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Programme Director, Ms Nzinga Qunta
Distinguished guests
Members of the Media
Ladies and gentlemen

A number of key themes have emerged from the last 3 days of this summit. These are urgency, collaboration and leadership.

The first is of the need for urgency. Inherent in South Africa wanting to be a “green hydrogen investment destination of choice” is the understanding that capital and demand have other global regions that they are exploring for long terms partnerships for production and supply. When we talk about leveraging a first mover advantage it is about proving south Africa as a competitive, stable, reliable supplier. It is about proving the ability to develop and operate complex industrial infrastructure, it is about demonstrating the skill and understanding in putting these elements together and it’s about testing the regulatory framework from generation, to production, to transportation. So when we talk about urgency, we are not talking about the urgency to plan, we are talking about the urgency to do. To set-up the foundations from which projects can be developed, investment attracted, supply chains stimulated and most importantly, jobs being created for our people.

The second is the collaboration between the Northern Cape and the Western Cape on green hydrogen is significant. It links the renewable energy generation and mining hub of the Northern Cape and the industrial and commercial base of the Western Cape in a meaningful and complimentary way. This is demonstrated through the first of its kind Western SADC Green Hydrogen Corridor Heads of Agreement between the two provinces. The development of a green hydrogen economy is not only mutually beneficial to the development of both provinces but it also benefits the rest of the country and the rest of the Region too. A natural call to action from this conference is to formally bring in government to government green hydrogen collaboration agreements. The Northern Cape often speaks about the vast potential of the Boegoeberg se baai’s green hydrogen Special Economic Zone. Its masterplan has developed substantially and it is nearing the point of enabling public consultation around the development of 40 gigawatts of electrolyser capacity powered by approximately 80 gigawatts of renewable energy. This will be transformative for the area and the rest of the province. But what few people realise is that the Flagship Namibian project is only 20 kilometers as the crow flies, across the Orange River from Boegoeberg se Baai. So the development of joint pipeline and port infrastructure or the utilization of common infrastructure is clearly a low hanging fruit. It gives Regional projects an opportunity to evacuate their product to market, it gives the planned port project additional commodities to trade and most importantly it allows the development of industrial clusters that support and benefit from both flagship projects.

The third is the power of leadership. As we develop and curate this pipeline of Green Hydrogen Strategic Integrated Projects, lets us not forget that we are standing on the shoulders of the 15 years of research and innovation that has been led by the Department of Science and Innovation. We are standing on the shoulders of Sasol and its ability to produce 2.4 million tons of green hydrogen a year. But importantly we are being led by the Presidency through the Country Investment Strategy which has green hydrogen, impact investing and Special Economic Zones and 3 of the 5 Big Frontiers. Because of the multi-sectoral and multi-departmental nature of green hydrogen which touches Mineral Resources and Energy, Trade Industry and Competition, Science and Innovation, Public Enterprise, Transport, Higher Education, Labour and Public Works and Infrastructure, the ability of the Presidency to play a convening and coordinating role is key. This coordination is anchored on the Provinces playing a leading role in investment promotion and walking the path from pre-feasibility to financial close with prospective project developers. The Provinces are the sharp end of the stick and we look to take this journey of mutual benefit and collaboration forward to the benefit of all of our people.
Allow me to thank everyone for their valuable participation and contribution in making this Inaugural Green Hydrogen Summit a success.

Thank you

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ADDRESS BY THE PREMIER OF THE NORTHERN CAPE, MRS HAZEL JENKINS, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MITTAH SEPEREPERE CONVENTION CENTER, 15 FEBRUARY 2012 in KIMBERLEY.

Programme Director
Members of the Executive Council
Members of the Provincial Legislature
Mayors and Councillors
Esteemed Members of the Business Community
Distinguished Guests
Fellow Citizens of the Northern Cape
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is indeed a great pleasure to celebrate with you the official opening of the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre and to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you in this beautiful Capital City of the Northern Cape, Kimberley.

