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27 November 2008

Programme Facilitator, Mr S'fiso Maseko
Members of the mayoral committee
Councillors
The Head of the Department of Finance; Mr R S Tshukudu
Representatives from:
Disabled People SA, Ms H Mkhonza
National Empowerment Fund, Mr Rakhuduwe
South African Revenue Services (SARS), Mr Rupert Ndlovu
Construction Industry Development Board, Ms N Mkhonza
Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), Mr S Ndlovu
Umsobomvu Youth Fund, Mr S Sibuyi
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

I'm always encouraged by the enthusiasm of people with disabilities, when they argue unapologetically and with passion that "nothing about us, without us." I'm encouraged because they have actually come out and re-claimed their rightful position in our society. Gone are those days when someone was deciding on their behalf. As government, we therefore have a responsibility to ensure that they too, enter into the mainstream of the economy.

The month of November until 3 December annually, is disability awareness month and as such, represents the international community's commitment and that of our country and ourselves, to the empowerment and emancipation of people with disabilities. This year requires us to celebrate in unity, while we promote and protect the rights and dignity of all our citizens including of those with disabilities. The fact that as a country, we have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, is indicative of our commitment to ensuring "A better life for all," including the people with disabilities.

We are truly committed as the Government of Mpumalanga, to ensure that our brothers and sisters with disabilities are provided with equal opportunities, for them to develop and advance in their communities and in the society in general. As a country and province, we appreciate and applaud that the proclaimed African Decade of Persons with Disabilities, which was scheduled to come to an end next year, has been extended to 2019. It is our hope and believes that all of us will unite, work hand in glove, to ensure that people with disabilities in Africa, are uplifted and empowered during this decade, in order for them to contribute to the development of their countries. However in our quest to realise this, we must ensure that nothing about them, is done without them.

Indeed as a province, we are fully behind the implementation of all programmes of the decade, and we will support all initiatives which are intended to bring "a better life for all" our people with disabilities. As the country will be celebrating the International Day of People with Disabilities on the 3 December 2008 in Port Elizabeth, we call on everyone to partner with us, to ensure that the people with disabilities continue to be empowered in all respects.

Our meeting here this morning, through this road-show, is not a co-incidence, but a sign of our continuing commitment as government, to uplift the social-economic well being of people with disabilities. As the Department of Finance, we commit to continue with these road-shows on an annual basis, to empower the youth, women and people with disabilities. Our meeting this morning seeks to bring young people, women and people with disabilities to the epi-centre of our economic advancements, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA).

During the government initiated conference with the National Federation Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) held last year at the Loskop Dam, a number of issues and challenges were identified, which included among others, the following:
* Inaccessible resources base to support small, micro and medium enterprises, including in particular young people, women and people with disabilities;
* Inefficient offices to provide the required support and documentation on information on tendering and bidding; and
* Lack of active collaboration and communication with clients on available opportunities, and pre-requisites to access these opportunities.

Furthermore, it becomes evident during in ongoing outreach programme of the Executive Council of the Province, that communities are not satisfied with the information provided to them hence they complain that they are not benefiting from government's procurement of goods and services. It is therefore based on these compelling factors, that we realised the need to provide a systematic and strategic intervention in order to address these challenges, which in most instances affect our young people, women and people with disabilities particularly those in the rural areas of our province.

We have therefore brought together role players from different sectors with different mandates and resources, to impart the necessary empowering knowledge to our young people, women, and people with disabilities. These road-shows will assist us to do the following:
* To market the Department of Finance and Government in general, as a catalyst for youth development in the province;
* To inform young people, women and people with disabilities on government programmes particularly those supporting their economic empowerment on procurement related activities; and
* To make information easily accessible to young people on opportunities and support available.

We take this opportunity also to thank all role-players who are part of us in the implementation of this programme, as well as impress upon those who are potential partners particularly our corporate partners, to partner with us, for there is a lot that they can offer when it comes to procurement. I am impress that you can all stand up and do things for yourselves. Remember that our intervention is only aimed at teaching you how to catch fish, but not to catch fish for you. Vuk 'uZenzele! However we should warn that we will not tolerate the fact that government is sometimes taken for a ride, by people who provide sub-standard services and goods. Government is not a get-rich-quick scheme, and we promise to black-list anyone who tries to defraud the tax-payer.

Programme facilitator, as the country and the world are currently embarking on an annual campaign to raise awareness on child and women protection, I call upon all of you to take part in the 16 Days of No Violence against Women and Children.

On the same breath, we also advocate for no violence against people with disabilities. We know that you also experience such violence and abuse, and therefore need to be protected against these social ills. Let us all commit ourselves to protect women, children and people with disabilities from violence and abuse. They need our love and protection.

As a sign of your support to this campaign, wear a white ribbon during this 16 days period until the 10 December. It is a symbol of peace and symbolises your commitment to never commit or condone violence against women and children. You can also volunteer in support of non-governmental organisations and community groups, which support abused women and children or donate any amount of money to such organisations. Together, we can build a caring society. Our government cares–wena?

May I as we approach the festive season, implore on you to spend your hard earned money wisely. Please do not spend it recklessly by buying impulsively –buy only but what you need, and not what you want. You must remember that you will need to pay for your children's school fees come January next year. The best advice that I can give to you, is to draw a budget of your necessities and stick to it. Once more, it is that season when creditors will be trying to entice you to swim deeper into more debt, resist the temptation and say no to credit. Learn to be financially disciplined, it really pays.
"If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won't, you most assuredly won't. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad".Denis Waitley, American Author

May I take this opportunity to thank all of you who took part in the first voter registration round, that was held from 8 to 9 November 2008, especially the youth, those who have just turned eighteen (18) or will turn 18 before the general elections next year. You made a right decision because the future of this country and province in particular, is in your hands. If you were unable to register for some reasons beyond your control, don't despair, because you will get yet another opportunity some time in February next year. Grab the opportunity and register to vote it is an opportunity that our brothers, mothers, fathers and sisters died for. They paved the way to enable you to choose the party that you want, to represent your interests. And even when you go to the polls, remember to do the right thing and vote for your bright future. By walking together to the polls, we will continue as the incumbent government, to provide a better life for you and future generations.

On the same breath, I take this opportunity to wish you and your families, a safe festive season filled with blessings and joyfulness. Merry Christmas and a fruitful 2009.

I now have the honour to declare this session open, and wish you a very fruitful, informative and interactive session.

Ngiyathokoza!

Issued by: Department of Finance, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
27 November 2008