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1. Introduction

Honourable Speaker,
The Honourable Premier,
Colleagues in Exco,
Members of the Provincial Legislature, MPs and NCOP delegates,
Executive Mayors, Mayors and Councillors,
The Acting Deputy Director General,
Officials of the Department,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

Honourable Speaker yes the tide has turned and continues to turn for the people of South Africa to begin to enjoy the fruits of the national liberation struggle. To borrow from the title of the book by Mongane Wally Serote (1), from 1990 all of us, from different battle trenches, scattered the ashes and went home to rebuild our beloved country.

The presentation of this budget speech honourable members is located within the context of a historical march to better the lives of our people using captured state power and mobilised civil society in its broad presentation.

As we account on what the department achieved in the previous financial year, we do so also cementing the social contract that we have built with the people of the North-West Province from 1994 to date or nine years ago.

Allow us therefore Honourable Speaker to provide a feedback on the journey that we have traversed in the last twelve months. We do so in the spirit of pushing back the frontiers of poverty by putting into practical expression the implementation of the charter of our people; the Freedom Charter.

2. The colour bar in sport shall be abolished

Honourable Speaker the people declared in 1955 that the colour bar in sport shall be abolished (2). These compatriots vowed to challenge what Chester Williams (3) captured when he wrote in his biography:

"In apartheid South Africa of the 1970s, blacks did not qualify to play for the Springboks. It had nothing to do with ability. Your colour classification would determine the level at which you played."

The objective of our democratic government today is to put into practical expression what the compatriots declared and confront main challenges in sport through various programmes. Lack of sporting opportunities and facilities for athletes like Chester resulted in many of our people being unable to play excellence sport. It is our contention that the colour bar will not be abolished by piecemeal approaches such as the imposition of quotas in various sporting codes but will be abolished by interventionist programmes aimed at providing opportunities for our people to participate in a normal sport, in a normal society.

Honourable Speaker, we therefore report on interventions that we have made to give sporting opportunities to the people of the province as promised last year. In our budget speech last year, we declared sport and recreation as a flagship for our department. We did so appreciating daunting challenges in areas such as provision of sport facilities, under utilization of existing sport facilities and transformation in sport. We have put in place concrete programmes to ensure that we extent sporting opportunities to South Africans who were previously affected by the colour bar in sport.

I am therefore happy to announce that following such undertakings; our programme called Building for Sport and Recreation South Africa has been implemented substantially. As I reported last year, the communities that benefited from this programme are Tswelelang in Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, Letsopa in Tswaing Local Municipality, Taung in Greater Taung Local Municipality and Ganyesa in Kagisano Local Municipality.

Allow me, Mr Speaker, to report on progress registered in these four communities. In Tswelelang our objective was to upgrade the existing sport infrastructure. This project has been completed and handed over to the municipality and the community for use.

To expand, Mr Speaker, we have fenced the infrastructure, built ablution blocks, erected combined basketball and netball courts, built a tennis court and volleyball court, rehabilitated the grandstands, erected the turf for the soccer pitch, built a gymnasium, erected an irrigation system, provided electrification infrastructure and provided space for the building of an athletic track in future. The same goes to Letsopa although the specifics are not the same.

Mr Speaker, we are filled with a sense of pride that the young people of Tswelelang and Letsopa can now enjoy the fruits of the continuing struggle of building a better life for all our people. For them the tide has indeed turned and they have practically abolished the colour bar in the provision of sport facilities.

Mr Speaker, we continued to push back the frontiers of poverty by erecting a totally new sporting infrastructure in Taung and Ganyesa as a practical gesture to provide South Africans, including those in rural areas, with sporting opportunities.

In Taung, Honourable Speaker, phase one has been completed which includes border fencing, ticket office, public toilets, ablution block, turf for the soccer pitch, irrigation system and connected electricity. As I am speaking now, phase two has started which includes erection of floodlights, building of additional public toilets and sitting grandstands.

Honourable Speaker, there were challenges facing us in Ganyesa hence the project took time to move off the ground. But I am happy to report that as I address this house construction is going on in Ganyesa. We are putting a sport infrastructure with a border fence, an ablution block, public toilets, turf for the soccer pitch, tickets office, an irrigation system and electrification infrastructure.

Mr Speaker, we extended the Building for Sport and Recreation South Africa programme to other areas of our province to upgrade and built new sporting facilities. These areas are Montshioa in Mafikeng Local Municipality, Mogwase and Madikwe in Moses Kotane Local Municipality, Mmakaunyane in Moretele Local Municipality, Pampierstad in Phokwane Local Municipality and Bray in Molopo Local Municipality. I am also happy to announce that in all these areas, except Bray, work has been substantially completed. Our department has practically and tangibly made strides in these communities cementing our strategic goal of being at the forefront of pushing back the frontiers of poverty.

In concluding this programme, it is encouraging to note that the social impact for our communities is enormous. A reasonably good number of temporary jobs and a number of permanent sustainable jobs have been created by these projects. During the 2002/2003 financial year, ten (10) Building for Sport and Recreation South Africa programmes were undertaken where ± 400 temporary jobs were created in our communities. About sixty (60) permanent sustainable jobs will be created whereby workers will be responsible, among others, for maintenance and security of the facilities.

As part of Sport and Recreation strategic objective of addressing imbalances and pushing back the frontier of poverty, consideration was given to catering for all sectors of the community. During the construction of these facilities a policy was agreed upon whereby 50% of workforce must be women, 30% youth and 11/2% must be Disabled people.

Mr Speaker, also in this house we committed ourselves to push back the frontiers and consolidate the contract we have with our people by implementing a programme called Greenifying North-West. We said as a start, we shall sign a social contract with local municipalities, traditional authorities and thirteen (13) rural communities of Laxey, Dithakong, Coligny, Biesiesvlei, Bapong, Rankelenyane, Reagile, Makapanstad, Dinokana, Gamaloka, Amalia, Tsetse and Mabeskraal.

