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Programme Director
Members of the Executive Council
The Management and Staff of Kimberley Hospital
The Community of Kimberley and the Northern Cape at large
Leaders of Faith-based organisations
Mayors and Councillors
Traditional leaders
Leaders of Youth Formations
Government Officials
Members of the Media Fraternity
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

Today, I am honoured to stand here as a proud South African celebrating my heritage as an individual, a representative of government and indeed as a member of the community member with all of you. 

It is a day in which all South Africans are encouraged to celebrate our different cultural traditions in the wider context of the great diversity of our cultures, beliefs and traditions that make up our nation of South Africa affectionately and fondly referred to as the Rainbow Nation.

As we celebrate Heritage and Tourism Month, we will focus on the transformation of the South African heritage landscape, both in terms of the tangible and intangible heritage aspects of our country.

The significance of celebrating heritage day rests in recognising aspects of cultural identity that captures the country's traditional and ethnic diversity which for all intents and purposes, must reflect inclusivity of our shared history.

Heritage day is not just another national holiday but a day wherein all South Africans should observe and celebrate their diverse cultural heritage and move towards collectively strengthening and consolidating a socially cohesive nation.

Ladies and gentlemen, today we ostensibly celebrate through indulging in local dishes, dressing in our traditional attire and enjoying time with family and friends with our different cultural expressions under the aegis of the unifying symbol of the South African flag. Today and every day we should declare we are proudly South African.

Programme Director The Northern Cape is rich in its diverse heritage and we are agents of nation building in the greater scheme of things.

Therefore today’s event is a powerful agent to foster and uphold a South African identity, promoting reconciliation and to relentlessly drive the notion that multiplicity is a national asset as opposed to igniting conflict.

Every year this day serves as a tangible token of the nation’s cultural diversity and a chance to express national unity through our different cultural, traditional and religious backgrounds. Heritage Day reflects our people’s rich traditional inheritance, such as culture, history, wildlife, monuments, artwork, literature, music, folklore, languages, culinary traditions, and much more.

This multiculturalism shows our society as a beautiful mosaic in which different cultures mix in a melting pot but remain distinct in some aspects. Cultural assimilation is important to the maintenance of national unity and must be promoted.

You lose nothing by learning about and respecting the next person’s heritage; instead you gain a world of knowledge and build tolerance of the customs and traditions of your friends, colleagues and the greater South African community.

Ladies and Gentlemen our land is one of our principal heritages, as it denotes where we come from and where we are headed. In recent months the President of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a proposal on land expropriation without compensation to prioritise programmatic land restitution, food security, enhance economic stability and avoid land grabs.

Consultations are ongoing throughout the country regarding this progressive announcement made by our government. Land restitution should further enhance economic, social and political stability in our country and bring about prosperity for all who live in South Africa.

Furthermore, in paying homage to the efforts liberation leaders have contributed to building a potent heritage in our province and country, we have gathered here today to rename Kimberley Hospital after struggle stalwart, Ntate Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe in celebration of Heritage Day.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe was a teacher, lecturer, lawyer, University of Fort Hare, SRC President, secretary of the ANC branch in Standerton, founding member and first president of the Pan Africanist Congress and was detained at Robben Island during apartheid.

The brief synopsis depicting a man wearing many coats tells us much about the character of the historic giant we are honouring here today. He was born on 5 December 1924 in the Eastern Cape and was the youngest son to Huber and Angelina Sobukwe who were a municipal labourer and domestic worker respectively Ntate Sobukwe’s schooling was interrupted when he contracted tuberculosis in 1943, but when he completed his schooling in 1947 he was able to enrol at the Fort Hare University where he registered to study for a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in English, isiXhosa and Native Administration. It is this field of study that aroused his interest in politics and made him more politically active. He married Veronica Sobukwe (Nee Mathe) who was a nurse in 1950.

Sobukwe was an eloquent man whose intelligence and commitment established him as a natural leader. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment on 4 may 1950 and was sent to Robben Island where the then government implemented the so-called “Sobukwe Clause” which was reserved for him only. This simply meant that the apartheid junta could jail him indefinitely. He thereafter completed his studies and obtained a Degree in Economics from the University of London. When he was eventually released in May of 1969, Sobukwe was banished to Galeshewe to Kimberley where he began studying law and established his own firm in 1975. Shortly after, he fell ill and died from lung complications on 27 February 1978 at this very hospital.

It is due to his immense contribution to the people of Kimberley with his political will and knowledge that gives us the honour and privilege in transforming this heritage landscape.  As Premier of the Northern Cape, I therefore take this opportunity to officially rename this hospital the Robert Sobukwe Hospital.

PROGRAMME DIRECTOR

In celebrating late president Nelson Mandela’s 100th Anniversary this year, the former iconic statesman encouraged us to live in an inclusive rainbow nation by recognising and respecting each other’s cultures and ethnic backgrounds and to ensure dignity and freedom for all, a vision which he had cherished for this country.

As we celebrate his centenary, we thank Tata Madiba for creating a positive vision for South Africa and equipping us through guidance in striving for a democratic and progressive country in an ever changing world. We are a unique nation and that is what sets us apart from the rest of the world.

Through our emancipation from the oppressive apartheid era, we have embraced each other and have to incessantly denounce abhorrence and discrimination guided by the legislation and policies set in place by a democratically elected government.

In commemoration of his contribution in creating a new and better South Africa, we reflect on his vision and dream he had for this beautiful country. Accepting his Noble Peace Prize in 1993, Tata Mandela said, (OPEN QUOTE) “At the southern tip of the continent, a rich reward is in the making, an invaluable gift is in the preparation, for those who suffered in the name of all humanity when they sacrificed everything – for liberty, peace, human dignity and human fulfilment....The value of our shared reward will and must be measured by the joyful peace which will triumph, because of the common humanity that bonds both black and white into one human race will have said to each one of us that we shall all live like the children of paradise...”  CLOSE QUOTE.

PROGRAMME DIRECTOR

It’s pertinent to preserve our cultures and traditions and leave a lasting legacy for those coming after us. National unity needs to be fortified and this can only be done if we all participate and contribute to a prosperous nation through our shared values.

Although it is important to preserve one’s culture and heritage we also need to develop and preserve the South African and African identity, promote social cohesion and be guardians of our cultural, artistic and linguistic heritage. We should be commemorating, celebrating, educating, promoting, preserving and conserving a sustainable living heritage.

Just like our country there is a vast culture in our Province, something to be proud of. When we in stand in the heart of our province, you stand in one of Africa’s most diverse and rich ecosystems.

From our birdlife and game, to rivers flowing through the desert landscape and the magic of the spring flowers that blossom in the Namakwa region and where the Kalahari and Nama-Karoo meet, our province is unique... Programme director, we have a rich inheritance of living heritage.

