Date: 10/07/2003
Source: North West Provincial Government
Title: Mayisela: Launch of North West Substance Abuse Forum
SPEECH BY THE NORTH WEST MEC FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, ARTS, CULTURE AND SPORT, MR ME MAYISELA, AT THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF THE PROVINCIAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE FORUM, Mmabatho Civic Centre, Mafikeng, 10 July 2003
Programme Director,
The Mayor of the Central District Municipality, Cllr Mohulatsi,
The Mayor of Mafikeng Municipality, Cllr Hlangwana,
The Director-General of the Dept of Social Development,
Senior Officials of all government departments,
Non-Governmental Organisations present today,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I would like from the onset to acknowledge the sterling work done by everybody involved in this initiative.
The launch of the provincial substance abuse forum will go a long way in giving impetus to the ongoing struggle of fighting substance abuse within our communities.
As we launch this forum, we recognise the correct approach of building partnerships within the social affairs cluster, all government departments and civil society.
It is through this partnership that we can win the battle against substance abuse. We always say 'Together We Make A Difference'.
The partnership within government departments in the implementation of policy is something that we have internalised politically.
It is at this level that we have always called for integration of government services to yield maximum service delivery outputs.
Today, we are impressed about the approach that we have chosen for ourselves in dealing with substance abuse at an implementation level. This must always define the manner in which we approach issues of service delivery.
The message we are conveying to government officials is that this is one government. Our people view the state as one, including its organs, services and behaviour.
We therefore have to move in unison when dealing with social problems afflicting our communities. This way the corporate image of government as a caring government will be enhanced, eliminating unnecessary competition between government departments for publicity.
This calls for a new calibre of social development cadres who are responsive to the needs of communities irrespective of their workstations in the public service.
This year we are consolidating the building of a people's contract for a better life for all South Africans. We are paying homage to selfless sacrifices made by South Africans who are at the forefront of social development.
The inclusion of non-governmental organisations in this forum therefore represents our commitment to consolidate our partnership with organs of civil society for social development.
Informed by this, we have to move even further to involve community-based organisations at a ward level. The involvement of community-based organisations is an imperative to the success of the fight against substance abuse.
Our call for people-driven programmes must also translate into the mobilisation of all and sundry at local level.
This means that this forum must establish similar forums consisting of all stakeholders; including schools, churches, traditional authority, business, youth formations etc. The work of this forum must then permeate into community structures.
Programme Director, in fighting substance abuse we cannot underestimate the positive role that the family must play. It is because the family, as an institution in society, is central to the struggle against substance abuse.
As an institution responsible for primary socialisation, the family must be strengthened to deal with substance abuse. This view suggests that once we have strong families, we shall have strong communities and a better South African society.
We therefore see this forum as complimenting existing government programmes in building our families to respond to the challenges and results of substance abuse.
As a leading department in this campaign, we commit ourselves to support the work of the forum. It shall receive both the political and administrative support from the department.
We shall lobby for its funding even outside government to ensure that its work is not constrained.
My office shall therefore link with national and international agencies for official development assistance to fund community programmes of this forum.
In this regard, under the guidance, parameters and the leadership of the national department, we shall play a proactive role in liasing with the relevant United Nations agency on drugs control and other international organisations, to support this forum.
I am looking forward to a positive impact that this forum, its activities and programmes shall make in the ongoing national and international struggle against substance abuse.
In conclusion, on behalf of government, I wish the North West Substance Abuse Forum success in its operations.
I thank you.
Issued by North West Provincial Government
10 July 2003
Source: North West Provincial Government
Title: Mayisela: Launch of North West Substance Abuse Forum
SPEECH BY THE NORTH WEST MEC FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, ARTS, CULTURE AND SPORT, MR ME MAYISELA, AT THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF THE PROVINCIAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE FORUM, Mmabatho Civic Centre, Mafikeng, 10 July 2003
Programme Director,
The Mayor of the Central District Municipality, Cllr Mohulatsi,
The Mayor of Mafikeng Municipality, Cllr Hlangwana,
The Director-General of the Dept of Social Development,
Senior Officials of all government departments,
Non-Governmental Organisations present today,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I would like from the onset to acknowledge the sterling work done by everybody involved in this initiative.
The launch of the provincial substance abuse forum will go a long way in giving impetus to the ongoing struggle of fighting substance abuse within our communities.
As we launch this forum, we recognise the correct approach of building partnerships within the social affairs cluster, all government departments and civil society.
It is through this partnership that we can win the battle against substance abuse. We always say 'Together We Make A Difference'.
The partnership within government departments in the implementation of policy is something that we have internalised politically.
It is at this level that we have always called for integration of government services to yield maximum service delivery outputs.
Today, we are impressed about the approach that we have chosen for ourselves in dealing with substance abuse at an implementation level. This must always define the manner in which we approach issues of service delivery.
The message we are conveying to government officials is that this is one government. Our people view the state as one, including its organs, services and behaviour.
We therefore have to move in unison when dealing with social problems afflicting our communities. This way the corporate image of government as a caring government will be enhanced, eliminating unnecessary competition between government departments for publicity.
This calls for a new calibre of social development cadres who are responsive to the needs of communities irrespective of their workstations in the public service.
This year we are consolidating the building of a people's contract for a better life for all South Africans. We are paying homage to selfless sacrifices made by South Africans who are at the forefront of social development.
The inclusion of non-governmental organisations in this forum therefore represents our commitment to consolidate our partnership with organs of civil society for social development.
Informed by this, we have to move even further to involve community-based organisations at a ward level. The involvement of community-based organisations is an imperative to the success of the fight against substance abuse.
Our call for people-driven programmes must also translate into the mobilisation of all and sundry at local level.
This means that this forum must establish similar forums consisting of all stakeholders; including schools, churches, traditional authority, business, youth formations etc. The work of this forum must then permeate into community structures.
Programme Director, in fighting substance abuse we cannot underestimate the positive role that the family must play. It is because the family, as an institution in society, is central to the struggle against substance abuse.
As an institution responsible for primary socialisation, the family must be strengthened to deal with substance abuse. This view suggests that once we have strong families, we shall have strong communities and a better South African society.
We therefore see this forum as complimenting existing government programmes in building our families to respond to the challenges and results of substance abuse.
As a leading department in this campaign, we commit ourselves to support the work of the forum. It shall receive both the political and administrative support from the department.
We shall lobby for its funding even outside government to ensure that its work is not constrained.
My office shall therefore link with national and international agencies for official development assistance to fund community programmes of this forum.
In this regard, under the guidance, parameters and the leadership of the national department, we shall play a proactive role in liasing with the relevant United Nations agency on drugs control and other international organisations, to support this forum.
I am looking forward to a positive impact that this forum, its activities and programmes shall make in the ongoing national and international struggle against substance abuse.
In conclusion, on behalf of government, I wish the North West Substance Abuse Forum success in its operations.
I thank you.
Issued by North West Provincial Government
10 July 2003
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