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26 February 2004

In the words of one of the great leaders of the 20th century, the late President of the African National Congress, OR Tambo:
The African National Congress has remained faithful to the cause of Freedom. It leads the national struggle for the emancipation of all oppressed people. It stands for new order in South Africa where racism shall be a thing of the past and human dignity and equality shall prevail in the life of our country'. He further went on to say that it would not be easy to accomplish these tasks.

Honourable Speaker, we wish to assure comrade OR and all the other heroes and heroines who lived and died for this noble cause that the people of this country have been, and still are, faithful to the cause of Freedom.

Freedom which, according to Amartya Sen, the 1998 Nobel laureate in economics, a view that we passionately also share, is to be understood in the sense of expanding the range of economic and social choices available to individuals and nations by freeing them from servitude and dependence not only in relation to other people and nation-state but also to the forces of ignorance and human misery, and dogmatic beliefs, especially that one's poverty is one's predestination.

As the democratic government, we remain committed towards advancing the freedom demands made by all our people from every corner of South Africa, from Africans, Indians, Coloureds and Whites, from workers and peasants, and from shopkeepers and intellectuals.

Guided by the Reconstruction and Development Programme framework, there is no way we could falter in our march to the future - a future full of prosperity for all. We are very clear about where we come from, where we want to go and about our options for getting there.

The ten years of freedom that we have travelled thus far bear testimony to this effect. Our mission to create a better life for all South Africans is in the making and definitely on course. Slowly but surely we are getting there and one day we will reach our desired destination. As Charles Spurgeon correctly put it:
By perseverance the snail reached the ark.

Honourable Speaker, when we look back what do we see?

Undoubtedly, we see ten years of forging and strengthening our country's unity.
We see ten years of peace and stability - a period acclaimed a 'Miracle' by the whole world.

We see ten years of implementing programmes to secure a better life for all.

We see ten years of deepening democracy within our society because our understanding is that democracy is a necessary condition for development.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Yes, it has been a decade of progress - a decade of freedom that has seen the enhancement of development defined in terms of the reduction of poverty, inequality and unemployment within the context of a growing economy.

In his speech when delivering the January 8 statement, the President of the ANC, comrade Thabo Mbeki, echoed the same sentiments, asserting that:
During the First Decade, we paid close attention to the task of ensuring that we transform a declining economy. We have transformed it to one that is growing, developing and restructuring to respond to the need of the people, to generate the resources we need to reduce the levels of unemployment and poverty, and improve the national infrastructure.

Today, Honourable Speaker, we have built a solid economic foundation from which we could enhance economic growth and development.

Today the country's economic growth rate and that of the Province show upward trends, of which, is one-step in the right direction.

Today, the rates of inflation and interest rates have reached low levels, accompanied by a strengthening Rand.

The fact that our Government will over the next three years be spending over R1 trillion on services as indicated by Minister Trevor Manuel in his Budget Speech a week ago, is another very clear indication that our economy and resources are better managed.

Sisho singaginyi mathe ukuthi umnotho wethu uphethwe Uhulumende onobunyoningco nekhono eliphezulu kakhulu. Kungakho uHulumeni wethu, wentando yeningi, ezosebenzisa izigidigidi zamarandi kuleminyaka emithathu ezayo ukuguqula izimpilo zabantu base Ningizimu Afrika, ikakhuluzi izimpilo zalabo abahlwempu. Uhulumende ukwenza lokhu ngoba enguHulumende onakekelayo nkathi zonke.

Honourable Speaker, all these strides that we have made do not only impact on the lives of our people positively but also provide us with opportunities to expand the economy even further, and subsequently accelerate the socio-economic
transformation agenda.

BUDGET FRAMEWORK

2003 budget outcome

We will continue to effectively and efficiently utilise public finances to facilitate further growth of the economy and its capacity to generate the resources we need to fight poverty, unemployment and inequalities - ills that are still pervasive within our society.

Poverty alleviation

Looking at the 2003 provincial budget, like previous budgets, it focused largely on the bulk of the people who are sitting at the lowest rung of the social ladder - the disadvantaged and the poor. One is talking of people who could hardly make ends meet, with nothing to keep the home fires burning - people who are involved in a vicious cycle wherein poverty and underdevelopment breed more poverty and underdevelopment from one generation to the next.

