Date: 24/02/2005
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government
Title: Moloto: Response Debate on Limpopo State of the Province address

Response to the Debate on the State of the Province Address by Premier of Limpopo, Mr. Sello Moloto, at Lebowakgomo Legislative Chamber

24 February 2005


Mr Speaker, Deputy Speaker
Honourable Members of the House
Leaders of Opposition Parties
Members of the Executive Council present
Whips of various political parties
Members of our Senior Management Service
Media representatives
Ladies and Gentlemen

May we take this opportunity to thank members of this house for their contribution to the debate on our state of the Province address. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the leaders of the opposition parties who participated enthusiastically throughout the deliberations. In our assessment of the raging debate on the State of our Province so far, we believe that there is a higher level of convergence by all political parties and broad civil society on matters that commonly affect most of our citizens in Limpopo and indeed in South Africa.

Mr Speaker
As we listened attentively to the positions and views of honourable members from various political parties, we began to develop an attitude that, there seems to be a common and positive running thread of consensus in each one of us. This level of convergence by political parties on the issues that affect our people and the desire to find one another in their resolution needs to be commended and applauded.

This is an indication that opposition for its sake will not necessarily bring to our people what they mostly deserve, hence we believe that there is a need for this unity of purpose to also find expression and meaning amongst our people who are outside of this chamber. It is also our firm belief that perhaps this fledgling consensus demonstrates a particular level of maturity on the part of the leadership of our various political parties and indeed augurs well for the future of our Province.

In further elaborating this consensus Mr. Speaker, and fully aware of differences that we still have as political parties, we wish to take advantage of this occasion to single out areas we believe there is common agreement amongst honourable members and indeed political parties.

Mr Speaker
Without fear of contradictions and in the belief that honourable members have the honourable of intentions and meant well in their deliberations, we therefore wish to take this opportunity to reiterate what you, two days ago, collectively stated as critical to our growth and development.

* Honourable members have unequivocally stated that there is a need for communities and Municipalities to come together in the spirit of Let~