Programme Director our provincial and national identity plays a huge role in who we are, where we come from and where we are headed. We are a multicultural nation that serves as an anchor of our national identity and should be representative of the diverse ethnicity and cultural values.

In realising Nelson Mandela’s dream of a racially united and inclusive nation, we have to continuously work to root out racism that often rears its ugly head and do away with xenophobia, tribalism, ignorance and all forms of prejudice.

Although rooted in our traditional, social and religious mores, one has to remember not to burden or suppress others rights and civil liberties. In the spirit of reconciliation, a compromise was made to create a day on which everyone in the country could celebrate diversity in our cultural heritage.

Programme Director... Acts of non-inclusion and discrimination has no place in our society and we will ensure that all are treated with respect and dignity. We have to root out racism and remain confident that the law will be applied where applicable.

We need to preserve and uphold our heritage objects, including schools, museums, churches, government buildings and universities that are of cultural significance for coming generations. South African history is an important part of our heritage gallery and is necessary to be taught in the classroom to give students the opportunity to be narrators of our past.

Ladies and Gentlemen... It is our responsibility to take care of all persons including women, children and the most vulnerable in society and this remains a priority of our government.

We are saddened over the passing of eight year old Melissa Kanguya from Platfontein who was found dead days later after fleeing from teenage boys and who allegedly attempted to rape her. We are concerned at the number of rape and sexual assault cases that involve young people and we are determined now more than ever to break the cycle of gender based violence. The violence has to stop; women and children cannot continue to live in fear. Enough is enough!

In realising an inclusive nation, the scourge of women and child abuse is a growing concern, and we need to do more to protect and promote their rights. Harsher repercussions should be put in place for perpetrators who violate the basic rights of vulnerable persons.

We have to ensure that human rights are protected, regardless of sex, race, and ethnicity, political or religious affiliation. As a free and democratic nation we have to ensure that all feel safe and secure, and we will continue to work with security agencies and the justice system to ensure peace and security for citizens and those visiting our borders. We need to do more in transforming power relations in bureaucratic institutions and law agencies and create a conducive environment that protects women and children.

We thank the courageous struggle stalwarts and philanthropists, Mme Albertina Sisulu and Mama Zondeni Veronica Sobukwe who passed on in recent weeks, for their contributions to the liberation struggle and laying the foundation for strong women in our country.

Their tenacity and unrelenting spirit in fighting for the equal human rights for South Africans should inspire us all to fight against fundamental patriarchy and sexism, particularly that which perpetuates gender based violence.

Programme Director...

Drug and alcohol abuse remains a huge challenge for our province and threatens our democratic values thereby hindering our future prospects of a socially cohesive nation.

As provincial government we support relevant stakeholders in primary prevention, early intervention and promoting healthy lifestyles for young people.

Alcohol and substance abuse has a devastating impact on individuals, families, communities and society as a whole-therefore everyone needs to get involved in curbing the malady that has beleaguered our province. We encourage schools, law enforcement agencies and communities to raise awareness on the harmful effects of alcohol and drug abuse and the growing concern of drug mules and human trafficking.

Programme director we need to promote freedom, justice and equal opportunity for all... One of the ways to do this is curbing corruption and greed.

Greed and corruption is a virus that eats away at the flesh of the indigent. It is detrimental in providing effective and efficient services to the public.  The fight against corruption is one of the major priorities for the government as we adopt a zero tolerance position on this matter.
In recent years, government has stepped up its anti-corruption activities and we encourage anyone to report fraud and corruption to the relevant authorities.

As President Ramaphosa has mentioned this year, the tide on corruption will be turned and action will be taken against those who act improperly and unethically in misappropriating state funds. This is evident in the ongoing State Capture inquiry that is taking place.

State resources will be continuously utilised by government in providing education, health services, and access to land, water and sanitation and eradicate unemployment and poverty for all in the province as stipulated by the Constitution.

Programme Director

We are one of the richest and most diverse nations in the world, and we have to celebrate that. Let us not pontificate about what makes us South African but act decisively and embrace the different aspects of what constitutes us as a rainbow nation.

We also have to take care of our environment and preserve our natural habitats.  Our nation has securely retained its sovereignty; however, our world is ever expanding as we are global citizens and this should not be taken for granted.

We as a government have made many strides in maintaining our heritage in the Northern Cape Province. The province has various natural sites that we need to be conscious of on how to preserve, protect, interrogate and promote symbols of our heritage. All South Africans should play a role in identifying, documenting, promoting, protecting and preserving our country’s diverse heritage.

Today is a celebratory day, Programme Director...

We are imbued with an overarching South African cultural value which is themed ubuntu and this incorporates, but is not limited to kindness, compassion, charity, respect and integrity. We should never be discouraged in playing our part in making our nation a better place for all. Mandela taught us to do greater and kinder deeds for others and that we should remain compassionate and gracious to one another.

For those who believe in justice and freedom, continue to be courageous in the quest in promoting the rights of all and reduce inequality in the social-economic sphere. We are generous, tolerant and loving people, and we have to demonstrate those qualities to everyone we meet.

Our provincial coat of arms has a motto in the Auni language of the San from Rietfontein in the Kalahari desert which reads “Sa lla !aisi’ uisi”. This translates to English as “Strive for a better Life.”
I want to thank all government employees in the Northern Cape Province for their continued hard work and resilience in making a positive impact in providing efficient and effective service delivery.

We are here to serve the public with transparency, accountability and impartiality. Service to our people is not a privilege but a fundamental right.

Let us uphold our national cultural values, promote inclusion amongst all people. Let us be rooted in our legal foundation of democracy and adhere to the Constitution of South Africa. Let us unite this month through transformation and through peace and prosperity.

South Africa has a flourishing future and the course it takes is up to all who live in it. Let us continue in making our nation great.

I wish you well on this day and may it be a meaningful and purposeful day.

I thank you
Kealeboga
Enkosi
Dankie

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Programme Director
Members of the Executive Council present
Mayor and Councillors present
Vice President of Projects: Vedanta Zinc international – Mr Satish Kumar and senior management
General Manager of Black Mountain – Mr Andre Trytsman
Principal, educators, learners and members of the SGB
Members of the Media
Community of Khai Ma
Ladies and gentlemen

Information is power. And the access to information is one of the greatest assets a person can possess. It therefore goes without saying that I am ecstatic to be part of this grounbreaking initiative spearheaded by Vedanta Zinc International. It is part of their commitment to empower the communities within which they operate and I am confident that you will join me in expressing our gratitude to Vedanta for this community beneficiation programme.   This fits in well with government’s bigger project to connect all government institutions to broadband which includes all our schools by the year 2030. Through our broadband project, we will be able to deliver broadband access to 90% of the schools throughout the country by 2020 and 100% by the year 2030 in line with the National Development Plan.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Technologies are emerging and affecting our lives in ways you cannot imagine. It therefore becomes very important that Government, together with private stakeholders such as Vedanta join hands to bridge the digital divide by ensuring that everyone in the country has affordable access to Information Communication Technologies, particularly our people living in the rural areas. Through this initiative I am confident that the learners of Boesmanland High School will now have access to the same educational content as a learner in a well-resourced school in the big cities such as Johannesburg. Through availing free WiFi, the school can now optimally utilise the computer lab by not only relying on textbooks but also making use of relevant content that can be made available via the internet.  

