Date: 02/08/2003
Source: Ministry of Public Works
Title: Sigcau: Opening of Umzinto taxi rank & market stalls


ADDRESS BY MS S SIGCAU, MP, MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF UMZINTO TAXI RANK AND MARKET STALLS, Umzinto Sportsfield, Saturday, 2 August 2003

Programme Directors Mr Nathi Ndelu and Mr Bongani More
Reverend C M Dlamini
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Province Dr LPHM Mtshali
Deputy Minister of Public Works, Rev Musa Zondi
Mayor of Ugu District Municipality Councillor Mntomuhle Khawula
Mayor of Umdoni Municipality Councillor N Gumede
Members of Parliament
Members of the Provincial Legislature
Councillors
Traditional leaders
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

Greetings

Nine years is a short period in the life of a nation. As we look back to the historic 27 April 1994 democratic breakthrough we acknowledge the strides towards a better life for all.

The advances we have made in the context of the consequences of the legacy of apartheid are truly remarkable. During the period under review our democratic government secured peace and extended social services to millions of the poor.

Our experience over the past 9 years has taught us a number of important lessons. As we work tirelessly to eradicate poverty, eliminate the legacy of apartheid and improve the quality of life, we are further guided by the vision of President Mbeki as contained in the Expanded Public Works Programme. According to the President, the objectives of this programme is to:

i) Build social and economic infrastructure
ii) Create jobs
iii) Develop Human Resources through skilling and training

Contrary to current programmes, the EPWP will be coordinated and finely integrated in approach, using available procurement muscle of government to make a noticeable impact on the lessening of poverty. My Department has been given the responsibility to steer EPWP into place and guide it to its fruition. We dare not fail the people of South Africa.

The political defeat of apartheid has posed new challenges. As a people we are challenged to defeat underdevelopment, poverty and HIV/AIDS pandemic. As our experience teaches us, the new challenges require partnerships and unity in action for change. Essentially as the strictures of our constitution demands of us, co-operative governance is the mechanism of improving the welfare of our communities.

The Community Based Public Works Programme is a sub programme of the Department of Public Works. This programme delivers socio-economic infrastructure to the poor in rural and urban areas. Since 1998 the CBPWP has employed 127 683 local workers on 3152 infrastructure projects valued at R 1,4 billion. Of the workers employed, 52 616 women (of whom 29 985 were heads of households), 52 904 were youth, and 2 335 were disabled people. A total of 6 847 sustainable jobs created.

In 2002/03 financial year, the CBPWP handled 514 projects employing 13 388 local workers of whom 6 559 were women, 6 429 youth, and 321 disabled people. A total of 247 sustainable jobs were created.

Through the Community Production Centres and the MPCCs (40 operational) we have brought services at the doorsteps of our communities. In the light of our achievements allow me to affirm the belief of government that the tide has turned.

Today's occasion represents another milestone in our united action to roll back the frontiers of poverty. As we celebrate today's occasion we remember that black taxi operators are pioneers of black economic empowerment. Broad based black economic empowerment is a critical element of transformation.

Umzinto cluster project was implemented during the 2002/2003 financial years. The cluster consist of rehabilitation of the existing taxi rank; parking bays for the buses and the market stalls. The scale of the project consists of two new water borne toilets; twenty-two market stalls were constructed and could be shared by forty-four traders. The taxi rank is used by seven taxi associations and sixty parking bays had to be provided for the taxis and the covered parking provided for at least half of the sixty taxis at a time.

At the bus rank section, two new toilets with water borne sewerage were constructed. Another set of eighteen-covered market stalls were constructed to cater for thirty-six people when sharing and brick paved walk ways were provided for pedestrians.

The Department of Public Works contributed about R1 005 640.00 and the Ugu district municipality about R2 587 800.00. The successful completion of the project demonstrates the fruits of co-operative governance.

Regarding social impact of the project the following were achieved:

* Number of beneficiaries 5000;
* Number of people employed during the construction phase 713;
* Number of sustainable jobs created 10;
* Amount of budget spent on local labour 30% of value of project;
* Number of women employed 242 (50%), Number of youth employed 229;
* Number of disabled employed 4

To ensure community empowerment institutional as well as technical training was provided for all the steering committees. Four brick layers, two kerb layers and two assistant carpenters received technical training and were placed in jobs within the cluster for the duration of the implementation period.

To encourage community involvement and the culture of vukuzenzele, users of the facilities will pay user charges to Umdoni local municipality, the custodian of the projects. I am confident that this cluster project will enhance social cohesion and local economic development. The cluster project is officially opened.

I thank you

Issued by Ministry of Public Works
2 August 2003