E Molewa on vision 2014 in State of the Province Address

13 February 2009

When the North West Province came into being Mafikeng in 1994, poverty
alleviation was some of the government’s responsibilities to change people’s
lives for better.

Addressing members of the Provincial Legislature during the State of the
Province Address, Premier Edna Molewa said the provincial government would meet
the vision 2014 objectives of halving poverty.

Molewa said poverty levels among people had declined as the share of
households living in poverty had actually decreased. “The poverty rate has
dropped to below the population growth rate, indicating an improved quality of
life for most people including the very poor and marginalised,” said
Molewa.

She outlined that fight against poverty was personified by integrated
poverty eradication strategy, which was anchored by four strategic options,
including the provision of basic services, creation of jobs, improving the
effectiveness of the social security system and also implementing human
development and food security interventions.

The Premier said this was the essence of the “War Room on Poverty” programme
which was launched in December 2008. The launch made it possible for government
to go from house to house to identify the degree of poverty so as to make
precise interventions. “We succeeded in this regard and we are now certain that
all the households in our indigent areas can be supported to graduate out of
the cycle of poverty.”

Premier further outlined that provincial poverty alleviation interventions
have resulted in an increase in the number of beneficiaries of social grants
from 15,2 percent in 1999 to 55,8 percent in 2007.

In this regard, approximately 255 000 children are recipients of the Child
Support Grant and 6 000 needy children have been provided with school uniforms
and subsidised centres to the tune of R27 million, catering for 20 000 in the
past financial year alone. “This indeed demonstrates government commitment to
improving the quality of life of children,” said Molewa.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
13 February 2009