I can now report that contractors are busy putting sport infrastructure in all these communities in a form of new ablution blocks, new irrigation schemes, new public toilets, new turf for the soccer pitches, new water and electricity connections, new border fences and a provision for new athletic tracks in future. Mr. Speaker we will not be telling lies and claiming easy victories if we proclaim in this august house that the life of our people is quantitatively and qualitatively better than in the past.

Let us boldly mention that the same principle on job creation, as it applies to Building for Sport and Recreation South Africa programme will also apply to Greenifying North-West. Our programmes concretely respond to job creation challenges that our province is facing. We will continue to ensure that we make considerable social impact while implementing our sport and recreation programmes.

Mr Speaker and honourable members, last year we declared that our recreation programmes grow every year. We further committed ourselves to create opportunities for previously marginalized communities to participate in recreational programmes. As a patron for the Youth Interactive Festival, I made it possible for two children to join other children who participated in the interactival in China, Shanghai in July 2002. As a country championing non-racialism at home and abroad, these children interacted with other children from India, China, France, America and Denmark. We take this opportunity to thank the Shanghai Youth Amusement Centre and our mission in Beijing for their cooperation and support.

Mr Speaker, in closing the Sport and Recreation programme, the department has taken a decision to contribute to South Africa's 2010 World Cup Bid. We have set aside funds for the urgent refurbishment of the Mmabatho Stadium in order to be listed for the possible use during the World Cup and beyond. We will be consulting with other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy in this regard.

3. All the cultural treasures of humankind shall be open to all

Mr Speaker, the people also declared that all the cultural treasures of humankind shall be opened to all. Our contribution in this regard is informed by our quest to build a contract with the people for a better life. Just as we reported last year, our Arts and Culture programmes contributed in making interventions in our communities.

Consistent with the above statement we are making meaningful interventions in the area of craft development. This programme is geared towards developing and maintaining production of quality crafts that can compete with the best in the country and ultimately in the world. The Craft Development Initiative, which is a mandate of the National Department of Arts and Culture, seeks to ensure that development of the crafts industry does not exclude other parts of the country. It is also intended to improve the lot of our crafters who in most cases are the unemployed women and youth who reside in rural areas.

In the past years the department contributed immensely in exposing our crafters by involving them in high profile events like the World Summit on Sustainable Development, launch of the African Union and the Cricket World Cup. We shall continue to ensure that crafters from the North-West province are ready to be part of the vibrant Craft Industry that has a possibility of branding South Africa as one of the nations that have a strong craft industry positioned to contribute significantly to the country's GDP.

We have therefore, Mr Speaker, been compiling a database of the crafters in the province to move with speed in implementing the National Craft Development Strategy. The information gathered has indicated that there is a wide gap between the few who have been in the craft industry without receiving any help from government and those who were identified through our poverty alleviation initiatives. The skills development drive has to be intensified in order to build a confident craft industry out of the Poverty Alleviation Projects.

The National Department of Arts and Culture has made initiatives to assist provinces by making the Ubuntu Village concept that was used during the WSSD to be supplanted to the Bus Factory. Provinces will again select crafts from their areas and avail them to be sold at the "Beautiful Things" shop at the Market Cultural Precinct in Johannesburg City Council. In taking forward the craft development programme, government will engage Sun City as a tourist destination of the province in negotiations that might see us having access to the tourists visiting this complex by having an Arts and Crafts Centre operating there. We are also pursuing discussions with the Greater Taung Local Municipality, the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality and the Klerksdorp Local Municipality to establish craft centres along their municipalities for tourists in transit.

Mr Speaker, in the area of languages development we promised to pass a legislation that will provide legislative framework for the operation of the Provincial Language Committee, the use of languages and related matters. Nationally, progress has been made with regard to the crafting of the South African Language Bill. As I said during our last budget speech, as soon as cabinet has accepted the National Language Policy, our language unit will develop its provincial implementation plan.

The processes of establishing the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (PHRA) and the Provincial Geographic Names Council are at an advanced stage. After the approval by the Executive Council, the department will make announcement of members of the authority and the council, their terms of reference and all matters related to their operation.

The Mega City Library Building known as the Old National Library currently houses both the Provincial Library and Information Services and the Mmabatho Public Library. I have indicated to this house about the future plans regarding the building of a provincial complex to house the Headquarters for the Provincial Library, Archives and Museum Services. The Department of Roads and Public Works has informed my department that they have finalized the appointment of a Consultant to start with the planning phase for this project.

A plan to relocate from Mega City is at an advance stage. Three buildings were identified and the department is awaiting proposal from the landlords to finalize this matter, and which one to choose guided by affordability. The current lease agreement with JHI expires on the 31st May 2003. It should as well be noted that the rental of the Mega City Library was exorbitant, and therefore leaving the department with no option but to seek alternative accommodation. It was also apparent that government was being reaped off and could not afford this unreasonable rental prices. Given the available time at our disposal this matter will be finalized as soon as possible.

Mr Speaker, the question remains what is going to happen to the Mmabatho Public Library? The department is engaging the Mafikeng Local Municipality to identify a suitable site to build a new library that will house the Mmabatho Public Library. I am happy and thankful to the Mafikeng municipality for availing land for the construction of a new public library for the people of Mafikeng.

In the past only certain Community Libraries were affiliated to the Provincial Library and Information Service. This led to fragmented Library and Information Service networks. Some Community Libraries charge user and membership fees, which are diametrically opposed to the principle of a free library and information service. The previously fragmented nature of Library and Information Service resulted in each municipality developing its own policy parameters, sometimes in contradiction to one another, which deprived resource sharing and effective cooperation. Nowhere is this more evident than in the information and communication technology field, where none less than four automated library management systems currently exist amongst libraries in the province, each unable to communicate with one another.

