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Date : 21/07/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Western Cape Government Imbizo Week: Paarl community


EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY THE WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, ADDRESSING A COMMUNITY IMBIZO, Paarl, 21 July 2003

PARTNERSHIP: THE KEY TO THE WORLD CLASS VISION

For our NNP/ANC Coalition Government of Hope to succeed in realising our vision of the World Class Province, which Cares, one of the most important resources available to us is our partnership with the people of this province. A fundamental difference which separates our coalition government from governments which came before, is that we realise goodwill can only become a strong partnership when Government stops acting as though it alone knows what can improve people's lives.

Our determination to bring new levels of partnership, cooperation and coordination to the relationship between provincial, local and national government, and the people of the Western Cape, is based on this understanding. It is also why this Imbizo Focus Week is of such importance to us - providing a platform for dialogue, for listening, for understanding and for extending partnerships. Our first Imbizo event, earlier today was at one of the People's Housing Projects in Brown's Farm. The success of the People's Housing Process is just one illustration of how much more effective delivery can be when it is in partnership with the community.

There are a number of excellent examples of the partnerships which have grown with our Coalition of Hope in the last 18 months right here in the Boland. One of these is with the Breede Valley community who recently identified a burning need in their area for more Hospice care facilities for those who are terminally ill. Our Provincial MEC for Health, Minister Piet Meyer and his Department have already made this kind of care a priority for our Government - with 29 NGOs receiving funding of more than R5 million last year for home based care, and more than R3, 5 million allocated to the six 'step-down' facilities around the province.

The people of De Doorns and the Breede Valley though, realised that the Bram Care Centre, which serves the Boland and Overberg, did not have the capacity to meet all of the needs of their community, and so they took action. Led by the clinic staff of the Eben Donges Hospital and the local Lions club the community held a very successful fundraising campaign and started the process to establish a new facility in their area. On behalf of the Provincial Government I would like to salute the individuals and organisations involved in this initiative and as part of our partnership with the people I am very pleased this evening to be able to hand over R500 000 to the Mayor of the Breede Valley Municipality to assist in this regard. I am also pleased to announce that a building on the premises of the Brewelskloof Hospital will be made available by the province as a venue for the facility. This is only the start of the process though, with a new Section 21 company soon to be formed by the community to manage the renovation and equipping of the building.

Another successful partnership in the Boland has been between our Provincial Government and local municipalities in the building of much-needed infrastructure in our communities. Our Provincial Minister for Local Government, Minister Cobus Dowry, and his department has taken the lead in growing this partnership with our municipalities The Consolidated Municipal Infrastructure Programme (CMIP) has spent more than R512 million on 819 projects in the province so far - creating more than 2,1 million person-days of employment for our people. With our CMIP budget rising by R49 million to over R183 million this year, I am very pleased to be able to present to the Mayor of the Drakenstein Municipality a CMIP cheque for R20 631 000. This funding will be used for:

A new water treatment works in Paarl (R8 603 000); A bulk water supply pipeline for Gouda (R574 000); Lighting for the Gouda sports field (R320 000); Repairing roads and storm water facilities in Saron (R910 700); Lighting for the Saron sports field (R320 000); Street lighting in Hermon (R50 000); Upgrading of a pump station in Wellington (R2 785 000); and Extension of the Wellington refuse site (R7 068 000).

We are proud of the track record of delivery, which our Coalition Government of Hope has achieved in the last 18 months - but we know that this success belongs as much to the people of the Western Cape as it does to the Provincial Government. Partnerships are the key to iKapa eliHlumayo.

Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp on 083-778-9923
Issued by Western Cape Provincial Government
21 July 2003

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