transformation.
The Free State provincial government is currently supporting students at various South African tertiary institutions as well as tertiary institutions in Cuba, China and Turkey. We have also reached agreement with the High Commission of India that we will also be sending students to pursue their studies at various academic institutions in India from September this year.
We will introduce a new category of bursaries aimed specifically at post-graduate students during the course of this year. By 2019, 250 bursaries would have been allocated specifically for post-graduate studies, specifically Masters and PhD students.
The provincial and local government, together with our stakeholders in the private sector, has agreed to implement a programme that will provide 550 interns with rare skills and 800 experiential learners with placement by September this year. In addition, the provincial government will implement a programme to assist approximately 900 youth to enable them to acquire driving licenses. The programme will be implemented in all districts.
Together we move Free State and South Arica forward.
There shall be houses, security and comfort! (ho tlaba le matlo, polokeho le boiketlo)
Honourable Speaker, the Free State health sector is currently facing a particularly challenging time. We have taken the appropriate intervention measures through the Provincial Treasury and are comprehensively and systematically addressing key focus areas. These include the functionality of our facilities, financial and human resource management, information technology, governance as well as infrastructure development.
We are indeed stabilising the Free State health sector. Members of the Executive Council have adopted hospitals and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that we provide uninterrupted health services to the people of the Free State.
Our imperatives for the health sector include the following;
- the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI)
- implementation of school health programmes,
- intensifying the campaign against HIV and AIDS as well as TB, including conduct HIV counselling and TB testing on 1 million people across the province by June 2015
- Intensifying the implementation of the HPV-vaccine campaign in our schools, i.e. the prevention of cervical cancer
- the supply of chronic medicine will be made more accessible by the creation of health posts.
- the rolling out of the NHI to all districts and the rollout of mobile clinics to farm areas. strengthen and expand the free primary health care programme,
- reducing the costs of public health care in our facilities,
- reducing the maternal, child and infant mortality rate,
- improving the management of public hospitals
The health infrastructure programme, including the revitalisation of health institutions, will continue to unfold throughout the year. A new clinic will be built in Rouxville using the massification approach. Planning for the construction of a clinic in Ratanang in Jacobsdal will commence and the Thabong clinic will be extended.
Our priorities in the area of social protection will include;
- Construction of Early Childhood Development Centres in Virginia and Viljoenskroon to be completed by March 2015 and additional ECDs to be constructed in Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu.
- Providing nutritious food to vulnerable households through our programme of food banks
- Strengthening the fight against social evils in communities
- Revitilisation of welfare services, including improved services to pensioners.
Honourable Speaker, our approach to the development of human settlements, as opposed to the provision of housing, has been one of the defining features of the previous term of government. Our commitment remains to ensure that our people have access to adequate human settlements and quality living conditions through programmes that provide housing opportunities and serviced sites for qualifying households and providing basic services and infrastructure in all existing formal settlements.
We will continue to implement various housing programmes to ensure that we provide decent housing for our people. Retlaleka ka matla ho fedisa marulelo a asbetos hotloha 2014 -2019. The high impact Integrated Sustainable Residential Programme will be implemented in the following areas;
- Caleb Motshabi (Dinaweng) in Mangaung
- Thandanani in Matjhabeng
- Wesselsbron in Nala
- Refengkgotso in Metsimaholo
- Ficksburg in Setsoto
- Matlharantlha in Bothaville, Nala
We will implement the Rectification of Stock programme through the demolition of one and two roomed houses in the following areas;
- Mangaung (Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu)
- Moqhaka
- Ngwathe
- Matjhabeng
- Letsemeng
- Mantsopa
- Metsimaholo
- Maluti A Phofung
Social Housing has become a critical programme to implement as it promotes densification and integration of communities and we will continue to implement it in Brandwag and Hillside View in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.
