Date: 16/05/2005
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Title: Shilowa: United Cities and Local Governments of Africa congress
Welcoming address by Gauteng Premier, Mbhazima Shilowa, at the founding congress of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa
President of the UCLGA, Fr Smangaliso Mkhatshwa
First Vice President, Mr Badreddine Senoussi
Second Vice President, Mr Eneas Comiche
Representatives of the United Nations
Representatives of the United Cities and Local Government
Mayors and local government representatives of Africa
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It is indeed a great honour for the Gauteng province to host this historic founding congress of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) and to welcome you to Gauteng.
I trust that you will enjoy your stay here and, in addition to the very important deliberations of this congress, have a little time to explore some of what our province has to offer, including some of the best restaurants, shopping and entertainment experiences as well as historical and cultural treasures.
Allow me to share with you some of the issues facing Gauteng, which we believe are also of relevance to this congress.
Gauteng is known as the country's economic powerhouse, responsible for over a third of South Africa's GDP. Gauteng's economy is the fourth largest in Africa, responsible for one tenth of Africa's GDP. Most of our country's business headquarters are based here and we are also in many cases a starting point for international investors who wish to enter Africa.
The significance of all of this is that our success or failure has a direct bearing, not just on the people of Gauteng, but on the country and the continent as a whole. We have a particular responsibility to contribute to meeting our national objective of halving unemployment and poverty by 2014, which will mark the end of South Africa's second decade of freedom and democracy.
The future we envision in 2014 entails, amongst others, the following:
* We have achieved a vibrant economic growth rate of at least 8% per annum
* Unemployment has been reduced to less than 12% due to the high labour absorption rate in the economy, matched with a supply of appropriate skills
* There is successful small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) development and support resulting in an increased contribution by the SMME sector to the economy
* The Gauteng economy reflects the demographics of the province
* Strong links have been forged between the first and second economies
* Gauteng's competitive advantage has been unleashed by strategic economic infrastructure development
* Gauteng is a prime regional economic hub and is universally recognised as one of the world's foremost globally competitive city regions * Government efficiency in Gauteng has turned 'red-tape' into 'smart tape'
* Government regulation supports economic growth and business prosperity while enhancing good governance and business practice * Remote and coordinated access to government services is a reality as a result of e-governance
* A dynamic and supportive relationship exists between government, organised labour, business and civil society
* Gauteng is helping to drive Africa's integration into the global economy
* Trade volumes between Gauteng and the rest of Africa have doubled
* Poverty has been reduced by more than half, and the poor have access to an adequate social safety net
* All Gauteng citizens enjoy access to quality health care, decent water and sanitation, affordable electricity; decent, well located housing with easy access to amenities and economic opportunities
* Gauteng offers a world class education system, from pre-school to tertiary level
* The 2010 World Cup has come and gone, but we are still experiencing its benefits, including improved facilities and infrastructure
* Logistics management in the province is world class, as is the efficiency of the public transport system - including the Gautrain Rapid Rail system - the first in Africa
* Business and leisure tourists keep coming back for more of the Gauteng experience.
This is all very well, but we face significant development challenges in achieving this vision.
First, underdevelopment and inequality, poverty and unemployment, which are challenges facing many developing countries, are compounded by our legacy of apartheid, rapid urbanisation and in-migration in the context of globalisation. For example, Gauteng's population increased by 20% in five years.
Second, we need to ensure that economic growth translates into employment growth, broad-based income redistribution and a reduction in poverty and inequality. In particular, we need to address the divide between the first and second economies and the marginalisation of black people, women and people with disabilities from the mainstream economy. Freedom and democracy must mean access to economic opportunities for the majority of our people, so that they move from being mere spectators to becoming active participants and drivers of economic activity.
Third, while we have relatively strong inter-governmental relations between our three spheres of government - national, provincial and local - we have all identified the need for improved planning, alignment and integration across the three spheres of government. We further need to strengthen the institutional capacity of all three spheres to ensure improved service delivery to our people.
Fourth, we need to forge stronger links within the Southern African region and the continent.
Local and provincial government has responded to these challenges through a variety of policies and programmes, including through local economic development, city development and provincial growth and development strategies and integrated development plans.