We welcome the family of Ma Mittah Seperepere who are our special guests today. We value your presence in our midst.

This is a celebration of exceptional achievement and a celebration of new opportunities.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Northern Cape Provincial Government is a Government aspiring for a better life for all its citizens in terms of bringing rich cultural events to the people, creating jobs, building communities as well as attracting businesses and investment to the province.

We have consistently positioned ourselves as a tourist destination of choice. With this new offering of the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre, we will cement our place as a destination of choice for visitors and business people alike.

The Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre will act as the hub where these events will take place, attracting young and old, the rich and previously marginalized as we consolidate our gains as a Province and a Nation.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this magnificent Convention Centre will undoubtedly contribute to economic growth and job creation, through attracting national and international conferences and events to our Capital City. This will also bolster our tourism industry and will surely serve as a catalyst for economic growth and development.

The Convention Centre is named after Ma Mittah Seperepere, a struggle stalwart who witnessed the fierce resistance of the Majeng community when the apartheid government culled their livestock. Ma Seperepere was held in solitary confinement, served with a banning order and later had to flee the country she so dearly loved.

Ma Seperepere was elected secretary of and worked in the ANC Women’s League, under the leadership of Mary Letele, Monica Matshediso, Rebecca Keshebang, Kenosi Besnaar, Mittah Sekaenyane Boikanyo and others.

During the ANC’s active operation and mobilization in Kimberley, Schmidtsdrift and Majeng, these brave women organised themselves to work side by side with their men folk in the struggle for the advancement and liberation of our Country.

Together, we will strive to achieve Ma Mittah Seperepere’s vision to be the venue of choice for local, national and international conferences, meetings and related activities.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are pleased to inform you that this facility will bring opportunities to the youth especially in terms of social and cultural development. The facility has been designed to be multi-functional and can provide a large flat floor area suitable for events such as: ballroom dancing, boxing, the martial arts, gymnastics, etc.

It would also be the ideal venue for religious gatherings, mass choir performances and graduation and other ceremonies.

The facility will have the potential for future expansion and is a tourist attraction in its own right.

As a meeting venue of international standards, the centre will most certainly attract conventions from around the world. In particular, it can help us attract our share of the numerous conferences that are held in Africa each year.

Programme Director, the Convention Centre was recently marketed and promoted at an event called ‘Meetings Africa’ Known as Africa’s business tourism lekgotla.“Meetings Africa” is a business tourism marketing platform which aims to expose local and international buyers to a range of services and products in South Africa especially with regard to Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE).

The Convention Centre therefore brings significant new opportunities for our province as a whole. Tourism, with its potential for job-creation and foreign exchange earnings, is one of the priority sectors of the economy of our country. This centre thus adds strength to the Tourism industry's infrastructure.

It is remarkable that even before the official launch of this facility, the demand to host events was already exceptionally high. The expression of interest was overwhelming and we have already hosted the following events:

7th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium’ held at the Convention Centre and Protea Hotel on 10 to 14 October 2011.
The Blind Parliament Biannual Conference hosted by the African National Council for the Blind from 20 to 22 October 2011.
The New Apostolic Church International Combined Church Service.
The opening ceremony of the Maloof Money Cup skateboarding competition.

Ladies and Gentlemen we can state with pride that the Mittah Seperepere Convention facility will further enrich our cultural experience and ignite our creative spirit as we now have a platform and a stage to showcase the performing arts. But above all the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre will contribute towards the essence of our theme “unity in diversity”.

Though the residents of this city will derive the most immediate benefits, especially those engaged in tourism activities, the effects will spread much wider. The impact will be felt in the province's tourism industry and further afield as communities and their families take the opportunity to visit our Province's many attractions.

To the local community, I wish to say that this Convention Centre was built to benefit you the most, and we would like you to know that there is a new landmark in the City that can cater for all your needs.

The Northern Cape’s greatest asset and opportunity vests in its people. Its rich history is part of Africa's unique experience, and its diversity of cultures and
traditions, should be shown to the world.

