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: 22 March 2019; Hits: 3470; Rating:

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Address by the Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms. Sylvia Lucas, at the commemoration of Human Rights Day Reitlamile Intermediate School, Pampierstad

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Programme Director
Honourable Members of the Executive Council
Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature
Executive Mayors and Councilors
Government officials,
Community of Phokwane
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

Today is a celebration of what we as a country have achieved thus far as well as a sad reminder of those who sacrificed their lives so that we can be free. This day has been singled out for us as South Africans to remind us of our transition from an apartheid state to a constitutional democracy that is based on the values of human dignity, the achievement of equality, human rights and freedoms, as well as non-racialism and non-sexism.

These rights and corresponding freedoms that we sometimes take for granted did not come easy. This was achieved through a long struggle of resistance against an unjust and inhumane system called apartheid. The National Human Rights Day in South Africa is associated with the 21st of March 1960; on that day peaceful marchers were mercilessly massacred by the apartheid regime. On this day an anti-pass march to the Sharpeville police station in Vereeniging came to a brutal end with the mass killing of peaceful protesters. The Sharpeville massacre as the event became known, signaled the start of armed resistance in South Africa and prompted worldwide condemnation of South Africa’s apartheid policies.

Baie van ons wat hier teenwoordig is, kan met hartseer onthou hoe vernederend dit was om ‘n dompas te dra wat jy oral moes wys. Ons vryheid tot beweging en assosiasie is ten sterkste ingeperk. Ons hele geskiedenis was vervat in hierdie dompas. Om soos derde klas burgerlikes behandel te word het mense genoodsaak om in teenstand van hierdie dompas stelsel te staan. Die gevolg was dat hierdie mense, wat elk ‘n held en vryheidsvegter in eie reg is, opgeruk het na die polisie kantoor in Sharpeville om hul teenstand teen die dra van en die bestaan van die dompas te wys.

Wat hierna gevolg het, sal altyd ‘n klad op ons geskiedenis wees. Dit is ‘n gebeurtenis waaroor die vorige regering vir altyd hul koppe in skaamte sal sak. Op daardie dag het ses en neentig mense, vaders, moeders en kinders wat vreedsaam protesteer het, hul lewens in ‘n oogwink verloor. Nooit, maar nooit sal ons dit vergeet nie.

Ladies and gentlemen, these innocent protesters were merely demanding their human rights in the country of their birth. The Sharpville massacre mobilized the international community to take action against the apartheid government. The massacre laid bare not only the cruel and barbaric aspect of apartheid but the clear systematic violation of human rights of the majority of African people in South Africa. Soon after this day the United Nations declared Apartheid an act against Humanity.

This democratic government declared 21 March as Human Rights Day in South Africa. The entire month of March is commemorated as Human Rights Month in order to remind us about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for liberation and also to celebrate the achievement of democracy in South Africa.

The renaming of Sharpeville day was in line with the imperatives of a new and democratic government as espoused by our Constitution and in particular the Bill of Rights. The value addition of this day to all South Africans is to emphasize the ANC Government’s commitment in ensuring that every person who resides in South Africa enjoys equal rights.

There is no doubt, that significant gains have been made in the promotion, development and protection of human rights since the advent of our democracy, we however still have to do more to ensure that human dignity, equality and freedom is permanently entrenched in the lives of our people.
Ladies and gentlemen, this year’s celebration of the triumph of the human spirit against an unjust system coincides with the United Nations’ International Year of Indigenous Languages. On 19 December 2018 the UN General Assembly took a resolution to adopt 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages. For this reason we are commemorating Human Rights day under the theme “The Year of Indigenous Languages: Promoting and Deepening A Human Rights Culture”. The aim is to draw attention to the critical loss of indigenous languages and the urgent need to preserve, revitalize and promote indigenous languages and to take further urgent steps at the national and international levels.

Ladies and gentlemen, this ANC led government is truly a government that cares for its entire people regardless of race, diversity, heritage, culture, religious conviction, and especially language. The Northern Cape is also a province rich in history, culture and heritage. As this ANC government we strongly believe in the recognition of the identity principle. We recognize that it is precisely our diversity that makes us as South Africans unique. Within this context we strive towards the protection and promotion of all cultures, languages, traditions and history. Working together with our communities, we have been able to make substantial improvements in access to sport, arts and culture.

Strengthening and protection of the indigenous languages of our Province has been an area in which the Department of Education has played an active role in empowering especially the communities of Platfontein and the Namakwa region in the development of these languages. Therefore as early as 2000, Nama was introduced as a subject in these towns. This was done in order to preserve the Nama language. By working with our neighbors Namibia, we have seen education enhancement through the development of indigenous languages such as !Nxu, Nama and !Khwe. We will continue to work with the Department of Basic Education, development partners, PANSALB and various other stakeholders such as NGO’S, to enhance not only the Nama language but also to see how other indigenous languages can be included in our schooling curriculum. We all have a duty to promote, support and protect indigenous languages. In doing so, we will promote a culture of human rights and mutual respect for one another. We should always be mindful of the fact, that it is every citizen’s right to use their language and to celebrate their culture.

Ladies and gentlemen, today is also a day to take stock of the road that our country has traversed over the past 25 years.