Informed by our National Spatial Development Perspective, one of the most significant emerging responses by local and provincial government has been the development of a shared vision to develop Gauteng as a globally competitive city region.
Global city-regions are viewed as increasingly important actors in national and international political and economic arenas, as well as distinct spatial units and regional motors of the global economy. They consist of regional economies, each comprising one or more central metropolitan areas and their surrounding hinterlands, giving rise to a polycentric or multi-centric spatial form. Their economies are made up of 'intricate networks of specialised but complementary forms of economic activity, together with large, multifaceted local labour markets', characterised by strong agglomeration. In other words, regions with strong strategies stand a better chance of engaging positively in a globalising economy.
Gauteng is Africa's first global city-region. The Gauteng city-region includes the metropoles of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane, along with Mogale City (Krugersdorp) to the west and Emfuleni (Vereeniging-Vanderbijlpark) to the south. The majority of Gauteng's population - 83% - lives in the three metropolitan municipalities. This is the urban 'core' area, with close social, economic and administrative relationships with the surrounding areas or broader hinterland which reaches into neighbouring provinces.
In terms of population, economic significance and geo-political importance, Gauteng ranks among the main centres in the world hierarchy of urban areas.
We are the most urbanised province in South Africa, with over eight million people living in the region's metropoles and secondary urban centres. On current demographic projections, urban Gauteng will be home to 14.6 million people by 2015, and will rank among the largest urban settlements in the world.
Comparative research shows that, internationally, globally competitive and successful city-regions demonstrate the following positive features:
* First, successful city-regions demonstrate a clear commitment by economic and political decision-makers to strengthen the city-region. Leadership in successful city-regions are able to transcend localised priorities and focus on development at the regional level.
* Second, globally competitive city-regions often have an overarching vision and strategy bringing various role-players together to work towards achieving common goals.
* Third, successful city-regions have effective institutional frameworks that allow them to successfully co-operate internally, so as to better compete externally. This includes arrangements for decision-making and co-operative governance with a clear delineation of powers between national, provincial and local spheres. A clear recognition of the importance of cities to the national economy is also significant.
* Fourth, a globally competitive city region is able to provide a critical mass of high quality access to urban activities and an environment that improve the competitiveness of firms, including high-quality technology and skills.
* Fifth, globally competitive city regions are able to establish 'spatial coalitions' in which a wide range of players agree to act together to promote their region. These act as significant strategic networks linking the state, business, financial and voluntary sectors around a common goal to better manage its urban future.
* Sixth, successful city-regions strive to achieve both social and economic progress. This is vital, given the internal social breakdowns that city-regions experience as a result of globalisation, which leads to higher levels of income disparity and inward migration.
Gauteng already demonstrates many aspects of the attributes of a successful global city-region. However, our main challenge is to move from being just a city region to being a successful, globally competitive city region. Key to achieving this objective is adopting a unified approach by all spheres of government and sectors of society which should lead to:
* Better co-ordination and facilitation of planning and development across political and
administrative boundaries and between spheres of government
* More regionally balanced social and economic development
* Greater social and spatial cohesion and equity
* Enhanced national and African regional connectivity to the global economy
* Enhanced global competitiveness
* Increased shared growth and improved quality of life.
The choice by local and provincial government in Gauteng to work towards this vision does not necessarily imply new strategies but rather enhanced co-operation between municipalities in the province as well as across the three spheres of government. It requires common visioning and planning; integration, alignment and harmonisation of strategies, including in areas such as economic development and development planning, infrastructure investment, transport and social inclusion strategies; building partnerships or spatial coalitions with a broad range of stakeholders; common branding and marketing strategies as well as building the appropriate human capital and skills development.
Our common approach is based on recognition of our shared destiny and the need to plan and act together today to build a better future. It is based on the simple realisation that we will be more effective in building on our achievements and in addressing our considerable development challenges if we work together.
We also share a common destiny with yourselves as our African brothers and sisters. Our success is also your success. Your success is also our success.
The municipal movement has a critical role to play in the development of our province, our country and our continent. We look forward to the insights and strategies that this congress will bring to bear on the development challenges that we all face.
I wish you all the success in your deliberations.
