Date: 18/02/2009

Source: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu Natal Provincial government

Title: KZN: Ndebele: State of the Province Address by KwaZulu Natal Premier S'bu Ndebele

A solid foundation for a democratic and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal has been laid

His Majesty the King, Hlanga Lomhlabathi
Speaker
Deputy speaker
Members of the provincial executive council
Members of the legislature
Abantwana baseNdlunkulu and all Amakhosi present
Your Worship the Mayor of UMsunduzi
Your worship the mayor of UMgungundlovu
All other Mayors and Councillors
Your Excellencies, members of diplomatic corps
Leaders of Political Parties
Director-General and all Heads of Departments
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Members of the media
People of KwaZulu-Natal

Good morning to all of you, as well as those who are watching and listening to us on Television, radio and the public viewing areas at Port Shepstone, Vryheid, Ladysmith and Richards Bay.

I begin today on a sombre note. One of the people who would have been critical in the drafting of the State of the Province Address, Arno Hibbers, a general manager in the Office of the Premier responsible for intergovernmental relations (IGR), died in a head-on collision with a truck in the province of Bas Congo in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last Thursday, 12 February 2009.

We lost Arno, together with Mr Ananias Machado from Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal and a local driver from the DRC. Their mortal remains arrive today. They were part of a delegation made up of officials from the office of the premier, the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal and the Department of Agriculture.

They were on a nationally driven initiative to assist in the rebuilding and the reconstruction of the DRC, in line with the Binational Agreement and the re-establishing of governance structure frameworks. The trip was funded by United State Agency for International Development (USAID).

The specific experience, and sought-after contribution, of KwaZulu-Natal in the eyes of the continent is that our province has known conflict and war between African and African.

Imperfections notwithstanding, KwaZulu-Natal has proceeded with singular determination to establish a post conflict society, a society relentlessly moving towards a common, prosperous and peaceful future.

This is of immense relevance not only to the DRC, but to the re-emergent Zimbabwe as they begin to rebuild their fractured societies. After the debilitating African-African conflict, Arno Hibbers and Ananias Machado lie unburied in a cold mortuary. Their deaths far from making us throw our hands in the air, should spur us on to greater effort.

There was still so much for Arno and Ananias to contribute with their tremendous skills and commitment.

Their deaths made me understand, more sharply, as I have never understood before, the words of Macbeth when told of Lady Macbeth's death and I quote:

"She should have died hereafter. There will have been a time for such a word. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day to the last syllable of recorded time and all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death.

"Out! out! brief candle. Life is but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour on the stage and is heard no more. It's a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Fortunately, for Arno Hibbers and Ananias Machado, their lives were of immense significance to those of us who were privileged to have worked with them, and to the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Among us today are the survivors of the DRC crash which claimed the lives of our two officials. We all thank God that you have been spared.

Mr Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we remember some of our public representatives who have departed. These include the following who distinguishly served as members of this house: Mr D H Makhaye, Inkosi M W Hlengwa, Mrs F X Gasa, Ms F Molefe, Mr S B Ngidi, Mr J Aulsebrook, Mr A Grinker, Inkosi S H Gumede and Rev. C J Mtetwa.

We also pay our respects to members of civil society who left an indelible mark in our province.

Let us also acknowledge the pain suffered by several families who lost their loved ones during the spate of natural disasters in KwaZulu-Natal. We acted promptly to provide emergency relief to these families and helped people rebuild their lives. Together with that, we have implemented interventionist programmes to prepare for future catastrophes.

On a positive note, we would like to pay tribute to our beloved Ladysmith Black Mambazo who, two weeks ago, won their third Grammy Award.

Equally, we would like to pay tribute to members of our successful national cricket team, the Proteas, especially Hashim Amla who through hard work was able to cement his place in the team in their last international tour of Australia. They are our heroes.

Political stability

In political discourse, there is what is referred to as the "South" question whether we are talking of the South in the Unite State (US), the Southern part of Italy or the last country to be freed from apartheid colonialism in Southern Africa, the "South" question confronts us all the time.

In international affairs, it has now found institutional expression through the South-South co-operation. After South Africa became free in 1994, there still remained the KwaZulu-Natal question.

Whether you were speaking of a peaceful transition in South Africa, the inevitable question would be, what about KwaZulu-Natal?

Whether you were talking about the unity of black people, Africans in particular, the question would be, what about KwaZulu-Natal?

Whether you were talking about legislation or a new legal system that recognised traditional leadership, again, the question would be, what about KwaZulu-Natal?

Whether it was the creation of a non-racial society, the spotlight will be on the relationship between African and Indian, still, in KwaZulu-Natal. Or, indeed, whether it was gender equality, the question would be, what about KwaZulu-Natal?

The question of the unity of African people had occupied the minds of the leadership of various people and organisations. The Province had become a serious problem on the unity of Africans. It was in this Province where Africans were seriously divided.

As the Provincial Government Executive Council, we have worked tirelessly towards firmly establishing peace in the Province. Since 2004, we have moved from being a province of confrontation and political violence to peace, democracy and prosperity.