Dames en here, daar is geen kwessie daaraan dat ons land 'n lang pad kom. Ons kom uit 'n era waar jou vel pigmentasie of kleur die kwaliteit van jou lewe bepaal het. Ons kom uit 'n era waar 'n mens se vel kleur bepaal het met wie jy mag vriende wees, waar jou vel kleur selfs bepaal het waar jy mag woon en selfs jou lot bepaal het. Hierdie is als die wrede waarheid van ons verlede en daarom moet ons met verantwoordelikheid hierdie vryheid van ons bewaar.

This year as we mark Human Rights Day, twenty three years after signing our democratic Constitution; we should indeed celebrate what we have achieved since then. Today more people have access to housing, water, sanitation and electricity. Health services are more accessible and South Africa today has the biggest anti-retroviral treatment programme in the world with over 3.2 million people on treatment last year. The mother-to-child-transmission declined from 8.5% in 2008 to 1.5% in 2015. Think of all the thousands of babies that were protected from HIV infection. The number of learners that have passed matric increased from 50% before 1994 to around 78% today. Access to free basic education and higher education has been expanded to children from poor households. Government’s school nutrition to primary and secondary school children reaches millions of children in the country every day and helps to increase productivity and concentration. Social grants have increased steadily and are known to reduce poverty. I mention these, not only to show that we are a government in touch with the realities of the poor but also to acknowledge that much has been done and yes more can be done through a renewed contract. What cannot be denied is that the delivery of free basic services over the past few years, has led to an increase in a quality of life and access to economic opportunities. These efforts are also a testimony that government has made significant progress in redressing the inequalities of the past and the advancements of human rights as enshrined by the Constitution.

Ladies and Gentlemen, as government we wish to call on everyone to use the Human Rights month as a vehicle to foster social cohesion, nation building, national identity, socio-economic development and to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all related intolerances. Let us highlight the progress made in advancing human rights and restoring human dignity. Let us continue to promote unity in diversity among all sectors of the South African society and create awareness through educational programmes, dialogues and public engagements on the importance of Human Rights.

Laat hierdie dag nie net nog 'n openbare vakansiedag is nie, maar in plaas daarvan laat ons stilstaan en besin oor hoe ver ons gekom het, wat meer moet gedoen word en hoe dit bereik kan word deur middel van algemene waardigheid en respek vir die regte van almal.

I want to conclude by stating that; as we head for the polling stations to exercise our democratic right, a right that many others lost their lives for, to cast our vote on the 8th of May 2019, we will also be celebrating the 23rd anniversary of the adoption of the South African Constitution on 8 May 1996. It’s important to note that the preamble to the South African Constitution echoed the Freedom Charter, namely:

“We, the people of South Africa, Recognise the injustices of our past; Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.”
Let us continue to work together to protect the human rights and dignity of all South Africans and move our beautiful country forward.

I thank you

: 11 July 2019; Hits: 3478; Rating:

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Address by the Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, on the occasion of the Reply to the Debate on the State of the Province Address

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Frances Baard District Municipality, Kimberley
10 July 2019

Honourable Speaker,
Members of the Legislature,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Members of the Media;
Comrades and friends
Madam Speaker

July is a significant month for us as South Africans. It is the birth month of the father of our nation, the late Dr Nelson Rolihlala Mandela, our world icon and peace laureate. Not only are we joined by the world in commemorating his birthday annually on the 18th of July, but this year is also the first year of the “2019 - 2028 Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace”. This was declared by the United Nations at the Nelson Mandela Summit last year. The UN political declaration calls for redoubling of our efforts to pursue global peace and security, development and human rights. Very important is the fact that this decade commences as we enter the second half of the AU declared 2014-2024 ‘Nelson Mandela Decade for Reconciliation in Africa.”

Madam Speaker

We remain humbled to stand on the shoulders of this humble giant and to walk in his footsteps. The single greatest honour that we have is the opportunity to build on his legacy of freedom, democracy, reconciliation, human rights and development.

Madam Speaker

Just yesterday, we commemorated the 37th anniversary of the killing of Ashley Kriel on the 9th of July 1987, at the age of 20. He was shot dead by apartheid police while handcuffed in a house in Hazendal, Athlone, on the Cape Flats. After that there was an elaborate cover-up by the police. This cover-up was recently exposed.

Preceding this important month was the Youth Month, which serves to commemorate the Soweto Student uprising. It is estimated that more than 20 000 students took part in the protest against the introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction at schools. The youngest of the more than 700 killed students on that day was Hector Pieterson, then only 13 years old.

Madam Speaker

Today would have been the 63rd birthday of the late Solomon “Kalushi” Mahlangu. He joined Umkhonto weSizwe camp in Angola in 1976 when he was only 20 years old. At the tender age of 22 he was executed by the apartheid government for a crime that he did not commit.
From our own province we have Khotso Flatela who was harassed by the security branch and got detained on a number of occasions. He left the country in 1985 to join UMkhonto weSizwe at the tender age of 18 and died in exile. We have many more young people in the province, who during the difficult years of apartheid, sacrificed everything for the liberation of this country.

These are young people, who followed in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela and decided to risk everything, including their lives, in the struggle to achieve their dream and burning desire of a free country. Hector Pieterson (13), Ashley Kriel (20), Solomon Mahlangu (22), Khotso Flathela (18) and many others, never betrayed the cause of struggle for selfish interest.

