rustenburg civic centre, 1 kloof street, 07 february 2002
director of ceremonies;
ladies and gentlemen
Thank you for inviting me to this beautiful part of our country, Rustenburg in the north-west province, commonly referred to as the platinum province. I hope it was not a coincidence to name this highway the platinum highway.
South africa's road infrastructure together with its people and natural resources is one of its greatest assets and I am in the privileged position to be the custodian of this national treasure. The infrastructure of any country lays the foundation for its development, and an investment in its national infrastructure provides confidence in the economic, social, political and cultural growth of this country.
Such confidence ensures that the image we project to the world is that of a country which boasts a world-class infrastructure. I'm sure president thabo mbeki will highlight the importance of infrastructure development in his state of the nation address in parliament tomorrow.
I am also sure that the president will also point out south africa's role in the economy of the Southern Africa development community (sadc) and our position in the region, which enhances the need to preserve our roads infrastructure to meet the demands put on us.
Many regions of our country are characterised by a combination of poverty and unused potential for investment and economic development.
The introduction of infrastructure holds the potential to stimulate economic development, while at the same time representing a substantial investment in people as jobs are created, entrepreneurs developed and training and skills transfer projects implemented.
The n4 platinum highway, which we are launching today, represents one such project of infrastructure provision capable of transforming citizens lives, allowing them full participation and equal opportunity in our society.
However, infrastructure provision, and especially transport infrastructure, may never be a haphazard event. Transport needs to be planned holistically taking into account the needs of our citizens and country on the one hand and at the same time redressing the gross distortions created by apartheid policies. Further to this, transport should also serve to unite us with the rest of africa, so as to promote our african consciousness and the african renaissance through initiatives like the new partnership for africa's development (nepad).
As you are aware, I consider all modes of transport as equally important. The south african national roads agency limited, responsible for national roads in our country, shares this vision with me as clearly indicated in the time, effort and money invested by them in supporting other modes of transport, for example the gautrain project. This shared philosophy underlines the principle that transport infrastructure should be complimentary and not in competition to each other.
This road also serves as a shining example to this philosophy put into practice. The n4 platinum highway closes the link between the maputo harbour in mozambique with walvis bay in namibia, creating the first high quality transcontinental route in sub-saharan africa.
This road will ultimately lead to better utilisation of road, maritime and rail transport infrastructure. Through this project, export and shipping times are reduced with as much as ten shipping days while the distance by road between johannesburg and windhoek is shortened by some 500 kilometres.
With our holistic view of infrastructure in mind, this road shows the complimentary role of different transport modes in relation to each other in creating wealth and growth so needed in our country.
Although this project shows the potential and real benefits of infrastructure in our country, our real challenge still lies in funding projects of this nature.
As far back as in 2000 I announced the department of transport's commitment in developing an infrastructure development programme dedicated to seek and secure an adequate funding mechanism. The use of public private partnerships to fund infrastructure is one such mechanism that has once again proved its success through this project.
Black economic empowerment
black empowerment is a major objective of government and the agency. Shareholding is but one of the black empowerment components. Black economic empowerment and development is entrenched within the concession contract and smmes will receive
A project of this nature will render an enormous contribution towards social upliftment and empowerment of the people in the region. The use of targeted procurement ensures the development of entrepreneurs, smmes and the growth of affirmable business enterprises (abes). Initiatives such as
are entrenched in the concession contract to ensure that the quality of life of the people of the region is bettered.
Although this aspect of the concession contract will be rigorously monitored, we are confident that bpcc will surpass the targets and do us all proud.
The benefits of the project the project is of important significance to the country, especially as
overall:
Regional
macro-economic impact studies has shown remarkable findings relating to the introduction of the n4 platinum highway on economic activities in the region. Some of these findings are:
gdp
an analysis revealed that the project will contribute at least r2,2 billion per annum to the gdp. Of this amount, at least 61% (r1,35 billion) will manifest in the region itself. The sectors that will benefit the most are:
financial and business services = 15,0% trade = 14,8% construction = 7,1% food = 6,4%
personal income
the project also impact on personal income. It is estimated that the impact will amount to approximately r1,8 billion per annum, of which 18,7% is destined for households in the lower income group. Approximately 50% of the total personal impact will be within the region of the project.
Job creation
it is anticipated that close to 7000 jobs will be created within the region alone that will ultimately have a positive impact on the regional economy.
This road will help to realize the economic potential of the region by stimulating economic activities and opportunities, especially in the following sectors:
Conclusion
in conclusion, adjudicators under the auspices of project finance international have awarded this project "deal of the year". It is a great honour to receive such international recognition for a project in south africa. I congratulate all involved in this project for this outstanding achievement.
I would like to convey my appreciation to all parties involved in this project not only for their time, money and effort, but also for their confidence in participating in infrastructure provision projects in south africa. I also wish all the best of luck especially our young smmes and black entrepreneurs. I know you will do us proud.
I cannot allow such an occasion to pass without reminding all our road users of our road to safety strategy. From what I have seen here today, bakwena will play their rightful role in the implementation of this strategy.
The road to safety strategy 2001-2005 has as one of its main pillars the road environment. In january I have pointed out that remedial engineering works and improved signage has started on the 90 most critical hazardous locations identified by provinces. However, getting our roads in the conditions we would like to see, would strain government's resources beyond its limit.
It is thus for this reason that partnerships with the private sector play such an important role, especially in helping to achieve our goals as set out in the strategy. Large infrastructure, such as this project, also providing safer roads, is a shared asset that benefits everyone and therefore there should also be a shared responsibility. Just as the road to safety strategy is a process based on partnerships, so does this project underline the importance of partnerships and shared responsibility.
I would like to urge motorists that will use this road to commit them to making a difference mirrored by their road behaviour. Moreover, projects of this nature would not be possible without your support. But it goes further than just mere support. With each cent paid in toll, you not only invest in our country, but also become in partner in our endeavours shaping our future. It is you out there that ultimately drives our projects, and I thank you for that.