14 October 1999
Honourable Ministers
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my role at this very important occasion to express the gratitude - thanks from the heads of state, the governments and the people of our three countries for the fantastic work that is being done to eliminate the scourge of malaria from our midst.
We have set ourselves some ambitious targets. As my colleague has noted we aim to reduce the incidence of Plasmodium falciparum in Maputo province from 400 per 1000 to less than 20 per 1000 within five years after initiation of the programme. We aim to red uce the incidence of such infections in the South Africa and Swaziland parts of the region from 250 per 1000 to 5 per 1000 within five years.
We have put hard figures with key delivery dates into our plan of action. This is because we are confident we will succeed. And the main reason we are so confident is because we have such capable and committed people involved in our programme. I would like to thank the men and women who have worked so long and hard to make this happen.
I would like to thank the officials from the Health Departments in Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland, the Medical Research Council and the Lubombo Task Team for their hard work in developing the protocol and implementation programme. In particular I w ould like to thank Dr Brian Sharp, Dr Avertino Baretto and Mr Simon Kunene, for their leadership and tenacity in driving the process. Their unstinting work and dedication is a true sign of the spirit and enterprise that this SDI depends on for success.
In conclusion, let me add that this protocol - so important in terms of containing the biggest killer in Africa - is just one aspect of the Lubombo SDI. We will go forward to implement the malaria control programme but this is just one important component of an integrated plan to bring dignity and development to the men and women who live in this part of the world.
There are many other forms of action now lined up. We have another protocol waiting in the wings.
Recently there has been much talk about promoting peace parks in Africa, big transfrontier conservation areas that will enhance the biodiversity of the continent and promote tourism as a form of development. Well, we have prepared a transfrontier conservat ion area agreement and protocol. This document, which will underpin a concerted and joint programme to manage, link and expand the beautiful game reserves of our region has been finalised and is waiting approval.
We are also working hard to improve border controls and promote the free flow of traffic across our borders. Those of you who have travelled through the border posts to come to this meeting today will have already noticed an increased speed and efficiency among our officials. And this is just the start, the beginning of a borderlands programme designed to boost the productivity of our spatial development initiative.
Finally, and most importantly, early next year, the Lubombo SDI will present its lead investment sites to the private sector. As we have seen, four of these investment areas straddle the borders between our respective countries - and include a number of to urism projects ranging from resorts to boutique hotels and lodges. This will be a critical event for the Lubombo process as this will test the ability of this region to attract the kinds of productive industries that will turn it into an economic powerhous e.
We have demonstrated today that government is willing to put its money where its mouth is, to do its bit to create the broad macro conditions for effective investment and industrial growth. It is our hope that the private sector will recognise these effort s and come to the party when we launch our investment drive early next year. For that is how - through the creation of a partnership between the public and the private sectors - we will achieve the renaissance we are looking for in this part of Africa.
Thank you again to all who have made this event possible and who, in so doing, have contributed to that bigger goal.