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14 February 2007

Somlomo
Mongameli wezwe
Sekela Mongameli
Ongqongqoshe nama sekela abo
Malungu ahloniphekile alendlu yesishayamethetho

Emveni kweminyaka eyishumi nambili umbuso wentando yeningi ukhona kuleli singasho ngokungangabazi ukuthi umgama esesiwuhambile ekwakheni kabusha iNingizimu Afrika uyabonakala. Kwimiphakathi esihlala kuyo sezikhona izinkomba ezibonisa inguquko. Singasho ngokuziqhenya sithi nempilo yemiphakathi ethile isingcono kunaloko eyayiyiko ngaphambilini. Lenguquko ke isinika ithemba lekusasa elihle neliqhakazile. Yize noma kunjalo, izinkinga zisekhona. Inselelo yobandlululo, nobuphofu kusabonakala.

Kanti futhi izingqinamba eziza nentuthuko nazo ziveza enye inselelo ekumele sibhekane nayo. Umzekelo waloku engikushoyo ubonakala kakhulu uma sibheka ezinye zezinkomba zentuthuko, njengokuthuthuka ngesivinini kwamadolobha okubizwa phecelezi nge urbanisation. Lesisimo senza ukuthi babebaningi manje abeza emadolobheni bezofuna imisebenzi. Umthelela waloku ukwanda kwenani labantu abantula izindawo zokuhlala emadolobheni, yingako nje sibona imijondolo isijike yaba isithombe esisibona mihla namalanga emadolobheni. Imizamo eseyenziwe ngulohulumeni ingabe isibonakala sengathi ayenzanga lotho ngohlelo lwayo lokwakha izindlu kanti cha.

Ukuguquka kwesimo somnotho nako kuze nentuthuko kanye nezingqinamba zokuntuleka kwamakhono esihambisane nezidingo zezimboni. Loku kwenze ukuthi babebaningi nabanye abalahlekelwa imisebenzi ngenxa yalezi zinguquko. Noko iqhaza eliholwa nguhulumende ebambisene nabosozimboni kanye nabasebenzi kulenguyaza ebiza nge Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA) isinika ithemba lokuthi singazama ukwandisa amakhono adingekayo ngokubambisana. Siyabonga ke Sekela LikaMongameli ngokuzikhandla ufake umfutho kulelifuthe. Okubalulekile wukuthi asizubhekela nje kuphela ekuthuthukiseni amakhono alabo abafunde bagogoda emanyuvesi, kodwa sizofaka nomdlandla kuleyomikhakha esebenzisa kakhulu izandla. Kubalulekile ukuthi sibuke nxazonke amakhono esiwadingayo ekuthuthukiseni umnotho ngoba phela ukukhula komnotho wakuleli, kuzonika amandla kanye nezimali ezidingekayo ukuthi sifukule lapho abasafufusayo, kanye nokuthi uhulumende abe nemali yokuthuthukisa imiphakathi ezintweni ezifana nokuthuthukisa izinqalasizinda (infrastructure) kuleyomiphakathi esantulayo.

Konke ke loku kusho ukuthi kumele sibenamaqhinga azomelana nalezizimo ngokwehlukana kwazo.

Mongameli, inkulumo yakho esizweni sonke evikini eledlule iphinde yagcizelela kabanzi ngokubalukeka kokulwa nobuphofu nayoyonke imithelela yako ekwakheni kabusha iningizimu Afrika. Okuyintokozo wukuthi ihamba ngqo emazwini ashiwo umqulu ongumkhombandlela iReconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) lapho yathi, ubuphofu umthwalo onzima okufanele sibhekane nawo ngqo ekwakheni kabusha leli lengabadi. Kungenzeka ke ukuthi ngokukhohlwa sizibuze ukuthi ngabe kungani ugcizelela ekubalulekeni nokulwa nobuphofu enkulumeni yakho, izinkinga ziziningi kweminye imikhakha yempilo? Ngizothanda ekucaphuna emazwini alomqulu we RDP esawuvuma kulendlu ngonyaka ka 1994 ukuqala kukahulumeni wentando yeningi ukuze sikhumbule ukuthi imuva lethu belimi kanjani njengesizwe.