During the period 2004 to 2009, KwaZulu-Natal experienced the longest period of peaceful co-existence in many years.

It is this peace which has led to the entrenchment of democracy and, as a consequence, we have brought about unparalleled investment, tourism and delivery in the history of this province.

Five years later, we can confidently state that we have no outstanding issues in KwaZulu-Natal, other than the normal challenges of under development.

Indeed, as many have said, we have become a normal province.

It has been my honour to serve as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal from 2004 to 2009. I am humbled by the confidence placed by the people of our province in this government, led by the African National Congress (ANC).

Today, my thoughts return to our first State of the Province Address delivered to this House on 25 May 2004, when we said: "In the life of every society there comes a time when the door opens and lets in the future. That moment has arrived in KwaZulu-Natal."

It is 16 months towards the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Last Saturday, the Durban skies were lit with an architectural and engineering masterpiece, the R448 million arch at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. This stands proudly against the world's greatest wonders, the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

It was a sight to behold. A 107 metre arch was lit and will remain lit after the construction of the stadium is finalised, and as we near kick off for June 2010.

KwaZulu-Natal on the move

It was not for the first time in 2004 that the people of KwaZulu-Natal voted, but it is for the first time that their vote has given them so much. In this regard, we will highlight how a few our key programmes have managed to positively affect the lives of our people, across the length and breadth of the Province.

KwaZulu-Natal has seen the biggest investment in infrastructure programmes in its history. These include:
* the R2,2 billion Moses Mabhida Stadium
* the R6,8 billion Dube Tradeport and King Shaka International Airport to be operationalised by the end of this year and
* R259 million was made available for stadia infrastructure development in four district municipalities and the Metro (Amajuba, Ugu, Umgungundlovu, uThungulu and eThekwini).

Since 2004 areas north of the uThukela River, which have been neglected for decades, have now been prioritised for development. These include:
* the R350 million P700 Corridor from Richards Bay to Ulundi which is under construction and reduces the distance between Ulundi and Richards Bay
* the R300 million P577 from Mtubatuba to Hlabisa and Nongoma and
* the construction of the R260 million Nsezi Bridge on the John Ross Highway near Empangeni, which is 1,2 kilometres long and the longest bridge in South Africa and is scheduled to be completed in 2010.

Another example is Cornubia which is a public or private partnership and a 1,200 hectare green field's site, located in the Mt. Edgecombe area in the eThekwini Metro. The land is owned by the Tongaat Hullet Group. Through a partnership between the Metro and Tongaat Hullet, the development of Cornubia will eventually involve a R4,6 billion investment in roads, bridges and infrastructure housing for over 100,000 people. During the construction phase some 96,000 short-term jobs will be created. This will translate to an envisaged 50,000 sustainable jobs in the medium to long term. The City stands to rake in over R250 million worth of revenue annually from a completed Cornubia.

The above investments amount to more than R21 billion new money, an amount totally unknown in this province before. This is in addition to various private sector investments in our major economic centres such as Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Richards Bay.

The Point Waterfront Development (DPW)

The favourable record of decision reached by the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs for the construction of a small craft harbour at the DPW represents the culmination of a rigorous Environmental Impact Assessment process, with extensive public participation over four years. We believe the vision approved by the department will address all the objectives originally envisaged for the precinct, and will provide an iconic tourist destination for this country.

The entire development will comprise approximately 575,000 of bulk square metres, across a variety of usage types including office, residential, retail and hotels. At present about 200,000 bulk square metres of this has been sold, representing virtually the entire stock of zoned land available prior to the record of decision. We foresee it becoming a safe, clean and vibrant environment, where all citizens, irrespective of class or race, can enjoy the best which Durban has to offer. In short, we expect it to be on par with leading harbour rejuvenation projects around the world.

It is foreseen that the DPW will attract investment capital in excess of R6 billion once complete, and create 6,000 to 8,000 direct new jobs during the construction phase, with a further 6,000 permanent jobs once fully operational. This excludes the thousands of indirect jobs created as a result of an investment project of this scale. A key feature of this public or private partnership has been the leveraging of the initial public sector investment in uShaka Marine World, with private sector investment already outstripping this initial R1 billion investment. Once complete, it is anticipated the entire development will increase the rates base of eThekwini by more than R100m per annum.

This decision is consistent with, and will further drive, the provincial government's vision to position KwaZulu-Natal as one of the continent's major growth nodes.

Mr Speaker, it was not for the first time in 2004 that the people of KwaZulu-Natal voted, but it is for the first time that their vote has given them so much.

In addition to reintegrating the province with the whole of South Africa, we have also actively elevated the province to the status of being a major actor on the international stage, through our bilateral agreements with countries such as China, India, Spain and Japan.

What is emerging is a growing provincial economy. This has laid a solid foundation for a democratic and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal. But, together we can do more.

Partnership for good governance and service delivery

One of the critical elements of a developmental state intervention is the State's capacity to deliver. The capacity lies in a competent and professional public service that has the ability to formulate and implement developmental policies.