Madam Speaker

Allow me therefore to use this opportunity to call on all of us, particularly our young people in the province, to take heed of the immense sacrifices that were made by these young gallant fighters. These are young people who were willing to put themselves at a disadvantage to create an advantage for the oppressed masses of this country in a racially segregated country. Their cause of struggle was for the political liberation of this country.

So putting oneself at a disadvantage is an ideological stance, it is driven by a political agenda and particularly in this political dispensation of liberal democracy.

Madam Speaker, allow me to explain this, to this august house. In a liberal democracy there are fundamentally three actors. It is business, political elite and the general masses (workers and the generally the poor). Business and the political elite are the prime actors are using the masses as mere conduit. The general masses are the mere conduit to make business rich by accumulation of profit and they are also a conduit that elects the political elite into office. In this 6th Administration we are going to turn this configuration around to have the masses as prime actors and prime beneficiaries of our programmes. I am quite aware that this approach will generate a great deal of discomfort and raging anger from the beneficiaries of the present establishment, but we are more than ready to carry the scars of that anger.

Madam Speaker

Our struggle 25 years into democracy is to eradicate the humiliation caused by socio-economic deprivation. I am delighted to note that yesterday all opposition parties acknowledged the importance of this struggle. Political bickering between us as political parties will not assist while the Province is on fire due to high levels of unemployment and poverty. We need to work together to ensure that this generation of ours, as the generation of Mandela, Kriel, Mahlangu and Flathela, also puts itself at a disadvantage to create an advantage for the poor and downtrodden of the province. Our precarious fiscal position requires all of us, particularly elected leaders, to make little personal sacrifices towards the dream of building a modern, growing and successful province.

In the words of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: “If your dreams do not scare you, then they are not ambitious enough”. So, with the fiscal challenges that are confronting us we should be very bold in seeking alternatives in the way we do things. In this regard, Madam Speaker, I would like to borrow from Michael Castro Setlhogomi the First’s Facebook post which reads “A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, sleepless nights and hard work”.

I would like to use this platform to thank the Members of the Executive Council for their determination to put them at a disadvantage. This, in a practical way, is taking a cue from the sacrifices of our forebears.

Madam Speaker

Putting ourselves at a disadvantage is not a populist gimmick; it is an ideological stance that derives its existence from the congress tradition within which some of us were brought up. Making sacrifices for our people is not a foreign behaviour, but an intrinsic part of our makeup, it is who we are and that is integrity. Integrity requires of us, as leaders, to choose our thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain. What is foreign to the congress tradition is self-indulgence, political arrogance and deification (being made demi-gods).

Madam Speaker

After delivering the State of the Province Address, I had an opportunity to interact with different people on different platforms. I have taken note of the concerns of our people. From the issue of failing health and education systems in Douglas, water problems in Longlands, gatekeeping around recruitment processes, irregular and wasteful expenditure at local government level as well as job scarcity in general in the province. This results in out-migration; people from the province going to other provinces with much better opportunities.

However, Madam Speaker, I also noted the number of congratulatory responses from people who are very excited and enlisted into the vision, expressing their commitment and willingness to contribute towards the development of a modern, growing and successful Northern Cape.

It is against this background that I want to put to rest the notion that I am a lone ranger in this drive to construct a modern, growing and successful province. This vision is fully anchored in the ANC’s 2019 Manifesto; which invites all South Africans to grow South Africa together for a better life for all.

I stated in my acceptance speech, that criss-crossing the province on the campaign trail was not just a mere political excursion, but to listen and engage with the people of the Northern Cape. From these engagements there was a single call that came from our people that they are yearning for a province that is modern, a province that is growing and a province that is successful.

Therefore, the notion that I am a lone ranger for this vision cannot be further removed from the truth. I can therefore confirm that this is a shared vision to which all of us are truly committed and truly want to attain.

Madam Speaker

Let me then take this opportunity to thank all the Honourable members who participated in the debate yesterday. I personally found your inputs quite helpful to our conceptualisation of what constitutes a modern, growing and successful province. From your inputs it is quite clear to me that we all have a common purpose here: we want good things to happen in the province.

Honourable Jack, Honourable Bartlett, Honourable Manopole and Honourable Maneng, all brilliantly articulated the core tenets of this shared vision for which we are collectively accountable. They further highlighted some important interventions that we must immediately implement to work towards the achievement of this goal. Thank you honourable members for your progressive debates.

Madam Speaker

I would therefore also like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the opposition parties represented by Honourable Louw, Honourable Coetzee and Honourable Tlhaole for acknowledging that our vision is appealing and appropriate. I am deeply humbled by their preparedness and willingness to put their shoulders on the wheel to eradicate the humiliation of poverty and unemployment in the province.

When I delivered the State of the Province address, I highlighted the policy priorities based on our electoral mandate, and that electoral mandate accordingly informs our programme of action for the 2019-2024, five-year term. I delivered quite an elaborate State of the Province Address, citing our successes over the first 25 years of our democratic government, while also boldly stating where we have not done well. I am therefore not going to repeat the general issues raised on unemployment, poverty, health and education since they were substantially covered in the SOPA.

Madam Speaker

We will work very hard to see visible and tangible changes within the next 5 years. Our programme of action for the period 2019 - 2024 will reflect clear indicators and targets that are realistic and achievable. Members of the Executive Council will elaborate further during their respective Budget Vote Speeches soon.