Mangicaphune, "Our history has been a bitter one dominated by colonialism, racism, apartheid, sexism and repressive labour policies. The result is that poverty and degradation exist side by side with modern cities and a developed mining, industrial and commercial infrastructure. Our income distribution is racially distorted and ranks as one of the most unequal in the world, lavish wealth and abject poverty characterise our society."

Ubuye uqhubeke uthi, "The result is that in every sphere of our societal economic, social, political, moral, cultural, environmental, South Africans are confronted by serious problems. There is not a single sector of South African society, not even a person living in South Africa untouched by the ravages of apartheid. The whole regions of our country are now suffering as a direct result of the apartheid policies and their collapse."

Interestingly, the RDP itself acknowledges that while this was the past that characterised us, South Africans in their millions struggled against this system over decades. They struggled to improved their lives to restore peace and bring about a more just and humane society. In your speech therefore Mr President, you were correct in reminding us not to forget that more still needs to be done to achieve that just and human society that many of our people struggled for and where many even sacrificed their lives.

Madam Speaker, in the 12 years of our democratic rule we have put policies, legislation and programmes which have been the building blocks of transforming our society. These building blocks have on one hand sought to change the material conditions in which many of our people find themselves in, whilst at the same time building a caring and a human South African nation as evidenced in the macro-social report that was released last year. Today we have a society that is gradually embracing the common values of our country as espoused in our Constitution. A society that has gradually embraced the symbols of our nationhood. A society that collectively embrace the outstanding achievements of our citizens in sports, arts and science and hold them in high esteem as our own regardless from which racial background they might have come from. A society whose corporate citizens are gradually working in partnership in meeting the challenges of our development such as the work of the Business Trust and Business Against Crime. A society that mourns together if one of us is maimed or abused.

In these 12 years our social transformation we have also seen material change happening in the lives of our people and within their communities. Many have access to basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity. We do acknowledge however that there are some amongst our communities that still live in conditions where these services are not available. It is for this reason that the programme of the Social Cluster Cabinet Committee has resolved to work tirelessly in ensuring that we can accelerate the programme of sanitation in particular the eradication of the bucket system that still remain in other communities. Because municipalities are key delivery agents of our basic service at community level it is important that they have the capacity that will enable them to undertake this task.

The intervention of the past year at this sphere of government has enabled us to build the capacity necessary for the municipality to undertake their work. Today, many in our society have got access to healthcare through the provision of health infrastructure and health professional closer to where they leave. Many people today have assets such as housing and land through our land reform programme. We also acknowledge that our integrated human settlement strategy in the delivery of housing will help us to build living communities where housing delivery in complemented with other social services that are essential to any community.

The challenge of land for housing closer to our towns and cities will be addressed in part by prioritising the use of State and public land where these are available. The special purpose vehicle for instance will act as a holder of such land made available by other governments departments, public entities and private sector contributions for housing development. Mr President, the approach of inner city developments with regard to housing delivery is another mechanism that will help us to meet our housing demand while at the same time assisting us to meet our objective of integrated cities. The delivery of land to through the land reform programme has not only given access to land to those who were disenfranchised before, but it has also given a possibility for economic participation by these very communities. Experience of the past years have shown that an integrated approach to land delivery is required if such an asset will be used to empower communities economically. It therefore means that from a planning stage all relevant departments that are critical in making these communities are sustainable.

Our social security system acts as a safety net for those who are vulnerable amongst our communities. It is also true that while this safety net is necessary, our long-term objective should be to create possibilities for empowerment where these communities and individuals can have opportunities for productive work which will also bring back their dignity as a people. Our employment creation strategies such as the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) must be scaled up because they offer an opportunity if done well to create employment while at the same time improving our infrastructure delivery where it is needed most.

