"Co-operating to Compete"
Johannesburg, 14 October 1999
Honourable Ministers
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Today we give substance to another historic event. In May of 1998 President, Joaquim Chissano, met with President Nelson Mandela of South Africa and King Mswati III of Swaziland to launch the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative in Durban. It was an occasion that symbolised our determination to use regional cooperation as a means to promote prosperity and growth on the subcontinent.
On that occasion President Chissano said, that: "The aim of the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative is quite simple. It is to end the paradox of poverty amidst plenty, deprivation despite potential prosperity and severe backlogs in basic social services despite the inherent potential of the area. To end these paradoxes, we are putting aside the barriers that have prevented trans-national co-operation in the past."
This event today marks three years of hard work for the Lubombo SDI. You will know by now that the initiative forms part of a regional approach to economic growth and social development by managing framework issues, removing constraints to investment and packaging lead projects for private/public partnerships. This was formalised when our three heads of state signed the General Protocol on the Lubombo SDI at the World Economic Summit in June 1999.
SLIDE: LSDI AREA
This inter-governmental investment drive broadly targets the geographic area of eastern Swaziland, southern Mozambique and the north eastern areas of KwaZulu- Natal. What distinguishes this region from many others is the way the geographical beauty and cultural diversity combine with rich soils and a sub- tropical climate. This mix of assets is well placed to stimulate internationally competitive tourism and agricultural industries.
SLIDE: INTERMODAL ACCESS
To unlock the investment potential of the Lubombo, all three governments are improving the road network in the area. A major component of this programme is the construction of a new road that runs from Hluhluwe town in KwaZulu-Natal northwards to the Mozambican border and through to Maputo. The N2 is currently being upgraded and two phases will be completed by next year. In addition the upgrading of the N2 will be completed in the year 2000.
This will link Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces via Swaziland and increase market access for a tourism hub at Lavumisa/Golela and the Jozini Dam. A new passenger service from Durban to Maputo via Swaziland, called the Trans Lubombo, was opened recently. Together, these developments will set in place a transport network that will open up the region for tourism and agricultural developments.
The three governments are also addressing the obstacles that are currently halting investment and growth in the region. A special emphasis is placed on creating a stable climate for investment. Secure land tenure, efficient movement through borders and customs, maximum government support, and an enabling environment for public-private partnerships are being vigorously pursued.
SLIDE: LEAD PROJECT AREAS
In addition, the governments are promoting a number of lead investment projects. Four of these investment areas straddle the borders between our respective countries. They include the opportunity for a major resort development at Ponta do Oura, Kosi Bay and a transnational game park at Ndumu/Tembe/Futhi and Hlane/Mlawula.
The SDI has also identified the Greater St Lucia Wetlands as an area of major investment potential. A proposal to ensure that the management of the area is brought into line with international best practice is in the process of being implemented and government intends offering a number of unique investment opportunities, ranging from resorts to boutique hotels and lodges.
(SLIDE: FLASH SLIDES OF EACH PROJECT AREA)
Specialist teams of legal, financial, environmental and tourism consultants currently finalising project packaging. The three governments are tendering these lead investment sites in the early new year.
As you can see, we are already well down the road to creating a renaissance of growth in this region. Our motto is "co-operating to compete". Through regional co-operation we in this area will be able to compete effectively on the global markets as a world-class destination.
That is why we have devised this malaria protocol and our trilateral programme that will deal with the malaria threat to these dreams. My colleagues will go on to provide details about the programme we are unveiling today. For me it is to say two things: this is a first in our history, an historic occasion in which our countries are mounting a sustained drive to improve the health of our people and the economy which nourished their health.
And not only are we co-operating in this corner of Africa. We are also in line with the World Health Organisation which is also this week announcing a major drive to contain the malaria threat in Africa. Our programme - as you will hear shortly - relies heavily on a trans-border plan to spray houses in the region with an environmentally friendly pesticide. Such spraying methods have already been successfully used in six countries in southern Africa. Malaria is highly seasonal in the region and as a result only one spray round per annum is required, which is one of the major reasons behind the potential cost effectiveness of this technique in the region.
In addition, the World Health Organisation is stimulating the use of bed nets in households as a way of protecting residents of malaria-ridden areas from the lethal disease. A trial bed-net project has been put in place in parts of the LSDI area towards evaluating this form of control for the region. Any other new developments in regard to malaria control will also be evaluated.
Public and private funds must be mobilised in support of malaria control programmes. The richest man in the world, Bill Gates, citing the maxim that "a man who dies rich is a man who dies in disgrace", has pledged one tenth of his wealth - about US$11-billion - to help find a cure for malaria and HIV. I hope that the major investors in our region heed this maxim and support public sector initiatives to eradicate malaria from the region.
These are the modern-day scourges of humankind, threats to growth, development, jobs, social development and improved human well being. I am proud to be associated with this pro-active initiative by our three countries to fight this epidemic.