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WELCOMING SPEECH BY THE SPEAKER OF EASTERN CAPE LEGISLATURE, MR MM MATOMELA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE VISIT BY THE LOWER SAXONY DELEGATION, 12 February 2001
Honourable Prof Wernstedt,
Speaker of Lower Saxony State Parliament,
Each member of the delegation from Lower Saxony,
Honourable Members of the House,
Lladies and Gentlemen
It gives me great pleasure to welcome Prof Wernstedt and his delegation to the Legislature of the Province of the Eastern Cape
The relationship between the Province of the Eastern Cape and Lower Saxony is a special one and the reception of this auspicious delegation from the Lower Saxony State Parliament must be seen as nurturing this relationship to ensure a partnership that will be to the benefit of both parties and especially the people of the Province.
Since the commencement of the twinning between the Executive Council of the Eastern Cape with Lower Saxony a number of study tours had been undertaken to Lower Saxony on issues varying from gender issues, intergovernmental relations, administration and agriculture. Visits from experts from Lower Saxony to the Province included a delegation of Church development services, the Lower Saxony MEC for Agriculture, experts on Provincial archives and management, tourism, education and culture.
However, the relationship with Lower Saxony is not limited to visit only but a number of projects in the Eastern Cape are funded by Lower Saxony including:
* Guide-Hall Pre-School, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth
* Xolelanani youth Project, Walmer Township, Port Elizabeth
* Rape Crisis Centre Cathcart
* Project for Conflict Resolution and Development, Port Elizabeth
* Dalindyebo High School, Qunu in former Transkei
* Phakamisa Part Pre-School, Queenstown
* East London Benevolent Society
* Lilyfontein Primary School
* Masithandane Women's Project, Grahamstown
All these visits and programmes were basically to assist the executive or the political processes. Today we have a delegation of the Lower Saxony State Parliament visiting the Legislature officially. In the nature of the powers of Legislatures it is probably fitting that the two Legislatures endorse the relationship and agree to oversee the implementation of a Twinning Agreement. It is further important that the two Parliaments consider joint programmes, especially exchange programmes that would benefit both institutions especially in its quest to deepen democracy. No institution can continue to operate in isolation and exposure to other institutions is of the utmost importance. This is even truer for Legislatures, Members and Staff of Legislatures. I am of the opinion that both Institutions will be able to learn from each other and I trust that a constructive understanding on exchange programmes will emerge from this visit.
With these few words I wish to welcome our delegation from Lower Saxony, Germany and I trust that they will enjoy their stay in the Eastern Cape and go back to Germany knowing that the Eastern Cape has a wealth of beautiful people and a natural scenery second to none.
Issued by Provincial Legislature, Eastern Cape
12 February 2001