Our government assets particularly our building properties have not been well maintained making us ashamed that we are not the best land lord in the land. This state of affairs while appalling does create a possibility for employment creation to those young people who are unemployed. The young people who will be recruited to this programme will also be enrolled with our further education and training (FET) colleges and those industry colleges as artisan trainees so that at the end of their national youth service they would have given their service to their country while they would have gained skills. Mr President, you have correctly observed that this is a challenge which needs all South Africans. May be this is the time to revive our Masakhane campaign and Vukuzenzele in a way that we can meaningfully create partnerships.

These campaigns we have had but may be we did no do much to bring it at an operation level where indeed we can build "ilima" in fighting poverty using our various resources. Mr President, a lot of faith based organisations (FBO) and charity organisations have for many years been running soup kitchens where the homeless have sought refuge and shelter. Others have run childcare centres responding to the challenge within their communities, others have used their church premises for food gardening project in order to enhance food security intervention at that local level.

Others have on their own volunteered their services as healthcare workers at time not expecting any compensation, this is an indication that there are many of our citizens who are willing and ready to create a broad front in the fight against poverty in our midst. The challenge however may be that some of these many initiatives my have lack the knowledge of how they can work with government as partners for development.

The work that we will be doing within government following the South African Women in Dialogue (SAWID) delegation's visit to Chile and Tunisia will enable us to find a better platform around which we can co-ordinate all our efforts in fighting poverty. Central to the experience gathered from these two countries, is that there is no quick solutions in fighting poverty. The experience of these countries also tells us that partnerships between government, communities and private sector are key.

Dedicated capacity that will remain close to these communities and families for a period of time will be of necessity to ensure targeted and continuous support. These experiences while not similar, is very close to the work by a self-help group known as helping hand in the Chinae Province, India, from which we have modelled our Jobs for growth initiative. Central to this initiative for instance is that one needs to empower people to come out of poverty through engaging in productive activities, using the skills that they have acquired over the years.

Madam Speaker, this targeted approach will ensure that we bring dignity to our people who may today find themselves poor and dependant on our social grant system. If they are linked as they enter the social security system in particular grants as well as those in the indigent policy at municipality meeting, to a job creation scheme, they will be able once again to retain their pride.

Mr President, it is true that more still needs to be done. We are the first to acknowledge that 12 years is not enough to enable us to erase the legacy of many decades. Neither can we be satisfied with the progress we have made and feel it is okay. It is for this reason, Mr President, that in your State of the Nation address (SONA) you have reminded us once again that the task is not yet complete and we need to recommit ourselves even more as South Africans to change those things that still dehumanise us as a society.

What needs to be done?

It is my submission to you, Mr President, that our current social policies that may lie in a number of social cluster departments remain valid and therefore what is needed is dealing with challenges of implementation particularly within government. I would, therefore, mention a few that requires attention.

A. Comprehensive health reform

The improvement of the health profile of our citizens remains our focus in the interventions that we continue to make as government. Taking responsibility in part for our health requires of us as citizen to do our part. Our response to the challenge of communicable and communicable diseases cannot be managed without each one of us taking responsibility about our lifestyles. The campaign by the Ministry and the Department of Health…is a reminder that we need a strong partnership between government and all sectors of the society. The HIV and AIDS requires first and foremost that we as citizens must take responsibility for prevention as the first defence. The improvement of infrastructure to support those who are sick is critical. Improving the physical infrastructure, the training of new health workers as well as improving the conditions of services for nurses and medical health practitioners will enhance the capability for overall health improvement for all.

Madam Speaker and honourable members, once again the revelation of the statistics of a number of deaths arising out of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment regime which we have seen in the media in the past few days, affirms the correctness of our comprehensive plan in fighting HIV and AIDS which we have adopted as a country and are implementing. Honourable members, will recall that the Ministry and Department of Health have highlighted the importance of attending to these matters not just as it relates to HIV and AIDS but in improving our general provision of comprehensive health to our citizens.