We will however respond to the issue of the accreditation of Henrietta Stockdale Nursing College and the Emergency Medical Services College. The fact of the matter is that the Henriëtta Stockdale Nursing College will not lose its accreditation. The current qualifications namely, the 4-year Diploma : Registered Nurse, 2-year Higher Certificate Bridging Course and 1-year Diploma in Midwifery will terminate at the end of December 2019 as per the Declaration by the Minister of Higher Education in line with the provisions of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act 101 of 1997), that the last enrolment date for first time entering students into academic programmes that are not aligned to the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) is 31 December 2019. This implies that only students who were already enrolled and started their training prior to 31 December 2019 will be allowed to complete their training courses in the aforementioned qualifications.

New nursing qualifications, that meet the requirements of the Higher Education Qualifications Sub- Framework, were approved and the Department of Health through the Henrietta Stockdale Nursing College, are in the process of applying for accreditation for the new nursing qualifications, namely Bachelor's degree in Nursing and Midwifery, Diploma in Nursing: General Nurse (Current Staff Nurse) as well as Higher Certificate in Nursing: Auxiliary Nurse. The process is managed in a manner that will ensure accreditation is obtained for all the new nursing qualifications, some of which will commence in 2020.

The same holds true for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) College. The phasing out of old qualifications that are not aligned to the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework for which the college was accredited for does not constitute the loss of accreditation. It merely means the college must apply for accreditation for the new qualifications that are aligned to the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework. However, since the college itself does not meet the requirements for registration as an Institute of Higher Learning at present, plans are underway to partner with the University of Johannesburg to develop and empower the provincial college to roll out the Higher Certificate (NQF Level 5) and the Diploma in Emergency Medical Care (NQF Level 6) qualifications in the Northern Cape while building the necessary capacity and capabilities towards full accreditation.

Madam Speaker

There is also change in the EMS training landscape influenced by a paradigm shift from patient transport to actual on-scene evidence based practice and quality of care. The short courses have given way to the three tier National Emergency Care education and Training qualifications on the Emergency Medical Care Qualification Framework. The shift from short courses to formal higher education has led to the professionalisation of EMS.

Madam Speaker

We certainly are not proud about the massive overruns and delays in the Mental Health Hospital project. We will do everything in our powers to ensure that such is never repeated ever again in the Northern Cape. Hence, the interventions with regards to strengthening of the planning, design and implementation capacity of Infrastructure projects. I am however happy to announce that the Mental Health Hospital will indeed be officially opened in September 2019.

Madam Speaker

The War Room on Unemployment will be integrated will the War Room on Poverty. Poverty and Unemployment are the evil twins whose common denominator is lack of and inadequate schooling or education. You cannot deal with either one in isolation. The biggest difference in this 6th Administration is that the Premier will chair the War Room and it will be convened and coordinated by the Office of the Premier. For now it is convened by the Department of Social Development. As the Premier, I will also be chairing the Human Resources Development Council. In this we will be seeing higher levels of integrated planning, monitoring and oversight in the implementation of the Human Resource Plan.

Madam Speaker

We commit to a zero tolerance stance against corruption, maladministration and mismanagement. The allegations by the Honourable Louw about Honourable Matika meddling in the affairs of Sol Plaatje Municipality and blocking Council from dealing with the Section 106 report are unfair. Honourable Matika is not a Councillor at Sol Plaatje Municipality. However, we can commit that we will make Sol Plaatje to function properly. Sol Plaatje municipality must become the engine for the construction of modern, growing and successful province.

We can confirm that the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs has tabled the report to Sol Plaatje Council. The report was however taken on review by the Municipal Manager and Chief Financial Officer who are implicated in it. The matter is therefore in the hands of the courts and neither the Premier nor Sol Plaatje Council can do anything about the report until competent courts have expressed themselves on the matter of review.

Madam Speaker

We are equally concerned about the levels of irregular and unauthorised expenditure. In this regard, we can assure the Honourable Louw and this house that the newly promulgated Public Audit Amendment Act ushers in a new dispensation and consequence management regime with regard to how non-compliance will be dealt with. The Act gives the Office of the Auditor-General more powers to act against officials and employees that waste taxpayers’ money, as well as those who are aware that money is being siphoned but do not take action. It is against this background that I reaffirm what I said, we will implement, at all times, the recommendations of the Auditor-General without fear, favour or prejudice.

Provincial Government will also rollout a massive clean-up campaign starting in Kimberley on the 21st of September 2019 after the Waste Khoro to be held from 18-20 September 2019. This campaign will be rolled out to all districts. It is our hope that municipalities will sustain the campaign to become an everyday activity. The cleanliness of our city, towns and environment starts with us.

In responding to Honourable Tlhoale, we have noted your request for the Premier’s intervention in the issue of South 32’s and versalite mining. My office will engage the Honourable member to get more details on the matter. We will follow up on the matter once we have received the detailed information from Honourable Tlhaole.

Regarding the issue of clinics opening for 24 hours, we can assure the Honourable Member that we have already identified the need and have tasked the department to work on a strategy that could be phased-in over a period of time commencing with the most remote and rural areas that are far from Primary Health Care Centres or hospitals. The issue of closed schools will also be revisited as part of our interventions to address overcrowding in our schools.