Dames en here, die daarstelling van gratis internet aan ons gemeenskappe het soveel meer impak as wat ons besef. Hierdie gebaar deur Vedanta maak die wêreld oop aan ons kinders. Dit gee ons die unieke geleentheid om ons horison te verbreed en stel ons bloot aan n magdom van inligting wat ons ten voordeel van die ontwikkeling van onsself en ons gemeenskap kan gebruik.

Hierdie inisiatief bied ons ook ‘n blik in die wêreld wat wyer as net Pofadder, die Noordkaap en Suid Afrika is. Dit bring so te se die wêreld tot reg voor ons deure. Oud President Nelson Mandela, wie se eeufees vieringe ons hierdie jaar gedenk, het altyd die belangrikheid van opvoeding beklemtoon en hierdie gebaar van Vedanta maak dit soveel makliker vir ons studente om hul kennis te verbreed en by te hou met die nuutste ontwikkelinge. Met die goed kom ook die sleg en is dit so dat die internet ook baie afleidend kan wees. Ek doen dus ‘n beroep op julle om hierdie voordeel met groot verantwoordelikheid en omslagtigheid te gebruik.

Ek wil die breër gemeenskap aanmoedig om van die geleenthede wat toegang tot die internet bied, gebruik te maak. Dit bied jou die geleentheid om jouself te verbeter en te ontwikkel deur jou lewe te verbeter deur die krag van inligting en geleenthede te ontsluit. Dit is 'n geleentheid vir gemeenskapslede, ouers en kinders om toegang tot regeringsinligting te verkry, toegang te kry tot koerante waarin werk geadverteer word en waar leerders en studente toegang tot inligting op die internet kan kry. Hierdie fasiliteite sal 'n positiewe impak hê as om nie net die nodige akademiese ondersteuning te bied wat ons leerders moet slaag, maar ons leerders kan ook hierdie hulpbronne gebruik om na te gaan oor loopbane wat by instellings van hoër onderwys beskikbaar is, aansoek doen vir universiteitstoegang en selfs toegang tot inligting oor beurse en finansiële hulp verkry. U word nou die geleentheid gebied om u drome te vervul om dokters, wetenskaplikes, bioloë te word en selfs loopbane in inligtings kommunikasietegnologie na te streef, wat 'n skaars vaardigheid in Suid-Afrika gevind het.

Learners as I conclude, I want to encourage you- and more so the matric class of 2018 to grab these opportunities presented to you in earnest. This will empower you to fully take charge of your future and to positively contribute to the development of a greater South Africa. Government cannot succeed on its own.  Contributions such as these from the private sector have the potential to double the efforts of our democracy and achieve that better life that we want for our people. And that better life is today more possible than it was yesterday, thanks to this initiative.

Once more, my profound gratitude on behalf of the Provincial Government and the people of Khai Ma for enabling our children to become part of the digital and information revolution.

I thank you

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Programme Director
Members of the Executive Council
Members of the Provincial Legislature
Councillor from the !Karas Region, Mr Jan Boois
Executive Mayors, Mayors and Councillors
Senior Government officials
Partners in the Energy Sector
Members from the Academia
NGO SECTOR
Labour federations
Members of the Media
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

Renewable energy is the future and this gathering bears testimony to that and thus we are here to get a glimpse into the countless possibilities that renewable energy holds for this Province and its people. Over the next two days, we will be deliberating on pertinent issues regarding the repositioning of the Northern Cape Province to support the Renewable Energy Sector. Not only do we wish to support this sector but we are here to tap into and draw benefit from the endless opportunities that the renewable energy sector holds for the economic development of this Province.

The people of the Northern Cape, from a variety of sectors such as government, the private sector, NGO’s and labour sectors are in agreement about the need for an inclusive energy sector and for a partnership to deal with the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality whilst accelerating rapid economic transformation in the Province.

Ladies and gentlemen

The Province is currently developing a Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP - Vision 2040) and reviewing the Provincial Spatial Development Framework (PSDF), which will plot the path to changing the energy landscape of the Northern Cape. The PGDP – Vision 2040 and the PSDF will also provide a developmental agenda based on four paths of prosperity, namely economic, social, environmental and governance. These paths are founded within an ethos of sustainable development.

A social pact is therefore required to create a prosperous energy sector in the Province through a negotiated resolution where the private sector commits to investing in new areas; where labour and business work together with government to address the inhibiting factors and identifying opportunities; and developing partnerships with civil society to ensure that our people benefit from the natural resources of our beautiful Province.

Four accords, emanating from the New Growth Path (NGP) have already been signed on basic education, skills development, local procurement and the green economy which can serve as a guide in creating a Provincial Green Economy Accord, which would encompass the proposed initiatives of an Energy Transformation Charter.

There are three main elements I would like to highlight today, namely sustainable development, economic transformation and green governance.

Sustainable Development

Globally, climate change poses new challenges for developing countries with respect to growth and poverty reduction. Future growth will need to be more carbon-efficient and environmentally sustainable. Greater global understanding on the relationship between growth, environmental change and poverty reduction would support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and help developing countries in achieving sustainable growth.

The UN General Assembly has designated the years 2014 to 2024 as the International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All. In this regard the UN identifies the Sustainable Energy for All initiative as a multi-stakeholder partnership between governments, the private sector, and civil society. It has three interlinked objectives to be achieved by 2030, namely:

• Ensure universal access to modern energy services;
• Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and
• Double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

Ladies and gentlemen

Africa’s Agenda 2063 is aligned to the global energy and sustainable developmental agendas which states that “…ensuring access to clean and affordable energy is a development imperative”.  The current energy demand within the African continent is undeniable with more the 645 million Africans not having access to energy.

