state of the province address - Mpumalanga State of the Province Address by Hon Premier DD Mabuza -...

state of the province address

24 february 2017

when the sun riseswe work hard to deliver

MpumalangaStateoftheProvinceAddressbyHonPremierDDMabuza-24February2017,Mbombela

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MpumalangaStateoftheProvinceAddressbyHonPremierDDMabuza24February2017,Mbombela

SalutationsMadam Speaker of Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, Mrs Blessing Thandi Shongwe and MadamDeputySpeakeroftheMpumalangaProvincialLegislature,MsVioletSiwela;CabinetMinisters:MinisterofTelecommunicationsandPostalServices,MrSiyabongaCwele,MinisterofStateSecurity,MrDavidMahloboandMinisterofPolice,MrNkosinathiNhleko;ForeignRepresentativeinSouthAfrica,AmbassadoroftheRussianFederationintheRepublicofSouthAfrica,HisExcellency,MrMikhailIvanovichPetrakov;South African Representatives Abroad: South African High Commissioner to the Republic ofMozambique, Mr MBM Mpahlwa and the South African High Commissioner to the Kingdom ofSwaziland,MrHHLMahlangu;Deputy Ministers: Deputy Minister of Deputy Minister of Transport, Ms LS Chikunga and DeputyMinisterofRuralDevelopmentandLandReform,MrsKCMashego-DlaminiDeputySpeakeroftheHouseofAssemblyoftheKingdomofSwaziland,MrsEsterDlaminiMembersoftheMpumalangaExecutiveCouncilsDistinguished Members of the Diplomatic Community; Mozambique Consul for Mpumalanga andLimpopo,MrsEsterTondo,andCounselloroftheEmbassyoftheRussianFederationtoSouthAfrica,MrAleksandrAgafonov,andMozambiqueConsularAttaché,MrPinésioSitoeEsteemedMembersoftheJudiciary;DeputyJudgePresidentP.M.MojapelooftheHighCourtofSouthAfrica,GautengLocalDivision,Johannesburg,andDeputyJudgePresidentAubreyLedwabaoftheHighCourtofSouthAfrica,GautengDivision,Pretoria.MembersoftheNationalAssemblyandpermanentdelegatestotheNationalCouncilofProvincesMembersoftheMpumalangaProvincialLegislatureNationalDeputyChairpersonoftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheHouseofTraditionalLeaders,IkosiSMahlanguChairpersonoftheMpumalangaProvinceHouseofTraditionalLeaders,KgoshiLMMokoenaThe national Chairperson of the Public Service Commission: Adv. RK Sizani and ProvincialCommissionerofthePublicServiceCommission,MrDSMkhwanaziThe Director-General of Mpumalanga Provincial Government, the Secretary to the MpumalangaProvincialLegislature,MrLindaMwaleExecutiveMayorof theCityofMbombelaLocalMunicipality,thecapitalcityoftheProvince,Cllr.SibusisoMathonsi,AllExecutiveMayors,Speakers,ChiefWhips,andCouncillorsofDistrictsandLocalMunicipalitiesTheProvincialCommissionerofPoliceMajor-GeneralBethuelMondliZumaHeadsofDepartment,CEO’sofParastals,Chapter9InstitutionsandMunicipalManagersProvincialChairpersonofSALGA,CllrMuziChirwaandtheentireprovincialleadershipofSALGAStalwartsandVeteransoftheLiberationStruggle;ANCProvincialSecretary,CdeMandlaNdlovuandtheentireleadershipoftheAllianceOurSpecialGuestMissSouthAfrica2016,MsNtandoyenkosiKuneneOfficialspresentRepresentativesoflabour,CivilSocietyfaith-basedorganisations,business,sports,traditionalandallsectors.EminentGroupofSocialCohesionChampions;LadiesandGentlemen,Ngiyanibingelela,Dumelang,Lotshani,Avuxeni,Ndimacheroni,Molweni,GoeieMore,GoodMorning


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TheContext1. HonourableSpeaker,thisyearwouldhavebeenthe100thbirthdayofMrOliverReginaldTambo-the late leader of the African National Congress who led the struggle for freedom, justice anddemocracy.Avisionaryofnote,anintellectualgiantandadiplomatparexcellence!

2. In1994wevotedforthefirsttimeforademocraticstatethususheringinanewdemocraticorderand respect for human rights. Our country was filled with hope for what we could become;optimisminthepotentialofallourpeople;andfaithintheinstitutionsofgovernment.

3. ThisiswhatMrTambohadfoughttoachievesothatwebuildanon-racial,non-sexist,democraticandprosperousSouthAfrica-whereallofusliveinfullenjoymentofhumanfreedom.

4. Asanation,wehavemadegreatstridestowardstherealisationof thesocietyenvisionedbyourforebears.

5. It isnot a textbook journey! Yet, it is one thrust upon us by circumstances of history.Wewillcontinueour effortsuntilwe arrive at our final hour – tirelesslypursuing the attainmentof theNationalDemocraticSociety!