That is why Mr Speaker in our first state of the province address in 2004 we stated that, "there is no place for a public service that is obsequious, insolent or absent. For us to achieve our governance and development goals, we need a corps of competent and dedicated public servants who deliver quality services expeditiously".

This morning, as we gather in this house, 16 Heads of Departments reported for work, eight of whom are women and eight men. Except for Jenny Gray in the Department of Transport, there had never been a woman as Head of Department in the province up to 2004.

We now have some 172,000 public servants integrated in terms of geography, race and gender, skills and competencies in the province.

Additionally, there are province-based public servants working for national departments and some 34,295 officials from our 61 municipalities.

All these public servants are now bound by one philosophy - Batho Pele (Putting People First). This is a new ethos that we have infused in our officials with an aim of enhancing the quality and accessibility of Government services and the improvement of efficiency and accountability to the recipients of public goods and services.

To make Batho Pele principles a reality in the province, we have gone further and adopted the Citizen's Charter in 2006 and launched the Provincial Public Service Training Academy in 2007.

The Citizen's Charter is an instrument to make the public aware of their right as well as the service which they can expect and demand from their government and public servants. In this universally understood relationship, government is a duty bearer and the citizens are rights holders.

The Premier's Service Excellence Awards continue to recognise the achievements of our public servants.

Strengthening governance of the province

Setting our five year governance priorities

The provincial priorities, we adopted in 2004, are the following:
* Strengthening governance and service delivery
* Integrated investment in community infrastructure
* Promoting sustainable economic development and job creation
* Developing human capability
* Implementing a comprehensive provincial response to HIV and AIDS and
* Fighting poverty and protecting vulnerable groups in society.

Arising from these priorities, we have throughout the five years set themes under which our programmatic response to the challenges of our people would be articulated. For example:

In 2004, we said "in the life of every society there comes a time when the door opens and lets in the future. That moment has arrived in KwaZulu-Natal."

In 2005, we committed to building and creating a "normalised society and creating a winning province".

In 2006, we committed to "social stability and economic growth".

In 2007, we took the next step to "building the economy through partnerships".

In 2008 we committed ourselves to "meeting your aspirations through accelerated service delivery".

In 2009, our theme is "a solid foundation for a democratic and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal has been laid".

A coherent machinery of government

The head office of the provincial government is 300 Langalibalele Street in Pietermaritzburg, which is our single capital. Having a single capital has resulted in tremendous cost efficiency and improvements in the delivery of services and the governance of the province.

The provincial Coat of Arms with the motto, Masisukume Sakhe, was adopted in 2004.

We have a fully representative provincial government which has addressed the issue of gender balance. Today, the political leadership in government consists of four female and six male members of the executive council.

In order to facilitate integration and synergy in the workings of our government, we consolidated the cluster system namely, governance and administration, economic, social, and justice, crime prevention and security.

This system has resulted in the delivery of services in a more integrated manner.

Fighting fraud and corruption

Fighting corruption is one of the most serious challenges facing government. Since 2004, a number of officials and members of the public have been arrested and convicted for offences related to fraud and corruption in the province.

We have formed the provincial anti-corruption forum made up of government, police, justice, and civil society groups.

Our efforts are in line with what President Kgalema Motlanthe said and I quote: "Our government has made the fight against corruption one of the core areas of focus. This is reflected, among others, in legislation, rules governing public servants and political office bearers alike, partnerships with civil society and the business community as well as anti-corruption hotlines. It may as well be that the systems of preventing and punishing corruption are still inadequate: but from the point of view of government systems we can draw solace from the fact that over 70 percent of cases of corruption reported in the media become public because government has detected and is in fact acting against it."

In carrying out the mandate to fight crime and corruption, we have held an anti-crime and anti-corruption summit in which a declaration was signed by members of the executive council, partners in the private sector and community based stakeholders on 13 and 14 October 2008 in Durban.

We have introduced anticorruption hotlines and moved to improve accountability by conducting unannounced visits to various workstations of government departments.

We have laid a solid foundation to eliminate the incidence of fraud and corruption in our system. But corruption continues to be a corrosive cancer that must be fought vigorously by both government and civil society.

Working together we can do more.

Democratic Local Governance

The premier's co-ordinating forum, which sees the premier and the district and metro mayors meeting frequently to coordinate governance and service delivery in the province, is in place.

To improve service delivery and promote relations between local government and local citizenry, all municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal have been encouraged to adopt a "Citizens Charter" aligned to the Provincial Citizens Charter.

Through project consolidate, 30 weak municipalities are being assisted to improve their capacities to deliver the services efficiently, economically and effectively. The 30 project consolidate municipalities have been prioritised to receive technical support through the deployment of expertise to unblock service delivery challenges.

In 2005, for the first time since 1879, the status and dignity of His Majesty the King was restored through legislative recognition.

In 2006, the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs established the Provincial House of Traditional Leadership and 11 Local Houses of Traditional Leadership.