The renewable energy programme is therefore confirming South Africa’s commitment, together with 195 other countries around the world, to the Paris Agreement for the reduction of Carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. It also makes us part of the ever and fast changing global world of a renewable energy industry. The Province needs to invest in the climate change mitigation and water-smart programmes. The additional 27 renewable energy projects, announced in April 2018, are expected to offset 8.1 million tonnes of CO2 per annum.  The devastating impact of the current drought, specifically in the Northern Cape Province, over the last few years have highlighted the impact of climate change and water security amongst other things. It should be noted that energy is one of the biggest consumers of water.  Our people deserve access to clean affordable electricity which would not have a negative impact on the environment and their health.

Renewable energy is an energy form that is a ‘flux’ in the form of solar radiation which is un-stored.  In order to make use of this form of energy it must be caught as it passes and is captured, say, in the form of biofuels, wind, photovoltaic and hydro. Un-caught renewable energy passes into the void forever lost to anthropogenic use. There are tremendous opportunities for the Northern Cape within the energy sector where there is immense potential both in terms of supply and demand for solar, hydropower generation, and biomass.

Ladies and gentlemen

The global debate on alternative energy resources gained in prominence, coincidently at the same time as the global shock over an unprecedented oil price rise causing a growing international financial crisis. As a consequence, a sense of urgency is the growing debate, not just in South Africa, on the future of the energy sector, the potential of renewables, especially highly controversial biofuels and the implementation and adequacy of climate change accords.

South Africa is therefore required to adapt to challenges of climate change, however the challenge is to transform these threats into opportunities for economic development, job creation and environmental justice in our path to a developmental state. This requires strong leadership and bold and decisive decision-making now so that we can simultaneously circumvent the risks and grasp the opportunities of this global transition to a post-carbon world.

What is clear is that we need to change the energy landscape in our Province to provide for both economic transformation and an environmentally just society.

Energy Transformation Charter

The country’s developmental reform has come a long way since the dawn of democracy, the most notable aspect of which is the introduction of green economy principles into the developmental trajectory. Support from the global community in general, and the United Nations (UN) in particular, significantly contributed to this evolution. In mid-2014, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) joined the UN-led global initiative on Partnership for Action on the Green Economy (PAGE) that was taken up in South Africa in March 2015. It involves the cooperation of five UN Agencies and spheres of national government. The country has sought to promote a diverse and equitable economy, in line with UN’s green economy definition of: “An economy that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities” (UNEP, 2011).

The green economy is: low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. These green economy principles encapsulate the notion of sustainable development, which seeks to balance economic, social and environmental imperatives.

As a Province we therefore support the Minister of Energy’s initiative to transform the energy sector through a transformation charter or accord. The youth, women and the disabled need to be empowered to participate in the green economy.

On the 2nd of April this year, we witnessed the signing of the agreements for the 27 projects procured under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme Bid Windows 3.5 and 4. This procurement represents a total of R56 billion of investment and about 2300 Megawatts (MW) of generation capacity to be added to the grid over the next 5 years.  The Province is the recipient of the majority of these projects which includes investment in 15 new wind, solar PV and CSP projects in the Province. With the procurement of the 27 projects, 58 000 new jobs will be created for South African citizens, and mostly for the youth. The jobs will be available across the entire value chain with an additional 1 500 jobs possible in the manufacturing sector. The manufacturing sector, as promoted by the NDP is both good for jobs and good for economic growth. The localisation potential of these 27 new projects is substantial. Our estimate is that for the solar PV projects, around 2.8 million solar PV modules would be procured, 600 inverters and 385 transformers. In addition for the onshore wind projects, roughly 500 wind towers and turbines would be required.

These 27 projects will also deliver substantial benefits, with regard to meaningful black ownership and participation at all the levels of the projects as well as other priority areas of economic transformation.  In Bid Windows 3.5 and 4, South Africans own the majority share of 57.8% (R11.90 billion) in the project companies. Of the 57.8% South African shareholding, an average of 64.2% (R7.64 billion) is held by black shareholders. The balance of the shareholding is mostly with institutional investors such as PIC and Old Mutual as well as state owned companies.  Ownership without getting the necessary opportunity to develop skills and participate in the projects is of no value. We would like to see South African black Independent Power Producers very soon bidding in other countries, leading the teams developing these projects. The programme committed to employ 86% of black South Africans in top management positions. Furthermore, as part of the obligations, the Bid Window 3.5 and 4 projects have made commitments in five categories, namely education and skills development, social welfare, healthcare, general administration and enterprise development.  The majority of socio-economic development monies will be spent in local communities and involve youth and women-owned small businesses.

We welcome our Energy Minister, Jeff Radebe’s, inclusive geographic approach to transforming the energy sector and the announcement that local community shareholding in the newly signed projects amounts to 7.1% or R1,63 billion. The local community shareholders in these projects would thus receive R5,9 billion net income over the next 20 years – that is during the projects lifespan. Our communities should also benefit from the IPPs contribution of R9,8 billion to socio-economic development initiatives and R3,39 billion to enterprise development over the next 20 years.

We need to focus our discussions here today on additional interventions that we can recommend to optimise black ownership and ensure active participation in the energy sector. The youth, women and the physically challenged should be prioritised in this regard. We need to find innovative and affordable funding mechanisms to facilitate the participation of black SMMEs and black industrialists in the energy sector.  This includes the drafting of a funding model to benefit the Historically Disadvantaged groups within the energy space. We also need to acknowledge initiatives that have been taken to involve the communities in the energy sector.

Let me site a few examples:

The Green Economy deals with the important issue of greening a country’s economy and provides guidance and support to SMME’s that wish to create ‘green jobs’ and switch to ‘green technologies’. Key areas of priority include BBBEE participation, job opportunities, skills development, and training, technological transfer, development of new manufacturing plants and facilities and sourcing locally manufactured components. The Integrated Energy Centre (IEC) Programme has delivered a total of seven IECs located in the rural parts of South Africa, that include John Taolo Gaetsewe District and further collaboration is ongoing to establish more. An Integrated Energy Centre (IEC) is a one-stop energy shop owned and operated by the community Cooperative and organised as a community project. It provides energy solutions to communities, access to affordable safe and sustainable energy services, information and awareness on how to handle and utilise energy sources including Paraffin and LPGas. In addition the IEC’s promote the development of SMME’s through partnerships.

Another example of the benefits of technological innovation for community development in the Northern Cape is the project of Professor Ernst Uken and his team from the Cape Technikon who have developed a world first: a battery-less solar-powered sewing machine. Fifteen of the photon-powered machines are in place at the remote community of Kliprand in the Northern Cape, where local women are producing overalls for the farming community. Driven by solar panels, the machines are conventional electric models converted to use 12V DC by replacing the ordinary motor with a car windscreen wiper motor.

My plea to you, the delegates of this conference, is to find innovative ways of contributing to the energy transformation agenda in the Province.