For more information contact:
Annette Griessel
Cell: 082 563 3614
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng
Provincial Government
16 May 2005
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Title: Shilowa: United Cities and Local Governments of Africa congress
Welcoming address by Gauteng Premier, Mbhazima Shilowa, at the founding congress of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa
President of the UCLGA, Fr Smangaliso Mkhatshwa
First Vice President, Mr Badreddine Senoussi
Second Vice President, Mr Eneas Comiche
Representatives of the United Nations
Representatives of the United Cities and Local Government
Mayors and local government representatives of Africa
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It is indeed a great honour for the Gauteng province to host this historic founding congress of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) and to welcome you to Gauteng.
I trust that you will enjoy your stay here and, in addition to the very important deliberations of this congress, have a little time to explore some of what our province has to offer, including some of the best restaurants, shopping and entertainment experiences as well as historical and cultural treasures.
Allow me to share with you some of the issues facing Gauteng, which we believe are also of relevance to this congress.
Gauteng is known as the country's economic powerhouse, responsible for over a third of South Africa's GDP. Gauteng's economy is the fourth largest in Africa, responsible for one tenth of Africa's GDP. Most of our country's business headquarters are based here and we are also in many cases a starting point for international investors who wish to enter Africa.
The significance of all of this is that our success or failure has a direct bearing, not just on the people of Gauteng, but on the country and the continent as a whole. We have a particular responsibility to contribute to meeting our national objective of halving unemployment and poverty by 2014, which will mark the end of South Africa's second decade of freedom and democracy.
The future we envision in 2014 entails, amongst others, the following:
* We have achieved a vibrant economic growth rate of at least 8% per annum
* Unemployment has been reduced to less than 12% due to the high labour absorption rate in the economy, matched with a supply of appropriate skills
* There is successful small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) development and support resulting in an increased contribution by the SMME sector to the economy
* The Gauteng economy reflects the demographics of the province
* Strong links have been forged between the first and second economies
* Gauteng's competitive advantage has been unleashed by strategic economic infrastructure development
* Gauteng is a prime regional economic hub and is universally recognised as one of the world's foremost globally competitive city regions * Government efficiency in Gauteng has turned 'red-tape' into 'smart tape'
* Government regulation supports economic growth and business prosperity while enhancing good governance and business practice * Remote and coordinated access to government services is a reality as a result of e-governance
* A dynamic and supportive relationship exists between government, organised labour, business and civil society
* Gauteng is helping to drive Africa's integration into the global economy
* Trade volumes between Gauteng and the rest of Africa have doubled
* Poverty has been reduced by more than half, and the poor have access to an adequate social safety net
* All Gauteng citizens enjoy access to quality health care, decent water and sanitation, affordable electricity; decent, well located housing with easy access to amenities and economic opportunities
* Gauteng offers a world class education system, from pre-school to tertiary level
* The 2010 World Cup has come and gone, but we are still experiencing its benefits, including improved facilities and infrastructure
* Logistics management in the province is world class, as is the efficiency of the public transport system - including the Gautrain Rapid Rail system - the first in Africa
* Business and leisure tourists keep coming back for more of the Gauteng experience.
This is all very well, but we face significant development challenges in achieving this vision.
First, underdevelopment and inequality, poverty and unemployment, which are challenges facing many developing countries, are compounded by our legacy of apartheid, rapid urbanisation and in-migration in the context of globalisation. For example, Gauteng's population increased by 20% in five years.
Second, we need to ensure that economic growth translates into employment growth, broad-based income redistribution and a reduction in poverty and inequality. In particular, we need to address the divide between the first and second economies and the marginalisation of black people, women and people with disabilities from the mainstream economy. Freedom and democracy must mean access to economic opportunities for the majority of our people, so that they move from being mere spectators to becoming active participants and drivers of economic activity.
Third, while we have relatively strong inter-governmental relations between our three spheres of government - national, provincial and local - we have all identified the need for improved planning, alignment and integration across the three spheres of government. We further need to strengthen the institutional capacity of all three spheres to ensure improved service delivery to our people.
Fourth, we need to forge stronger links within the Southern African region and the continent.
Local and provincial government has responded to these challenges through a variety of policies and programmes, including through local economic development, city development and provincial growth and development strategies and integrated development plans.