For the first time women and youth were legally accommodated to participate in matters regarding traditional institutions in their areas. Various capacity building programmes are assisting all participants in the traditional leadership system to perform their duties without hindrance.

This is yet another example of building a solid foundation for a democratic and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal. But, together, with our elected local councillors, Amakhosi and our people, we can do more.

Public participation

We have not only established a representative government, but a government of mass participation.

This means that the people do not only speak when they are spoken to, but participate in the formulation of policies and programmes of government. This they do through national, provincial and departmental izimbizo and other foras.

In the period 2004 to 2008, a total of 10 provincial and four presidential izimbizo were held. This has enhanced the mutual understanding of the duty bearer versus rights bearer relationship between government and the citizens.

There can be no valid argument against any measures to consult and involve our people in the process of improving their lives.

Part of the izimbizo programme is taking government services and taking parliament to the people.

Building on our rich heritage

Heritage, identity and social cohesion are at the cornerstone of re-instating the dignity of those ravaged by colonialism, apartheid and other injustices, which once characterised the landscape of our province.

Over the past five years, we have positioned our presentation of the heritage of KwaZulu-Natal with a clear message that, through heritage renewal, we tell the story of the Zulu people and the story of the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

To enhance the implementation of heritage renewal, a new legislation for the administration of Amafa-aKwaZulu-Natal was passed by this House in November 2008.

We have also embarked and succeeded in the following leading projects:
* The commemoration of the 1906 Bhambatha Uprisings
* The commemoration of the inception of Mahatma Ghandi's Satyagraha
* Bringing home the remains of Moses Mabhida
* Implementing the Choral Music Festival Heritage Project aimed at composing and recording our history through song
* The commemoration of Maqhamusela Khanyile;
* The commemoration of the Death of Chief Albert Luthuli (40 years in 2007)
* The construction and Unveiling of the grave of Princess Mkabayi
* The commemoration of Queen Nandi
* The commemoration of King Dinuzulu
* Commemoration of the Embo Amakhosi who were imprisoned for their participation in the 1906 Uprisings
* Launch of the Family Tree "Know your Roots" Project
* Held a Seminar to create a generic framework for commemoration on Day of Reconciliation 2008
* Finalised the construction of the R34 million multi-media centre at eMakhosini
* The Heritage Legacy Project at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and
* Commenced with research and consultations to set up the Centre for reconciliation and dialogue at Coedmore Castle, Stainbank Farm in Durban.

This will strengthen our resolve to have a province at peace with itself and embrace the values of democracy.

This year we commemorate 130 years of the Anglo-Zulu war and other wars of wesistance.

As we continue to entrench our values of a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic province, we need to continue to consistently work on improving the African-African and African-Indian relationship in the province.

When the Truro and the Belvedere anchored in the Port of Durban from 16 November 1860, it introduced a working Indian community that helped shape the KwaZulu-Natal socio-economic landscape. Preparations are already underway for the year long commemoration, in 2010, of 150 years since the arrival of the Indian people in KwaZulu-Natal.

Through the African Renaissance, we continue to consolidate our identity and strengthen our relations with Africa and the Diaspora and the KwaZulu-Natal Ibandla project.

Advancing peace and human rights

A well known constitutional and human rights lawyer and constitutional court judge, Albie Sachs, once stated: "Human rights are the rights to be the same and the right to be different."

The year 2008 marked the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Citizen's Charter introduced a human rights-based approach to service delivery and development.

In 2004, we strengthened and consolidated the human rights programme of government. On March 21, we will launch the Local Human Rights Forums. Their core function is to carry out human rights education and provide a platform where human rights violations can be reported.

We have made many interventions in cases where human rights violations were evident.

Examples are:
* When the sugar cane serial murders occurred at Umzinto, we actively supported the affected families of victims
* When the rights of women to wear pants were violated at Umlazi, we assisted them at the Equality Court and
* When the house of Zandile Mpanza was burnt, we assisted her to build another house.

It was only in 2004 that a dedicated component for Children's Rights and the Rights of People with Disabilities, were established in the province. In 2006, we established the Office on the Rights of Older Persons.

Over the past four years, the Office on the Status of Women has strengthened the co-ordination of the Provincial Gender Machinery, advancing the rights of women and gender equality.

Mr Speaker, we are confident that we are a Government that cares and defends the weak and vulnerable. We have laid a solid foundation for a democratic and caring society. But, together we can do more.

Growing the economy and creating jobs

According to the magazine, Engineering News, May 2008, the KwaZulu-Natal Gross Regional product of R206,8 billion in 2006 was a 16,75% share of the total South Africa Growth Domestic Product (GDP).

According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the average economic annual growth for KwaZulu-Natal for the period 2004 to 2008 is 4,1%, as compared to 3,65% from 2001 to 2004.

According to Stats SA Labour Force Survey 2008, the unemployment levels decreased from 28,7 % in September 2004 to 22% in 2008.

The Lubombo region is currently enjoying the biggest and most prolonged tourism boom in its history.

