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1 June 2008

Programme director, Mr Samuel Chirwa
MEC for Agriculture and Land Administration, Comrade D Mabuza
MEC for Economic Development and Planning, Comrade Craig Padayachee
Mayor of Nkomazi Local Municipality, Councillor J Mavuso
Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders, Inkosi S.E Mahlangu
Director of the Libuyile Community Trust and leader of the Khumalo Clan of Chief, Inkosi Musa Khumalo
Land Claims Commissioner, Mr P Mhangwane
Investors in the project, Messrs Herbert Teledi and Nicholson
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

It is with great pleasure and honour to be part of this historic occasion - in the history of the Mpata Community under the chieftainship of Chief Musa Khumalo. I'm thrilled, as part of the government, to witness such an occasion in which a community is standing up to uplift itself. I say I'm thrilled because the community has decided to use its restituted land and empower itself.

A number of communities which had their land returned to them, I'm talking about productive agricultural land, had government assistance in terms of training and farming implements, failed to use such land productively to empower itself. The root cause of failures in such projects is mostly because of internal fights.

People became greedy and those projects never got off the ground. I have a strong feeling that what we are witnessing today will live up to its objectives that of stimulating economic growth and development and contributing towards poverty alleviation in the area and creating jobs. We must all remember that once a community is uplifted, the burden of dependency on the government will decrease, thereby allowing government to focus on other areas of development, which requires funding.

I applaud the investors into the project, Messrs Teledi and Nicholson for having decided to invest in the community. The same goes to the leadership of the community, the Libuyile Community Trust, for having such a positive vision. I encourage the leadership of the trust to continue to lure more investors into the area.

As the country, we are facing the senseless xenophobic attacks of our own black brothers and sisters – the same people who gave refuge during the hard times of apartheid. May I take this opportunity, on behalf of the Mpumalanga government, to thank this community and all the people of Ehlanzeni District for having not been swayed by the wave of hatred that has engulfed our beautiful country. Our brothers and sisters from the neighbouring countries are as much human beings as we are. We call on you to be vigilant and to avoid being manipulated by criminal elements who seek to exploit people's fears and concerns.

As South Africa, we are a signatory to the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention that ensures the basic human rights of vulnerable persons, including people from other countries. We have to protect the basic rights of every human being within our borders, including foreign nationals. As government, we will do everything within the law to ensure safety of all citizens and foreign nationals irrespective of their status. South Africa belongs to all who live in it.

I know you might be asking yourself why am I talking about the xenophobia issue during such an occasion. It is my responsibility as an elected representative of government to preach this message, for I believe we all don't want South Africa to loose its gains of the past 14 years. Remember this will tarnish the image of the country and the province, thereby chasing away investors we all want.

Once more, congratulations to the Libuyile Community Trust on attracting such investment to its area. Vuku 'Zenzele! We salute you.

Ngiyathokoza!

Issued by: Department of Finance, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
1 June 2008