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Driven by strong principles of interactive governance and the resolve to take government to the people, My Executive Council took the decision to engage in an intensive programme to interact with the different communities of the Free State. I am privileged to host you all this afternoon at this luncheon during this the occasion of the Exco Meets the People Campaign.

We are even more delighted today because we are visiting Xhariep district during the Imbizo Focus Week, which in turn is during the Social Development Month. This week's theme is 'Lend a hand to protect children's rights". It is during these Imbizo interactions that the Government undertakes a soul searching together with the communities and take stock of progress made in respect of programme of action of government.

Our President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, has encouraged us to work towards effective, transparent and cooperative government that is inclusive and that ensures efficient service delivery.

Since this month has been earmarked as Child Rights Month, departments in the Provincial Government will engage in intensive programmes to promote awareness on children's rights and other related issues. The Department of Social Development and the Department of Home Affairs in the province are working vigorously to ensure that a significant number of children who qualify for child support grant are registered this month. I am confident that this process will continue beyond the month of October.

It is for this reason that we call upon each and every one of us to make sure that all the children who qualify for this grant are identified and registered. We cannot allow those who are poor and hungry to be missed by the safety net, we will be failing them.

I am aware of the difficulties that are there in this regard. Some of the children do not have birth certificates, their mothers do not have IDs and in most cases they have children at a very early stage. In the true spirit of Letsema, please let us lend a hand and help these children.

I am also delighted to announce that the ANC policy conference held in Johannesburg recently has resolved that this child support grant should be extended to children up to the age of 14. Proposals are also being made to extend the feeding scheme to high schools. This Government is serious with its call to everyone to lend a hand in pushing back the frontiers of poverty to access a better life for all.

The Exco Meets the People campaign has taken us across the five districts of our province. We have been able to visit different towns in these districts.

The comments, questions and concerns that we have received through this campaign have enabled us to be more considerate and strategic when planning on socio-economic development issues.

The success of this campaign in the past also contributed towards the drafting of the Free State Development Plan (FSDP). This three-year plan identifies five key areas that the Provincial Government will focus on in order to better the lives of all the people of the Free State, these areas are:

* Economic development and job creation
* Providing sustainable infrastructure development
* Investing in people development
* Ensuring a safe and secure environment, and
* Effective co-operative governance.

Various municipalities have already submitted the Integrated Development Plans that will help provincial government to direct resources and infrastructure to critical areas of our province.

Contrary to popular belief, this Government is concerned with this area. At 35% unemployment rate this is the second poorest district in the Free State after Thabo Mofutsanyane. Our Department of Economic Affairs and Tourism is working hard to identify economic opportunities for this area. Thorough research is being undertaken in an effort to ensure that we attract sustainable investment to this area. It is also for this reason that we are waiting anxiously for the invitation of new nodal areas so that we request the President to announce this district as a nodal area.

Last week I presented a comprehensive service delivery report for the period 1999 - 2002. I can say, without a doubt, that despite various setbacks, posed by resources and logistics, we have been able to achieve some of the targets we had set for ourselves as Government for the said period.

I am confident that with the necessary support structures and strategic partnerships we will be able to realise the objectives of the Free State Development Plan and therefore ensure sustainable development for all our people. I am also happy that arrangements for exploration rights for the old Jagersfontein mines are almost complete. This is our hope for the people of this area; I am confidant that we will turn the situation around sooner that expected.

Steady progress is also being made with regard to land reform in this area. I am aware of administrative problems experience by beneficiaries but I am confidant that those bottlenecks will be unblocked soon. The Department of Local Government and Housing as well as the council should be able to resolve this matter.

To our farming community where 30,75% of the total labour force in this area is employed, I wish to call for better cooperation. Poverty and unemployment in this area call for united front. The practice of bringing in illegal immigrants is unacceptable. We will not make meaningful impact against unemployment if this practice continues. Equally no individual has the right to attack another individual on his own property simply because he does not like him. Farm attacks must stop, we need farmers they need you.

I thank you.

Issued by the Office of the Premier, Free State