[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

The official opening of the Sixth Session of the Second Legislature sitting on 20 February 2004 at 9h00 will be Premier Manne Dipico's last State of the Province Address after ten years as the leader of the Northern Cape Government. This event, which will take place at the New Provincial Legislature Complex, will also be the first major event on the Calendar of the Northern Cape Province to mark the Ten-Years of Freedom Celebrations.

Speaker of the Provincial Legislature, Calvin Smith, said that what makes this particular event different from the previous ones is that South Africa is celebrating ten years of emancipation from apartheid and racism to democracy, freedom and peace. "I am indeed pleased that the country did not decline into chaos as pessimists predicted, but that it has instead reached unknown economical growth and prosperity," Smith said.

The opening ceremony is expected to lure an estimated ten thousand people from as far afield as the Siyanda, Namakwa, Karoo, Kgalagadi and Frances Baard regions. The public from towns outside of Kimberley as well as the greater Kimberley area including Galeshewe, Homevale and Roodepan will be bussed in to attend the event. Invited guests include representatives from The Presidency, National Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Premiers and Ambassadors.

The day will not only be limited to the formal proceedings, but government departments will display their services through exhibitions where an overall winner will be announced at the end of the day. Fireworks, which have become synonymous with the opening, as well as a music concert at the Kutlwanong Sports Ground, will round off the day's proceedings. Artists include Mbombela, Sibongile Khumalo, Oleseng Shuping, Real 4 Real and Kabelo.

Enquiries:
Patrick Moopelwa
Tel: (053) 839 8023
David Adams
Tel: (053) 839 8273

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Northern Cape Provincial Government
6 February 2004

Source: Northern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.northern-cape.gov.za)