SEXWALE'S ADDRESS ON THE OPENING OF LEGISLATURE

Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government

PREMIER TOKYO SEXWALE'S ADDRESS ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE GAUTENG PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE

21 February 1997

Executive Summary

The Gauteng Government prides itself on three years of corruption-free rule and strives to be as accountable, transparent and committed to the people of this province as possible. 1997 is also the year of marketing and building Gauteng as a major centre, utilizing our resources to the maximum in responding to the needs of our province and creating a positive profile which is recognizable anywhere in the world.

National Council of Provinces (NCOP)

Section 60 - 72 of the new Constitution, which deals with the NCOP, places the provinces firmly in the corridors of decision-making at a national level. The NCOP is the centrepiece of cooperative governance, a concept that was developed in Gauteng Legislature and highlighted by the President in his Opening Address to Parliament. The challenge ahead is to ensure that the NCOP develops a profound sense of provincial interests and reconciles these with national priorities.

Review of 1996

1996 brought with it a number of challenges that have tested the capacity of government in different ways:

The withdrawal of the National Party members from the Executive resulted in a single-party Cabinet in Gauteng, creating a new political space. This paradigm shift marks the beginning of a new phase of political development.

Gauteng Provincial Government has achieved a great deal in maintaining and refurbishing the existing massive infrastructure within the Province. We view this as a crucial site of delivery.

Our province is faced with enormous developmental challenges and the key to meeting these challenges lies in increased access to skills and an investment in our human resources. In the area of Education, we have created a legislative and policy framework to make our schools centres of excellence. During the matric examinations, we were able to tighten our systems to ensure credibility and integrity.

Within the Health sector, achievements include the provision of free, comprehensive, primary health care services, the success of the polio/measles campaign and swift responses to the meningitis outbreak and polio scare. In Welfare, there were continued efforts to develop better systems for the payment of pensions.

In 1996 many people continued to live in poor conditions, which has resulted in the escalation of crime in the province. The government is committed to fight crime but beyond this commitment must be active measures such as Community Policing Forums, Business against Crime, Neighbourhood Watch and crime reporting. The eradication of corruption and crime in the police service is an essential component of fighting crime in the province.

Last year also witnessed the launch of the Gauteng Development Agency as a key instrument for attracting employment-generated investments and providing one-stop centres for potential investors. There have also been a number of other successful initiatives in this regard. The Gauteng Economic Affairs Department has taken the initiative to support small, medium and emerging enterprises.

More than 156 000 government-owned rented houses were handed over to township residents in 1996 and a further 16 000 stands were provided under the essential services programme. 10 450 housing subsidies were approved.

Taking Forward Work in 1997

The Legislative Programme for 1997 prioritizes key areas of work. Key bills and acts for 1997 are: Gauteng Local Government Bill, Gauteng Development Planning Bill, Community Improvement Districts Bill, Technical Colleges Act, Provincial Health Act, Tourism Bill, Liquor Bill, Business Policy Bill, National Housing Act, Residential Landlord and Tenant Bill, Arts and Culture Housing Bill, Gauteng Transport Framework Bill and the Livestock Improvement Bill.

Programmes for 1997

• The launch of the development planning cycle at the first full meeting of the Gauteng Government Forum in May, will build ongoing coordination around our growth and development challenges.
• Building the capacity and human resources of our local governments in one of our major tasks
• For the Department of Development Planning and Local Government, the implementation of the Growth and Development Plan will be foremost on the agenda this year. The Gauteng Development Tribunal will also being operating in 1997.
• The Health Department will continue to process of rationalization and transformation and will conduct extensive work around HIV/Aids.
• Education will focus on a School Governance Capacity Building Programme to train people to run schools efficiently and effectively. A community-based public works programme will be initiated to repair schools in the province.
• The Department of Housing and Land Affairs aims to build 123 000 houses within the next two years. The Land Reform Pilot Programme will provide 1 720 serviced residential sites over the next two years.
• The Department of Transport and Public Works will spend R30 million on 50 community projects.
• Youth are a key area of focus and concern and this will be exemplified in the Gauteng Provincial Plan of Action for Children. Youth Development Services in the Ministry of Sport and Recreation will also be established this year.
• The fight against crime will continue. There will be greater collaboration between the key national departments.

Concluding Remarks

The legislative programme and the focused delivery programmes are a concrete expression of our commitment and a manifestation of true patriotism. We have to prove to ourselves and the people of this country, that we are willing to cast our fate, particularly with the poor.