Date: 27/05/2004
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: N Balindlela: FNB Gala Dinner


THE ADDRESS BY HONOURABLE PREMIER OF THE PROVINCE OF THE EASTERN CAPE, MRS NOSIMO BALINDLELA, AT THE FNB GALA DINNER AT MERCEDES PARK, East London, 27 May 2004

All protocol observed, let me first state my appreciation and honour on behalf of the Executive Council for FNB deciding on this noble idea of hosting the Executive of the Province of the Eastern Cape.

Times like these where one has time to celebrate with our partners from private sector are rare but important for our partnership. Thank you for your support and words of encouragement you have forwarded to my office. They have lifted my spirits and I know that I can rely on your support in making sure that ours is a good marriage.

The people of the province have spoken; they gave us an overwhelming mandate to govern the province. The Executive Council has committed itself to serving the people with integrity, humility and honesty.

These are the virtues, which must be infused into our governance and administration in this province. We are committed to walk our talk and allow people to emulate the image of government as well.

The extent of poverty, unemployment makes our government consciously plan on how best to alleviate our people from abject poverty, and all other social ills. Our province requires an economy that can meet the needs of all our economically active citizens. Special focus must be on our ordinary citizens who live on spaza shops or are termed as street vendors in our famous areas like Highway in Mdantsane and Enjoli in Port Elizabeth. How do we ensure that they participate and benefit in our economic agenda in a sustainable manner?

I believe that is possible if our economy builds on the full potential of all persons and communities across the length and breadth of this country.

Government is committed to achieving this vision of an adaptive economy characterised by growth, employment and equity. The majority of our people have been restricted from meaningful participation in the economy.

We need to work together with financial institutions like FNB and other finance houses to bring about economic transformation in the interest of the poorest of the poor.

The needs of our people must be met in an equitable manner in the context of economic reconstruction and development. This is embodied in our constitution. Our economy has undergone profound restructuring and your institution should be able to find a niche in a way that ensures benefit to our diverse sectors like women, youth and disabled especially those residing in rural or informal sectors.

I believe that our economy is performing below its potential. The ability of our people to participate meaningfully in the development of our economy and fight hunger and joblessness needs to be harnessed.

We would appreciate your continued reflection and engagement of government as an institution on how best to fight poverty and enthuse the spirit of "vukuzenzele" to our people.

There are market forces that influence our plans positively and negatively and you are best placed to make an input on how best government can position herself for the benefit of people we serve. Our concern is how best can we affirm our people who are in the periphery. If then we do not act speedily our people are becoming more desperate and my find other outlets to channel their energies, which unfortunately are not constructive.

I believe that we are to cement our relationship with all other financial institutions so that our economic success is shared by all. The time is right for all of us to join hands and introduce a comprehensive and focused strategy for broad-based economic empowerment.

Let me once again thank you for your invitation and want to always place an emphasis on the fact that, as this government, we shall not abandon the poor.

I thank you.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
27 May 2004
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)