It is our commitment towards lifting off the burden of poverty and underdevelopment from the shoulders of the majority of our people who are poor and vulnerable that has led us to direct approximately 80 per cent of the R11,8 billion 2003 budget to this segment of our people.

We are a government that cares and also understand, like Todaro and Smith who are economic development gurus, that the low incomes and low levels of living of the poor, which are manifested in poor health, nutrition and education, could lower their economic productivity and thereby lead directly and indirectly to a slower growing economy.

Therefore, the fight against poverty must and will continue, focus in the ten years ahead being placed on creating work opportunities and building sustainable communities and safe residential neighbourhoods.

Looking at the impact of the social grants for example, they are gradually making a dent on the lives of our communities although our goal is not to create a society that is wholly dependent on state coffers. In the 2003 financial year alone, the number of people receiving the old age grant increased by 3 821 pensioners, reaching a total of 145 346 people.

The disability grant saw an increase of 16 520 recipients. We have a total of 62 828 people receiving this grant to date.

The child support grant also experienced a substantial increase. We have an additional of 92 206 children to last year's figure of 155 058 which gives us a total of 247 264 recipients. Our Province has far exceeded its set target of 226 000 beneficiaries on the Child Support Grant.

Esikhuluma ngakho gadesi akusizo inomboro kwaphela kodwa lokhu kusitshela indaba eqakatheke kwamambala mayelana nobujamo bokutshugululwa kwenagha yekhethu nepiilo zabantu bekhethu ngokupheleleko.

Lokhu kusenza bona siqale emuva ngokuzikhukhumeza. Okuseleko ngukuthi isichaba siberegisane nombuso ukulwa nalabo emiphakathini yethu abathi baberega kodwa bafune ukughola imali yesondlo sabantwana, i Child Support Grant. Isichaba singaghelebha ngokuthi sibe amehlo nendlebe zombuso.

Ons moet verseker dat al die diewe wat 'kattekwaad aanvang' in hegtenis geneem word. Ons gemeenskap kan nie sulke mense verdra nie.

Our government is really determined to push back the frontiers of poverty and advance those of freedom and humanity.

As one has already alluded to above, as government, we do not intend creating a society dependent on government for handouts. Instead government should be understood to be a vehicle that creates the necessary environment conducive to individuals to free themselves from servitude, dependence, ignorance and human misery.

Human resource development

Honourable Speaker, the 2003 budget also put more emphasis on human resource development. This involves, inter alia, the enhancement of education in the Province.

The continuous increase in spending in this area of work is ultimately beginning to pay dividends.

Mpumalanga grade twelve (12) results improved from 55,8% in 2002 to 58,2% in 2003, which is an increase of 2,4%. Although the percentage is still unsatisfactory, we really welcome this upward trend, and believe that it needs to be sustained and accelerated.

Job creation

The question of job creation was another crucial area of concern. Government has stepped up its programmes aimed at job creation - programmes dealing with, among other things, investment promotion, tourism development, poverty relief, rural and urban development, Jobs Summit declaration implementation and Community Based Public Works projects have been initiated.

In confronting the challenge of unemployment and the unemployability of those seeking work due to lack of skills for economic growth, we need to work in partnership with all social partners in this regard. The Provincial Department of Labour is one such partner that is seized with skills development and learnerships. They spend millions of Rand to not only train the unemployed, but also place thousands in employment. There is of course a room for improvement.
The Mpumalanga Treasury will commence with the Graduate Development Programme as from April 2004. Fifteen (15) unemployed graduated youths will be trained on several areas of financial management as an attempt of making them employable.

Own revenue

Honourable Speaker, in order to meet certain social, economic and administrative pressures which both the equitable share and conditional grants fall short, we, as a Province, not only set ourselves a target of R281 million own revenue generation in 2003 Budget but also allocated the budgeted amount to all votes upfront.

It was planned that this revenue would be utilised to cover areas such as, among other things, weighbridges, roads, public libraries, animal diseases, parastatals, personnel and Child Support Grants, including other grants.

On January this year, we had an amount of R246 million collected already, of which, R199 million was transferred to the different departments for spending.

