Date: 13/05/2004
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: N Balindlela: Water delivery agencies and organisations meeting
ADDRESS OF EASTERN CAPE PREMIER, NOSIMO BALINDLELA, AT WATER DELIVERY AGENCIES AND ORGANISATIONS MEETING, State House, Bisho, 13 May 2004
Firstly, allow me to thank the water delivery agencies and organisations of the province for the role they have played in the reconstruction and economic development of the Eastern Cape.
Thank you for the confidence you have shown in me as the first female Premier of the Eastern Cape Province. I have been overwhelmed by well wishes and letters of congratulations in both the media and through personal correspondence.
Government intends building on what we have achieved together over the past ten years of freedom in strengthening the social compact between government and Stakeholders, and water delivery agencies and organisations.
We must continue to improve government - stakeholders' relations for good governance and delivery of services to the poorest of the poor in our province.
We are at a critical era in South Africa's new democratic life. We have just completed the first decade, which is full of great examples of successes in policy and strategy development aimed at improving the well being of the people of this province.
This year will celebrate the 10th millionth person receiving access to water since 1994. Our government has shown that it is possible to create a better life for our people. For the ten million beneficiaries, they are no more caring heavy water containers for long distances, no more taking water from polluted rivers and streams, no more taking water long distances up and down the hills. We have reduced the high levels of diseases and deaths from crocodile attacks as well as cholera. To date, free basic water services have been provided by 87% of Local governments; 49.4% is of the poor population.
There are still more challenges ahead of us; hence we are gathered here today to share our experiences in order to pave a way forward. We must make sure that those who have not yet received water and sanitation services, receive them in the shortest possible time. Government is working towards ensuring that by 2008, those of our people that are not receiving water will have access to clean water, and that by 2010 all our people will have access to basic sanitation. We must together strive for this and I am confident that we shall not fail.
Without your full participation and ownership of the programmes of government aimed at addressing these ills, these will not be easy to realise.
In line with the overwhelming mandate that we have received from the people of the Province, the Executive Council has adopted a programme of hundred days to ensure that we register quick deliverables, thereby setting a tone for the current term and beyond. As people committed to serving all the people of the province with humility, honesty and integrity, we extend our gratitude to you and all the people of the province for having displayed such a high degree of confidence in our government.
As people with such an influence in how we turn around the province to achieve our strategic goals of the Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP), the universe expects us to collaborate in a manner not seen before. We have committed ourselves not to abandon the poor and in that regard we wish to get your ideas on how can we first register the desired quick deliverables within this 100 days and sustain that impact for this term of government. Currently we are running a campaign to get ideas from different stakeholders as contributions to "TIPS FOR THE PREMIER" and Executive Council members.
As one of the change agents, we expect you to bring on board the established water organisations and volunteers including those aspiring from the remotest areas of our province to take up the challenge and contribute in identifying critical areas for urgent interventions.
As government, we will get closer to the people especially the very poor during our 100 days. Meetings will be held across all districts and will include door-to-door visits, stakeholders meetings and public gatherings. We expect business community in all these visits to constitute a significant part of those people. Simultaneously we will continue to celebrate ten years of freedom.
I thank you.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
13 May 2004
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: N Balindlela: Water delivery agencies and organisations meeting
ADDRESS OF EASTERN CAPE PREMIER, NOSIMO BALINDLELA, AT WATER DELIVERY AGENCIES AND ORGANISATIONS MEETING, State House, Bisho, 13 May 2004
Firstly, allow me to thank the water delivery agencies and organisations of the province for the role they have played in the reconstruction and economic development of the Eastern Cape.
Thank you for the confidence you have shown in me as the first female Premier of the Eastern Cape Province. I have been overwhelmed by well wishes and letters of congratulations in both the media and through personal correspondence.
Government intends building on what we have achieved together over the past ten years of freedom in strengthening the social compact between government and Stakeholders, and water delivery agencies and organisations.
We must continue to improve government - stakeholders' relations for good governance and delivery of services to the poorest of the poor in our province.
We are at a critical era in South Africa's new democratic life. We have just completed the first decade, which is full of great examples of successes in policy and strategy development aimed at improving the well being of the people of this province.
This year will celebrate the 10th millionth person receiving access to water since 1994. Our government has shown that it is possible to create a better life for our people. For the ten million beneficiaries, they are no more caring heavy water containers for long distances, no more taking water from polluted rivers and streams, no more taking water long distances up and down the hills. We have reduced the high levels of diseases and deaths from crocodile attacks as well as cholera. To date, free basic water services have been provided by 87% of Local governments; 49.4% is of the poor population.
There are still more challenges ahead of us; hence we are gathered here today to share our experiences in order to pave a way forward. We must make sure that those who have not yet received water and sanitation services, receive them in the shortest possible time. Government is working towards ensuring that by 2008, those of our people that are not receiving water will have access to clean water, and that by 2010 all our people will have access to basic sanitation. We must together strive for this and I am confident that we shall not fail.
Without your full participation and ownership of the programmes of government aimed at addressing these ills, these will not be easy to realise.
In line with the overwhelming mandate that we have received from the people of the Province, the Executive Council has adopted a programme of hundred days to ensure that we register quick deliverables, thereby setting a tone for the current term and beyond. As people committed to serving all the people of the province with humility, honesty and integrity, we extend our gratitude to you and all the people of the province for having displayed such a high degree of confidence in our government.
As people with such an influence in how we turn around the province to achieve our strategic goals of the Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP), the universe expects us to collaborate in a manner not seen before. We have committed ourselves not to abandon the poor and in that regard we wish to get your ideas on how can we first register the desired quick deliverables within this 100 days and sustain that impact for this term of government. Currently we are running a campaign to get ideas from different stakeholders as contributions to "TIPS FOR THE PREMIER" and Executive Council members.
As one of the change agents, we expect you to bring on board the established water organisations and volunteers including those aspiring from the remotest areas of our province to take up the challenge and contribute in identifying critical areas for urgent interventions.
As government, we will get closer to the people especially the very poor during our 100 days. Meetings will be held across all districts and will include door-to-door visits, stakeholders meetings and public gatherings. We expect business community in all these visits to constitute a significant part of those people. Simultaneously we will continue to celebrate ten years of freedom.
I thank you.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
13 May 2004
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