Speech by the Northern Cape Premier Dipuo Peters at the Asia Expo gala evening

Excellencies
Members of the Provincial Executive Council
Mayors of the districts and local councils
Members of the Provincial Legislature
Councillors
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

When thinking about the Northern Cape, many images, feelings, anecdotes and memories are revealed in the heart and mind.

To some, this beautiful province reminds of the big diamond rush of 1870 that gave character to its towns, defined its people and shaped their history forever. Others know this province as the place from which Christianity spread throughout Africa. To some this is the home to the first peoples of the continent who, according to President Thabo Mbeki, "were the first to lose their lives in the struggle to defend our freedom and dependence".

There are also those who remind us that we are "Africa's eye on the universe" through the Southern African Largest Telescope in Sutherland. To a few, this is God's garden as Namaqualand changes its character albeit for a little while and where, at the Succulent Karoo, you still see the dinosaurs of the floral and botanical world.

While we are proud of these chain strings to history, the Northern Cape is more than that and today, you could also experience our endless possibilities and promise. You could become familiar with what each and every corner of our 370 000 square kilometres have to offer and you could live the passion of our 1 million people. More importantly, this Expo accentuates our creative energy and innovation, promoted by our resolve to do it for ourselves and the determination to create the required conditions in which all of us can reach our full potential.

It was only two weeks ago, on Women's Day, in this very province that President Thabo Mbeki warned us that "if we fail to mobilise the potential of all our people in conditions of total liberty so they can give unencumbered expression to their creativity, we are effectively depriving our country of the possibility to leverage its full potential to achieve the goals of growth, development and shared prosperity".

I am honoured to say that what we experienced today is indeed the mobilisation of the potential of all our people in conditions of total liberty. It shows that while the Northern Cape is many things to many people, we as much about diamonds as we are about enabling our people to sparkle in whatever they do, wherever they are. We are as much about iron ore and granite as we are about the excavation and development of our collective potential. We are as much about agriculture as we are about the nurturing and growth of our possibilities. We are as much about creating attractive destinations to tourists and visitors as we are about exploring greater heights our people can achieve.

This is who we are and I am proud to be part of it.

Today, the Northern Cape indeed reminds of many things but this is also the birthplace and graveyard of giants and heroes as the spirits Chief Galeshewe, Sol Plaatje and Frances Baard still inspires us. It is the gallery of Khoi-San rock artwork to remind future generations that they once roamed this world. It is the playground of the river-rafter, the rock-climber, the adventuress, the explorer. It is the solace of presidents and queens who enjoy the empty spaces and the noiseless peace. It is the battlefield of the British and the Boers in their hunger for power and land.

To me, it is my sanctuary and I am honoured to welcome you in it.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Northern Cape Provincial Government
23 August 2007