Community Residential Units (CRU) will be implemented in the following areas;
- Mangaung (Dark City and Silver City Hostels)
- Matjhabeng (Merriespruit and G Hostel)
- Metsimaholo (Zamdela Phase 2)
We will work with Traditional Leaders to implement 300 People’s Housing Programme (PHP) Houses in various villages in Qwaqwa. Tomorrow we will be meeting with beneficiaries in the area of Boiketlo in Namahadi. Ka hosane ka di 27 June 2014, re kopana le baahi bao re tlang hobaahela matlo, haholo holo batho basa itekanelang.
Together, we move Free State and South Africa forward!
All shall be equal before the law! (bonke abantu bayo lingana phambi ko mthetho)
Hon Speaker, the Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy is implemented through the comprehensive provincial crime prevention programme to assist the South African Police Service in reducing all categories of crime, specifically contact crime and stock theft as prioritised by the province.
This programme also focuses on the following:
- Crime and violence against vulnerable groups including women, the elderly and children;
- Substance abuse and gangsterism;
- Capacitating Community Policing structures to intensify the mobilisation of all Communities against crime;
- Intensifying collaboration around Rural Safety and Cross Border crime through strengthening and maintaining our relations with the Free State farming community and our Lesotho counterparts; and
- Strengthening youth participation in crime prevention
The South African Police Services and other law enforcement agencies will maintain and strengthen their deliberations on special law enforcement operations and ensure that hot spot areas are stabilised and criminal elements are removed from our streets and society.
We are implementing a comprehensive approach to intensify our efforts to eliminate fraud and corruption, not only in the public and private sector but broader society in general. Our commitment to cooperate proactively and constructively with the Public Service Commission and the National Anti-Corruption Hotline, the Public Protector, the Human Rights Commission and the Directorate of Public Prosecution continue to strengthen our initiatives.
We are implementing measures to give practical effect to our proclamations. This is evidenced by the following;
- In February this year, we announced that we had commenced with a project to delete the business entities of public servants that are registered on the provincial centralised supplier database. This process has been concluded with a total number of six hundred and ninety two (692) companies having been deactivated from the provincial supplier database.
- We have commenced with a project in collaboration with all local municipalities to ensure the integrity and validity of the indigent registers of municipalities. This will ensure that people who do not qualify for free basic services are removed from indigent registers.
- Our fight against fraud and corruption on our roads, borders and the testing stations will be further strengthened with the employment of 150 additional traffic officers with effect from the 1st of July 2014.
Together, we move Free State and South Africa forward!
(ABANTU BAYO BUSA) THE PEOPLE SHALL GOVERN – LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Madam Speaker, we continue to work with SALGA to intensify our comprehensive support of municipalities. We have strengthened our joint planning and budgeting programmes to ensure that we work together to take our communities forward.
We have agreed with our municipalities to prioritise the improvement of services as follows;
- the quality of potable water by cleaning reservoirs and avoiding the pollution of water sources as well as dealing with water leaks and wastage
- the water supply problems in communities of Rosendal, Steynsrus, Edenville, Senekal, Tweespruit, Excelsior, Hobhouse, Brandfort, Winburg Dewetsdorp, Wepener and Mangaung will be addressed together with the Department of Water and Sanitation. We request the patience of our communities as the resolution of these challenges will be addressed in the medium to long-term.
- the functionality of our waste water treatment plants to improve sanitation services;
- the conditions of municipal roads and roads linking towns and farms as well as
- the cleaning and refuse collection in our towns
In addition, the following priorities will be attended to;
- Conducting a data purification exercise to deal with theft, illegal connections and water & electricity losses
- Greening of public spaces and ensuring that parks are provided in our wards
- Cleaning campaign will be implemented through the Community Works Programme and the Extended Public Works Programme.
- The Municipal Support Programme will continue to be implemented in identified municipalities.
- The improvement of audit outcomes of municipalities remain a key priority
- Municipalities will prioritise their responsibilities towards Early Childhood Development Centres in their localities
- Working with traditional leaders, municipalities will focus on initiation schools and implement a Zero Death campaign
Honourable Speaker, in building a Developmental State, we will focus on improving the quality and consistency of service delivery. This requires improvements in the performance of the public service, provincial public entities and municipalities.