2004 Budget Priorities

Coming to the 2004/05 Budget, one could safely say that it is a Budget that builds on the foundation of our spending history.

* It is a Budget geared largely towards creating a safety net for the vulnerable and underdeveloped section of our society.
* A Budget that seeks to accelerate access to basic services, particularly for the poor.
* It is a Budget that seeks to strengthen the comprehensive approach towards HIV and AIDS and the enhancement of welfare services.
* A Budget that intends adding momentum to the strategies and programmes aimed at growing the economy and creating jobs.
* A Budget that seeks to provide sustainable livelihoods.
* A Budget that seeks to step up non-personnel and non-capital expenditure in education.
* A Budget that seeks to strengthen the land reform process and Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme.
* Yes it is a Budget that seeks to strengthen the fight against crime and corruption.
* But most importantly, it is Budget that seeks to further deepen democracy with the view of expanding the frontiers of freedom.

For 2004/05 financial year, the total provincial revenue is R 13,1 billion, made up of R11,6 billion equitable share, R1,2 billion conditional grants and own revenue amounting to R314,1 million. This Budget represents 13,5% increase to the 2003/04 provincial revenue.

Expenditure proposals

The next logical question, Honourable Speaker that one would ask is how government intends distributing these limited resources in the face of such huge challenges confronting the Province?

Moving from the premise that, although much has been done by this government in the past ten years of freedom to improve the lives of our people in the Province, there is room for further improvement. The challenges of poverty and unemployment are still in persistence.

We need to ensure through our various programmes that the majority of our people participate in development programmes and income generating activities, especially in those areas identified as 'poverty pocket areas', namely the areas of Nkomazi, Nsikazi, Gert Sibande and Nkangala.

As the democratic government, we have made it clear many a times that we cannot rest until such time our people are free from the bondage of poverty and human misery.

Social security and access to services

Honourable Speaker, as we progress on our journey in the Second Decade of Freedom, together, we have to dramatically reduce the level of poverty.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise when the biggest slice of this Budget is geared towards the provision of the necessary social security to our people, particularly the vulnerable.

* We need to speed up the extension of free health services to persons with disabilities
* Improve services in health facilities with adequate well-trained and caring staff and
* Further ensuring that those who are eligible for social grants access them with ease.

However, as mentioned earlier on, there is a need to gradually lessen the level of dependency on social grants - a position put clearly by Minister Trevor Manuel in his Budget speech last week Wednesday when he said:
"Given the challenges we face, we have made these choices. But in the longer term, it seems clear that we will need to seek a better balance between growth in welfare spending and our investment in education and infrastructure development".

The R3,1 billion and R2,3 billion allocated to both the Department of Social Services, Population and Development, and the Department of Health respectively would be utilised to drive the priorities just highlighted above.

Programmes aimed at, inter alia, paying social grants in terms of the Social Assistance Act, the treatment and prevention of substance abuse, and child and youth care protection will be enhanced. The roll out programmes of the provision of Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs is also a priority area.

The implementation of the Primary Health Care packages and the hospital norms and standards will be accelerated with the view of reducing and improving access to health care by all, particularly the poor.

The comprehensive strategy to deal with HIV and AIDS through, inter alia, Awareness Programmes, Nutritional Programmes, Research and the roll out of Anti Retroviral Programmes will be accelerated. The 2004/05 Budget makes provision for a total of over R90 million, which include the provision of life skills and awareness programmes in schools.

Access to basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation will be dramatically improved.

Programmes aimed at dealing with the housing backlog will also be sharpened and accelerated with the provision of over 11 300 housing units planned by the Department of Housing and Land Administration for the 2004/05 financial year at a cost of over R296 million in the three districts. We will also see the granting of thousands of title deeds.

Our Provincial government welcomes the positive move of our national government in the removal of stamp duties on mortgage bonds and the raising of the exemption threshold for the transfer duty to R150 000 from the beginning of March 2004.

Honourable Speaker, this will not only improve the affordability of home seekers, especially by the low-income households, but also enable our housing parastatal, the Mpumalanga Housing Finance Company (MHFC), to also increase its lending capacity to this particular group.

