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12 February 2009

On 10 February 2009, The Premier’s co-ordinating forum attended by all MECs and Mayors met to take stock of governance programme over the last five years.

The meeting considered the 15 year review report of the Free State Provincial Government, as well as the end of term and local government reports. This government’s mandate which is based on the African National Congress election manifesto of 2004 and 2009 required of us to develop a comprehensive plans to:
* Grow the economy
* Ensure sustainable livelihoods
* Increase access to services
* Ensure comprehensive social security
* Fight crime and corruption
* Strengthen governance and administration and
* Work with Africa and the world

Having considered the work of government in terms of the 2004-2009 programmes of action, it was the view of the Premier’s Co-ordinating Forum that the Free State Provincial Government has done exceptionally well.

The Free State Growth and Development Strategy has over the last five years represented a deliberate attempt by this government to create conducive conditions to steer the Free State economy towards a higher growth trajectory and improving the living conditions of the people of the Free State.

The Premier’s State of the Province Address will take place on 18 February 2009 and will serve as an opportunity for the Premier to give a detailed account of the key milestones of the provincial government over the last five years.

During this address, we will demonstrate:
* How the economy of the province has grown substantially since 2002 and what sectors performed well and which ones need further attention.
* How, according to our own assessment and according to the household and community surveys of Statistics SA, the people’s lives improved as a result of our programmes in the areas of water, sanitation, housing, electricity, primary healthcare, education and designated groups.
* How we have consistently brought the levels of crime, especially priority crime, down since 2004 to date.
* How we have strengthened the capacity of government to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate over the last five years and
* How we have raised the profile of the Free State province nationally and internationally as a result of our comprehensive economic diplomacy and international relations programme.
* How the capacity of our municipalities has improved as a result of our various interventions which includes project consolidates and the five years local government strategic agenda

We will also demonstrate how we intend dealing with the shortfalls and persistent challenges still confronting us in terms of the recently launched manifesto of the African National Congress (ANC).

We take this opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the people of the Free State. We will continue to do all in our power during the remaining few months of our term of office to ensure the completion of our mandate.

We further take this opportunity to add our voices to a call for political tolerance and discipline during this period leading up to the national elections as well as during elections themselves.

We urge our people to exercise their democratic right to vote and to further take part in active citizenship programmes aimed at holding our government accountable.

Let me also take this opportunity to thank you, members of the media, for your constructive role in raising of behalf of the voters critical observations about the provincial government. Our appeal has always been on fair and objective reporting.

We hope to see all of you during the State of the Province Address on 18 February 2009 at the Bloemfontein City Hall.

Enquiries:
Mr Bongani More
Cell: 082 772 3764

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Free State Provincial Government
12 February 2009
Source: Office of the Premier, Free State Provincial Government (http://www.fs.gov.za)