Green Governance

We have seen a change in policy directives, which initially mainly focused on aspects such as advocating for intensified energy efficiency in industry, mining and the commercial sector. The shift in focus now also focuses on the role of renewable energy, especially solar energy, to non-grid, and rural electrification applications. Another milestone in this transition was the adoption of the Green Economy Accord, a wide-ranging commitment by organized labour, private sector, and civil society to promote the green economy as an economic driver.

South Africa views a green economy as a sustainable de-velopment path based on addressing the interdependence between economic growth, social protection and natural ecosystem. The green economy is a driving force of the wave of industrialization and is a key job driver identified in the New Growth Path. The Green Economy Accord sets ambitious targets for local procurement in the manufacturing and assembly, construction and installation of renewable energy plants and equipment, including solar panels, trackers, mirrors, metal frames, glass, wind turbine blades, towers, turbines and turbine components, electricity inverters and electricity co-generation through the use of by-product industrial heat.

You will also recall that the Green Economy Accord seeks to:

• Create 300 000 jobs in the clean energy sector and its associated value chain;
• Ensure 75% local content;
• Ensure that the State, through its entities invest R22 billion in green projects with commitment of R3 billion towards local manufacturing; and
• Create 50 000 jobs in the renewable energy sector; just to name a few targets.
• The Green Economy refers to two inter-linked developmental outcomes for the South African economy:
  • Growing economic activity (which leads to investment, jobs and competitiveness) in the green industry sector;
  • A shift in the economy as a whole towards cleaner indus¬tries and sectors with a low environmental impact com¬pared to its socio-economic impact.

These two outcomes are inter-linked because the one supports or enables the other. They are also linked to areas of rural development (since most natural resources are found in ru¬ral areas), service delivery (including access to energy, water and sanitation) and security (food and energy).

Numerous government documents, including the NGP and the National Development Plan (NDP), have pointed to the consideration that an ambitious programme of renewable energy generation should serve to catalyze a significant wave of economic benefits and industrial development. The NDP, proposes diversity and alternative energy resources and energy supply options.

The NDP identifies the country’s climate policy as the cornerstone for low carbon transition, and rightly so, for at least two reasons. First, the country has committed to reduce its carbon emissions below a set baseline of 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025 based on the Intended National Determined Contribution (INDC). Second, the proposed measures to adapt to and mitigate against climate change are inherently resource efficient, low carbon and lead to economic resilience.

After several attempts to develop an appropriate renewable energy procurement framework, an intra-governmental collaboration spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DoE) – via its Independent Power Producer (IPP) Office, executed the highly lauded,  Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPPP).

As required of a new development, the this programme reflects the country’s current developmental agenda – socio-economic development, support for black, youth, women and disabled-owned enterprises, job creation, attraction of foreign direct investment, stimulation of manufacturing activity, reduction of carbon emissions and diversification of the country’s energy mix for sustainability and energy security. The REIPPPP’s alignment with developmental policies and coordinated implementation of policies and frameworks such as the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) and the Green Economy Accord has ensured this alignment.

The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2 targets for renewable energy open up major new opportunities for investment and employment in manufacturing new energy technologies as well as in construction (NGP, 2011:31). South Africa has committed to reducing emissions by 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025, subject to adequate financial and technical support. The IRP 2010 of the Department of Energy proposed a reduction in the contribution of coal to total generation capacity from 83% in 2010 to 48% by 2030.

The power to make determinations for new energy sources and generation capacity is vested in the Minister of Energy as per the Electricity Generation Act, section 34. These pronouncements are to be guided by the IRP and the Integrated Energy Plan 7 that are products of extensive modelling exercises and industry and public stakeholder consultations, and the country’s current economic climate.

Provincial Green Governance Interventions

As the above mentioned is regarded as an intergovernmental collaboration I would like to recommend the development of an Implementation Protocol to be drafted and ratified as one of the key outcomes of this conference. This will assist with the energy governance in the Province. Key to the Minister’s powers taking effect, is the collaboration between government, private sector and civil society.

In terms of energy governance in the Province I would like to, on behalf of the Provincial Government, pledge our commitment to the following:

• Engage national and local government in the drafting and ratifying of an energy implementation protocol which will clearly outline the respective roles and responsibilities. This will include the empowerment of SMMEs in the Province within the energy sector.
• That the Office of the Premier will prioritize the sector and be the first point of entry in terms of the energy sector.
• The Establishment of a consultative body between National, Province and local municipalities.
• A renewable energy unit will be established in the Province.
• Through the finalization of the HRD Strategy, coordinated by the HRD Council skills development for the energy sector will be prioritized. This would include engineers, technicians (wind, solar, transmission network), technologists, technicians and artisans, and solar water heater installers.
• Designing a new model for Renewable Energy Community Trusts.

Finally, ladies and gentlemen, I wish you well in your further deliberations and we will look forward to the resolutions of this Conference, which will contribute to our government legislative framework and the effective implementation of our renewable energy policies.

I thank you

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Honourable Speaker and Madam Deputy Speaker
Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature
Honourable Members of the Executive Council
The Director General, Management and Staff of the Provincial Government
Distinguished Guests
Members of the media
The People of Northern Cape!

It gives me pleasure indeed to deliver this Budget vote in the year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of two of the greatest leaders this country has known, namely Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Speaker, we celebrate Madiba’s centenary not only as South Africans but also as citizens of this vast global village we call home. Plans are afoot both here and abroad to pay tribute to Tata Mandela’s legacy over the duration of his 95 years on this planet: especially the struggle for emancipation from apartheid and colonial bondage and the cause of influencing and building humane social relations across the world.

This year also marks the centenary of Ma Albertina Sisulu, another icon of our struggle who will be remembered for her unflinching commitment to the struggle for liberation, her tireless perseverance and deep compassion for the people of our country.

As we commemorate the centenary of the births of these humble yet gigantic stalwarts of our struggle, let us forever be mindful of their extraordinary moral strength and resilience over decades of persecution and hardship which inevitably, laid the basis to realize the founding principles of the Freedom Charter and ultimately gave rise to the development of the Country’ long-term plan, the National Development Plan.

I also wish to acknowledge and express our deepest appreciation to all the other stalwarts of our revolution, who became the founders of our democracy. The seeds of the democracy we enjoy today grew in the sacrifice of our people in their struggle against oppression in all its forms. The Freedom Charter’s vision is also contained within our country’s Constitution, as well as national and provincial goals and directive principles.

This budget vote speech is also delivered during youth month, albeit at the end of it, and in doing so, we want to pay tribute to the heroic endeavours waged by a courageous generation of young people who took on the might of the apartheid government. Hundreds of young men and women were brutally murdered as they were prepared to fight to the bitter end for the constitutional democracy we enjoy today.