As an instrument towards the transformation of libraries, the proposed legal framework envisages the development and implementation of a differential grading system for libraries with specific reference to facility, services, resources and programmes. This will be used as a baseline from which interventions will be taken to move all libraries towards full equity. It is thus evidently clear that the draft bill must unify Library and Information Services within the North-West province to guide and further develop transformed and equitable service delivery.

The role of the public libraries in fighting illiteracy cannot be overemphasized. The promotion of literacy is not a new function of public libraries but an extension of existing function to accommodate a special group, namely the illiterate and semi-illiterate. Libraries with their wealth of literature are especially well equipped to transform the reading activity into an enriching, enjoyable and challenging experience. To ensure that the literacy acquired in literacy classes are sustainable, the Provincial Library and Information Service hosted its annual library symposium in November 2002 in Vryburg with a theme "The Role of Libraries in Breaking the Cycle of Illiteracy'. A total number of hundred and five (105) library workers around the province attended the symposium where experts in literacy matters were invited and gave presentations and practical ideas in implementing literacy programs in our libraries.

In putting the skills learned the provincial library service would commit an amount of five hundred thousand rands (R500 000) to purchase easy reading materials. A reading culture is central to the developmental and cultural health of the nation. An informed, critical, imaginative, tolerant and broad-minded reading public is essential for democratic consolidation and the future of our country.

These materials will be distributed to all the newly established libraries to be opened in this financial year to intensify our literacy campaign. The following new libraries will be targeted; Setlagole, Disaneng, Tshidilamolomo, all in the Setla-Kgobi Local Municipality; Ganaalagte Community Library in the Tswaing Local Municipality, Batlharos Community Library in the Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality, Cassels Community Library in the Moshaweng Local Municipality, Ikageng Community Library in the Potchefstroom Local Municipality and lastly the Tshing Community Library in the Ventersdorp Local Municipality

Mr Speaker, in the area of Archives, the documentary holdings in the Archives repository are mainly composed of personal files from various departments that were apparently transferred without proper transfer procedures being observed. For an example, many of the documents do not have transfer lists, which have to accompany all records transferred to the archives. Furthermore, in terms of the National Archives Directive D9 of 1997, personal files are not supposed to be transferred to the archives because they do not have archival enduring value. They have to be destroyed by the offices that created them once they no longer have functional value.

Preferably, they can be kept in the office that created them for at least 12 months after the last correspondence following the conclusion of the service and may be destroyed thereafter, on condition that staff record cards are fully kept up to date. Thus, the department has decided that these files should be sorted and shelved so as to prepare them for re-transfer to their offices of origin or they can be destroyed if these offices so wish. Keeping these non-archival materials in the repository causes space problems, as there is very limited space for useful archival records that we hope to acquire as soon as the conditions allow us.

Initiatives have been made to acquire records that have long-term research value for permanent preservation at the archives repository. To this end, a number of departments such as the Department of Justice, specifically the Office of the Master of the High Court, the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Land Affairs have been contacted for possible transfer of relevant archival records to the archives. These departments have shown willingness to cooperate in this regard. However, the transfer process can only begin once the conditions are suitable for the safe keeping of valuable records in the archives repository.

Mr Speaker and Honourable Members, funding remains our biggest challenge in passing the library bill. The implementation of this bill will cost the province fifty million rands (R50 million) to take over full library responsibility from the local municipalities. At this stage the bill has been submitted to relevant government structures. We shall engage treasury on the financial implications for implementing this important legislation.

The draft Provincial Records Management policy has been compiled for circulation to the various provincial departments for input through the registry forum. This document should serve as a guide to departments with regard to records management best practices in the province. The process of collating inputs was done in consultation with the relevant stakeholders through the provincial registry forum that comprises of representatives from all provincial departments and the Provincial Archives playing the secretariat role.

During a workshop held in Pretoria in November 2002 it was highlighted that there is a need for provinces to establish Records Managers forum at a higher level than registry clerks. As a department we request maximum participation by departments through their Heads in improving our provincial record management infrastructure. In this regard, the National Archivist will be descending to the province during this financial year to address Heads of the Departments to raise awareness on the importance of best records management practices and the appointment of full time records managers as provided for in the legislation.

4. The aged, orphans, disabled and the sick shall be cared for by the state

Mr Speaker, the people also declared that the aged, orphans, disabled and the sick shall be cared for by the state. In order to put this into practice, the department has throughout the years build a people's contract through the social assistance programmes. The core function of these programmes is to build and maintain strong partnership with the non-governmental sector and community based organizations, which are involved in the provision of Social Development Services. The tide has therefore turned in this area to mobilize our people in the spirit of Vuk'u Zenzele to be at the forefront of development.

In keeping with this, the programme has successfully financed 350 organizations in the field of Child and Family Welfare Services; e.g. Places of Care, Children's institutions, services to the aged, disabled, drug dependency care, care of the offender and youth development, as well as persons infected and affected by the AIDS pandemic. Personnel in our 18 decentralized service offices have undertaken continuous monitoring and evaluation of these organizations.

The subsidized programmes in the field of services to children and families constitute 45%, whilst services to older persons constitute 44%. Facilities and programmes for children in conflict with the law constitute 2% of this programmes focus, with an anticipated increase of 10% during 2003/2004 with an amount of R3, 5m being allocated for services in the category of Crime Prevention, Rehabilitation and Victim Empowerment.

Mr Speaker, with the broad programme of Social Assistance there is a sub-programme called Partnership and Financing. This sub-programme is fraught with challenges of transformation. A closer analysis of transformation goals of this programme necessitates a process aimed at changing organizational structures, culture, resources and people's attitudes, mandates and values as the organization aspires to meet the needs of broader community as well as represent the interests of the community. We alluded to this imperative in our last budget speech and we are satisfied that many organizations are reorientating their programmes and services to partner with government in pushing back the frontiers of poverty.