It is in this context that the Department of Housing is allocated an amount of R405,9 million to progressively respond to the need of providing better living environment for all citizens in Mpumalanga, particularly the homeless.

Our unwavering commitment to one of the primary goals of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), namely, the development of our Human Resources, is what informs our allocation of R5,09 billion to the Department of Education to enhance access to services by our learners, young and old.

Our government will continue to spend money to feed children in our schools and in 2004/05 financial year, R64,1 million of this total allocation will be dedicated to feeding school children and facilitating nutrition education and health promotion involving 491 362 learners.

Sithi uHulumende wethu uzonikezela ngokudla ezikoleni kubantwana abayizinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amane namashumi ayisishiyagalolunye nanye, namakhulu amathathu, namashumi ayisithupa nambili onyakeni wezimali ozayo, Lokhu sikwenza ngoba singu Hulumeni onakelelayo.

Programmes that are geared towards addressing the challenge of the shortage of skills so prevalent within our labour market, evidently an inhibiting factor to rapid development, will be accelerated. Our Province will also benefit from the increased support for curriculum development and implementation, particularly in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector, as announced by Minister Trevor Manuel in his budget speech last week.

Attention will also be given to non-capital and non-personnel expenditure to further enhance the provision of quality education. This entails making provision for stepped-up provision of learner support material, Adult Basic Education (ABET), and the upgrade and renovation of education infrastructure.
It is for this reason that the allocation to education includes R300 million towards Leaner Support Material (LSM). Parents have a responsibility not only to ensure that they register their children in September of each year as required, but also help schools to retrieve textbooks at the end of the year. This will go a long way in ensuring the optimal use of the limited financial resources at our disposal.

Kusemahlombe ebatali kucinisekisa kwekutsi bantfwana bayabhaliswa njalo ngenyanga yeNyoni.

Loku kwentela kwekutsi letigidzi letingemakhulu lamatsatfu tiyafinyelela ekweneliseni tidzingo tetincwadzi, tebafundzi. Lokunye lokumele kwentiwe batali, kusitana naHulumende kucinisekisa kwekutsi tipele tiyabuyiselwa etikoleni ekupheleni kwemnyaka.

The total allocation to the Department of Education also includes R102 million for the upgrading and renovation of existing education infrastructure, and is earmarked for a number of schools throughout the Province. As part of our government's commitment to school maintenance programme and infrastructure development, among others, over 300 schools will be painted, 958 renovated and 477 classrooms built.

One important area that represents a measure of our seriousness in dealing with the hardship faced by learners in the rural and farm areas is the provision of scholar transport. For the 2004/05 financial year, R62,5 million will be made available for the transportation of over 34 000 learners who no longer have to walk long distances to school.

Learners in the Charl Cillliers and Naudesfontein areas of Govan Mbeki, Holmdene in Lekwa, Driefontein in Seme, and many other areas of the Province will benefit from such a programme.

The roadworthiness of vehicles used by operators to transport the learners will receive special attention from the Department of Local Government, Traffic Control and Traffic Safety.

The attainment of reduced illiteracy level among the youth and adults will be sped up through the Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) programmes which will be receiving an amount of R49,8 million.

Ke maikemesetso ammusho warona go netefatsa kgore batswadi barona baeleng ba tenywa thuto ke mmusho wa dinokwana le kgethullo, ba fomana thuto etla etsa kgore batsebe go balla le go ngwala.

Honourable Speaker, in essence, we expect to see a school system that functions sufficiently and effectively to realise the educational and social goals of the province. A system that will consolidate our educational gains and also deal with the existing challenges, especially the improved matric results.

The Minister of Education, Kader Asmal, summarised the latter statement very well when he correctly pointed out in his speech on the release of the 2003 Senior Certificate examination results when asserting that:
The 2003 results clearly show that the tide has turned for our education system. We have continued to move from the despair of our past to hope, prosperity and progress for the future. Through focused and targeted interventions, we have, once again, made significant gains in improving the national pass rate, as well as ensuring that many of the schools, which had previously been characterised as dysfunctional, have now shown considerable improvement. There is no doubt that the 2003 results place a significant distance between the present and our past.