Honourable Speaker

Last year we mentioned that in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness of Offices of the Premier in the country, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) developed a generic organizational structure for this purpose. This structure has been approved and we are in the process of implementing this revised organisational structure as well as aligning it to the Human Resource plan. We are confident of the trajectory we are on in terms of the reconfiguration of the office. The office will be better positioned to respond and discharge its mandate of ensuring a prosperous province with a quality life for all. This is consistent with the ideals and vision of Madiba.

Honourable Speaker

It is fitting to mention once again that this Administration remains accountable and can be trusted with the Tax-Payers’ Monies. This is evident in the fact once again that during this audit cycle, the three oversight departments, namely the Office of the Premier, Treasury and Legislature, attained a “Clean Audit”, which bodes well for the role that they have to exercise over the entire Provincial Administration.

Managing and monitoring Performance Information is integral to good governance and improving on planned services and activities. In its endeavours to improve the audit outcomes of Performance Information and thereby improving the quality of services, the Office of the Premier has, through the combined assurance concluded with the Provincial Internal Audit unit, provided leadership and ongoing support to departments on the development of Annual Performance Plans and Quarterly performance reporting.

We will continue to work towards improvements in delivering good and quality services to the people of the Northern Cape within the confines of good financial management prescripts, including the support that we are providing to municipalities.

The fight against corruption remains on the agenda of the Provincial Government so much so that we have ensured that all provincial departments have anti-corruption policies and strategies including anti-corruption implementation plans. When we say that we are serious on fighting corruption, we stand firm alongside the President of the Republic when he called for stronger action against corruption and crime; be it in the public or private sector.

Honourable Speaker

In 2017, the Office of the Premier hosted a successful Stakeholder engagement session with participants from both the private and public sectors on fighting corruption.

In reinforcing the need to inculcate anti-corruption measures I made a call at the session that collectively we should consolidate the ethos of public service and develop a conducive working environment that will prevent corruption, thereby ensuring that the relevant services are delivered to the public in an effective an efficient manner.

Ladies and Gentlemen

In our last budget speech we alluded to the fact that the process of developing the Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP) - Vision 2040 was at an advanced stage. We are happy to announce that the process of consultation in all the five districts is well underway. This will allow us to forge a people’s contract for growth and development.

We wish to make a humble plea to all our citizens, private sector representatives, public sector officials and academics to participate in and to seize the opportunities contained within this consultation process. Through participating in this process, you will exercise your rights and duties as citizens of this great Province. The successful realization of the implementation of the PGDP- Vision 2040 depends on the level of citizen participation and ownership.

Honourable Speaker

In order to ensure that the Premier and the Executive Council can effectively and efficiently utilise monitoring and evaluation information to track the performance of provincial government, the Office of the Premier will continue to build and strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation processes and practices within the provincial departments with the expected output of providing the citizens of the province with quality services and value for money.  

During the previous financial year, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation concluded a monitoring and evaluation capacity assessment in the Province. The outcomes of the capacity assessment will inform the development of the Provincial Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.  

Honourable Speaker
The Office of the Premier has the responsibility to ensure that the Provincial Evaluation Plan (PEP) is concluded in line with the requirements of the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME). To this end, we are happy to announce that we have received proposals for evaluation from departments.
The results of the evaluations will ultimately be directed at improving performance, accountability, decision making and generating knowledge on best practices for programme and policy improvements in the province.

Ladies and gentlemen

The Office of the Premier will continue to monitor the commitments that Departments made during the Citizen Based Monitoring Programme implemented during the last financial year in the Umsobomvu Municipality and for the 2018/19 financial year, the Citizen Based Monitoring programme will be rolled out in the Phokwane Municipality.

This year the province will also implement the new Frontline Service Delivery (FSD) model as outlined by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation which is designed at monitoring government services and activities through the adoption of an area–based strategy and integrated service delivery monitoring programme. This entails bringing together key stakeholders involved in the service delivery model so as to ensure that integrated planning and implementation takes place.

Honourable Speaker

The people of the Province can also take encouragement from the fact the Northern Cape Administration has also been consistently scoring 99% against the target of 90% set by the Presidency, in resolving the cases reported to the Presidential Hotline. Indeed we are a Government that listens to its People!

Similarly, our commitment to the people is further echoed by the fact that this Northern Cape Executive makes every effort possible to listen to the people of the Northern Cape, through the Executive Council Outreach programme of government.

Since the start of the Programme, it has evolved and it is now one of the Flagship Programmes of Provincial Government, spanning over twenty years of uninterrupted engagements with the people of the Northern Cape. The Programme has taken the Executive Council to the most far-flung areas of the Province to experience first-hand the living conditions of its people thereby affording the people an opportunity to interact directly with their elected leadership.   

Agbare Speaker

Hierdie program van die Regering sal voortduur om een van die programme van die ANC beheerde Regering te bly. Dit is ook duidelik en vanselfsprekend dat Regering se hulpbronne ingespaan sal word om hierdie program van die Regering te dryf. Ek is dit eens dat dit van kardinale belang is dat ons met ons mense persoonlik moet ontmoet en aanspreek dit wat hulle kwel. Hierdie program sal dus aanhou solank as wat die ANC die Regerende Party is. Ons weet almal dat dit sal baie lank wees!

The National Development Plan enjoins us to forge partnerships with all sectors in society for the attainment of a better and prosperous South Africa.  For this reason, we have been engaging with our partners in the private sector to roll out winter relief programmes for the elderly as well as construction of houses for the elderly, child-headed households and destitute families in need of decent shelter that we encounter on our community outreach engagements. We wish to express our gratitude to especially Standard Bank and Alexkor, for their noble and generous gesture for an on-going period and for working with Government to improve the lives of our poor and vulnerable. These are the types of collaborative partnerships that we often call for in all sectors in order to make it possible for us to move this Province forward for the benefit of its entire people.

Honourable Speaker
Huge strides have been made by the Office of the Premier in institutionalising the monitoring of Performance Information in support of the implementation of the Provincial Programme of Action and implementation of the departmental Annual Performance Plans.

Through the ongoing quarterly monitoring and analysis of the Programme of Action, the province is able to overcome institutional and service delivery bottlenecks and improve on the impact of services by highlighting areas of performance that require remedial action.

Ladies and Gentlemen

In our ongoing effort to promote skills development , the African National Congress led Government of the Northern Cape continues to put in place programmes aimed at developing young people as a means of addressing poverty and underdevelopment and in this regard, we remain committed to providing young people with broader opportunities; and strengthening youth service programmes. This is also being realised through partnerships which we build with various role players to provide opportunities to young people through skills development initiatives.