I now call on all of you to join hands- to work together with government, business and the community, in order to make a success of this magnificent international conference centre.

It is in this spirit that I am confident that this centre will grow from strength to strength.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it now gives me great pleasure indeed to declare the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre officially open.


I thank you

Ke aleboga

Baie dankie

Enkosi

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Keynote Address by the Deputy Minister of Social Development Mrs Maria Bongi Ntuli, MP on the occasion of the Northern Cape Provincial Community Builder of the Year Awards Ceremony, Kimberley- Northern Cape 02 December 2011

Master of Ceremonies, Ms E Botes
Honourable Premier Hazel Jenkins
Honourable MEC for Social Development, Mr Alvin Botes
Member of the Provincial Legislature and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Mr A Beukes
Local Councillors and community leaders here present
Senior Government Officials from various departments
Representatives of our various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs)
Our community development workers
All nominated individuals for this evening’s awards ceremony
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and Gentlemen
Dumelang Bagaetsho! Le kae?

I am honoured to have been asked to speak at this wonderful occasion of the 2011 Northern Cape provincial Community Builders of the Year Awards. Let me from the outset express a big thank you to the pioneers of the Community Builder Awards. The late Dr Aggrey Klaaste and the late Sam Mabe have in their own way contributed to the common goal of nation-building. Their dedication to community development continues to inspire us to work towards the common good of our society.

October has been declared Social Development Month. It is therefore befitting that we are gathered here to honour courageous men and women who work selflessly to improve the living conditions of our communities.

This is a very special occasion to me because community development is close to my heart. I was therefore excited when I received the invitation to be part of this noble cause. It is these types of occasions where we celebrate the work of ordinary men and women who do extraordinary work in helping us to build strong families and communities that make us proud as a nation- proudly South Africans.

Guided by the Constitution and the Freedom Charter, our government under the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) has and continue to work relentlessly to improve the living conditions of the majority of our people. Our movement was founded on the proud history of community activism as illustrated in the work of Albert Luthuli, Oliver Tambo, Tata Nelson Mandela, Ellen Khuzwayo, Francis Baard and Sol Plaatjie, after whom this Municipality was named.

The Community Builder of the Year Awards that we are hosting this evening will certainly go a long way in advancing the proud culture of our movement. I take this opportunity to salute and honour men and women who are making a meaningful contribution to the lives of our people by dedicating their energy to building, serving and developing our communities.

Ladies and gentlemen, it goes without saying that a province like Northern Cape which suffered immensely under the apartheid, needs more courageous men and women who are committed to work together with our government to restore the dignity of our people.

It is for this reason that today I urge individuals, Non-Governmental Organisations, Faith-Based Organisations, Community-Based Organisations and the private sector to join hands with us in our quest to rebuild this province and the rest of our country.

Distinguished guests, our efforts to meet the basic needs of the country's poor and marginalised, is gathering pace with progress recorded across a range of important sectors. Despite challenges in a number of areas, there is no doubt that your interventions to assist government in directly addressing poverty and under-development are continuing to benefit greater numbers of South Africans.

But we must continue to ensure that as we lift our people out of the depths of poverty, we exert that extra effort in empowering our rural poor and advance the economic development of rural areas. This is one of our greatest challenges.

While acknowledging that progress has been made in nation-building, much more work needs to be done to free our people from the shackles of poverty and its associated challenges of HIV and AIDS, underdevelopment and unemployment, particularly among our young people.

To this end we must, during this Social Development Month create greater public awareness about various government programmes and interventions that are aimed at lifting our people out of poverty. As we do so, we must also engage our communities in the process of development in order to build a sense of a shared vision to and a better life for all our people

In conclusion, Programme Director, let us all remember that the dream lives on whenever we reach out to feed the hungry and house the homeless. It grows whenever people of different races and religions work and pray and break bread together at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood. Let us join together, united and determined to build a beloved community rooted in a radiant spirit of justice, compassion and love.

