[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

The Premier of the North West Province, Comrade Popo Molefe
The Mayor of Schweizer Reneke, Mr. Madevu
Representatives of Ipelegeng
Representatives of Alcatel Telecomms
Members of the Media
Master of Ceremonies
Ladies and Gentlemen

The community of Schweizer Reneke has been behind this government since it came into power and has shown its commitment and confidence again and again through its overwhelming support of the ANC led government at the polls. I would like to acknowledge this support and urge that it continue. The confidence that you have shown in us is well justified, as this government remains committed to the ideals of ensuring a better life for all especially those who have been historically disadvantaged.

A lot of people have begun to question whether the concept of Masakhane still exists and my response to that is; as long as there are communities committed to lending a hand to their neighbour, committed to building their communities, committed to the African ideal of " motho, ke motho, kabatho"; then the ideal of Masakhane will remain vibrant and will not only be government led but will be community driven thus making for a people centred government.

Today the government has come to reinforce the commitment it has made again and again in terms of service delivery. Through the establishment of this communications centre we are saying to the women of Ipelegeng Organisation "here are the tools you can use to start digging and sowing your seed in your garden. Nurture it and you will reap a lot." We are also saying that to empower a woman is to empower the community, as there can be no argument that women are the champions when it comes to giving back to their community. The fact that women are at the heart of so many self-help organisations is evidence of this.

An example of a public-private partnership is today's launch, which is an effort facilitated between the Department of Communications and Alcatel Altech Communications who have donated ten Management Systems to our Department. My Department is highly appreciative of this venture and would once again like to thank Alcatel for this donation. Its efforts will result in the establishment of nine other communications centres in such high unemployment provinces as the Eastern Cape, Northern Province, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. The remarkable feature is that women will own all these.

This government is very aware of the special challenges that face women; more so disabled women. More often than not disabled women often have to achieve twice as much as their counterparts in order to conquer the job market. Stereotypes and labels of being a " burden" often prove the main obstacles in their self-advancement. History, though, has been the judge as time and again people with disabilities have proven that they can stand on their own and can deliver once they are placed on an even keel to others.

To the people of Schweizer Reneke, we are saying this is a turning point in your lives. The opening of this centre means members of this community do not have to walk dozens and dozens of kilometres to get to a telephone when there is an emergency; it means that Dimakatso does not have to go all the way to town and spend money on a taxi just to ensure that her application for a job is faxed or photocopied. The possibilities that this Centre opens for you and your children are endless.

As people who live in big cities we often take so much for granted. When we think of our loved ones we just pick up the phone and call, yet for others this simple gesture of affection often has to be weighed against cost as it means travelling long distances to fulfil it. Emerging entrepreneurs sometimes end up losing valuable business as they rely on face to face interaction with their suppliers and customers. This, whilst good, demands more time whereas telephones and other technologies alleviate some of the difficulties faced. This community will learn about and use such modern technologies as the Internet, computers, email and so forth. The Youth's education will be enhanced as they will get an opportunity to learn these things whilst they are still at school.

I am sure a lot of you will agree that a number of youths have finished their Matric and tried to find jobs in the surrounding area only to be told that they need to have computer skills. These usually cost hundreds of rands that many cannot afford. This centre will be able to provide these basic skills at a much lower cost than the norm. Use of this telecentre will also mean they are able to compete from a better position than before in either entering university or in entering the job market.

The benefits of such a venture are not limited to job access, as this community will also be gaining an invaluable tool, which is access to information. The Internet pages contain a wide range of information about issues that require community awareness such as HIV/Aids, agricultural information for farming people and other government programmes. Arming yourself with such information means you can participate meaning fully in this democracy as awareness means one also learns how to participate in some of these government initiatives.

One is never too old to learn thus even elder members of the community need to conquer their fear of technology. Many people who used a book for their savings are now using these ATM machines. These are the same people who felt that they could never manage to use this on their own. If one looks at computers in the same manner, you as members of this community can also benefit and will not feel intimidated about using these.

I dare say, this community will not be much different from others when it comes to mobilising itself through self-help groups. Such groups can benefit by being able to sell their wares on the Internet. The women of Mafikeng have already opened the way by showing that this is not a fantasy. They are selling their crafts on the Internet. These women are not highly educated women, they are ordinary women who have come together and initiated a self-help organisation. Their bold initiative in terms of using the Internet as a platform for advertising has ensured that their market extends far beyond even South African borders without them having to use all the expensive transportation that would have been required.

These women have managed to secure a very profitable market and are thus able to profit and sustain their business. The women of Masizakhe group of Kayamnandi have taken a similar approach in their gardening project. These women used the Internet to obtain language skills and to also access web sites that offer gardening techniques. These are efforts that government applauds and one hopes that the Schweizer Reneke community, with the Ipelegeng women's help will emulate this effort.

The President, in his opening address of Parliament last year, emphasised the concept of integrated development. The effectiveness of such an approach has been most evident during the formulation and consultation stages of this project. Diverse groups worked jointly in this project and have shown just how effective it is to work as arm in arm.

The fact that this is the first of the communications centre launched out of the ten still to be launched is evidence of the willingness and co-operation that has been evidenced by this community and other important role-players.
It would thus be very much amiss of me not to thank these organisations for their wonderful contribution and effort in making this launch possible.

Let me start with the Premier's office, which has been extensively involved through its Office on the Status of Women and Office on the Disabled People. The Youth Commission and the Central District Council of the North West have also proved invaluable.

Others such as the Mayor of Ipelegeng donated the site and building that houses the equipment; the Department of Labour has agreed to offer a free two weeks course on business management to the Ipelegeng Organisation of People with Disabilities. The Department of Welfare has undertaken to provide a social worker to serve as a consultant and provide much needed support to this group of women.

In conclusion, I would like to urge the community to be proud of this centre and to protect it from vandalism. If all members of this community look at this centre as theirs then a sense of ownership and pride should ensure that vandalism and law breakers are prevented from spoiling what will be of huge benefit to the community.

To the community of Schweizer Reneke, I present to you the telecentre for your use and request your protection of this asset to fulfil our dream of a better life for all.

Issued by the Ministry of Communications