The bases of partnership between the Department of Social Services, Arts, Culture and Sport and the Non-Governmental sector is embedded in the legal framework regulated by Section 9(3) of the RSA Constitution, the National Welfare Act no 108 of 1978 as amended, and the Social Assistance Act, 1992 as amended, Social Work Act 1978 and Non-Profit Organization Act 1991. The phenomenon of certain NGO's resisting change unfortunately continues to exist but we shall continue to engage these organizations to realize that the transformation agenda cannot be reversed.

Mr Speaker, we could not just hope that transformation will osmotically be entrenched in these organizations. The department was therefore compelled to enforce certain corrective measures as well as direct organizations towards the Provincial Priorities of the North West. We henceforth identified organizations that can serve as models to others. Together, in the spirit of building a contract between civil society and government, we made great strides to change their constitutions to include services to all population groups, representativity within their Boards of Management, personnel and clientele. Furthermore these organizations have migrated services to deep rural offices, establishing infrastructure and moving towards greater social integration.

Our resolve is unflinching and we continue to give guidance in an effort to fast tract transformation in some organizations. Within the parameters of organizational development, the department continues to promote the development approach with focus on comprehensiveness of the services, focus on networking with other community based organizations and with attention being given to services addressing the various levels of intervention namely, prevention and early intervention as well as therapeutic and continuum of services. The accessibility of social services should be the prime focus of all social development service providers in the province if we are to radically push back the frontiers of poverty.

However, the financial sustainability of the NGO sector is of concern. We therefore urge the sector to give consideration to their organizational sustainability, improving their institutional capacity, giving due consideration to skill development, improved measures of efficiency and effectiveness as well as those of accountability. We are saying this because we have on numerous occasions declared that ours is not a welfare state but a developmental one aiming at capacitating all structures to be self-sustainable. We shall, nonetheless, pursue arduous efforts to improve social delivery and shall continue to use the partnership with organs of civil society towards facilitating social improvements.

Mr Speaker, in the area of disability the guidelines influencing the provision of services to people with disabilities are embraced in the White paper for Social Welfare and the Integrated National Disability Strategy. The programmes of the department are intended to ensure that there are equal opportunities for people with disabilities, enhance independence and promote integration of people with disabilities into the mainstream of society.

We are also guided by the White Paper For Social Welfare that makes reference to the preservation and strengthening of families so that they can provide a sustainable environment for the physical, emotional and social development of all its members. In implementing our disability programmes, ten thousand people with disabilities have been reached. Three hundred persons with disabilities benefit from the rehabilitative services as well as sheltered employment in the department's protective workshop for the Blind and Itsoseng Handicraft Centre. The two institutions aim to establish Business Centres of Excellence where revenue opportunities can be substantially increased with greater focus at marketing of cane furniture and furnishings.

Mr Speaker, I take this opportunity to request all government departments to buy goods and quality office furniture from Itereleng Workshop for the Blind. I also take this opportunity to thank everybody who resolved to support that workshop by buying furniture from it.

Mr Speaker, government has a responsibility to deal with substance abuse, which mainly negatively affect the youth. Current policies influencing service provision on substance abuse puts emphasis on prevention through awareness programmes and preservation and strengthening of families to provide a suitable environment for the physical, emotional and social development of people with problems of abusing alcohol and drugs.

The establishment of a substance abuse forum in accordance with the Drug Master Plan is at an advanced stage. The forum, which is intersectoral, shall play an important role in guiding the implementation of the Drug Master Plan. This process heralds a new model for coordination and intersectoral collaboration that was greatly lacking in this field. We shall therefore mobilize all and sundry to build a people's contract in this area to combat substance abuse.

We are pleased, Mr Speaker, to report that we have forged partnership with the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) by holding a workshop that identified the implementation of Substance Abuse Projects to be funded by a fund established to assist member countries to programmatically deal effectively with this matter.

Mr. Speaker, Nelson Mandela once said as he nears his end, he wants to be able to sleep until eternity with a broad smile on his face. This is a powerful philosophical statement uttered by an old man who has always spoken fondly about the aged. As a society and government, we have a responsibility to provide accessible, equitable and cost effective services. Furthermore the older persons need to be involved in making a meaningful and constructive contribution to society creating a climate conducive for older persons to be recognized as a source of potential and expertise.

Community based initiatives are being accelerated with focus on providing assisted living program in 2003/2004. Old Age Homes shall become centers for coordinating a vast array of basic outreach services and facilities for older persons of all races. Daily activities of a social and recreational nature shall be located within the Old Age Homes, providing care and support services. These satellite services are to be rolled out to deep rural areas.

In 2002 the department in collaboration with the NGO sector trained 65 caregivers to assist with the care of the terminally ill. The option of expanding day care services for the older person is to be given priority during this financial year. The rigorous campaign of Operation Dignity initiated in 2002 shall continue with a greater focus given to addressing appropriate and affordable housing for older persons and their families. Mr. Speaker, in implementing programmes for the aged, we shall be driven by a quest to put a broad smile on their face as a commitment to care and cherish their special status in society.

Mr Speaker, last year we reported about our rapid appraisal exercise to identify orphans and children as a result of the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Informed by the ANC's historical commitment to care for the sick once it is in power, the department has moved with speed in an integrated manner to deal with social impacts of this disease. I am pleased to report Mr. Speaker that the department has initiated and implemented a process of placing two thousand one hundred and forty seven (2147) identified orphaned children in foster care. We could have done more but other children did not have birth certificates but our social workers are working closely with the Department of Home Affairs.

As a department we have further consolidated our efforts to strengthen Community Home Based Care sites that we reported upon last year. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all caregivers, volunteers and staff members in every locality of our province who are helping people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. We are further making a call to our communities to stand up and assist in this effort. As government we shall continue to increase our support, mobilize more resources for Community Home Based Care and provide training to activists who provide services to people infected and affected in all communities.