Job creation

Through a portfolio of economic development projects, co-ordinated by the Department of Public Works, 67,000 jobs have been created in the last five years.

Through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), co-ordinated by the Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal has created 395,683 jobs. This amounted to the 39,5% of the 1 million jobs created countrywide during the period 2007/08.

A total of 89,892 jobs have already been created in KwaZulu-Natal for the second quarter of the current financial year.

The GIJIMA Small Medium Micro Enterprise Upliftment programme, co-ordinated by the Department of Economic Development and funded by the European Union (EU), is on track to reach its target of creating or saving 3,000 jobs as per the funding agreement.

To date:
* 1,667 sustainable jobs have been created and/or saved
* A further 1,500 temporary jobs were created. These jobs have largely been in agriculture, creative industries, tourism and manufacturing
* the programme has also exceeded its target of leveraging co-funding and has supported 193 projects, amounting to R141 million.

With regards to co-operatives in KwaZulu-Natal, 9,404 jobs have been created in the following sectors: catering; furniture; textiles; services (2005-2007).

Some 1,200 agricultural co-operatives have been established in the province over the last five years. These co-operatives are being empowered to supply vegetables, poultry and beef to catering companies that service major public hospitals.

A total of 1,117 Zibambele Savings Clubs have been formed and they have saved approximately R12 million out of their meagre income. Strategies of converting them and developing these savings clubs to co-operatives are underway.

Our economy has not only been growing, it has been creating sustainable jobs. This has laid a solid foundation for a democratic and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal. But, together we can do more.

Developing and maintaining our infrastructure

We are reaching the target of 40,000 Zibambele contractors to maintain roads for the period 2008/09 financial year. A total of 37,586 contractors have been appointed as at the end of January 2009. They are maintaining some 23,638 km of rural road network.

In 1996/97, this department identified a backlog of 11,475 km of community access roads and to date 6,000 km have been constructed at a cost of R350,000 per kilometre.

The KwaZulu-Natal cabinet resolved, in July 2005, to pursue the concept of "corridor development" as a stimulus to economic growth in the Province. R160m has been made available to date.

44 projects, including the eThekwini/uMhlathuze Corridor, Battlefields Route Corridor (Umzinyathi), Umhlathuze/Ulundi/Vryheid (P700) have been packaged and approved by the Economic Cluster.

Investment in infrastructure is a critical component and has laid a solid foundation for democracy and prosperity in KwaZulu-Natal. But, together we can do more.

Black Economic Empowerment (BEE)

The Black Broad Based Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) implementation strategy clearly spells out strategic goals, policy instruments, sub-strategies and implementation programmes. The following critical BEE structures have already been established:
* The BEE Advisory Council
* The BEE Complaints Handling Unit
* The Association for BEE Verification Agencies and
* The BEE Forums in small towns.

The Department of Transport has invested in excess of R2,257 billion in the African Renaissance Roads Upgrading Programme (ARRUP) through the awarding of contracts to Vuk'uzakhe contractors.

Land restitution

From the inception of the Land Reform Programme of the Department of Land Affairs, the Provincial Land Reform Office has transferred 602 projects, resulting in the transfer of 329,070 hectares to 106,694 beneficiaries.

Programmes such as land restitution, affirmative action and BBBEE have laid a solid foundation for a Democratic and Prosperous KwaZulu-Natal. But, together we can do more.

Delivering on our social mandate

Access to social services

The entrenchment of democracy hinges upon the creation and implementation of programmes whose direct impact is to better the lives of our people.

In this mode, we have been able to create an environment where our people are beginning to enjoy the fruits of democracy through enhanced service delivery.

As a result of our efforts to improve service delivery, we can report that in 2009 the following has been achieved:
* 1 824 143 households (81,6%) have access to water
* 1 992 322 (89,2%) have access to sanitation services and
* 1 597 399 (71,5%) households have access to electricity supply as per Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) standards.

Access to social services is one of the critical building blocks that have laid a solid foundation for a democratic and prosperous province. But, together we can do more.

Educating our children and people

In 2008 there were 2,7 million children attending public schools in the province.

The Department of Education has delivered 19 complete new schools from 2004 to 2009.

In addition, there are quantifiable improvements in the following areas:
* The number of schools with toilets rose from 5 379 in 2004 to 5 797 in 2008.
* The number of schools with electricity rose from 3 916 in 2004 to 4 767 in 2008.
* The number of schools with water rose from 4 947 in 2004 to 5 422 in 2008.
* The number of classrooms constructed rose from 1 153 in 2004 to 1 976 in 2008.
* The number of classrooms outstanding fell from 13 559 in 2004 to 7 451 in 2008.
* The average pupil to teacher ratio fell from 35:1 in 2004 to 31:1 in 2008.
* The number of female school principals rose from 2 223 in 2004 to 2 322 in 2008.
* A total of 3 342 or 52% of all schools in the province have been declared "no fee schools". The no fee schools policy, introduced in 2006, benefits learners in schools in the poorest areas, and also improves access to learning opportunities in indigent communities.
* 1 170 965 or 43% of the learner population are beneficiaries of the "no-fee schools" policy.
* Under the national school nutrition programme some 55% of the learners in 3,760 schools are beneficiaries of the programme. Six hundred and eighty eight (688) of the schools are supplied by targeted women co-operatives.

