Master of ceremonies
Ms Jill Derderia United States (US) Consul General
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi
Mr Logie Naidoo, Deputy Mayor of Ethekwini
Mr GM Dlamini, Mayor of Abaqulusi Municipality
Ms T Zondi, Deputy Mayor of UMgungundlovu District Municipality
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Good afternoon
I am honoured to join you today.
Let me first apologise on behalf of the Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize who could not join us today because of other commitments. On behalf of KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, I would like to take this opportunity to express our warmest welcome to everyone present here today.
My special thanks go to Ms Jill Derderian, the US Consul General. Thank you for extending this invitation to the provincial government. The US Independence Day celebration takes place at the time when the people of this province have just ushered in a new era through democratic elections. They have ushered a hope for a better for future, we had free and fair elections that enabled all South Africans to democratically elect the government of their choice.
On behalf of the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the international observers for their participation in our general elections. The ANC led government will continue to work with international observers during elections because they are an embodiment of a democracy. We were encouraged by the high level of professionalism and the non-partisan nature in which international observers conducted the day to day business of monitoring elections. We thank you for strengthening our democracy.
Honoured guests
As we gather here today, we need to remember that the people of the
United States supported us during the long struggle for political liberation.
Because of their support, South Africans won the right to determine who should govern, and under which principles. As we speak, in the Provincial Legislature reside new representatives of the will of the people.
Since the inauguration of the new Provincial Executive Council the pursuit for peace, tolerance and political stability has become our top priority here in KwaZulu-Natal. We have called on all political parties to work as a collective to deal with daily challenges.
We have resolved to hold each other accountable in order to keep the interest of our people upper most. The ruling party has committed itself to respecting the opposition and we have appealed to the opposition to play a constructive role.
Most importantly, we want to become partners in ensuring the development of this province using debate and channelling our skills towards better outcomes despite our disagreements. We are striving for a climate of a healthy contestation of ideas and friendly competition with a constructive spirit that keeps respect for one another irrespective of the views we propagate.
We want to fight for fairness and justice for those who elected us to serve them. Our main task is to uphold service to our people, maintain contact with all communities not remember the electorate when elections are looming large on the horizon.
Ladies and gentlemen
With the world currently undergoing profound changes fuelled by economic crisis, to further South Africa-US relations serves the fundamental interests of both countries. Intensifying the entrepreneurship revolution, speeding up economic and social development; and ensuring ongoing investments in infrastructure are some of the priorities of the ANC led government.
We want to build South Africa into a modernised country. To achieve this, we will continue to facilitate people to people contact between United States of America (USA) and South Africa in order to develop a skilled workforce with in-depth knowledge in a wide range of markets of industries that will strengthen our economy. As we celebrate the US Independence Day, it is my sincere wish that relations between the two countries will move up to a new stage so that we may meet the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
In 2005, the international community said the right to education will not be established in Africa until 2130. The eradication of hunger and poverty will not be met until 2150. Going into the future we will be judged on what contribution we are making towards achieving MDG. Certainly, the cross-century partnership should galvanise leaders from both countries to come up with creative solutions for the attainment of some MDG goals. Over the next five years our main objectives as the provincial government are:
* maximising the agricultural potential of the province and
* ensuring food security
* provision of decent education
* provision of quality healthcare
* creating decent jobs
* fighting crime
* nation building and good governance.
In achieving our main objectives, we are guided by ten strategic priorities announced by President Jacob Zuma in his State of the Nation Address.
The national strategic priorities are as follows:
* speeding up growth and transforming the economy
* social and economic infrastructure
* rural development linked to land reform
* skills and human resources
* improving the nation’s health profile
* fight against crime and corruption
* cohesive, sustainable communities
* international co-operation
* sustainable resource management
* democratic developmental state.
In conclusion
The leadership of the ruling party has a vision for the African continent that offers equal development opportunities to all people irrespective of their race. We believe that developing stable Africa is the biggest contribution to world peace and prosperity.
Economic development brings peace and raises standards of living. People are afforded quality education and decent jobs. Most importantly, economic freedom gives you the power to determine your destiny. In this way democracy is strengthened.
I thank you
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
2 July 2009
Source: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za/)