5. Food shall be plentiful and no one shall go hungry

Mr Speaker, last year we committed ourselves to build and strengthen our capacity to meaningfully implement the declaration made by the people that 'food shall be plentiful and no one shall go hungry'. In this regard I am pleased to announce that our new Social Development Directorate employed a Manager, Assistant Manager responsible for the Non-Profit Organizations and twenty-two Community Liaisons Officers to consolidate our contract with the people.

Mmusakgotla ngwagatlola re begile ka botlalo lenaneo la go lwantsha tlala le le duelelwang ke puso ya bogareng go tswa kwa Lefapheng La Tsweletso Ya Bosetshaba. Diporojeke tse re begileng ka tsona di tsweletse sentle mme lefapha le ile la di natlafatsa ka go supa feme ya bomaitsanape go baakanya mananeokgwebo a diporojeke tse. Tekanyetsokabo ya go tsweletsa diporojeke tse mo ngwageng ona wa ditshelete ke dimilione di le robedi. Madi a kana ka dimilione dile nne mo go o ne madi a, a setse a reboletswe diporojeke tse re begileng ka tsona ngwaga tlola.

Mmusakgotla mo tswelelong ya rona ya go fedisa botlhoki le khumanego, baagi ba Bothitong, Tsineng, Kopela, Boskuil, Boikhutso le Ramokgolela ba ne ba iponela ka matlho netefaletso le maikano le maitlhomo a rona mo ntlheng eno. During the beginning of this year government implemented the National Food Emergency Programme by distributing food parcels to these communities as a pilot phase.

Mr Speaker, we take serious offence to an insinuation by some members in this house that government is electioneering through this programme. We are also disturbed by some political organizations in this house who are hell bent on undermining this programme. As it happened prior to our first and second democratic elections, our people cannot be bought with food. They will take your food and vote for their desired political organization, no matter the volume of your handouts.

In a clear demonstration that ours is a well-thought and well-planned programme to make food plentiful and ensure that no one goes hungry, on the 13th March 2003 we launched the Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Programme in Madibogo at the Setlakgobi Local Municipality. Government has identified seventeen poverty stricken areas in the entire province where targeted beneficiaries are from households with income of less that two hundred rands (R200.00).

Mr Speaker, the North-West Province has targeted seventy two thousand (72 000) families. Honourable members, food distribution started at the end of March and is due to be completed in July this year. The total budget for this programme is around sixty five million rands (R65 million). We take this opportunity to thank in advance identified partners and service providers in the successful implementation of this programme.

Mr Speaker, our social security programme has ensured that the democratic state matches the declaration made by the people in 1955. As it is well known, this is a major government programme that ensures that food becomes plenty and no one goes hungry. We are referring here to children, the aged and people with disability. Through the instruction of President Thabo Mbeki, our department has substantially increased the number of children receiving the Child Support Grant and other grants meant for children. By the end of the last financial year, the number of children in receipt of the Child Support Grant alone stood at two hundred and six thousand nine hundred and eighty nine (206 989). This represents 62% uptake in the last financial year. However, may I bring to the attention of this house the slow intake of the Foster Care Grant, one of the most crucial grants aimed at assisting children who do not have parents, mainly as a result of HIV/Aids and other social ills.

Honourable Speaker, at present we have seven thousand one hundred and twenty one (7121) and we hope through academic research of some members in this house useful recommendations on how we should move with speed in registering children for the Foster Care Grant will come up. May I also indicate a slow intake of the Care Dependency Grant that benefits mentally and physically challenged children. The grant stands at a mere four thousand three hundred and sixty nine (4369).

May I indicate though that the total number of children benefiting from this poverty alleviation programme is two hundred and eighteen thousand four hundred and seventy nine (218 479). I am being open about these realities in order to mobilize this house to assist the department to build a people's contract to register children for all grant types in order to banish poverty and hunger in their families. Surely together we can do better.

Mr Speaker, the total of beneficiaries for all grant types, which translates into R2.2 billion during the last financial year is four hundred and sixty three thousand two hundred and eighty three (463 283).

Mr Speaker, during this financial year, as started on the 1st of April 2003 we are implementing the extension of the Child Support Grant to the age of fourteen (14) through a phased-in approach. As the Minister of Finance indicated, the seven and eight year olds qualified from April 2003, nine and ten year olds will qualify from April 2004 and eleven to thirteen year olds will qualify in April 2005 (4). Seno se raya gore monongwaga re simolotse ka go tsaya bana ba ba mo mengwageng ya bo supa le borobedi. E tla re ka ngwaga wa 2004 go tloga ka April kgotsa Moranang ra tsaya bana ba ba dingwaga di le robongwe le lesome. Mme labofelo, e tla re ka ngwaga wa 2005 April puso e tseye bana ba dingwaga di le lesome le bongwe go fitlha some le boraro.

Lastly, let me remind Honourable members and the public about monetary increases of all the grants as announced by the Minister of Finance on the 26th February 2003. These increases were implemented from the 1st of April 2003 and they are as follows:

Grant Type: Old Age Grant
Old Amount 2002/2003: R640
New Amount 2003/2004: R700

Grant Type: Disability Grant
Old Amount 2002/2003: R640
New Amount 2003/2004: R700

Grant Type: Care Dependency Grant
Old Amount 2002/2003: R640
New Amount 2003/2004: R700

Grant Type: War Veterans' Grant
Old Amount 2002/2003: R658
New Amount 2003/2004: R718

Grant Type: Foster Care Grant
Old Amount 2002/2003: R460
New Amount 2003/2004: R500

Grant Type: Child Support Grant
Old Amount 2002/2003: R130
New Amount 2003/2004: R160

Grant Type: Grant in Aid
Old Amount 2002/2003: R130
New Amount 2003/2004: R150

6. Bodies of minority rule shall be replaced by democratic organs of self-government

Mr Speaker, as part of our on-going programme to deconstruct the apartheid state we had to replace bodies of minority rule and replace them with democratic organs of self-government. We therefore take this opportunity to reflect on programmes implemented by established democratic organs falling under our department.

