Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Legislature
RESPONSE OF DR MATHOLE MOTSHEKGA TO THE ADDRESS BY THE PREMIER TOKYO SEXWALE
Cde Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, Cde Premier Tokyo Sexwale, Members of the Legislature, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Comrade Terror Lekota, our distinguished guests, members of our community of Gauteng.
It is my honour to get this opportunity to respond to the Premier's address on behalf of the ANC.
The Premier took this opportunity to reflect quite deeply about the path we have travelled in our endeavours to create a better life for all in this Province and the country in general.
The Premier has correctly identified our immediate imperatives. Our task now is to begin to consolidated areas where we have made progress and review the ones in which we seem to stumble.
First, and foremost, we must develop a strategy for the development of human capital to address the present humiliating intellectual dependence and threats of a brain drain each time when individuals or pockets of individuals threaten to leave the country. In this regard we shall forge ties with organised students movements to impress on them the right and duty to learn as part of their National service.
In addressing your concern regarding the development of human capital, Cde Tokyo Sexwale, we shall establish partnerships between the private sector, civil society, institutions of learning and government for the development of human capital. In particular, we shall focus on the transfer of skills and technology to the disadvantaged and informal communities. Last but not least we shall promote growth and development and black economic empowerment as a backbone of the African Renaissance and a better life for all.
Gauteng has a solid administrative infrastructure which, Mr Premier, you are leaving behind. Our task now is to orientate this administration towards community development and provision of basic services to our communities especially the previously disadvantaged and informal settlements.
Our government will honour our International and National obligations for the promotion of the rights of women, children, workers, the disabled and environmental protection of course, the issue of safety and safety is not only paramount but a prerequisite for human and economic development. We shall do all within our power to eradicate this scourge. For this purpose we shall forge close partnerships with civil society, especially business and religious communities to deal with this problem.
We welcome the adoption of the new Constitution, which has removed the constraints on the delivery of basic services to our people. This new Constitution, which is being phased in, will enable us to realise the socio-economic rights and priorities, such as health, housing, education and environmental protection. This will, therefore enable us to create a better life for all.
In this connection, Local Government requires urgent attention as a sphere of government best positioned for the delivery of basic services. In the coming year therefore we shall pay special attention to the restructuring of Local Government in both urban and rural areas to ensure the full participation of all our people, especially the poorest of the poor and the marginalised group such as women and youth. Special provision will be made for the participation of women and youth in all structures of Local Government.
I also wish to take this opportunity to thank the Speaker and staff of the Legislature for their support. In the coming year these chambers will be more often than not empty. The next year is a year of delivery. It is the year to go to the people through our constituency offices and community development centres to inform communities, deliver services and receive mandates and provide good governance to the people of this province.