In furtherance of this commitment, the office initiated a two year Legal Internship Pilot Programme which saw the enrolment of 12 female LLB graduates. These graduates have been allocated to all 12 provincial departments which are responsible for their stipends and they have been placed at Law Firms around Kimberley. The aim is to equip them with practical experience which will prepare them to be employable both in government as well as in private practices.

As part of our efforts, the Office of the Premier, with the assistance of the SETAs, managed to assist 26 unemployed youth in terms of internships and work integrated learning programmes for the previous financial year.  

Honourable Speaker

Through our coordination efforts towards the development of and sustaining a skilled and capable workforce as outlined in Outcome 5 in the National Development Plan, we are pleased to report that for the 2017/18 financial year about 3401 young people from across the province benefitted from SETA supported learning programmes such as internships, learnerships, work integrated learning, skills programmes and apprenticeships. The Office of the Premier has enrolled two thousand one hundred and thirteen in the same programmes for this financial year.

The PSETA was able to assist us with the enrolment and placement of 20 disabled young people across departments for a one year learnership programme studying towards a National Certificate in Public Administration NQF Level 4.

Ladies and gentlemen

We have also signed a Memorandum Of Understanding with the Department of Roads and Public Works and the Construction SETA, which saw the enrolment of 80 learners into a one year Learnership Programme for IT and Artisans related skills. Learners participating in this programme are from the Frances Baard, ZF Mgcawu and Namakwa Districts respectively.

We have also facilitated the partnership between Department of Health with the Health and Welfare SETA towards skills development programmes, for both the employed and unemployed learners, to the value of R4.3 million.

Honourable Speaker

We are of the firm conviction that unemployed young people will benefit from all these interventions and their implementation will be monitored through the Provincial Skills Development Forum and reported to the Human Resources Development Council.
Furthermore, as part of our commitment to the development of young people in the province, the office has allocated almost 17 million rand, to the Premier’s Education Trust Fund for the 2018/19 financial year to make higher education opportunities available on a full-time basis for young people of the Northern Cape that possess academic potential but do not have the means to realize it.  A further contribution of 700 hundred thousand rand was also made by the Northern Cape Mine Managers Forum as well as a further amount exceeding 700 hundred thousand rand from Solar Reserve for bursaries, besides the existing contracts that we have with Solar Capital and Mulilo Holdings. In excess of 500 students will benefit from these bursaries and financial support. We will also continue to engage the Independent Power Producers and other private sector partners to formalise agreements so that learners from the Province can benefit on a larger scale.  

Honourable Speaker

The Office of the Premier annually sets aside 1% of the total personnel budget as required by law to train and develop its employees through the provision of bursaries, skills programmes as well as short courses and International Study opportunities.
One hundred and twenty two employees benefitted from the HRD initiatives within the Office of the Premier, during the previous financial year and a total of 120 will benefit from these initiatives in the 2018/2019 financial year.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it also gives me great pleasure to announce that two female officials applied for the International Scholarships Programme coordinated by DPSA through the Office of the Premier and were successful. They are studying towards the Masters Degree in Public Policy and Masters of Science in Human Resource   Management, in Australia and Ireland respectively.

Ladies and Gentlemen

The Northern Cape Provincial Administration encourages women to actively participate in our economy and seize the opportunities that our new democracy offers. Our constant message is to encourage women to unleash the enormous potential within them and make full use of the opportunities to enter into the mainstream economy. For this financial year, a total of R4.9 million has been made available to the Mme Reka Thusa Trust to assist previously disadvantaged women on economic empowerment initiatives in the Province that will end up contributing to the wider job creation programmes of the provincial government. We are in the process of fundraising from outside sources to augment this amount.

Honourable Speaker

The mandate of the Special Programmes unit within the Office of the Premier is to essentially drive transformation throughout the entire Provincial Administration. It is currently set up as per the following units, namely: Office on the Status of Women; Office on the Rights of the Child; Office on the Status of Persons with Disabilities and the Moral Regeneration Movement. With the changes to the current Organisational Structure, the following 4 components will be added to Special Programmes: Youth, Elderly, Change Management and Service Delivery Improvement Programmes. Moving forward, it will be known as the Provincial Transformation Programmes. Obviously these changes will come at a cost. However, these changes will be effected with necessary speed given the reality of the current fiscal challenges.  

Ladies and gentlemen

To this end, the Province has developed a Provincial Plan of Action for Children under the auspices of the Office on the Rights of the Child. At the heart of the plan is the creation of an enabling and supportive environment for children. We now have Child Ambassadors in all five our District Municipalities whose primary responsibility is to take up children-specific matters and escalate them to government for the necessary interventions. These Child Ambassadors are school going children from 12-17 years old chosen by the Departments of Education and Social Development respectively.

The Office has also developed the Child-Friendly-Communities (CFC) Framework as a guide to municipalities when developing their IDPs. The primary purpose of the CFC framework is to ensure that municipalities take up the issues of children seriously, such as safe parks and Early Childhood Development centres, to mention a few.

Last year, ladies and gentlemen, the province also hosted the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament (National Parliament). We are thus in the process of developing a Provincial Growth and Development Strategy for Children. The aim of the strategy will be to specifically isolate issues of development for our children. We have engaged with various strategic private sector partners such as Old Mutual, Vodacom, Transnet as well as Sun International with a view to bring them on board with Child Participation programmes. Old Mutual has started the process of training children on being prudent with money related matters. Before the end of this financial year, we will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the partners, clarifying both their roles and contributions.  

Ladies and gentlemen

The Office on the Status of Persons with Disabilities continues to ensure that the policy space is created to engage on solutions to the plight of the persons with disabilities. I’m pleased to announce that we have procured the Embosser machine which will help in generating documents in Braille. Stakeholders have also been trained on the implementation of the White Paper on Persons with Disabilities.

Further to this, partnerships have been forged with several strategic partners such as Petra Diamond Mine, National Home Builders Registration Council, Small Enterprise Finance Agency, National Youth Development Agency, amongst others, to drive the transformation agenda in the province. As a result, a highly successful Disability Rights Awareness Month was commemorated in 2017.  We have recently entered into a partnership with Ottobock, a German company, specialising in prosthetic sciences. We will be training 50 persons with disabilities on the repairing and servicing of wheelchairs. This training will be taking place in the JTG district. Once concluded the programme will be of benefit to the Department of Health, especially on the repair and servicing of wheelchairs. The intention is to roll it out to all the districts in the Province.   

Honourable Speaker

In response to the scourge of violence against women and children, we launched the Call-To-Action Campaign in the province last year. Symbolically, the call was for all to wear Black on Thursdays as part of spreading the message throughout.

Ladies and gentlemen

August 9th marks the 62nd Anniversary of the historic march of more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, to protest against the extension of pass laws to women.  We continue to use the state to strengthen the important position of women in our society, simultaneously giving recognition to their desire for change. Last year the province also hosted the national Women’s Day celebrations and it was a huge success with more than 18 000 people attending the event at Galeshewe Stadium.