Madam Speaker

We wish to reiterate that an important attribute of a Modern, Growing and Successful Province is safety and security for its residents. A province where our people, especially women and children, can freely enjoy their streets without fear of being molested or abused. Because of crime and the fear of crime, our people, especially women and children cannot freely enjoy their streets and environments. We therefore agree that the police must step-up their game in creating a safe and crime free environment for our people. In her Budget Vote Speech the MEC for Safety and Liaison will present to us the strategies on the implementation of the Provincial Safety Strategy.

We need to build structured relationships and partnerships with communities and community based organisations if we want to make our communities safer. I therefore repeat my call to all men and women, LGBTQI sector, NGOs, business, communities, churches, one and all, to work with government to put an end to all forms of violence against women and children, especially the devastating scourge of killing of women and rape. It is a shame and disgrace that even our grandmothers do not escape this scourge. It is utterly disgusting and heart wrenching to learn of the 82 year old Mama from Blikkies in Upington as well the 13 year old From Kuruman who allegedly fell victims to sexual violation of the worst order. We call on the police and criminal justice system to spare nothing in pursuing justice for them.

Madam Speaker

I once more want to thank all our honourable members for their vibrant participation in the State of the Province Debate. We appreciate the spirit of cooperative opposition in the interest of the people of this province.

In conclusion, let me quote Peter Senge, in his book The Fifth Discipline where he asserts the following: “The team that became great didn’t start off great; it learned how to produce extraordinary results.” As this 6th Administration, we realise that those in support of the status quo may be overwhelmed, but through hard work and courage we are willing to take risks as we learn how to produce extraordinary results in building a Modern, Growing and Successful province.

Just as the Chinese brilliantly put it, "crossing the river by touching the stones". We will cross this river as well by touching the stones, and we are not going to drown. These stones are the justified hopes and dreams of the people of the Northern Cape. It is these hopes and dreams that fuel us to think creatively and outside the box. Madam Speaker, these hopes and dreams we dare not betray.

I thank you

: 19 December 2016; Hits: 3410; Rating:

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Address by the Premier, Ms Sylvia Lucas at the Unveiling of the Colesberg 4 Monument and Celebration of Reconciliation Day, Kuyasa Township,Colesberg

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Programme Director
Members of the Executive Council
Mayors and Councillors present
Family members of the late Colesberg 4
SANCO and other Civic Organisations present
Members of the media
Ladies and Gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to join with the community of Colesberg to commemorate Reconciliation Day that falls on the 16th December but we have chosen to celebrate it today as part of honouring our fallen heroes.

Die 16de Desember het ‘n baie belangrike rol in ons land se geskiedenis en was vir die eerste keer in 1995 herdenk. Ons voormalige President, wat ook die eerste President van ons demokratiese land was, die geliefkoosde Tata Madiba, het opgemerk dat talle ander lande 'n nasionale openbare vakansiedag het, wat hulle wy aan versoening. Hy het destyds gestel dat; “There are few countries which dedicate a national public holiday to reconciliation. An entire national holiday dedicated to reconciliation may seem unwarranted to many outside of South Africa, but the country’s history is unique, and 16 December should be a day for citizens to reflect on how far we have come, as well as on the journey that still lies ahead.” Hierdie dag herinner ons dus daaraan dat ons op ‘n stadium ‘n verdeelde nasie was, wie se mense 'n oorlog teen mekaar gevoer het vir baie dekades.

Ladies and Gentlemen, on this day we thus celebrate that we were able to work together as opposing sides to resolve our challenges and agreed to build peace and usher in a human rights-based democracy founded on the values of unity in diversity. Very few days in our history symbolize division like the 16th of December. It therefore stands to reason that this year we celebrate Reconciliation day under the theme, “Social cohesion, Reconciliation and National Unity.”

Vandag, soos u dit besef is ons ook byeen om 'n stap te neem in die behoud van ons geskiedenis van ons gevalle helde en heldinne en in dieselfde trant by te dra tot nasiebou. Vandag het ons die voorreg om in 'n vrye en nie-seksistiese demokratiese samelewing te bly, maar dit is belangrik dat ons moet onthou dat hierdie Vryheid het nie op ‘n skinkbord gekom. Dames en here, dit het ongelukkig teen ‘n baie hoë prys gekom.

The story of the struggle for Freedom in South Africa is rich and varied. Many stories about our struggle have been told. But even more accounts about the bravery of our gallant fighters still remain untold. Our people were subjected to the most inhumane treatment and most vile of human rights abuses. Despite all these crimes against humanity, great men and women rose with courage and conviction to fight not only an unjust system but to liberate all of us and free us from the shackles of Apartheid.

Ladies and Gentlemen, as part of honouring our heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle, this ANC-led government would like to pay tribute to the Colesberg 4. In doing so, we want to salute them as well all the others who sacrificed their lives; not in vain but for us to enjoy the fruits of democracy and strive towards building a prosperous South Africa.

Allow me to give a brief account of the history of the Colesberg 4. More than 31 years ago on the 2nd July 1985, the local organisations under the banner of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Colesberg Youth Organisation ( C.O.Y.O) took up a campaign against the lack of services which was enforced by the Apartheid regime.