Growing the economy

Honourable Speaker, to sustain our total onslaught on poverty thereby improving the lives of our people, we need to ensure that we grow our economy robustly. As alluded to earlier, over the past ten years, together, we have managed to build a strong economic foundation from which we could expand further and be able to add impetus towards addressing the challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequalities.

According to Global Insight research institution, the average annual growth for Mpumalanga in 2001 - 2002 was 2,8% as compared to 2,6% in 2000 - 2001.

If the challenges of the Second Economy are to be confronted head on, we need to pull all our resources aimed at stimulating economic growth together and talk of a common resource base for economic growth. This is important if we are to see the potential of our Province to become a food basket of South Africa being realised. This is possible as it is a fact that we have some of the best soil in the country.

As the Honourable Premier pointed out in his state of the Province address two weeks ago, that we need greater co-ordination among our parastatals - the MEEC, MADC, MPB, MTA, MII, MGB, MHFC and the MRTT, and other economic stakeholders in Mpumalanga to build the common resource base for economic growth and development.

Therefore, it is required from us, inter alia, to subject more young people to learnership programmes for skills development; encourage labour intensive methods in sectors of the economy; spend more to facilitate the Broad-Based Economic Empowerment Act; intensify youth support through Umsobomvu Youth Fund, build community infrastructure and ensure access to local opportunities.

Yes, strategies directed towards investment promotion, entrepreneurship development, tourism promotion, industrial promotion and infrastructure development need to be revved up.

The process of integrated approach to economic growth and development will have to be enhanced by all stakeholders.

The Cabinet Cluster on Economy, Investment and Employment will have to accelerate all programmes geared towards growing the economy and job creation. We need to fire from all cylinders with greater co-operation with national departments like the Labour Department, especially on skills development.

We believe that the R292 million, R462,5 million and the R910,9 million allocated to the Departments of Finance and Economic Affairs; Agriculture, Conservation & Environment; and Public Works, Roads & Transport respectively will place the Cluster in a better position to fast-track the programmes aimed at dealing with those challenges reflected above.

Our clear understanding that the level of success of our land reform process must not and cannot be measured only by how many hectares of land have been restored to the people, but more so by how has the restoration improved the people's lives has led us to introduce a new national conditional grant called Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), aimed mainly at the provision of support to emerging farmers, including those benefiting from the Land Redistribution for Agriculture Development (LRAD).

The provincial Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment (DACE) will receive a total of R18,9 million, R23,6 million and R28,4 million over the MTEF period to drive these programmes.

They will further receive R15,3 million, R17,132 million and R19 million over the MTEF period from the conditional grant called Provincial Infrastructure Grant (PIG) to further promote the agricultural sector in the Province. With all these additional resources to DACE and improved co-ordination and interaction between all stakeholders in this sector, coupled with the fact that we have some of the best soil in the country, it is very possible for our Province to become a food basket of South Africa.

Over R500 million of the total 2004/05 budget of Public Works, Roads and Transport will be directed towards the continued efficient provision and adequate maintenance of the 6 252 km surface and 9 090 km gravel road network in the Province.

There are plans to regravel, reseal and rehabilitate approximately 398 km of the road network during the upcoming financial year at a cost of over R102 million. This programme will take place in different Municipalities located in all the three District Municipalities of the Province.

This programme will form a major part of the Expanded Public Works Programme. There are also plans to spend over R171 million on the reconstruction of existing roads in the three Districts.

Crime and Corruption

But to be able to secure our economic gains and growing the economy further, a safe, secure, and crime free Province is crucial. Together, we have to ensure that public safety is improved. We have to intensify the processes to facilitate the building of relationships between the police services, community and local municipalities.

Safety on our roads is also crucial. Our municipalities have to be supported, monitored and also strengthened so that they could be in a better position to promote free flow of traffic and road safety on public roads within the Province.

Honourable Speaker, one of the fundamental principles underlying our democracy is accountability. As elected leaders, we have to constantly account to our people, ensure that they also take part in shaping their own destination. One cannot agree more with John Leo when he argues that:
You can't run a society or cope with its problems if people are not held accountable for what they do.

Therefore, the oversight and legislative functions of the Legislature have to be promoted, supported and sharpened at all times.

