Date: 21/09/2003
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government
Title: Ramatlhodi: Welcome dinner for Mozambican delegation


REMARKS BY ADVOCATE NGOAKO RAMATLHODI, PREMIER OF LIMPOPO, DURING THE WELCOME DINNER FOR THE DELEGATION OF GAZA PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IN MOZAMBIQUE, 21 September 2003

Master of ceremonies, His Excellency, the Governor of Gaza province and your entourage, my colleagues in the Executive Council, honourable Mayors of our municipalities present here, ladies and gentlemen

It is my honour and privilege to welcome you to Limpopo.

In 1998 when our two provinces signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in our common competitive advantages --- little did we know that few months down the line we would be deterred on our way towards the realization of the objectives we set our selves to achieve.

As we all know, the year 2000 saw our neighbouring country ravaged by floods. The infrastructure was destroyed and in the process important records disappeared. At worse, Gaza province, our twinning partner, was one of the hardest hit.

On account of this natural disaster and related factors beyond normal human control we found ourselves having to inevitably keep the implementation of our MOU in abeyance.

Limpopo provincial government had to join the rest of the country in its efforts and endeavours to rescue the situation -- and ultimately reconstruct and develop the infrastructure and related amenities of the people of Mozambique.

However, Master of ceremonies

Perfectly conscious of our common desire to strengthen, consolidate, advance and develop relations in the economic, security, cultural, environmental and wildlife management as outlined in the memorandum of understanding in question, we decided on this interaction so that we soldier on and on.

In addition to these important trade relations, a dire need for exchange programmes on languages and related education aspects cannot be emphasised more. English teachers in Limpopo are in abundance, whilst in the same vein our people could also learn Portuguese from your teachers.

Farming in goats whose meat is mostly consumed in Mozambique, is another field in which our trade relations could bear fruition.

We are also required to vigilantly guard against the reversal of the gains scored through the Greater Limpopo Trans-frontier Park. If you enter Kruger National Park, you can ultimately find yourself in Mozambique. The barrier that used to divide our people does no longer exist. The animals can also freely graze in the two countries.

On the other hand we are challenged to make show that the programmes we engage in cascade down to municipalities.

We need to identify anchor projects that will make it easier for people of Giyani to work with the people of Shayishayi, the people of Phalaborwa to work with the people of Chokwe, the people of Bushbuckridge to work with the people of Pieni, and so on.

Master of ceremonies,

We have successfully worked together during the time of need, and hopefully we could make more difference by continuing to work together.

I trust this agreement will serve as a building block and a source of inspiration in our forward march to the creation of a better life for the people of our provinces, and respective states.

I thank you

Issued by the Limpopo Provincial Government