C. Job creation strategies

Our struggle against poverty and underdevelopment must seek to empower people to take themselves out of poverty, while creating adequate social security net to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Honourable members, the centrality of fighting poverty and pushing back the frontiers of underdevelopment has been and continues to be at the core our policies and programmes. In this regard our starting point in designing interventions for poverty eradication is improving material conditions and strengthening social cohesion.

Honourable members, in 2007 we will accelerate the EPWP. We will ensure amongst others that 3 000 Community Development Workers (CDWs) are deployed in each local municipalities, implement integrated plan for comprehensive Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes.

With regards to the National Youth Service (NYS) in building maintenance, the Department has already identified the first five projects in Free State, Western Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng whereby youth will be employed in the maintenance and rehabilitation of state buildings. These projects will each provide opportunities to approximately 100 youth. Recruitment of youth on the first projects will commence in March. Further work is underway to identify the next batch of projects to ensure that the target of 5 000 youth set by the President is met. Furthermore, all the provincial public works departments have also committed to engage 500 youths each in the maintenance of the assets they are responsible for. All the provinces are currently finalising the identification of projects that will be made part of the NYS in the coming financial year.

C. Improving our public transport system

Expand the current bus subsidy system to cover all other road based modes of public transport and provide subsidisation on route basis promoting modal efficiencies for operations. This will deal with current concern on need foe a separate taxi subsidy by integrating into a single system for normal buses, bus rapid transit and taxis. This will mean a targeted intervention on subsidising the operational side of the taxi industry to supplement the capital side of the taxi industry provided through the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme (TXP). This will also include the expansion and effective regulation of metered taxi services.

Increase public transport operations to between 16 to 24 hours, strive for maximum accessibility for users with special needs especially high volume rail and road corridors and related stop and station infrastructure. Integrate with road safety strategy to reduce drinking and driving and decongesting traffic by increasing high occupancy vehicle lanes for use by public transport.

The allocation of R14,7 billion over Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for recapitalisation of passenger rail and upgrading services on priority rail corridors. Phase target to refurbish enough couches to achieve 10 minute headways. In addition purchase new rolling stock in the future to ensure achievement of high train frequencies, five minutes especially during peak hours.

D. Integrated housing programme

The implementation of government's comprehensive programme dealing with human settlement and social infrastructure must persist. Government will ensure that we implement concrete steps to ensure that housing development contributes to eliminating the duality of living spaces inherited from apartheid.

E. Acceleration of land reform

The African National Congress (ANC) will accelerate land reform. In particular, we will implement the pro-active land acquisition strategy to acquire the 30% agricultural land and other land for land reform. A special purpose vehicle will acquire, hold, manage, develop and dispose land for land reform purposes established. Furthermore, the speedy enactment of the Land Uses Management Bill will provide amongst others tools to transform the settlement patterns of this country in a manner that gives effect to the key constitutional provision on land.

F. Strengthening traditional leadership system in development: implementing the Communal Land Rights Act

Madam Speaker, in his SONA, the President indicated that this year government will implement the Communal Land Rights Act. Firstly, we want to appreciate the work that has been done with the provincial houses of traditional leaders in further popularising this act amongst their regional and local structures. It is our view that the implementation of this legislation, Mr President and honourable members, will assist in better management and use of land in our traditional areas for both residential and economic needs.

Mr President and honourable members, it will be necessary that as government we should enhance the capacity of these institutions so that their administrative capacity can better respond to the task that they have to undertake. The promulgation of the traditional framework legislation also enhances and formalises the governance system within these communities.

G. Mobilisation of communities and community organisation in the fight against poverty

Madam Speaker, honourable members, to build a caring and a humane society requires a broad front for development. What this means is that our people and their organisations at local level must work in partnership with the structures of government as delivery agents. The objectives of Masakhane must once again be integral to our delivery ethos. Batho Pele must not only remain as slogan, but must become a way in which we respond in resolving the challenges that our communities face.

I thank you, ngiyabonga!

Issued by: Department of Public Works
14 February 2007