A total of 180 000 adult learners enrolled in the Masifundisane Adult Literacy Campaign during the 2007/08 financial year to learn to read, write and count. There are 6 000 facilitators working in 6 000 sites throughout the province. We are on track to eradicate illiteracy in KwaZulu-Natal.

Under nine Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges, training sites have increased from 52 in 2004 to 73 in 2008. The majority of the new sites are in rural areas and three more are being set up in Inanda, Clermont and Nquthu, while two sites are in the pipeline for Howick and Bergville.

All the above are indicative of a normalised schooling system and a learning society. Through education, we have laid a solid foundation for a democratic and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal. But, together we can do more.

A sporting province

The Department of Sport and Recreation has, since 2004, expanded the sporting horizons of the people of KwaZulu-Natal through the following programmes:
* School Sport Mass Participation programme
* Siyadlala Community mass participation programme
* National Youth Run.

This is in addition to infrastructure development, which saw 38 sports facilities being built between 2004 and 2009. These programmes are enhancing the resolve to build a healthy province.

In a partnership between the Department of Education and the Department of Sport and Recreation, mass-based participation in sports has been promoted.

Decent houses for our people

* The number of houses delivered in KwaZulu-Natal since 1996 is 501,000. Of this figure, the total number delivered between 2004 and 2008 is 300,000.

* The quality and the size of houses has improved with the housing subsidy improving from R25 000 to R54 000 per housing unit and the housing unit size increasing from 21 square metres to 40 square metres in the past four years.

* Since 2004 the government of KwaZulu-Natal has accelerated the restoration of the dignity of hostel dwellers by redeveloping and upgrading areas, benefiting 45,000 people.

* Through the Enhanced Extended Discount Benefit Scheme (EEDBS), government is now able to transfer the former rental stock housing units to qualifying beneficiaries with a full subsidy amount of R54 250 per unit, an improvement from the subsidy of R7 500 before 2004. Some 120,000 houses have been transferred in the period.

* The total number of houses built in areas exposed to various disasters between 2004 and 2008 now stands at 25 000.

* Through the Elimination and Prevention of Slums Act, all existing slums will now be eradicated by law, while the erection of new slums will be prevented.

* Middle income families can now benefit from the Rental Housing Scheme.

* The people's housing process ensures community participation and job creation in housing projects.

* Vulnerable groups, including those affected by HIV and AIDS, benefit from the housing processes of government, as do the military veterans.

* There has been an increased focus on rural housing since 2004.

Towards a healthy province

* There are 577 primary health care clinics, including Local Municipality clinics as well as 27 gateway clinics.

* 81 of the clinics offer a 24-hour service while 203 clinics offer on call services.

* More than 65 million clients visited the clinics, and of these more than 13 million were children under five years of age.

* We have 405 mobile clinics which service a total of 2 392 points monthly throughout the province.

* We have 17 fully functional Community Health Centres, and 41 district hospitals.

* More than 205 000 HIV and AIDS patients (double the target set by the department) have been put on antiretroviral treatment since the start of the programme in 2004.

* The prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme is available in 100% of hospitals and 98% of clinics and community health centres.

* In April 2008, in line with recent scientific discoveries, Azidothymidine (AZT) was added to the package; dual therapy for both the mother and child.

* Consequently, in August 2008, six months post the introduction of AZT, the prevalence has been reduced to 12% in KwaZulu-Natal less than the national average of 15%.

The Provincial Council on AIDS is fully functioning in the province with representation from civil society, members of the executive council, mayors of district municipalities and the eThekwini municipality.

The Department of Health, to a very large extent, has been able to reduce the negatives related to tuberculosis (TB). For example, case finding has been strengthened at clinic level and the treatment interruption rate has come down significantly. Presently the smear conversion rate has improved significantly.

The incidence of malaria is under one per 1 000 people, recording a case fatality rate (CFR) of 0,8%. A successful Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) programme was completed in the areas of risk for malaria transmission, achieving coverage of 85%. This achievement exceeds by far the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to halve malaria morbidity and mortality by 2010.

Having a healthy and productive population is an important building block. We have laid a solid foundation for a democratic and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal.

But, together we can do more.

Social Development

Our social grant beneficiaries rose from 2,1 million in 2005 to over 3,2 million in 2008. The Department of Social Development is in the process of intensifying its efforts to bring government services closer to the people, especially those people living in rural areas.

The department has built six Development Centres at a total cost of R62,6 million. These are:
* Tulwane One Stop Development Centre (R14,2 million in Inkandla Municipality)
* Mamba One Stop Development Centre (R12,8 million in Umlalazi Municipality)
* Mbonomuhle One Stop Development Centre (R6,2 million in Nongoma Municipality)
* Prophet Isaiah Shembe One Stop Development Centre (R14 million in eThekwini Municipality)
* Mboza One Stop Development Centre (R7,5 million in Mhlabuyalingana Municipality) and
* Inkosi Mbongeleni Zondi One Stop Development Centre (R7,5 million in Msinga Municipality).