6.1 North-West Academy of Sport

Mr Speaker, last year we allocated R4.4 million to the North-West Academy of Sport. This centre has become an integral part of the department on all matters related to sport development. We therefore reflect on its programmes as implemented during the last financial year.

As part of rolling out sport development and bring sport to the people, the department, through the academy took a decision to establish four satellite academies in our four districts. We launched the one for the central district in December 2002 and launched the Bophirima one in March this year. Plans are underway to launch in the remaining districts of Southern and Bojanala. We shall continue to report about the developmental work performed by these satellite academies.

The North-West Academy of Sport implemented various programmes during the last financial year including: providing coaches for different sporting codes with training, life skills programmes for athletes forming part of the Elite Academy Squads. The scientific unit of the academy conducted testing on nine of the twelve elite development squads in the province. This will ensure that our athletes are given scientific support.

6.2 North-West Recreation Council

Mr Speaker, last year the North West Recreation Council (PROREC) received an amount of seven hundred thousand rands (R700 000). The North West Recreation Council is a co-ordinating body for Recreation service delivery in the North-West Province. During the 2002/2003 financial year PROREC implemented various programmes including the following: outdoor adventure Recreation programmes, a very successful National Survivor Camp, and a Provincial Bana Pele festival for all the Child Care Centres.

In order to accelerate service delivery, the North West Recreation Council have successfully established eighteen (18) Local Recreation Councils in the entire province. It remains a challenge for the North-West Recreation Council to extend these much-needed services to under serviced areas. May I make an appeal to all communities to also participate in the local recreation councils through establishing their own recreation clubs.

6.3 Mmabana Sports, Culture and Sport Foundation

Mr Speaker, last year we reported on the completion of the merger process between the erstwhile Mmabana and the North-West Arts Council. We now take this opportunity to report to this house about some of their programmes as implemented during the last financial year. Mmabana is implementing successful learnerships by recruiting mainly unemployed young people in areas of dancesport, dance, tumbling, traditional dance and drama. The objectives of these learnerships are to equip youth with employment and capacity building, skills development and job training.

Mmabana also undertook a decisive step in opening its space to make it accessible even to people living with various types of disabilities. A play entitled "Do You Know Me" whose entire cast was made up of people with disabilities such as impaired vision, deaf and dumb, wheelchair users and other physical deformities. The public performances of this play at a number of venues throughout the province had a powerful message of demystifying disability.

Mr Speaker, Mmabana has adopted an aggressive programme of attracting plays in a form of theatre performances. This programme has also attracted high performers from all over the country and now lately from the African continent. The department is of the view that more integration must take place between this programme and schools to assist with one of the OBE learning areas related to performing arts.

Mmabana has also implemented various poverty alleviation projects at a tune of seven hundred and fifty thousand rands (R750 000) in collaboration with the national Department of Arts and Culture and the Council for Science and Industrial Research. We appreciate this partnership for development and hope that these projects will grow and be fairly distributed throughout the province.

6.4 North-West Arts and Culture Council

Mr Speaker, during the last financial year the North-West Arts and Culture Council was allocated a million rand to fund arts and culture programmes. The bulk of their financial assistance concentrated mainly in funding students for arts and culture education through bursaries.

For this financial year the council shall develop an advocacy programme to popularise its work to the arts and culture community in the province. We take this opportunity to thank its members for processing applications and assisting deserving young people.

6.5 Provincial Language Committee

Mmusakgotla komiti ya puo ya porofense e feditse paka ya yona. Lefapha le tsaya nako e go leboga ditokololo tsotlhe tsa komiti. Jaaka e le komiti ya ntlha, Lefapha le itumeletse motheo wa boammaruri o o beilweng ke komiti e. Ntlha kgolo ya diphitlhelelo tsa komiti ke go thusa Lefapha go tla ka pholisi ya tiriso ya puo mo porofenseng.

Ke ka boitumelo bo bogolo go amela kokwaano e ka ga sekgele se komiti e se amogetseng jaaka nngwe ya dikomiti tsa puo tse di gaisang mo nageng.

Komiti e e tlhamile diporojeke tsa go tsweletsa puo tse di jaaka bokwadi jwa bomme, (Women in Writing), dikgaisano tsa go kwala ditlhamo go lebeletswe puo ya Sethosa le Sesotho, togamaano ya puo mo porofenseng e e akaretsang dipatlisiso tsa kanamo ya puo le tiriso ya yona, katiso ya bafetoledi ba dimumususu kwa Yunibesiting ya Lejweleputswa (Wits).

7. Good Corporate Governance

7.1 State of Finance Administration

The department has grown substantially in the corporate governance area. Over the past financial year key personnel appointed have participated fully in major forums established nationally and provincially.

Peer learning forums such as Provincial CFO's Forum and National Sectoral forums such as Social Development CFO's forum have born fruit to the department adapting to new reforms in improving financial management. The department has deliberately ensured that key personnel in financial administration participated in these forums as they contributed to developing uniform approaches to common challenges and promote best practices. Simultaneously, these interactions have ensured that public sector industry sectoral comparison take place. Our participation has mainly been beneficial to our budget section. This section has easily comprehended and ensured that we comply with the budget structure reforms as required by national departments and both provincial and national treasuries.

The department has, however, also taken note of the lack of skills, and competencies in the Finance Directorate, as a consequent we are fully participating in the financial training spearheaded by the provincial Department of Finance. We are receiving feedback and are constantly monitoring individual participants and the impact that this training has on their work ethics. As this is a development process we acknowledge, nurture and encourage our staff for cross training and mastery of more than one task for their personal development and enhancement of service delivery.