CONCLUSION

To conclude, Honourable Speaker, allow me to quickly run through the allocations made to the different votes:

* The Premier's Office will receive an amount of R108 million to co-ordinate the activities of the different departments, management and co-ordination of co-operative governance, management of international relations as part of our objective to build a better continent and a better world.

* R292 million will go to Finance and Economic Affairs to facilitate sustainable economic growth and development, deal with the challenges of the Second Economy with over 36% of their budget being transfers to their economic development parastatals, they will also use allocation for the promotion of prudent financial management.

* The Department of Local Government, Traffic Control and Traffic Safety is appropriated an amount of R209 million to ensure safety in our roads and also strengthen our municipalities which are crucial institutions for service delivery.

This entails continued support and monitoring of municipalities, management of Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) aimed at, inter alia, addressing backlogs in basic municipal infrastructure in a sustainable manner, and the promotion of job creation through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

The department will also be expected to play a role in the phased implementation of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) from 1 July 2004.

* The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment is allocated an amount of R462,5 million to enhance sustainable development through the creation of conditions necessary for agricultural growth and environmental conservation.

* R5,1 billion is allocated to the Department of Education to render quality education for all through effective teaching and learning.

* The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport is allocated an amount of R910,9 million to provide and maintain the provincial road network and also facilitate the development of infrastructure for the Province.

* The Department of Safety and Security will receive R35,3 million to ensure a safe and a crime free Province, and to monitor the transformation process in the SAPS.

* R3,1 billion goes to the Department of Social Services, Population and Development to promote integrated social development for all through the provision of social welfare, social security and development in Mpumalanga. Over 570 thousand beneficiaries at a cost of over R2,5 billion will benefit from the social assistance grants.

* The Department of Health is allocated an amount of R2,30 billion to improve and provide health care for all, adjust salaries of specialists in health personnel, increase spending on medicines and other supplies and also provide accommodation to health workers in the various hospitals, including hospitals revitalisation.

* The Housing and Land Administration will receive an amount of R405,9 million to respond to the housing needs of our people and ensure proper land administration.

* The Provincial Legislature is allocated R50,5 million to intensify its oversight function, and

* Last but not least, the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture will receive R66,9 million to promote sports, culture and art in the Province. Their allocation includes a new R1 million conditional grant for the promotion of mass participation in sport and recreation by the disadvantaged communities.

Honourable Speaker, looking at this Budget, it goes without saying that this government cares for its people, especially those who are trapped in the second economy, characterised by poverty, inadequate shelter, uncertain incomes and the despair of joblessness.

Our goal in the next ten years is to create a single and integrated economy that benefits all. We intend, among other things, reducing unemployment and poverty by half within the same period targets that we believe are within reach as long as we work in partnership.

Having said that Honourable, allow me to table the following documents for consideration by the House
* The Mpumalanga Appropriation Bill, 2004
* Budget Statement
* Budget made easy Poster and a copy of my speech.

Let me also take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to:
* Premier of the Province, N.J. Mahlangu
* All my colleagues in the Executive Council, especially members of the Provincial Treasury Committee.
* The Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs and its Chairperson, Mighty Mgidi, for their support and guidance.
* The National Treasury for its continuous support and guidance.
* The Head of the Department, Mr Rabeng Sophney Tshukudu, Treasury and all staff members for their sterling and hard-work. You never allow the word 'failure' to be part of your vocabulary. Keep it up guys.
* To my lovely wife, my wonderful children and the ever understanding members of my family for their unconditional support. They always borrowed from the words of wisdom of Dwight Eisenhower to encourage me in my work where he says:
When you are in any contest, you should work as if there were to the very last minute a chance to lose it. This is battle, this is politics, this is anything.

Honourable Speaker, let me close with the words extracted from an overview of the last ten years given by Joel Netshitenzhe, the CEO of GCIS, when addressing the Black Management Forum Conference held in 2003 and his got this to say:
The advantages of the last ten years supersede the weaknesses and we are reaping the fruit of good macroeconomic management, but the challenge for the future is that we cannot move at the same pace into the next decade South Africa has made progress since 1994, but there are weaknesses and the next decade will require that we all work together to deal with those weaknesses.

I thank you.

Issued by: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
26 February 2004

Source: Mpumalanga Provincial Government (http://mpumalanga.mpu.gov.za/)