These centres enable government, to offer various services and programme under one roof. Assistance offered at these centres include services for the children (Early Childhood Development), services for the elderly, services for orphans and applications for all types of social grants. People are able to apply for foster care grants, disability grants, old age pension, child support grants, etc. They are also able to apply for birth certificates, identity documents, marriage certificates and death certificates. The Department of Health, South African Police Service and Department of Labour are also part of the programme.

In the past few months, the province was hit by severe disasters in the form of heavy storms, floods, veld fires, thunderstorms and lightning. A total amount of R49 million was spent by the Department on various services associated with the disasters.

The areas mostly affected by the disasters included Nkandla, Msinga, Umzinto, Ndwedwe, KwaMakhutha, Amanzimtoti, Molweni, Mgungundlovu and the surrounding areas, KwaXimba, Maqongqo, Nongoma and Mondlo in Vryheid.

Food Security

The mushroom project has proved significantly more viable. The mushroom projects at Cedara and KwaDindi have been extremely successful. The mushroom base currently being constructed at Cedara is in its final phases of completion. The project uses agricultural waste (bagasse, cotton seed, and saw dust, etc.) as a substrate for the production of nutritious high-value juncao mushrooms.

Once completed, the Cedara mushroom base will support research and training for the entire Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. This base will also support at least ten satellite bases, each generating in excess of R10 million per annum as well as creating 400 permanent jobs. Construction on two of the ten bases has started.

The current success at the KwaDindi site offers tremendous hope for the HIV and AIDS infected and affected households, as these oyster mushrooms are very high in Protein, which helps in maintaining body mass and the mineral Selenium which boosts the immune system.

In the current financial year, a total of 100 000 food production starter packs made up of small implements, seeds and fertiliser will be distributed to the poorest of the poor in our province. Each pack valued at R500 will provide food for a family of seven people and can produce an average of three tons of produce/food per annum. This will go a long way in fighting food insecurity in the province as well as promoting agricultural gardens.

Over the past four years, the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs has directly assisted some 55 384 farmers to plough and plant 19 099 hectares of maize and dry beans.

The environment

We will recall that during March 2007 our shores were battered by extremely high waves. An action plan was immediately developed to mitigate against the impacts of these extreme events, which we expect to occur more frequently in the future. Research has been conducted to determine the "set-back" line, which will have a direct impact on the planning of development along our coast.

Environmental management has also contributed positively to the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). In terms of the Invasive Aliens Species Programme, more than R300 million has been effectively and efficiently spent in that 12 300 jobs were created and about 340 000 hectares of land was cleared of alien vegetation. A positive outcome of this programme has been the eco-coffins project. Through this project we have been able to provide low-cost coffins to the poor. These coffins are being distributed through municipalities and faith-based groups. Presently, preparations are being made to export these coffins.

Of great concern to development in the province has been the perceived hurdle of carrying out environmental impact assessments (EIA). It is really pleasing to note that the province has addressed the substantial backlog it had in finalising development applications. Presently, close to 70% of the applications are finalised by our District offices within the legislated time frames and over 90% are finalised within 30 days after the stipulated timeframe. Equally, the backlog of appeals to the Records of Decision (RoDs) has been cleared. This was achieved by the appointment of an appeals panel by the MEC for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs to assist in assessing the appeals. It must be noted that this province is the only province to take the proactive step in the appointment of an appeals panel.

Mr Speaker, we stand here today confident when we say our government has, indeed, delivered on our social mandate. We have laid a solid foundation for a democratic and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal.

But, together we can do more.

Combating crime and promoting safety

Crime and criminality is a scourge that continues to bedevil our communities. The recent callous murder of Inkosi Mbongeleni Zondi and others is a case in point. Our people are living in fear of criminals. While most citizens are working hard towards building a peaceful and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal, criminals, who are a minority, are spending their time planning the destruction of lives and property.

However, we are confident that, together, we can turn the tide against crime and we are, certainly, achieving some success in this regard.

During 2008, we trained and deployed 1 100 social crime prevention volunteers in our communities. We established a partnership with the United Kingdom Manchester Police department in respect of their training to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement agencies. Our province boasted the lowest festive season crime results over the December 2008 to January 2009 period.

The United Nation (UN) International Youth Crime Prevention and Cities Summit was held in June 2008. Through this, our working relationship with UN Headquarters in Africa was expanded and strengthened. This ensures that that our future leaders are active participants in growing our democracy and in the fight against crime.

The MEC's Community Safety Awards for Police Excellence are an investment in the pride, confidence and trust placed by the people of the province in the SAPS.

I had two years ago announced the inception of a new nation-building programme, the much-acclaimed Communities-in-Dialogue programme. Through this programme, communities throughout the province were brought together for peace and safety, including preparations for the peaceful integration of displaced foreigners. This project has been immensely successful with long-term positive results.