On this very this day, the South African Defence Force set up camp outside Kuyasa which resulted in clashes with the youth of Colesberg. This eventually led to the police entering the township of Kuyasa and shooting at the youth of Kuyasa who decided to take a stand against the oppression meted out during that time.

Mr. Solani Gcanga was arrested and placed on top of the military vehicle where he was paraded around in the township of Kuyasa whilst he was repeatedly assaulted and a sjambok was placed around his neck. This was in total violation of his human rights, which during those times carried no consideration.

The arrest of Solani Gcanga and the lack of service delivery in Kuyasa Colesberg was a precursor to the events leading to the killing of the Colesberg Four. The youth marched on the township house of a policeman and set his car alight. After this the police raided Kuyasa and opened fire on the youth that were toy-toying resulting in the brutal death of four young people in the prime of their lives. They were Funeka Siyonzana (17) , Mr. Krakra Maciki (17) , Mr. Mongezi Juda (17 ) and Mr. James Marumo (23).

Ladies and Gentleman, numerous other residents were injured and were subsequently charged with public violence. In the wake of these events, over 70 residents in the township were arrested. Many of them were subjected to assault and torture while in police custody. They were bombarded with tear gas whilst they were confined in the limited space in the police cells.

It is therefore important that we never forget and lose sight of where we once were. We need to be the torch bearers of telling our history, good and bad, in order to move this beautiful country of ours forward. Central to our role as government, is to create whole beings. Each time we remind ourselves why there was a prolonged struggle in our land, we come back to the same answer, that every child, every woman and every man in our country, should be given equal opportunity to enjoy a life of dignity.

In paying tribute to these young souls; 23 years after their death they were honoured for their contribution to the fight for freedom and liberation in South Africa. Further to this, during march 2008, the graves of the Colesberg 4 were declared a national monument by the South African Heritage Resource Agency. We will in their memory continue to strive for a South Africa that truly belongs to all who live in it.

Today, we are showing further appreciation by unveiling a monument in honour of the Colesberg 4 for the sacrifices they made in order for this country to be free . This initiative is also to recognise and celebrate our unsung heroes who played a pivotal role in the development of our country.

We are privileged to understand these things now. We are the beneficiaries of a legacy of ideas that helped us free ourselves and our country. We should therefore not trample on that legacy. If we were to go back to our history books, the 16th of December might have been construed as a day of defeat; this however is not how we perceive it. This was a day that marked the fiercest resistance of that era by black people against colonial oppression.

As we pay homage to that day let us also spare of a though for our own brave warriors the Colesberg 4. Let us continue to honour them and thank them for what they have done, not only for the Community members of Kuyasa but for the entire South Africa.

To the family and close relatives of the Colesberg 4, I want to say that I am glad that on this day and through the working together of all stakeholders, we are able to honour them in such a small but very significant manner. May you find inner peace and be proud of the contributions made by your family members.

Ladies and gentlemen, as South Africans from all walks of life, we have a responsibility to respect and acknowledge the past, celebrate the present and build the future together.

In conclusion ladies and gentlemen, this is the start of a reconciliation programme that tries to shape a better future from a divided past. It is by building, brick by brick, the Northern Cape of tomorrow that truly belongs to everyone. These are the bricks with which we build the most powerful parts of our heritage. They are the people and ideas that made us who we are and that will help us move this beautiful Province of ours forward.

I thank you

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Address by the Premier, Ms Sylvia Lucas at the official opening of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders

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The Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosi PS Barek
Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Legislature
Honourable Members of the Executive Council
Esteemed Members of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders
Distinguished Guests,

Let me start off by extending my appreciation to the House for inviting me to this august occasion, marking the 3rd Session of the Second House of the Northern Cape Provincial House of Traditional Leaders.

As you are aware, the House of Traditional Leaders is an important organ of the state established by the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act 41 0f 2003, primarily charged with the responsibility of advising government on matters of culture and tradition.

The fact that a major part of our province is largely rural; it implies that a significant number of our people are under your jurisdiction as traditional leaders. This speaks to the huge task you have on your shoulders as traditional leaders in the Northern Cape. The role you have to play in shaping our democracy and building an egalitarian society is therefore insurmountable.

As President Zuma stated on the occasion of the sitting of the National House of Traditional Leaders this year, you should help us answer the following questions going forward:

How do we as a country, ensure that the institution of traditional leadership and communities occupy strategic positions within our democratic system, at national, provincial and local level?
How do we ensure the involvement of the institution in government programmes and allow it to contribute towards job creation and the improvement of the quality of life of the majority of our people?
How do we ensure that our democratic system operates efficiently and recognises the existence of the traditional system of governance?
How do we build a symbiotic relationship between the two systems of governance?
How do traditional institutions give expression to the democratic ethos and practice of our country and the development of our children and youth as leaders of tomorrow?

The President went further to state that, “The answers to these critical questions will define the relevance of the institution of traditional leadership and communities in the current social, political and economic environment”.

Chairperson,

Over the past twenty one years of freedom in our country, successive administrations were hard at work in an effort to build working relations with the Institution of Traditional Leadership. Together we have recorded milestone achievements in respect of legislation and systems we have put in place.

The existence of this very House at all three spheres of government, the promulgation of Traditional Leadership Governance and Framework Act, the appointment of support staff in Traditional Authority offices and the envisaged Traditional Council are in themselves evidence of the success of our partnership.