The major challenge now facing our department is the alignment of Strategic Plans, Budget, Financial Statements and Annual reports. Our most enjoyable challenge will be to see Annual Reports (as a statement of fact/a statement of progress) clearly linking with Strategic Plans (statement of intent).

Mr Speaker, although we are not yet content, in budgetary allocations the department is steadily showing growth and beginning to impact on the lives of our communities. The graph below shows clearly the growth rate of the department over the MTEF periods.

Graph 1 (see http://www.nwpg.gov.za) for graph

Mr Speaker, the table and graph below (see http://www.nwpg.gov.za) illustrate the preliminary indications of unaudited state of finances. What has been stated in detailed programme performance (non financial data) for the year ending March 2003 can be proudly supported by financial data. The expenditure of the department is at 102.3%. Within programmes there is a remarkable improvement compared to the previous financial year (2001/02) as shown in Table 1. This improvement within various programmes is a result of recruitment of key personnel, improving work ethics, correct change management approaches, strong strategic leadership and understanding of the environment and the clientele that we serve.

Mr Speaker, I request this House, the Portfolio Committee on Finance and the Portfolio Committee responsible for our department to scrutinise allocations per programmes as vividly demonstrated by Graph 2 (see http://www.nwpg.gov.za). The graph indicates welcomed increases of social security programme, however, other key departmental programmes are not showing real increase. We refer to social development, social work programmes, libraries, arts, culture and sport and recreation.

2 State of Procurement and Asset Management

Mr Speaker, central to the operations of the department is procurement and asset management. Key personnel have been recruited in the preceding financial year (2002/03). The major focus area of the department is continued support of SMME's, not only with business opportunities but also with smooth and speedy processing of transactions within applicable rules and regulations.

Good governance procedures have resulted in the establishment of Departmental Procurement Committee, adherence to regulations such as Tender Procedures, Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPPFA). There are now complete segregation of duties and functions within procurement and asset management. The Asset Register is being compiled jointly with the Department of Finance in accordance with time frames set by national treasury.

7.3 Human Resources

Mr Speaker, we have completed the first phase of building the department. We have now filled 88% of all SMS posts. The focus, from the better part of the last financial year was the recruitment of middle and lower management staff including Community Liaison Officers, State Accountants and Social Workers.

The department is engaged with the processes of implementing Resolution 7. This process came at a time when we have just completed the absorption after the adoption of the new organogram in August 2001. The department is presently busy with matching and placing personnel and we hope to complete the entire process by the stipulated time.

8. Outlook for 2003 and Budget Allocations

8.1 Strategic Plan 2003 - 2005

Mr Speaker, our department adopted a forward-looking strategic plan for 2003 to 2005. From the strategic plan of 2002, the department resolved to consolidate on key focus areas that were identified. This relates to the further development and improvement of our management support systems, enhancement of partnerships for development and integration and co-ordination of services in line with the Reconstruction and Development Programme.

We have deemed it fit to carry through these key focus areas into 2003 because we are consolidating on our efforts to rebuild this department. We do not also want to disrupt the path that we put the department into since 2001, as we are aware of the milestones that were registered in repositioning this department as being at the fore-front of pushing back the frontiers of poverty. We are also acutely aware that change and continuity are intertwined and as a result we did not require a radical departure from what we set for ourselves as immediate tasks to re-orientate the department.

Mr Speaker, for this financial year we added the acceleration of service delivery as a new key focus area for the department. All our programmes must move with speed in responding to service delivery needs of the people that we serve.

As part of our strategic planning we have continued as a department to participate in the IDP process in all the four districts.

8.2 Departmental Flagship for 2003

Mmusakgotla, jaaka e le tlwaelo, monongwaga moono wa lefapha la rona ke ditirelo tsa dilaeborari le tshedimosetso. Diporogama tse di tlileng go lebelelwa ka leitlho le le ntshotsho di akaretsa potlakiso ya ntshwafatso ya dilaeborari, go tlhomiwa ga dilaeborari tse dintshwa kwa metse-magaeng, go tlhomiweng ga thekenoloji ya tlhaeletsanyo ya tshedimosetso mo dilaeboraring tsotlhe, go akaretsa merafe mo go tlhopeng dibuka le tshedimosetso e e maleba mo go bona, go ngokela ditheo tsa poraefete mo ditirelong tsa laeborari le tshedimosetso, go tlhama tirisano mmogo e e kitlaneng le Lefapha la Thuto mo tirisong ya dilaeborari tsa sekolo ke merafe, go lomaganya tirisano mmogo le Tirelo ya Puso ya Tshedimosetso le Tlhaeletsano (GCIS) mo go anamiseng tshedimosetso ya puso ka go dirisa ditheo tsa ditirelo tsotlhe (Multipurpose Centres).

8.3 Explanation of budget allocations for 2003/2004

8.3.1 Management and Administration

The total amount allocated to the management and administration programme is thirty eight million, five hundred and ninety seven thousand rands (R38, 597 000). It is further broken into three sub-programmes as allocated in the following manner

8.3.1.1 MEC's Office - R3, 728 million
8.3.1.2 Provincial Administration - R31, 169 million
8.3.1.3 District Management - R3, 700 million

The objective of this programme is to provide strategic leadership to the department by amongst other things instilling proper good governance in all management and administration matters.

8.3.2 District and Service Office Coordination

The total amount for district and service office coordination programme stands at eighty five million, six hundred and sixty six thousand rands (R85, 666 000). This allocation will be used for coordination of departmental services at our four districts and service office.

8.3.3 Social Security

Mr Speaker, the bulk of our budget goes to the social security programme for the payment and administration of government grants. For this financial year this programme has been allocated R2.8 billion. In order for the department to implement the increases in age limit for the Child Support Grant, an additional amount of one hundred and twenty five million, four hundred and twenty six thousand (R125, 426 000) has been set aside.

