Date: 06/05/2009

Source: Limpopo Provincial Government

Title: Limpopo: Mathale: Acceptance speech by the Limpopo Premier, Limpopo Provincial Legislature

Honourable Speaker
Honourable Deputy Speaker,
Honourable Chairperson of Chairs, Chief Whip of the Ruling party
Executive Mayors and Mayors
Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders
Judge President Bernard Ngoepe of Gauteng North and South Gauteng High Court
Director-General and Heads of Departments (HoDs)
Leaders of opposition parties
Provincial Secretary of the African National Congress (ANC) cde Joe Maswanganyi
Leadership of our alliance partners
Stalwarts and veterans of our struggle
My parents present here and my wife
My special guest Mr Milaan Thalwetzer
Distinguished guests
Comrades, ladies and gentlemen

Once more, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the leadership, membership and supporters of our glorious movement, the African National Congress and our alliance partners for the confidence they have shown in me. No amount of words can thank my family for the support they gave me, up to this day.

For the second time within a month, I have been made to stand before this House to once again accept this honour with gratitude, humility, and confidence. As I have already said in this chamber during my inaugural address on 24 March; I do not regard this high position as recognition for me personally, but rather as an honour to the sacrifices for which many people, including those belonging to my generation had to endure in the struggle for national liberation.

Honourable Speaker

The swearing-in of new members which has just taken place this morning is once more a reminder that democracy is well and alive in this country. I therefore wish to extend my gratitude to the newly elected Members of this House, the Speaker, and the Deputy Speaker for the faith which the ANC has placed in their hands. In equal vein, one would also like to thank Members of this Honourable House for exercising their democratic right to choose freely, these office bearers I have just mentioned. Congratulations on your elections! Democracy again, is the winner!

Honourable Speaker

We are not alone in this exercise, as Parliament and other provinces across the country are also electing their legislative members on this historic day. This shows that we belong to one united country and are therefore not driven by competition with one another, but rather by common nationhood and solidarity. We will strive to continue in our daily conduct and deeds to act in a manner that confirms that we are indeed part and parcel of one South African nation, united in its diversity. Our South African nationhood will come full-bright this coming Saturday, when the world finally witnesses, the swearing-in of Jacob Zuma as President of the Republic. This will be a historic day to remember, especially given the turbulent road we had to travel together to get Jacob Zuma elected to this important position.

Honourable Speaker

I'm certain that this country would not have come this far to achieve the things it has achieved, in the short life of our democracy - had it not been for our passion to struggle. It is for this reason why we implore members of this august body, to take to heart the commitments we made in our election manifesto, so that they are fully implemented for the benefit of our people. As a country that gained its liberation through struggle, experience teaches us that, service delivery will simply not happen on its own, without us putting much effort to ensure that things get done. There will always be detractors along the way, but ours is to keep heads above water, so that we are not drowned by the challenges that come our way. This is why we call upon every member of this House, to put their shoulders on the wheel to make a difference in the lives of our people. Our task is hard, but not impossible to accomplish! Acting together with our people we can do more!

Honourable Speaker

On 22 April, the people of this province gave us a resounding mandate to improve their conditions of life for the better. If we were to take only the high turn-out registered in these elections, we would therefore have no reason to doubt our people's sincerity and commitment to the vision of a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa.

It is for this reason why we should see the huge turn out in these elections and the overwhelming victory of the ANC as a vote of confidence on the policies and abilities of the ruling party, as well as an opportunity to drive transformation further. In the same vein, we should also see the outcome of these democratic elections as an open rebellion against opponents of this freedom. In the aftermath of the historic 22 April polls, even the most stubborn of racists can now see that this country is unstoppable in its quest to become a fully fledged democracy, based on the values of the Constitution and the Freedom Charter. Both the turn out and our historic victory, send out a clear message that no room or quarter will be afforded to those whose interest is to take us back to the past decades of racial oppression.

However, our job will still not be complete Honourable Speaker, if we rest on our laurels and become complacent after winning this important victory. At the end of the day, the responsibility to deliver services to our people will rest on the shoulders of every elected public official, civil servants and government managers. Being a member of this legislature therefore, should not mean that we become indifferent to the concerns of the people or act in a manner that serves to frustrate them. On the contrary, we must find joy and fulfilment in taking these concerns up, and be keen to articulate them passionately, both inside and outside of this chamber. This is the hallmark of our oversight role as a democratic legislature.

Honourable Speaker

We believe the time has come to put behind negativity, and to start working together for our common destiny. We extend a hand of friendship to every patriot, including those seating in Opposition benches to join us in our forward march to build a better province.

The new ANC government led by Cde Jacob Zuma will work hard to ensure that in the next five years, our people's lives get improved even further. We are not naïve to the seriousness of the global economic crisis hence national government has already put together stimulus packages to deal with this challenge. However, it will be crucial Honourable Speaker that, we are not held ransom by this crisis to the extent that it becomes an excuse for not working hard to deliver services to our people. Regardless of whether this crisis is there or not, the work to improve conditions of our people must still continue.

In conclusion, Honourable Speaker, I deem it important for us to pay tribute to the outgoing members of this legislature, the Speaker, Cde Dr, Rev Tshenuwani Farisani, the Deputy Speaker Cde Mme Catherine Mabuza, and Members of the Executive Council (MEC) who held the fort together in the last five years - especially during the transition period leading up to our elections. We thank them dearly for the commitment they have shown, and for the work they did during this period, proving once more, that their love for our people is greater than their personal interests and goals.

Once more, Honourable Speaker, I wish to express my deep appreciation to the people of the province, and further commit myself to do everything in my power to live up to your expectations.

Congratulations to you all and thank you very much!