Nevertheless Chairperson of the Houses, we have come to the opening of this august House, conscious of the many challenges that still require our collective attention and action.

The establishment of traditional councils as directed by the Act is obviously long overdue. The resolution of all outstanding matters related to the tools of trade for traditional leaders, the construction of decent offices, let alone outstanding leadership disputes and claims cannot be overemphasized.

In is in this context that the House is called upon to help government to move with the necessary speed towards the finalization of these matters.

Chairperson,

A chilly winter season is literally upon us, a season that in the context of our tradition in the province is known also as the Initiation Season. Hundreds of parents will again surrender their children to your care as traditional leaders so that you can help initiate them into manhood.

This is not just an annual ritual; it is a cornerstone of our tradition and cultural practices.

Over the years, we have, as Government tried our best to offer support to you as traditional leaders to ensure the dignity of the traditional initiation practice. We have done this because of mushrooming opportunistic elements who have sought to abuse this sacred practice of our people for commercial ends.

Because of this narrow and at times even criminal pursuit for profit, we have in the past lost lives unnecessarily. This is obviously not good for the image of this important practice. There is absolutely no reason, whatsoever, for any person to run an illegal initiation school. Those who are hell-bent on doing things the wrong way are unfortunately doing so at the peril of our culture.

We should obviously not allow them to continue with their self- serving and criminal acts. We should stand up for our culture which is our heritage. No one should be allowed to spoil this noble cultural practice of our people.

I must however, commend the able leadership you have demonstrated over the years. Despite diversity in customs and practices, you have done very well minimizing and avoiding deaths at our initiation schools. We will be happy to record no such deaths, because one life lost is one too many.

And for this to happen, you must accept the challenge to ensure that all initiation schools in your jurisdictions are properly approved and run in accordance with the mutually agreed guidelines and the law. If we do not do this, we will be auctioning our culture to the altar of Western practices.

Having said this, our request is thus that you spearhead the process of drafting the Provincial Initiation Bill to address and regulate initiation schools in the Province.

Chairperson,

Beyond the preservation and advancement of their culture and traditions, our people put their trust in you for the economic development of their communities. Those communities that are still without drinking water, electricity, proper roads and decent sanitation look up to you to work together with local authorities to ensure that these services are provided.

The communities that still yearn for infrastructure development necessary to unlock economic opportunities rely on you to work with local government to ensure that such developments takes place.

The truth is that with infrastructure investments such as the development of townships in rural areas, shopping malls, filling stations, road constructions and many such activities, our people are able to find jobs and other economic opportunities for their livelihoods.

It is in this context that you should be seen working for development and not to be mistaken to be working against development of your communities. At the same time, you are not expected to merely be on the sideline of development in your communities, you must lead and direct such a development.

As I said earlier on, the democratic government has put in place sufficient legislative framework to ensure better working relation between municipalities and traditional councils on matters related to rural development. Let us explore these mechanisms for the benefit of our people.

Chairperson,

We are committed to restoring the dignity of the institution of traditional leadership, because this is the most authentic leadership of our people. It is in this context that that national government has begun assisting traditional institutions with the necessary tools of trade that will enable them to provide services to the communities.

In our Province, through the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, we have acquired vehicles and accompanying petrol cards for our Traditional Leaders to assist them in serving our communities optimally.

You would also be happy to note that the National Traditional Affairs Bill is being processed to address the thorny issue of disparities in the treatment of traditional leaders. The President, Mr. Jacob Zuma, this year in his state of the Nation Address also made a commitment to sign the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership and Governance Bill before the end of this year.

In conclusion Chairperson,

I have no doubt that as the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders you will always raise with us as government those issues that affect not only yourselves but your communities. I am confident that you will henceforth elevate your voices in various Municipal Councils you sit in for the benefit of the constituencies you represent.

I must also emphasize that this government will always depend on your support, as traditional leaders, in carrying out its mandate and obligations, especially in the rural communities where the majority of our people come from.

We have come this far working together, and united in action, we must do more to accelerate the delivery of services to our people.

Let us learn from the words of Pixley ka Isaka Seme. In his article entitled the Native Union in which he motivated for the establishment of the now African National Congress, in October 1911, Pixley ka Isaka Seme stated the following; “Co-operation is the key and the watchword which opens the door, the everlasting door which leads into progress and all national success. The greatest success shall come when man shall have learned to cooperate, not only with his own kith and kin but with all peoples and with all life”.

We look forward to working with you this year in advancing the provincial priorities to improve the lives of our people.

Together we move can move the Northern Cape Province forward.

I thank you.

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Address by the the Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms Sylvia Lucas, at the Public Service Month Launch Programme

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Programme Director
Members of the Executive Council present
Director General and Deputy Director Generals from all spheres
Government officials
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am greatly pleased to join you this morning on an occasion that marks the beginning of Public Service Month. We gather here this morning under a collective calling, which is to serve with humility and integrity in the course of leading, delivering services, developing our communities and together moving South Africa forward.