8.3.4 Social Welfare Services

Our social welfare services programme has been allocated eighty million, seven hundred and thirty nine thousand (R80, 739 000). This allocation has been broken into the following sub-programmes aimed at targeted groups who need welfare services:

8.3.4.1 Treatment and Prevention of Substance Abuse; an allocation of five hundred and eighty five thousand rands (R585 000).

8.3.4.2 Care for the Aged; an allocation of eleven million, four hundred and twenty-two thousand rands (R11, 422 000).

8.3.4.3 Crime Prevention, Rehabilitation and Victim Empowerment; an allocation of five million, nine hundred and sixty eight thousand rands (R5, 968 000).

8.3.4.4 Service to the Disabled; an allocation of seven million, one hundred and eighty six thousand rands (R7, 186 000).

8.3.4.5 Child Youth Care and Protection; an allocation of ten million, six hundred and eighty four thousand rands (R10, 684 000).

8.3.4.6 Partnership and Financing; an allocation of forty three million, three hundred and eighty five thousand rands (R43, 385 000).

8.3.5 Development and Support

The social development programme has been allocated an amount of sixty five million, nine hundred and five thousand rands (R65, 905 000). It is broken as follows:

8.3.5.1 Youth Development; an allocation of six million, one hundred and fifty four thousand rands (R6, 154 000).

8.3.5.2 HIV/AIDS; an allocation of seven million, five hundred and eighty thousand rands (R7, 580 000) in a form of a conditional grant.

8.3.5.3 Poverty Alleviation; an amount of forty eight million, nine hundred and seventy one thousand rands (R48, 971 000) has been set aside to push back the frontiers of poverty.

8.3.5.4 NPO and Welfare Organisational Development; an amount of two million, three hundred and twenty nine thousand (R2, 329 000) has been allocated.

8.3.5.5 In addition to these allocations, the department shall continue with Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Programme that I referred to earlier. Allocations have been made for the next three-years (MTEF) commencing this financial year with forty one million, six hundred and fifteen thousand rands (R41, 615 000).

8.3.6 Arts, Culture, Libraries and Archives

As for Arts, Culture, Libraries and Archives programme, the total amount of fifty five million, eight hundred and ten thousand rands (R55, 810 000) has been set aside. The programme is divided into the following sub-programmes with their allocations:

8.3.6.1 Arts, Culture, Museums and Heritage; this sub-programme has been allocated thirty four million, nineteen thousand rands (R34, 019 000) for this financial year.

8.3.6.2 Libraries and Archives; the sub-programme has been allocated eleven million, seven hundred and nineteen thousand rands (R11, 719 000).

8.3.7 Sport and Recreation

The Sport and Recreation programme received twenty one million, eight hundred and eighty two thousand rands (R21, 882 000).

8.3.8 Development and Maintenance

For development and maintenance, the department received an allocation of twelve million rands (R12 million) in which two million rands is for general maintenance of the department. The remaining ten million has been allocated to the following projects:

8.3.8.1 Greenifying North-West; an amount of six million rands (R6 million) for the second phase.

8.3.8.2 Library and Archives

8.3.8.2.1 Planning for the construction of a new Provincial Library, Museums and Archives Centre with allocation of a million rand (R1 million).

8.3.8.2.2 Construction of a Community Library in Shupingstad with an initial allocation of eight hundred thousand rands (R800 000).

8.3.8.2.3 Construction of Community Library in Mabeskraal with an initial allocation of eight hundred thousand rands (R800 000).

8.3.8.2.4 Construction of Mmabatho Public Library with an initial allocation of four hundred thousand rands (R400 000).

8.3.8.3 Social Work Programmes

8.3.8.3.1 Construction of a new playing field for the Reamogetswe Secure Care Centre for Children awaiting trial in Brits. An allocation of seven hundred thousand rands (R700 000) has been made for this project.

8.3.8.3.2 Refurbishment of Pabalelo Place of Safety in Garankuwa. It is allocated three hundred thousand rands (R300 000).

9. Conclusions

Mr Speaker, may I in conclusion take this opportunity to pay homage to all the Mayors with whom we traversed the journey of building a better life for our people together. In the same vein thank our traditional leaders who worked with the department to bring up change in their subjects' lives. A special thanks goes to Kgosi Molotlegi for his unstinting support.

I also take this opportunity to pass our sincerest thanks to Honourable Patrick Chauke and his team for successfully hosting some of the Cricket World Cup games in the North-West province. Similarly, I thank the City Council of Potchefstroom, in particular, his Worship the Mayor of Potchefstroom, Councillor Satish Roopa.

A word of thanks also goes to the Portfolio Committee under the leadership of Honourable Khunwana.

A special thanks to the management and staff of Motsweding FM for being a fountain of information to our communities. May I thank the entire news department and the current affairs team.

No amount of words can ever demonstrate our appreciation to the work performed by Mr. Joshua Mojaki in his assistance during the implementation of the food distribution programme, Mr. Phillimon Masinga for being our sport Ambassador and a role model to our sporting youth and Mr. Cuthbert Mogadime for always partnering with the department in social development programmes. We also thank all our social development partners for their valuable contribution in pushing back the frontiers of poverty.

To my colleagues in Exco, thanks for comradeship that always defines our working relationship. Honourable Premier thanks for your leadership throughout the years.

I further take this opportunity to thank the management of the department, in particular the Acting Deputy Director General, Ms. Matshediso Kgasi. A heartened thanks to all my support staff for being there for my Office and the Department.

Mr Speaker, no one deserves special thanks more than my dear wife, Golo and our special daughter Reneilwe.

Footnotes
(1) Mongane Wally Serote, Scatter the Ashes and Go, 2002.
(2) See www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/charter.html
(3) Mark Keohane, A Biography of Courage: Chester, pp.52-53
(4) Minister Trevor Manuel, Budget Speech, Cape Town, 2003, p. 17

Source: North West Provincial Government (http://www.nwpg.gov.za)