In the spirit of the founders of the Community Builder Awards-the late Aggrey Klaaste and Sam Mabe, let us embrace a new and energetic commitment to serve our people. The dream lives on in our hearts when we struggle for a better life for all. Let me once again offer my congratulations and gratitude to all the nominees for the Community Builder of the Year Awards for your commitment, for challenges conquered, for projects completed, for goals reached and even surpassed.

I say well done to all the nominated individuals who have made it thus far. You have shown that you share my passion and the country’s vision of building a caring society.

I thank you for allowing me to share with you in honouring community
builders, men and women who are beacons of hope on the path to a better life for
all.

Working together we can do more to improve the lives of our communities.

I thank you.

The Winners of the Various Catergories were as forth

YOUTH CATEGORY

Ms Dineo Leutlwile - Dithakong Talent Identification - John Taolo Gaetsewe District

ADULT CATERGORY

Ms Mercia Pheza - Diocese AIDS Ministry - Keimoes - Siyanda

SENIOR CATEGORY

Ms Petro Raath - Spirit of Passion - Britstown - Pixley Ka Seme

GROUP CATEGORY

Mr. Tony Kock- Galeshewe Maths , Science and Technology Youth Initiative - Kimberley - Frances Baardt

PEOPLE WITH DISABILTIES

Dorothy Ann Howitson - Knitting Guild - Kimberley Frances Baard

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Speech by the Acting Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms Grizelda Cjiekella on the occassion of the Northern Cape substance abuse prevention strategy, 21 june 2012, Floors North Primary School
_________________________________________________________

Programme Director
MEC for Social Development, Mr. Alvin Botes
Relevant Stakeholders
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am truly blessed to be part of this historic launching of the Northern Cape Provincial Substance Abuse Prevention Strategy.

It is indeed a confirmation of the dedication of the leadership collective and the people of Northern Cape to stem the tide against the scourge of substance abuse in our province.

Looking around the province, we know how easy it is for youth to grow up in an environment where drugs are commonplace. It has corrosive effects, and weakens whole generations of people.

This development concerns us greatly. Once a person becomes addicted to drugs, his future or even his life can be destroyed. We do not want to see even one life wasted on drugs.

Programme Director, the devastating consequences of substance abuse has the potential to undermine the gains which our new dispensation has made possible.

Consequently, substance abuse is the leading cause of crime and contributes to poverty, dysfunctional families and communities, the burden of disease, injury and premature death.

This prevention strategy is a direct response to the substance abuse problem which is prevalent in the Northern Cape Province.

The Strategy is also mandated by the Prevention of and Treatment for substance abuse Act which stipulates that departments and organs of state must, through multi-sectoral strategies take reasonable measures within the scope of line functions and resources to develop and coordinate interventions to combat substance abuse.

Programme Director, in 1987 the United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June as the, International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

This day is celebrated as a reminder of the goals agreed to by member states of creating an international society free of drug abuse.

Appropriately the theme for the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking for 2012 is “Global Actions for Healthy Communities without Drugs”.

This theme speaks to the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to substance abuse eradication in order to have healthy communities.

We must continue to forge effective partnerships with all the sectors of society in mobilising communities behind the vision of a drug free society and put education and awareness programmes at the centre of their strategies.

The provincial substance abuse prevention strategy in the main seeks to enhance efforts to combat substance abuse so as to build safer and healthier communities.

Our government believes that the building of a caring society begins with strong families and vibrant communities.

The goals of the strategy are also to:

Use supply reduction measures to curb the production, manufacturing and distribution of drugs, thereby promoting safe and drug free communities
To reduce the demand for substances through prevention and early intervention programmes, with a view to discouraging the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs and promoting healthy lifestyles
To reduce the harm associated with substance abuse and to mitigate its health and psychosocial impact by providing holistic treatment services for affected individuals and families.

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me start by analysing the drug problem in the province, in order for us to have a comprehensive understanding of the nature and extent of this problem and show how the provincial Strategy would help prevent it.

