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1 September 2009

Programme Director
Chairperson of the Mpumalanga Fashion Week, Mr Simphiwe Mtetwa
MECs present
Executive mayors
Members of the media present
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

Let me start by conveying the Premier’s most sincere apology for not being able to make it to this occasion as planned, because of other pressing matters which he had to attend to this evening. He told me that he was really looking forward to be part of this event this evening, and has therefore requested me to stand on his behalf.

I am also humbled to have been invited personally, to the launch of the Mpumalanga Fashion Week fall winter collection 2010/11; the event which makes business sense in fashion. As government, we appreciate the hosting of such Premier events in our province, as they contribute towards growing our economy. Through such events, we are also able to grow our tourism sector due to a large number of fashion enthusiasts who will be attracted to visit our province. As the launch of this Fashion Week is also strategically placed by the organisers to coincide with the Tourism and Heritage Month which started today, I implore on everyone present here this evening, to give our visitors a warm Mpumalanga welcome!

Please spread the message to your fellow citizens, as we also prepare to receive a large number of visitors to our beautiful province during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in June next year. Make them feel at home and show them that the people of Mpumalanga adore visitors. As tourism is our gold-mine in this province and further because we have dedicated much focus in capitalising in this sector, I can proudly report that we have managed to move from position four to three in terms of international arrivals and from position eight to six on domestic trips. Our goal is to reach the number one spot; hence we will do anything possible to implement rigorous marketing campaigns in order to attract more people to our doorstep.

Programme Director, fashion, as one fashion designer by the name of Oleg Cassini puts it, is, “A mirror of the time in which we live; a translation of the future and should never be static.” We must therefore capitalise in this sector in order to boost our economic growth. Economists say the worst is over, but it will take some time before our economy reverts to its previous positions. We therefore as the provincial government, commit to accelerate economic growth and transform the economy to create decent work and sustainable livelihoods.

This we will fulfil, by amongst others:
* Implementing both the provincial Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) and cooperative strategies in the current financial year
* Mobilising support from stakeholders on the establishment of the provincial SMME and cooperative support agency, with the aim of ensuring that SMMEs have access to financial support from the financial institutions;
* Facilitating the establishment of 30 new cooperatives and support 25 existing ones
* Fund up to 91 SMMEs in order to enhance Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and women empowerment
* Sell the Tekwane Citrus, Loopspruit Winery and Moloto Roses to deserving and qualifying Agri-BEE beneficiaries within this financial year.

With regard to tourism growth and development, we will during this financial year, launch the tourism airlift contract which will see the introduction of low cost carriers into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA). We anticipate that this deal will increase airlift capacity at the airport to include Boeing 737-200 aircrafts, which will fly at least five times per week to KMIA and deliver a total of 44 000 passengers to Mpumalanga over the contract period. We will also conduct full feasibility studies for the possible development of a world class theme and amusement park; the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve cable car and the bio-park development in Barberton.

As I close, let me remind you that it is our responsibility both as government and the private sector, to ensure that we mitigate against the job losses being experienced by our people due to the current recession. We must work together to ensure sustainable economic growth and livelihoods. We have the mandate from our people to continue to unshackle them from the bondages of poverty and hunger, and we dare not fail in our quest to provide a better life for all.

Working together, we can do more to accelerate economic growth and transform the economy to create decent work and sustainable livelihoods for our people. This is a contract that we have entered into with our people, and we commit to deliver on it.

I leave you with the inspiring words of Anglo-American author, Logan Pearsall Smith who once said, and I quote, “There are two things to aim at in life; first to get what you want and after that to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind has achieved the second.”

I wish you to be the wisest of mankind! I wish you a successful and fruitful week of showcasing the best of our province and country. It is now my honour and pleasure, to declare the Mpumalanga Fashion Week officially opened.

I thank you!

Issued by: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
1 September 2009
Source: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mpumalanga Provincial Government (http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za/dedp/index.asp)