The National Crime Prevention Strategy recognises that effective crime prevention is the joint responsibility of local government and Department of Community Safety. After the successful launch of the ‘Guidelines on the Integration of Safety Plans into Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) by the department in August 2007, district and local Municipalities were visited and received orientation on the guidelines. Safety plans have since been incorporated in the IDPs of 91% of district municipalities and 82% of local municipalities.

To assist traditional leaders in fulfilling their statutory responsibilities, a total of 572 traditional leaders have been trained by the department on social crime prevention.

Mr Speaker, I am very excited to announce a new programme addressing the plight of the military veterans as a vulnerable group in our country. The groundwork was already done in December 2008 when the Department of Community Safety and Liaison hosted a Veterans Summit. The project will enable veterans to assume their rightful role in promoting their safety and that of fellow citizens.

Despite all these achievements, the KwaZulu-Natal Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster and our communities need to forge even closer relationships to address crime on the front line. By focusing on our priorities and giving expression to our shared vision, we will not only improve our Criminal Justice System, but ensure the full realisation of the human rights of our people.

It is, indeed, time for all of us to reclaim our streets from the criminal. But, together we can do more.

KwaZulu-Natal - now a global player

KwaZulu-Natal has established three partnerships in China. Relations with Belgium have been strengthened since 2004. In 2005, co-operation with India was established through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the province of Punjab.

KwaZulu-Natal is currently working on strengthening relations with Baden-Württemberg in areas such as social development, education, sport and recreation, 2010 FIFA World Cup and tourism.

Relations built with Maputo and other neighbouring states have been strengthened, particularly in the areas of commerce, health and co-operation between security services.

The focus for the next five years will be to build on the firm foundation laid over the past five years. This will be achieved by pursuing three main objectives:

* to continue strengthening relations that have been enshrined in formal co-operative agreements with a specific focus on value-adding programmes that directly contribute to our growth and development efforts
* to support the national foreign policy direction, in this regard playing a pivotal role in African Renaissance and strengthening African Renaissance efforts on the African continent
* to continue to expand the drive of economic diplomacy that South Africa has commenced, since 2006.

KwaZulu-Natal is now fully integrated back into the South African governance framework and has firmly positioned itself on the international stage.

These engagements have a solid foundation for a democratic and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal.

Southern African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA) Award

In 2008, we were honoured when the Office of the premier won the 2008 Southern African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA) Annual Public Sector Reporting Awards. We received this award for the best annual report in KwaZulu-Natal for the financial reporting year ended 31 March 2007, and we were adjudicated amongst all national and provincial government departments in South Africa.

This prestigious award was introduced in the public sector to recognise the pursuit of excellence in annual reports published by provincial and national government departments.

2009 and beyond

Moses Kotane Institute

In January 2009, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government launched the Moses Kotane Institute. Moses Kotane was an icon in the liberation struggle and was a product of the ANC and Communist Party. The Institute will focus on Maths, Science and Information Communication Technology (ICT), which are disciplines that not too many Black people pursue.

As government, we are fully aware of the enormous challenges that our youth face, most of which are a legacy of the apartheid system.

Youth

We have, with the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Commission re-activated in 2004, continued to prioritise young people in various programmes in the province. These include the promotion of youth owned businesses, skills development, preferential procurement, internships and learnerships, provision of bursaries. We also support youth participating in arts, culture, sports and recreation.

As a province we are supporting initiatives aimed at establishing the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).

We are inviting the private sector to participate in issues concerning youth. We ask that you make contributions to the National Youth Service (NYS) programme as well as increase your intake of young people in learnership programmes. A larger NYS will link Government and the private sector Industrial Development Strategy with key youth development programmes and help advance youth skills development.

Our population statistics show that our Province is a youthful one.
* We have 0 to four years who constitute 10% of the population.
* 36% of our population who are aged between five to 19 years.
* 9% who are between 20 and 24
* 8.33% who are between 25 and 29.
* 6.7% who are between 30 and 34.

70% of our population are below the age of 35.

Of the adult population, 53% are women and 47% men.

This is important for development planning in governance, economic and social programmes and we as Government are confident that we have laid a solid foundation for our youth to participate fully in a democratic and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal.

Conclusion

On 12 February 2009, we issued a proclamation, after consultation with the President and Electoral Commission, calling an election for the Provincial Legislature of KwaZulu-Natal in terms of Section 108(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, read with Section 18 of the Electoral Act, 1998.The election will be held on 22 April 2009.

I want to reiterate that a solid foundation for a peaceful and democratic KwaZulu-Natal has been laid. Masisukume Sakhe! We have experienced the longest spell of peace, democracy and development in years. Our province has entered, and has entrenched itself within, the mainstream of the South African political, social, cultural and sporting life. In 2004, the people of KwaZulu-Natal voted for this government because they were longing for normality and prosperity. The next five years will see the further strengthening of these aspirations of the people of this province. Together we can do more.