Several Gender Based Violence (GBV) dialogues were held throughout the province during Women’s month. These dialogues were conducted in conjunction with the National Department of Women and Lefika La Phodiso, which facilitated the process. Consequently, we have initiated the development of the Provincial Gender Based Violence strategy, informed by these dialogues. We intend to launch the strategy before the end of this year. We are calling on all departments and municipalities to support the development of a coherent policy on Sanitary Dignity for our young girls and vulnerable women.

A high-level delegation, led by the Premier, attended the 62nd Session of the United Nations Commission of the Status of Women (UNCSW 62) in New York earlier this year. We are in the process of sharing the report and giving effect to the recommendations adopted at this session.
This year, Women’s Month will be celebrated in the context of the Triple Centenary Celebration (Madiba, MaSisulu and 100 years of the Bantu Women’s League). As a result, the Women’s Month will be launched through a 2-day Women Empowerment Seminar (1 & 2 August 2018). This year, the national event will take place in the Western Cape and as a province we will participate fully.

Honourable Speaker

We are pleased to announce that the Moral Regeneration Movement office has been re-established and fully functional. To date, all the District MRM structures have been launched and inducted with the assistance of the National MRM office. The province also hosted the national MRM month last year in July. Working together with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, we will host the Provincial Social Cohesion and Nation-Building Seminar before the end of this year.

Honourable Speaker

The Office has been able to minimize the reputational and legal risks emanating from litigation, through the intensified assistance it is providing to departments in the provincial administration.

Knowing the challenges that municipalities are facing, the Legal Services unit has signed legal support agreements with most municipalities, which will see them building capacity in municipalities through the provision of legal advice and assistance, as well as training on relevant legislative provisions.

Ladies and gentlemen

In the pursuit of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, the Office mediated between the Kimberley Artisanal Miners and the Department of Mineral Resources and Mining houses, a process which saw the successful resolution of the dispute in the awarding by the Department of Mineral Resources, of two mining permits to the Artisanal Miners. This process has now entered the second phase of us facilitating access by these Artisanal miners to the necessary public services in order to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

We have also intensified our intergovernmental relations, and are assisting the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform with the challenges being experienced in Communal Property Associations, to ensure that they adhere to legislative prescripts.

Honourable Speaker

We are in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Technologies are emerging and affecting our lives in ways you cannot imagine. In addressing our provincial Information Technology challenges, the establishment of an Information Technology Shared Service Centre (ITSSC) is under way. This Information Technology Shared Services Centre, once established, will drive the provincial Information Technology Agenda for provincial government and bring about radical service delivery improvement.

As a first step in addressing the Information Technology infrastructure challenges, the setting up and implementation of the Provincial Virtual Private Network, will be completed before the end of the current financial year.  

Honourable Speaker

The Office of the Premier continues to promote and facilitate effective intergovernmental relations between the different spheres of government. Intergovernmental forums serve as consultative platforms to discuss and resolve disputes amongst departments and municipalities. The Premier’s Intergovernmental Forum (PIGF) meets regularly and consults on broad developments in the province, as well as on the implementation of national and provincial policy and legislation.

The Northern Cape Province is also committed to building and strengthening relations with countries on the African continent and the world at large. As a result, the Office of the Premier has facilitated a number of outbound missions to other countries, namely, Namibia, China, Brazil and United Kingdom to deepen and intensify relations.  The areas of cooperation cover broad fields such as tourism, agriculture, trade and investment. The Northern Cape and Namibia are natural partners because we share the Atlantic coastline and a border with our common challenges of poverty and youth unemployment. These partnerships are beginning to yield the mutually beneficial results as our people and businesses are beginning to take advantage of this collaboration.

Honourable Speaker

The total budget allocation for 2018/19 for the Office of the Premier is R248.3 million compared to the R246.5 million allocated for the 2017/18 financial year.  The budget for Vote 1 decreased because R13.5 million of the total allocation is earmarked for funding specific once off Provincial projects; which in real terms reflects a negative growth in the budget.

Earmarked funds for the 2018/19 financial year received by the Office of the Premier include R 3.5 million for the Provincial Growth and Development Plan and the Spatial Planning Land Use Management ACT (SPLUMA).  R5 million has been set aside for the Planning Commission (institutionalisation of planning) and a further R5 million for the Northern Cape Premiers Educations Trust Fund.

Honourable members, the allocated budget for the respective programmes are as follows:

• Programme 1:    Administration with a budget allocation of R 111, 2 million
• Programme 2:    Institutional Development with an allocation of R 91, 4 million
• Programme 3:    Policy and Governance with a budget allocation of R 45, 5 million

Honourable Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen

In celebrating the invaluable and sterling contribution of Tata Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu, Government has initiated the Thuma Mina campaign, which seeks to reconnect government with the people of our country and at the same time improving the lives of our people. As part of this campaign we will also be hosting a number of events in celebration of the Mandela centenary month in pursuit of his legacy. The provincial launch will take place on the 1st July 2018 by way of an Interfaith Service followed by Mandela Fridays. Mama Sisulu’s centenary month in October will have a separate programme and it is envisaged that similar activities will be undertaken to commemorate her legacy.

We will use the Mandela and Mama Sisulu centenary to recommit ourselves to their values and principles. This is a call by government for all partners and society at large to practice the legacy of struggle icons such as Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu.
We call on our communities to actively participate in the various activities in order make a difference in the lives of our people, inspire change and make every day a Mandela day.

Honourable Speaker

I stand here today proud for what we have achieved amongst the many challenges for the people of this province, who have entrusted the African National Congress to create that better life that once was a distant dream. I also believe that working together; despite our differences, we will undoubtedly ensure a quicker realization of our aims and objectives and to propel the Northern Cape to greater heights. May we one and all become the vehicles for positive change and may we in unison rise to the challenge that lies ahead.

Thuma mina! I am here! I am ready! Send me!

Honourable Speaker

As I conclude, allow me to express my profound appreciation to the Director General and the entire staff of the Office of the Premier, as well as the staff in my private Office for all their hard work and support. I also wish to thank my family, my religious family in my parish as well as my family in the ANC for their invaluable support and guidance.

Moreover, together with my colleagues in the Executive Council, I can confidently state that we have a clear vision for the Northern Cape Province that will certainly yield economic prosperity, peace and stability for all.  

Allow me then Mr Speaker, Members of this august House, Ladies and Gentlemen, to present the Budget Vote of the Office of the Premier for the 2018/2019 year to be accordingly tabled for adoption.  

I thank you!
Baie Dankie!
Enkosi!
Kea leboga!