Issued by: North West Communication Service
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE BY THE HONOURABLE PREMIER OF THE PROVINCE OF THE NORTH WEST, MR P S MOLEFE
The year 1995 is drawing to a close on ahigh note for the people and the government of the province of the North West. The present high levels of stability, peace and unity which our province enjoys are to a large measure attributable to the support and co-operation shown by the citizens and the civil servants of our province.
The growth levels in the economy are an indication of business confidence in the correctness of the process of structural and policy transformation which we embarked upon last year.
The local government elections were a phenomenal success, both for the economy and our nascent democracy. The democratisation process has gained legitimacy which was necessary for the successful socio-economic transformation of our institutions of governance and our society.
There are certain key areas in respect of which we have not yet completed the task of transformation.
The process of restructuring Government Supported Institutions and the law enforcement agencies is still under way. With the support of personnel and other institutions of civil society, the process will reach completion early in the new year.
Not only has peace and goodwill returned to our country and the province, but the joy relevant to Christmas is also pervasive in our land. This is in no small measure the result of the Reconstruction and Development Programme.
Together with local communities, we have already begun to identify, prioritise and implement a whole range of projects designed to give all people a better life.
Right now, the provincial government is in the process of building 25 000 homes, upgrading more than 15 rural clinics, renovating 650 schools, building an additional 740 classrooms, all at a cost of more than R64 million. We are successfully implementing the primary school nutrition scheme in areas where the need is most acutely felt.
We are also bringing water to more than 80 villages, one of which is the R57 million Moretele Water Project. A water supply scheme for 180 000 Winterveldt residents will be up and running soon.
Pregnant mothers and children under the age of six years are benefiting from free health care.
Ventersdorp, Lichtenburg and Swartruggens areas are about to benefit from a R35,9 million Land Reform Pilot Project, which is intended for small scale farming to be undertaken by 680 first-time farmers.
In addition, The Agang Le Tshume Electrification Project costing about R53 million, is benefiting thousands of people.
The key challenges facing our people and our government in the new year are the following:
- To consolidate democracy, by putting in place dynamic and viable local government structures that are efficient, effective, accountable and accessible.
- The acceleration of the process of human resource development and the capacitation of our people so as to enable them to take charge of their own economic lives.
- The acceleration of the delivery process and meeting the most basic needs of our people within the framework of the RDP.
- To intensify efforts to build the economy and create jobs.
- To complete the transformation and integration process of our educational system.
- To influence the constitution making process by ensuring that the collective views of the people of the province are made known to the Constitutional Assembly.
We recommit the provincial government to the principles which underpin democratic governance, viz a clean, good, transparent, accountable and effective administration at all levels.
May this Christmas be characterized by peace and goodwill.
I wish all a Merry Christmas