20 October 2002
The Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Members of the Kranskiop community, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;
It is always a great pleasure when we come together to celebrate successes, as we are doing today.
The development of the Lilani Hot Springs Resort into a fully-fledged tourism project is indeed a dream come true for hundreds of people in this area, and also for government and the tourism community in this province.
It is therefore a day for jubilation and patting ourselves on the back for a job well done, all of us, from government, community to the tourism industry as a whole.
Ladies and gentlemen, I think it is very significant that we are meeting just a few days after World Food Day and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to celebrate the launch of a tourism initiative that will benefit hundreds of people of this community.
The Kwazulu-Natal Tourism Authority received funding from the Poverty Alleviation fund of the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism for the development of the Lilani Hot Springs. With further investment from Tourism Kwazulu Natal and the provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism, this project has now grown into a "must-see" tourism attraction, which will bring many visitors into this area.
The Hot Springs are already well-known in this province for their healing properties, and their location in the beautiful Kranskop mountains and other surroundings makes it a sustainable project, and one that will always be popular with holidaymakers, and those seeking therapeutic relief.
Community initiatives that will impact positively on local economic development, such as this one, are an important pillar of our efforts as government to bring a better life for all South Africans.
The impact of this project is already visible, as the initiative has created about 150 jobs during the first phase of its implementation. I am informed that more jobs will be created once the project has been completed.
This development ties in perfectly with our tourism development strategy as government. Through the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, government runs a poverty relief program whose purpose is to manage and administer poverty relief proposals and spin-off projects in the tourism and environment sectors.
The focus of this programme is on infrastructure investment and product development such as heritage sites, rock art and conservation.
This program is part of a broader government project set up to alleviate poverty amongst South Africa's poorest communities. Where possible, this is done in a manner that should create long-term sustainable work opportunities.
I would like to appeal to local communities to come up with creative ideas that would attract more tourists into our country and thereby improving our economy and creating more jobs for our people. Each village, township or town is likely to have a history, landmark or feature that can be used to attract both local and foreign tourists. It calls for creativity on our part to make these features money-spinners and alleviate poverty.
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism in the province has also initiated a number of programs aimed at developing sustainable local economies throughout the province with a special emphasis on tourism.
To name just two, the Ingome Game Reserve is under construction, while the department is also about to complete Isithumba Adventure Tourism project situated at KwaXimba.
While tourism development and economic development is a sound long-term strategy, we have also realised that there is a crisis in some parts of the country, and that we need to urgently respond to the needs of the most vulnerable in our society, including the elderly, people with disabilities and children.
You will have heard that Cabinet has held extensive discussions on poverty and social security.
Following its call to the private sector to work for the reduction in the cost of food for the poor, government has reached an agreement with Premier Foods and Metro Cash and Carry for the introduction of a short-term targeted programme to provide and distribute a non-branded 12.5 kg maize meal bag to be sold at a subsidised price of R25.99 per bag. Other milling and retailing companies are expected to take similar measures.
The purchasing power of poor households will be increased by immediate increases in social grants, which Cabinet will place before Parliament, to come into effect during this month.
This will complement the intensified campaign to register all citizens who are eligible for social security grants. In addition, the departments of Social Development and Agriculture have been tasked to investigate the efficacy of a system of food stamps/vouchers.
Campaigns to provide food parcels to the most vulnerable households particularly in disaster areas, and to encourage schools, communities and households to start Food Gardens through the supply of Food Garden Production Starter Packs, will be intensified.
Government is already considering the phased extension of the Child Support Grant to 14 years of age, and the enhancement of the School Nutrition Programme.
These are some of the initiatives we are embarking upon to alleviate immediate suffering and pressure.
Distinguished guests, let me congratulate all the major players in this project. Lilani Hot Springs today officially becomes one of the key attractions in this province, and indeed in the country. The tourism map of KwaZulu-Natal will not be complete without the addition of this newborn, and we should all be proud of this achievement.
I wish the community all the best in making this new venture yield positive results.
I thank you.