KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements and Public Works Speech delivered by the MEC For Public Works ,Mrs Maggie Govender at the breakfast meeting with business leaders, Durban

Programme director
Head of Department
Business leaders
Officials from all departments
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

I great you all

It is indeed our pleasure to meet all our partners especially our youth entrepreneurs as we celebrate the youth month. Youth has always been in the forefront in the fight against homelessness and other social challenges. This month, we commemorate the historic youth uprisings in the quest for better education and quality of life in June 1976. It is therefore critical for the youth of today to pick up the spear where it fell and lead programmes which are aimed at improving the living standards of our people.

It is undisputed fact that we have achieved political freedom as we brought about a democratically elected government in 1994. However the new dispensation has brought new challenges due to changing global economic scenarios. The recent economic indicators have revealed that our economy is in recession. This is due to external economic pressures as we know that leading economic powers are faced with economic downturns. This economic situation puts more pressure on our already underperforming economy. We therefore have to work together to bring our economy back to its growth path.

The government has initiated various programmes which are aimed at creating an enabling environment for our youth to explore various business opportunities. In its elections manifesto, the ruling party mentioned youth development as one of its priorities. This has to be made a reality. I therefore wish to call upon all well established young entrepreneurs to assist the government in its endeavour
to elevate the youth emerging entrepreneurs to the mainstream economy.

Our department is proud that in this age we still have youth who is willing to work voluntarily and contribute in changing the lives of our people. Upon receiving a proposal from the National Department of Human Settlements to host the youth build our department responded positively. This programme will be officially opened on 12 June 2009 until 26 June 2009 where there will be handing over of 76 houses at Umlalazi Municipality.

Our department responded positively because we understand the role which can be played by our youth in development. The added advantage of this programme is the fact that our youth will receive training which can help them when starting their own construction businesses in future.

Among the 2008/09 priorities of the department is, eradication of all slums, ensuring job creation by housing programmes, accelerate development of houses in rural areas, facilitate capacity building and promote home ownership. I mention these priorities because this programme will contribute in ensuring that they are achieved. This can only be achieved when we work together hence we say “Together we can do more” housing remains the key basic need in the society.

Our department has ensured that our housing delivery process is aligned with other sector plans in the municipalities; hence we work cooperatively with Umlalazi Municipality in this project. Alignment is very important given the reality that housing provides the nucleus around which basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation are provided.

Therefore our department creates opportunities for other sectors.

I want to commend our youth for showing such patriotism as they will voluntarily undertake construction work on 76 houses which will be handed over on 26 June 2009.

It is important to emphasise the role our youth can play in our small growing democracy as we celebrate youth month. However the main objective of our breakfast meeting and the entire programme is to:
* strengthen our partnership with our stakeholders with a view to ensure accelerated housing service delivery
* to create a platform to partner with stakeholders in building houses and profile youth sector and enterprises
* to create awareness on the housing programmes.

Our department has already forged financial partnership with First National Bank (FNB) and ABSA in order to speed up the housing delivery programme. We hope to secure more partnerships in the near future.

The Youth Build Programme is a very important programme as it instils the culture of serving the people among our youth. However, the budget constraints may prevent this programme from being implemented properly. For this programme to be successful, the following items need to be obtained.

* Material for internal painting
* Material(cement and sand) for internal plastering
* Kitchen sink
* Protective clothing
* Household goods (curtains, house numbers, washing lines, garden tools, hose pipes etc.
* Security guards
* Production of Youth Build DVD and live website
• Landscaping and food garden

I therefore wish to call upon all leaders in business to extend assistance either in the form of funds or materials. It is important for companies to willingly plough back to communities who support them.

Public Private Partnerships have produced many opportunities for economic advancement in our country.

Contributions from the private sector through social corporate investment have made significant and remarkable improvement in our socio-economic conditions as a nation. Today, there are many public institutions and houses which were constructed through these partnerships. It is therefore in that spirit that we request our stakeholders to provide sponsorships for our programme to be a success.

It is of utmost importance to note that sponsors, for their contributions will receive certain benefits mainly in the form of marketing. Our officials will provide more details to interested sponsors in terms of guidelines and conditions.

I look forward to work with you in the provision of houses for our nation.

I thank you

Issued by: Department of Human Settlements and Public Works, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
8 June 2009
Source: Department of Human Settlements and Public Works, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kznworks.gov.za)


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