When I think about our roles as public servants, I draw inspiration from Rabindranath Tagore, Bengali poet, who was the first non-European to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913, who states in his one his poems, “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”

Today as we launch Public Service Month, under the theme, “Together moving the Public Service forward: We belong, we care, and we serve”, we are once again presented with an opportunity to renew our service commitment to the public for the furtherance of the common and greater good. In doing so we should conduct our affairs with integrity and ethical conduct of the highest order because serving should be joy.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I know that you will agree with me when I confirm that Batho Pele is now an entrenched Batho Pele service delivery programme in Government. In the Northern Cape, we are continuously making inroads through different Batho Pele mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement on how we take service delivery to our people. In the same breath, we should not be complacent because the more we improve the more our people expect so ours should be to work towards continued improvement.

The public service month continues to be a strategic mechanism where public servants of all level take services to the people. It is a month where public servants go out of their way through various programmes to advance the agenda of government of bringing quality services to the people and thereby move closer to tackle “head-on” our triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

This month provides public servants with an opportunity to meet and engage with the citizens amongst others. It also provides public servants with a valuable opportunity to influence the media agenda by focusing on the “real achievements” the “real challenges” and the “real solutions” of government to service delivery challenges. As it is stated the month is about “spring cleaning.”

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are men and women at work, so let us not lose sight of critical work and programmes of government during this public service month. Indeed we are taking services to the people; these are showcased by the Executive Council outreach and the following key campaigns and programmes:

The Tourism Month
Heritage month
Local Government induction programmes and
Sport and Wellness activities, to mention a few

It is important to acknowledge the major strides that have been made since the 1994 democratic dispensation with regards to the public service’s performance towards achieving an effective, efficient and development oriented public service and an empowered, fair and inclusive citizenship. In the same breath, it is equally important to acknowledge the reality that we still have service delivery gaps in a number of areas.

The Public Service Month programme and platforms therefore, provide public servants with a responsibility to bridge the gap between policy and implementation as outlined in White Papers and the existing legislative framework. The public service month is a call for public servants to strengthen and demonstrate the delivery of services in an integrated, efficient, seamless, effective manner with major emphasis to service delivery points and frontline service delivery.

In the Province, we can attest to the fact that previous consultations with frontline officials allowed us a critical platform and space to engage and have discussions about the real service delivery issues that affect your work as public servants. At the same time, there were critical suggestions that came from you as Northern Cape Public Servants on how to deal with those challenges. I am hopeful DG that mechanisms were put in place and continue to be implemented in respond to the issues raised to ensure that our officials especially at the frontline are able to do their work effectively and efficiently.

I am also hopeful that this year’s Public Service Month will provide a platform for reflection and further engagements in this regard. The 2015 public service month programme should be utilised to provide feedback and consider progress made on the interventions for frontline service delivery emanating from the public servants themselves on the concept of “reinventing how public servants do their work”.

In taking services to the people by truly putting People First, I am expecting you as the Northern Cape public servants to go an extra mile and roll up your sleeves to provide accessible quality services to our people especially at service delivery points.

In doing so you should utilise our various service delivery mechanisms like unannounced visits, Khaedu deployment of senior managers to visit frontline service delivery points with a view to: trouble-shoot, implement, follow-up, monitor and report back on service delivery matters to different stakeholders especially our citizens.

The public service month should provide you with various platforms both in the province and nationally to engage and intensify the debates on “how to accelerate responsive integrated frontline service delivery” to our citizens. No effort should be spared when engaging and acceding to the expectations of our citizens.

During the Public Service Month, it would be incumbent on all of you to have your Batho Pele Smile and rededicate yourselves to serve our people with passion. All these should be truly and genuinely demonstrated through our public service belief set of “we belong, we care and serve” our citizens in the true spirit of Batho Pele. Public Service Month also requires and provides space for you as public servants to evaluate impact of the services you delivered. Are they meeting the required standards in line with Batho Pele? Are they sustainable and developmental?

Our Commitment to action through the Public Service Month therefore, goes beyond the September month to a year-long programme of action on taking the public service to the people. As I have already mentioned the September month encompasses various government-wide programmes and campaigns mentioned above. These programmes are a reflection of Government and in particular the public service at work

Ladies and Gentlemen, twenty-two years into our democracy, bridging the gap between policies and implementation remains an urgent priority. This requires a certain calibre of men and women who are motivated, passionate, humble and ready to serve.

Let me conclude by making an appeal to all of us to continue to shine and go the extra mile in the Northern Cape and in the country, with our positive and Batho Pele attitudes during the public service month and beyond. Remember to always make follow-ups, provide feedback and reporting to our communities and frontline public servants about our work. Let us go all out to popularise and mainstream the Batho Pele Revitalisation Programme of taking services to the people, empowering citizens about their rights and responsibilities, deploying senior managers to deal with the real problems that affect real people on the ground.

Let us all intensify our efforts at beating the service delivery drum much louder, faster and smarter, by Putting our People First for real “Batho Pele and moving our beautiful country forward.

I thank you

Page 8 of 27

Premier Speeches

Address by the Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms. Sylvia Lucas, at the commemoration of Human Rights Day Reitlamile Intermediate School, Pampierstad

Address by the Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, on the occasion of the Reply to the Debate on the State of the Province Address

Address by the Premier, Ms Sylvia Lucas at the Unveiling of the Colesberg 4 Monument and Celebration of Reconciliation Day, Kuyasa Township,Colesberg

Address by the Premier, Ms Sylvia Lucas at the official opening of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders

Address by the the Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms Sylvia Lucas, at the Public Service Month Launch Programme

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