Our priorities in this regard include;
- Improving the capacity of the state through initiatives such as targeted training of public servants through the Free State Training and Development Institute and the School of Government. This will ensure that we turn every public sector workplace into a training space and develop conscientious public servants. The performance management of heads of department and the implementation of the Performance Development Management System need to be improved.
- Making the public service more efficient and effective through improving management in targeted areas such as the professionalisation and modernisation of business processes, including procurement, recognising human resource management as a strategic function in all departments and the improved use of information technology to make service delivery easier and more readily accessible to the public.
Together, we move Free State and South Africa forward!
Conclusion
Madam Speaker, we have a multitude of achievements that we can list but I will briefly highlight the following;
- We have achieved a 98 % rate in access to free basic education.
- Our matric pass rate was the highest in the country at 87.4%, with Thabo Mofutsanyana achieving 88.4%.
- Farm learner boarding school project was introduced to cater for learners from farms and rural areas and we shall accelerate the construction of additional facilities.
- We will be opening 2 new hospitals and 7 clinics during this financial year.
- The Free State has reduced the maternal mortality rate by 43 %. This is an exemplary achievement, not only in the country but the world as well.
- The Thabo Mofutsanyana Secure Centre in Qwaqwa has been completed and it will be opened in September 2014. This will contribute to the creation of decent jobs for the people of QwaQwa.
- ART’s will be provided in 253 facilities across the province.
- The Fish Hatchery in Xhariep will be operational during this financial year.
- In September we will launch Wilhemina Agri- Village in Ficksburg (Setsoto).
- President Jacob Zuma launched the Grain Field Chicken chicken abattoir project in Reitz on 28 February. This project has created 1000 jobs.
- We have rehabilitated 15 primary roads projects in the province
- In partnership with a group of artists we will be opening 13 houses in Bochabela, Bloemfontein.
The Free State takes pride in the fact that the Exhibition on reversing the Legacy of the 1913 Native Land Act will finally find its resting place in Thaba Nchu. The NARYSEC National Centre will be based in Thaba Nchu whilst the Artisan School of South Africa will be in Bloemfontein. Undoubtedly, the geographical centrality of the Free State, combined with our passion and commitment to bring about radical socio-economic transformation, makes us the heart of the country.
We have taken note of the comments and inputs of the public on Lesedi FM as we were preparing this address. Let me acknowledge that we have heard our people raising issues regarding;
- bucket eradication in Vredefort,
- electricity disruptions and outages in QwaQwa,
- misrepresentations around the Motsepe Foundation Bursaries,
- Uncertainties faced by contract employees in the Public and Private Sector.
- Local and International studies.
- The need to service and sell sites in various areas for people who have the means to build their own houses.
We will be taking all of these issues into consideration as we begin to implement our programmes. Indeed, we continue to tell a good story, South Africa is a better place than it was before 1994. Madam Speaker, the African National Congress is the real congress of the people; we are the real economic freedom fighters.
Allow me to thank the African National Congress, Members of the Executive Council and Legislature, the Director General, Heads of Departments and our public servants for the commitment to ensure that we move Free State and South Africa forward.
Nou is die tyd om die mense van die Vrystaat te dien.
Now is the time to serve the people of the Free State.
Jwale ke nako ya ho sebeletsa baahi ba Freistata.
Jwale ke nako ya ho hlasela Botswa, Dikgaruru hadifele. Ha re keneng bohle masimong re ilo lema. Uzo yi thola kanjani u hleli e khoneni. Ha re hopoleng mme re phethahatse boipeletso ba mopresidente Zuma, ha re hlwekiseng dibaka tsohle moo re phelang teng ka letsatsi la 18 July International Mandela Day.
Ke a leboha
Dankie
Ndiyabulela
Ngiyabonga
Ke a leboga
Thank you
