Date: 13/12/2005
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: Balindlela: Christmas and end-of-year message
Christmas and end-of-year message by the Premier of the Eastern Cape Nosimo Balindlela
It is, once again, that time of the year when everybody is doing an evaluation of the blessings and successes they registered during the course of the year. Within this context others begin to look at the year as the year that brought tears, a sense of loss because they have lost loved ones and having been faced by what they would define as defeat as a result of certain mishaps in their lives. At the same time, others look at the year with satisfaction having registered some victories and successes because they made great use of opportunities that came their way. Others felt they lost valuable and crucial opportunities that came their way, which could have had a positive impact in their lives.
It is also that moment for all of us to take stock of a year that was. Whilst it is necessary for us to do an evaluation from time to time, it is equally important that in order to face the future with confidence, we must draw lessons from our past mistakes and take time to formulate a fresh perspective in determining our actions for the coming year and focusing on the future.
As the provincial government we have been faced by numerous challenges in 2005 and we have similarly risen to the occasion and seized the moment to intensify the implementation of the Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP) objectives.
Despite the cost-cutting and belt-tightening measures we have introduced this year, government has been able to increase its funding of the PGDP from R15 billion last year, to R18,2 billion this year. The bulk of this money, i.e. 71%, has been set aside for the poverty-eradication programmes of the PGDP such as providing safety nets for the poor in terms of social security for vulnerable people, job-creation projects in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), free basic services such as water, sanitation and housing, and treatment and prevention services for people affected and infected by HIV and AIDS.
Government is on track in rolling-out the Massive Food Production and Food Security and Nutrition programmes. Over half a billion (R511 million) Rand has been allocated for projects to provide support and infrastructure to commercial and emerging farmers, transform agriculture in favour of the poor and build rural economy. This is in line with our vision of building the Second Economy as championed by our President.
Our aim in 2006 is to strengthen our partnership with business to grow the Eastern Cape economy with a view to provide jobs and fight poverty. Infrastructure and manufacturing support programmes to the tune of R3 billion are being implemented going forward to 2006, from roads, to rail, to our Industrial Development Zones (IDZs) and enterprise finance schemes to strengthen the manufacturing sector, and in particular provide support to those sectors of the economy that have shown huge potential for growth and job creation such as timber industry, plastics, transport, rubber, chemicals and logistics. Together with business and labour, government is busy crafting a Provincial Industrial Development Plan and Skills Development Plan that we will launch at the job summit in February next year.
We have reason to look back to 2005 with confidence and determination to maintain the forward momentum of our decade of freedom, and advance to greater achievements.
As Premier of the Eastern Cape, I rededicate myself to continue to be the servant of the people, and continue to be the champion of the poor.
In the same spirit, I would wish to salute the workers, amongst them civil servants, the women and our youth and wish them well in the coming year. They are the backbone of our province and we call upon them to play their respective roles in advancing our democracy.
Our compliments and good wishes extend to the elderly as they go through challenging times in their lives, having brought us where we are. We also wish all those institutions and agencies charged with supporting our democracy, the media establishment, the religious fraternity and all components of civil society, all political parties in the province who breathe life to our democracy well.
Also I would like to bid my warm welcome to both domestic and international tourists who would be descending to the province during the festive season. “Welcome to a province that is full of unlimited possibilities.”
Finally, it is ironic that this period of celebrations of goodness is also defined by a high rate of road deaths and injuries with devastating impact on the lives of many families. Policies, regulations and law enforcement agencies are all in place to curtail the carnage on our roads, but the key to the lock to stop this is in every road user’s heart and mind. On behalf of government and the people of Eastern Cape, I appeal to all of you to focus your hearts and mind to the Arrive Alive campaign.
I wish you all a merry Christmas and happy prosperous new year.
Issued by: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
13 December 2005
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: Balindlela: Christmas and end-of-year message
Christmas and end-of-year message by the Premier of the Eastern Cape Nosimo Balindlela
It is, once again, that time of the year when everybody is doing an evaluation of the blessings and successes they registered during the course of the year. Within this context others begin to look at the year as the year that brought tears, a sense of loss because they have lost loved ones and having been faced by what they would define as defeat as a result of certain mishaps in their lives. At the same time, others look at the year with satisfaction having registered some victories and successes because they made great use of opportunities that came their way. Others felt they lost valuable and crucial opportunities that came their way, which could have had a positive impact in their lives.
It is also that moment for all of us to take stock of a year that was. Whilst it is necessary for us to do an evaluation from time to time, it is equally important that in order to face the future with confidence, we must draw lessons from our past mistakes and take time to formulate a fresh perspective in determining our actions for the coming year and focusing on the future.
As the provincial government we have been faced by numerous challenges in 2005 and we have similarly risen to the occasion and seized the moment to intensify the implementation of the Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP) objectives.
Despite the cost-cutting and belt-tightening measures we have introduced this year, government has been able to increase its funding of the PGDP from R15 billion last year, to R18,2 billion this year. The bulk of this money, i.e. 71%, has been set aside for the poverty-eradication programmes of the PGDP such as providing safety nets for the poor in terms of social security for vulnerable people, job-creation projects in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), free basic services such as water, sanitation and housing, and treatment and prevention services for people affected and infected by HIV and AIDS.
Government is on track in rolling-out the Massive Food Production and Food Security and Nutrition programmes. Over half a billion (R511 million) Rand has been allocated for projects to provide support and infrastructure to commercial and emerging farmers, transform agriculture in favour of the poor and build rural economy. This is in line with our vision of building the Second Economy as championed by our President.
Our aim in 2006 is to strengthen our partnership with business to grow the Eastern Cape economy with a view to provide jobs and fight poverty. Infrastructure and manufacturing support programmes to the tune of R3 billion are being implemented going forward to 2006, from roads, to rail, to our Industrial Development Zones (IDZs) and enterprise finance schemes to strengthen the manufacturing sector, and in particular provide support to those sectors of the economy that have shown huge potential for growth and job creation such as timber industry, plastics, transport, rubber, chemicals and logistics. Together with business and labour, government is busy crafting a Provincial Industrial Development Plan and Skills Development Plan that we will launch at the job summit in February next year.
We have reason to look back to 2005 with confidence and determination to maintain the forward momentum of our decade of freedom, and advance to greater achievements.
As Premier of the Eastern Cape, I rededicate myself to continue to be the servant of the people, and continue to be the champion of the poor.
In the same spirit, I would wish to salute the workers, amongst them civil servants, the women and our youth and wish them well in the coming year. They are the backbone of our province and we call upon them to play their respective roles in advancing our democracy.
Our compliments and good wishes extend to the elderly as they go through challenging times in their lives, having brought us where we are. We also wish all those institutions and agencies charged with supporting our democracy, the media establishment, the religious fraternity and all components of civil society, all political parties in the province who breathe life to our democracy well.
Also I would like to bid my warm welcome to both domestic and international tourists who would be descending to the province during the festive season. “Welcome to a province that is full of unlimited possibilities.”
Finally, it is ironic that this period of celebrations of goodness is also defined by a high rate of road deaths and injuries with devastating impact on the lives of many families. Policies, regulations and law enforcement agencies are all in place to curtail the carnage on our roads, but the key to the lock to stop this is in every road user’s heart and mind. On behalf of government and the people of Eastern Cape, I appeal to all of you to focus your hearts and mind to the Arrive Alive campaign.
I wish you all a merry Christmas and happy prosperous new year.
Issued by: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
13 December 2005
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