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Helderfontein, Johannesburg, 16 November 1999

Dignitaries and delegates, I am delighted to be afforded the opportunity to launch the Community Public Private Partnership Program (CPPP). This program, based on our growth and development strategies has identified the most sensitive spots that marginalised our communities and made them beggars on their rich soils for decades. It is a program with an agenda to revitalise the rural economy, whilst ensuring empowerment and sustainable resource use.

It is our intention that the political transition that has been achieved be underpinned by an equally challenging economic transition rooted in, and benefiting the African inhabitants. The complexities of globalisation coupled with the dwindling availability of international aid present serious challenges. This is exacerbated further by the recognition that reserves of natural resources such as minerals are finite, forcing Africa to rely on partnerships for self-reliance and sustainability. These partnerships should form part of strategy formulation based on coherent policies. They should also ensure collaboration in the implementation of such programs as these, in addressing the overwhelming socio-economic ills as well as environmental degradation. Government will continue to play a facilitatory role to address the interests of all stakeholders. The development of Eco-tourism Investors' Guidelines demonstrates the commitment to tourism investment facilitation for the benefit of communities.

In our efforts to improve output per capita in especially rural areas, it is important to combine land reform with economically competitive land-use and effective natural resource management. However, the legacy of the past in Southern Africa requires effective support programs to redress imbalances that hampered the majority from participation in the economy. These include skills development and literacy programs as well as access to finance. Without such programs there can be no effective participation and thus no sustainability. I am therefore delighted to announce the availability of the Investment Project Preparation Fund (IPPF). This funding facility aims to assist communities with the preparation of commercial investment projects on communal and state land. We therefore appeal to aid agencies and the private sector to join hands and support this revolving fund. I also thank the Development Bank of Southern Africa for joining hands with government for seed finance valued at R3,5 million for CPPP pilots.

The changing socio-political challenges us to contextualise global trends to suit and benefit local communities. The effective participation of traditional leaders as members and representatives of the communities in partnerships with private sector as demonstrated by Bafokeng is encouraging. The acquisition of Magwa Tea Estate by workers in the Eastern Cape is another example. We now need to encourage such partnerships in other areas.

The adaptation of these trends for relevance at local level can only be successful if we learn and share with each other. Initiatives such as the Twinning between Port St. Johns and Port Shepstone - two coastal towns with a common agenda to enhance local economic development and create sustainable jobs for their rural communities - are not only significant for the areas, but promote the spirit of self-reliance in the region.

I now wish to congratulate the organisers and co-ordinators of this program and call upon the Port St. Johns and Port Shepstone mayors to come forward and demonstrate the spirit of partnership -UMANYANO - FARANANI.

Issued by the Office of the Presidency, 16 November 1999