The National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (2008), conducted nationally amongst 1147 youth, including participants in 22 schools across the Northern Cape found that:

The NC had the highest proportion of learners who have used alcohol on school property in school time during the past month of the survey.

The survey also indicated that the Northern Cape had the highest prevalence of learners who used dagga before the age of 13 (9.2%) compared to the Free State (3.2%) and the North West which had the lowest against the national average of 5.2%.

It also had the highest prevalence of learners having used dagga on school property during the month preceding the month of the survey, with “coloured” learners and children who are 13 and below, and increasing with age, being part of this group.

It also reported that NC had the highest prevalence of learners who have used cocaine (10.4%) when compared to other provinces and a national average of 6.7%

Limpopo and the NC had the highest prevalence of learners who have used heroine (10.4%)
NC had the highest prevalence of learners that have used club drugs (12%)
Surprisingly¸ the Northern Cape had the highest prevalence of learners (10.5%) who have used ‘Tik’; the national average is 6.6%.
The Northern Cape had the second highest proportion of learners who reported having engaged in sex after consuming alcohol.

It is common knowledge that alcohol and other drugs decrease inhibitions and safe sex negotiation skills, which makes young people even more vulnerable to unprotected sex associated with unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

More disappointing, the Northern Cape had the highest prevalence of learners who had been threatened or injured by someone with a weapon (17.9%) and the highest prevalence of learners who have driven a vehicle on a public road after taking alcohol (24.7% [National 7.8%]).

It also an open secret that the province has the world’s highest reported prevalence of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome commonly known as FAS, which is a group of physical and mental defects caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Problems presenting in children with FAS include the following:

Disruption of school experience;
Trouble with the law ( there is an unconfirmed assumption that 50-70% might have FAS);
Inappropriate sexual behaviour;
Alcohol and drug related problems (Science in Africa, 2006).

A research commissioned by the provincial government and conducted by UNISA in 2001, found that in 40% of murder cases, 25% of rape cases, and 18% of assault cases (grievous bodily harm or GBH), the perpetrator was said to have used alcohol.

Police recorded use of alcohol by the victim in 73% of murder cases and 33% of rape cases.

The 2010/11 crime statistics show a sharp increase in drug related crimes in the province – from 2371 in 2009/10 to 2418 in 2010/11, a staggering and shocking 20% increase!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are launching this provincial substance abuse strategy with a main focus on effective law enforcement against those involved in drug trafficking of illegal drugs.

We are concerned about the negative impact of alcohol and substance abuse on individuals, families and communities.

We seek to intensify efforts to combat alcohol and substance abuse and have declared all out war on substance abuse.

We will allow proactive policing to prevent the production, manufacture and supply of illegal drugs, including precursor chemicals used for processing various drugs or used in the manufacture of synthetic drugs

To this end, we will also use judicially sanctioned intelligence and evidence gathering techniques:

To ensure the detection, arrests and prosecution of drug offenders (traffickers) in the criminal justice system.
To reduce drug related crimes e.g. money laundering and drug related violence, gangsterism, etc
To implement effective legislation and regulation of harmful use of otherwise beneficial and lawful substances such as prescription and over the counter drugs
To implement effective legislation and regulation of alcohol through improved management of the liquor trade and elimination of trade in harmful concoctions brewed in some communities.
To law enforcement aimed at promoting the safety of communities
And to encourage involvement of communities in solving the drug problem through Community Policing Forums

Let we also warn those who are driving under the influence of alcohol to desist from contravening our laws.

We will soon see the implementation of more effective drunk driving counter measures and improve the efficiency of detection systems by all stakeholders including the police, health, and the criminal justice system, as well as providing brief counter measures such as counselling and treatment, for high risk drinkers.

Ladies and gentlemen, all these efforts are at the heart of building a caring, people centred society and promoting healthy living standards, especially for our youth.

We must continue to build a consensus of zero drug tolerance.

Our aim of a drug-free Northern Cape can only be attained with the involvement of the whole community.

Let us unite in our efforts and ensure a better life for all our people and especially our youth, who are our future leaders.

I thank you