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Ladies and Gentlemen:

Itsoseng Complex, like the phoenix of ancient Greek mythology is arising from the ashes and portends a great future for this community. We are witnessing here the revival not only of the Itsoseng Shopping Complex, but also that of the Itsoseng Community at large.

We have all learned about consultation consensus and the need for trust, respect and a stable environment necessary for investment, economic growth and development. I hope that the lessons we have learned will be remembered and stand us in good stead as future projects unfold.

Though the memories of the past will always prevail, we have to address the future. We have made many attempts to re-build this complex since 1994. Many failed. Eventually we turned the corner and today we are witnessing the fruits of our efforts. We finally managed to ensure the necessary trust and confidence by investors and tenants in the people of Itsoseng.

What we have here is a monument by investors and tenants to the people of Itsoseng. I am convinced that this community has sufficiently matured not to betray this trust and confidence and that this community has arrived at the level of maturity that is appropriate to the level of democracy we have achieved in the country. I sincerely believe that Phase 2 of this complex, and the further development of this area will confirm my assessment of the maturity of the Itsoseng Community.

What comes to my mind is a film that is currently shown on SABC called "A FEW GOOD MEN". The title does include women! I want to relate the contents of this story to the Management of Score and the developer, Triplan South (Pty) Ltd owned by Mr. Nelson Ngale. The vision of these FEW GOOD MEN, with their courage, commitment, innovation, integrity and friendship is responsible for what you see here today. I want to thank them most sincerely for their achievement and want to wish them the greatest of success with the development of Phase 2.

When I opened my file on Itsoseng and realised that two companies had tendered for this development at the beginning of 2001. The tender was won by the Triplan Group. Triplan's partner could unfortunately not deliver on its tender and in May 2002, Mr Ngale found a new development partner namely, Heriot Properties (Pty) Ltd.

During the period of January 2001 up to May 2002, many attempts were made by the Consortium to find national tenants. To secure finance for this development of 3 500mē, the Consortium needed 70% of the space to be let out to national enterprises. This could not be achieved and the Consortium thus followed Mr Ngale's intervention with new developers.

In this period, Invest North West was tasked by my Department to buy the land, on which the shopping centre stands. This purchase was funded by my Department, for the amount of R1,2 million. In order to legalise the transaction, Invest North West was required to draw up the necessary lease agreements.

The basis of this lease agreement is that it operates on a 30-year BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer) agreement. This allows Invest North West, in 30 years time, to take possession of all the buildings and structure a new lease for the further benefit of the community of Itsoseng.

With the withdrawal of one of the original developers from the lease contract and the new developer coming into the equation, this lease agreement had to be changed to fit the requirements of the new role-players. The lease agreement had to be ceded to the new developers. Of course, all these changes had to be re-registered at the Deeds Office in Pretoria. Invest North West took full responsibility for this.

During all these legal processes, I can understand that the community, represented by Mr Moiloa, got impatient and from time to time showed their frustration. Let me assure you that this delay was as frustrating to us as to you the community of Itsoseng. My Department through the Acting DDG, Mr. Kingsley Sehularo, Mr. David van Wyk and Mr. Piet Smith from Invest North West had constant communication with Mr Moiloa and his Community Forum.

I also wish to acknowledge the role of the Executive Mayor of Ditsobotla Municipality, His Worship, Councilor LT Bogatsu. His involvement in this whole process is commendable.

My heartfelt and sincere appreciation goes to Mr. Nelson Ngale and his Consortium for his constant efforts and presence at the Community Forum and at other meetings where he was needed. After Mr. Nelson Ngale took control, the progress that we are witnessing today, really started.

To get to this stage where we are today, Invest North West has paid the following:

Land & Legal Fees : R1 227 344.25 Water / Rates & Taxes : R 61 719.03
Escom Connection Fees : R 12 200.00
Water Reticulation : R 48 286.98
TOTAL : R1 349 550.26

We are now looking forward to Phase 2 of this project, which Mr Ngale has already announced to you. I am especially proud of the two Banks, ABSA and FNB who have already committed themselves to ATMs and other banking facilities.

Let me conclude by congratulating the community of Itsoseng for bearing with us. It was not an easy road to travel but due to the commitment of "A FEW GOOD MEN" I am able to hand this Score Supermarket over for your use as the community of Itsoseng.

Take care of this centre, support Score, for they had the courage to commit, and help us to create a stable environment for future investors so that we can make a huge success out of Phase 2 of this project.

May I conclude by urging all of you to make sure that you have an I.D. You need your I.D. books to get social grants and other government benefits.

I thank you.

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