the provincial budget speech dinner
1 March 2007
Partnership, a key to a safe and economically prosperous KwaZulu-Natal
Your Majesty, Hlanga Lomhlabathi
Other members of the royal family
MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Dr Zweli Mkhize
Members of the Executive Council (ExCo) of KwaZulu-Natal
Members parliament and councillors
Heads of departments
Member of the business community
Ladies and gentlemen
I am not here this evening to deliver a speech at all. That has already been
done by the MEC for Economic Development, Dr Zweli Mkhize, earlier today. I
have however decided with your permission to use this opportunity to make some
remarks around the key drivers of our economic success.
As you are aware we are, at 16,5% today the second largest contributor to
the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) after Gauteng. This is no mean feat
but it is the result of the painstaking work that we have engaged in slowly,
quietly but effectively since we took over in 2004.
Allow me to share with you my thoughts on why I think that we are doing so
well.
There is stability in KwaZulu-Natal. Political animosities have subsided. A
return to the conflict of the past is simply inconceivable. Nobody wants it. As
I have said before we lived through the negative energies and we decided to
embrace a future of peace and stability instead. This was a very important
choice to make.
Secondly, we have the sea. We have built and extended our ports such as
Richards Bay and Durban in anticipation of the coming economic opportunities
offered by the growth of China and India among others. Economists and political
strategists predict that during the 21st century these countries will rival the
United States (US) and the European Union (EU) as major trading and industrial
giants. Durban and Richards Bay are well placed to take advantage of this.
Thirdly, tourism has become a major international industry. We are drawing
the most number of domestic tourists to KwaZulu-Natal. This growth trajectory
will continue. Our scenic grandeur and climate are unrivalled. From the
majestic Drakensberg to the diversified coral reefs, the pristine wilderness
and the big five of eco-tourism on lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo,
we all have this in one province. In fact in one place, the Greater St Lucia
Wetland Park, we actually have the big six with whales added to the list.
Fourthly, there are few countries in the world, let alone provinces that
have our vibrant history. We are a cultural melting pot. Last year we
celebrated the centenary of the Bhambatha Uprising and the beginning of the
Satyagraha Movement. These started in KwaZulu-Natal.
On 11 March this year we are commemorating possibly the country's first
African Christian martyr in Maqhamusela Khanyile. This year we are also
remembering 40 years since Chief Albert Luthuli died in 1967. Very few places
in the world will have such a rare combination of historical highlights as we
do. Let us move from being a footnote in history to making our own history. Let
us tell the story of the Zulu people and that of the people of
KwaZulu-Natal.
I want to say tonight that it is not possible to sustain this optimism
through the activities of government alone. We require the consolidation of the
solid partnership we have already started. This partnership includes business.
This partnership includes the people of KwaZulu-Natal whether they are in
Gauteng Cape or anywhere in the world.
We are pursuing the successful KwaZulu-Natal alumni wherever they may be, in
Cape Town, Gauteng, the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA),
Australia and Asia. Wherever they are we want them to deploy their scarce
skills and experience towards the sustained development of KwaZulu-Natal.
This partnership includes traditional leadership. The Zulu Royal House is
very important in the success of KwaZulu-Natal. It is more than a repository
and arbiter of Zulu culture. The royal house in the person of his majesty the
king represents the unity of our people and the uniqueness of our social and
historical experience.
This partnership includes labour in all its formations. There are few
economies in the world which have grown on a sustainable and long term basis
without the full partnership of the workers.
This partnership must of necessity include various levels of government
working in concert towards one goal. This is a partnership for all. It must
therefore include as beneficiaries and active partners, each and everyone who
has the interest of KwaZulu-Natal at heart.
Armed with this partnership, I do not see how any of the challenges we face
today can stand in our way. I do not see how criminality can thrive against the
solid popular anti-crime front which a partnership with our people will
produce. Criminals will have no quarter to hide.
Employment levels cannot but continue to rise when we have business,
government and labour, working together towards one goal; that of growing this
economy from average to outstanding.
Thus we can multiply by a factor of 10, the hope of our people everywhere
that one day their part of the world, their corner of Africa shall be free.
We shall together be free from hunger because we shall have jobs.
We shall be free from criminality because none among us shall take or touch
without permission anymore.
Let us rise together and take our rightful place in the country and the
world.
Masisukume sakhe!
I thank you!
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
1 March 2007
