Date: 17/03/2005
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: Martin: Eastern Cape Social Development Prov Budget Vote 2005/2006

MEC Christian Martins presentation of Social Development Policy and Budget Speech of 2005/6 to the Provincial Legislature - Bisho 2005

Honourable Madam Speaker
Honourable Premier
Members of the Executive Council
Members of the Legislature
Our partners in Social Development
Invited guests
Ladies and gentlemen

Introduction
Madam Speaker allow me to quote Franklin D Roosevelt; "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have little".

The Eastern Cape is a province that is characterised by complex co-existence and constant contradictory interplay of objective and subjective factors that constitute both opportunities as well as threats to the realisation of the national goal of building a better life for all. On one hand it is a province full of promises for economic growth in terms of agriculture, the fishing industry, tourism and the manufacturing industry; to name but a few. On the other hand, it is a province with high levels of poverty in the country. The retrenchments that have taken place over the past two decades, especially in the mining industry have further exacerbated the already high levels of unemployment rate. The consequences of limited economic development are highlighted by the myriad of social needs in the Province which range from high levels of poverty; high levels of unemployment; insufficient infrastructure especially in the deep rural and peri-urban areas; poor access to service delivery; a high level of vulnerable mainly composed of women, children and the disabled; underdevelopment and minimal access to social, institutional, physical to technological infrastructure. The former Transkei and Ciskei homelands form the bulk of the impoverished areas of the present day Eastern Cape.

This department plays a crucial role in alleviating poverty through the provision of social services in the province. As indicated by my predecessor in her policy speech last year poverty remains the major challenge facing this province and requires collaboration with all other role-players.

Highlights from the financial year ending 31 March 2005
Ever since the dawn of democracy in the country in 1994, budgets have been presented in this house and on each occasion, reservations and concerns over achievements have been raised. Be that as it may, we still look forward with ,