Informed by our National Spatial Development Perspective, one of the most significant emerging responses by local and provincial government has been the development of a shared vision to develop Gauteng as a globally competitive city region.
Global city-regions are viewed as increasingly important actors in national and international political and economic arenas, as well as distinct spatial units and regional motors of the global economy. They consist of regional economies, each comprising one or more central metropolitan areas and their surrounding hinterlands, giving rise to a polycentric or multi-centric spatial form. Their economies are made up of 'intricate networks of specialised but complementary forms of economic activity, together with large, multifaceted local labour markets', characterised by strong agglomeration. In other words, regions with strong strategies stand a better chance of engaging positively in a globalising economy.
Gauteng is Africa's first global city-region. The Gauteng city-region includes the metropoles of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane, along with Mogale City (Krugersdorp) to the west and Emfuleni (Vereeniging-Vanderbijlpark) to the south. The majority of Gauteng's population - 83% - lives in the three metropolitan municipalities. This is the urban 'core' area, with close social, economic and administrative relationships with the surrounding areas or broader hinterland which reaches into neighbouring provinces.
In terms of population, economic significance and geo-political importance, Gauteng ranks among the main centres in the world hierarchy of urban areas.
We are the most urbanised province in South Africa, with over eight million people living in the region's metropoles and secondary urban centres. On current demographic projections, urban Gauteng will be home to 14.6 million people by 2015, and will rank among the largest urban settlements in the world.
Comparative research shows that, internationally, globally competitive and successful city-regions demonstrate the following positive features:
* First, successful city-regions demonstrate a clear commitment by economic and political decision-makers to strengthen the city-region. Leadership in successful city-regions are able to transcend localised priorities and focus on development at the regional level.
* Second, globally competitive city-regions often have an overarching vision and strategy bringing various role-players together to work towards achieving common goals.
* Third, successful city-regions have effective institutional frameworks that allow them to successfully co-operate internally, so as to better compete externally. This includes arrangements for decision-making and co-operative governance with a clear delineation of powers between national, provincial and local spheres. A clear recognition of the importance of cities to the national economy is also significant.
* Fourth, a globally competitive city region is able to provide a critical mass of high quality access to urban activities and an environment that improve the competitiveness of firms, including high-quality technology and skills.
* Fifth, globally competitive city regions are able to establish 'spatial coalitions' in which a wide range of players agree to act together to promote their region. These act as significant strategic networks linking the state, business, financial and voluntary sectors around a common goal to better manage its urban future.
* Sixth, successful city-regions strive to achieve both social and economic progress. This is vital, given the internal social breakdowns that city-regions experience as a result of globalisation, which leads to higher levels of income disparity and inward migration.
Gauteng already demonstrates many aspects of the attributes of a successful global city-region. However, our main challenge is to move from being just a city region to being a successful, globally competitive city region. Key to achieving this objective is adopting a unified approach by all spheres of government and sectors of society which should lead to:
* Better co-ordination and facilitation of planning and development across political and
administrative boundaries and between spheres of government
* More regionally balanced social and economic development
* Greater social and spatial cohesion and equity
* Enhanced national and African regional connectivity to the global economy
* Enhanced global competitiveness
* Increased shared growth and improved quality of life.
The choice by local and provincial government in Gauteng to work towards this vision does not necessarily imply new strategies but rather enhanced co-operation between municipalities in the province as well as across the three spheres of government. It requires common visioning and planning; integration, alignment and harmonisation of strategies, including in areas such as economic development and development planning, infrastructure investment, transport and social inclusion strategies; building partnerships or spatial coalitions with a broad range of stakeholders; common branding and marketing strategies as well as building the appropriate human capital and skills development.
Our common approach is based on recognition of our shared destiny and the need to plan and act together today to build a better future. It is based on the simple realisation that we will be more effective in building on our achievements and in addressing our considerable development challenges if we work together.
We also share a common destiny with yourselves as our African brothers and sisters. Our success is also your success. Your success is also our success.
The municipal movement has a critical role to play in the development of our province, our country and our continent. We look forward to the insights and strategies that this congress will bring to bear on the development challenges that we all face.
I wish you all the success in your deliberations.
For more information contact:
Annette Griessel
Cell: 082 563 3614
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng
Provincial Government
16 May 2005
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