6. When the ANC declared the Year 2017 as the year of Oliver Tambo, it was not a statement ofconvenience–butaclarioncallforallSouthAfricanstoreflectonthelifeofthisselflessservantofourcountryasweconfrontandtacklethechallengesofourtimes.

7. OliverTambowasacompassionateandprincipledleaderofallofus-notjusttheANC.Hislifeembodieduprightleadership,andservedasamoralcompasstowhichworldleaderscouldturntounderstandhowSouthAfricawouldnavigatetheevolvingchallengesofrepressionandisolationthatitwassubjectedto-bothathomeandinternationally.

8. Tambowasrelentlessinhispursuitforabettercountrywhereallpeopleirrespectiveofraceandgender, lived in dignity and at peacewith one another. This irrepressible spirit should be ourguidinglightwithinourfamilies,inourcommunitiesandourplacesofwork.

9. Evenindifficulttimes,heremainedfocusedonthepathtofreedom.Ourprevailingconditionsofhighunemployment,povertyandinequalityrequireofustoberesoluteinbuildingaprosperousMpumalangaandabetterSouthAfrica.

10. ThattheANCgovernmenthasmadeenormousprogressonanumberoffronts,cannotbedenied.Isitenough?Absolutelynot!

11. The challenges facing our people remain part of our daily lived reality. Let us remember thatOliver Tambo did not lead a struggle against one of the most brutal regimes - in comfort andconvenience.Therewerehardtimes,buthopeandbeliefinabetterSouthAfricainspiredhimtocontinuethefightforadifferentfuture.

12. Equally, our prevailing challenges must not lead us to despair, but should inspire us to findinnovative solutions and employ collaborative approaches that will produce a vibrant andcaringMpumalanga!

13. HonourableSpeaker,globallyanewworldorderseemstobeevolving.Wearewitnessingariseofpopulist nationalism both in the Americas and Europe. This may have serious socio-economicramificationsasaresultoftradeprotectionism,whichwouldimpactondevelopingcountriesandultimatelythelowerworkingclassesandthepoor.

14. Astheseshiftshappen,itisuswhowouldultimatelyfeelthepinch.Therefore,weneedtoreflectonourownstateofpoliticsandourchosendevelopmentpath.Weneedtoaskourselveswhetherwehavedoneenoughtorespondtotheplightofthepoorandthosethatmayfeelletdownbythestatusquo.


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15. Let us be clear, our enjoyment of individual and collective liberties brought about by thisdemocracyshouldnotbetakenforgranted.Ourshasnotjustbeenaboutdemocracy,butalsoaboutimproving the livelihoodsof the impoverishedmajority throughaccess toeducation,healthcare,water,housing,electricityandprovisionofsocialsecurity.

16. This occasion allows us to reflect on our achievements, to identify and acknowledge ourshortcomings,andtoputinplacemeasurestoaddresstheseshortcomings.Wemustforgeaheadwiththecommonpurposeofchangingthelivesofallourpeopleforthebetter.

17. Wedothiscomfortedbytheknowledgethattheprovincewelivein,isverydifferentfromtheoneweinheritedin1994andisripewithmyriadopportunities.

18. Thatbeingsaid,HonourableSpeaker,noneofuscandenythatsomearecynicalofthispictureofadifferentMpumalanga.Theirrealityisthattheyarewithoutgainfulemployment;theyarelivinginabjectpovertywithglaringinequalities.

19. It is thereforevery important thatasweaddress thisProvinceweshoulddoso inamannerthatbrings hope, restores faith and demonstrates government’s commitment to fighting the tri-facedmenacethatisunemployment,povertyandinequality.

20. As a province and a people we are in the process of writing a new story. In this story everyMpumalangacitizenisconcernedaboutthewellbeingofallothercitizensandthedevelopmentofourbeautifulprovince.Thisisthestoryofunity.

21. Wemust continue to build on the social solidarity that helped us to survive the horrors of theApartheidera.Thekindofsocialsolidaritywhich,throughhistoryandheritage,hasdemonstratedouraspirationstocreateacohesiveMpumalangasocietyunitedbyacommonvisionofpeaceandprosperity.

22. Peace and prosperity require stability. They require that voices are heard and aspirationssupported. Stability comes with understanding your environment, your strengths and yourchallengessothatyouareabletobesure-footedwhenyoutakeyournextsteps.

23. Collectively, we must transcend the legacy of our fractured past, racism, ethnicity, and divisiveparty political ideologies to imagine a new future for our children and generations to come, afuturefullofequalopportunitiesforallourcitizens.

24. Ourfuturemustbefoundedonunityandsocialsolidaritysothatweforgeaheadtodealwithourchallenges.

Nochild,BlackorWhite,mustfeelexcludedfromthefuturethatwearebuildingforthisProvince,Nochildmustdropoutofschoolbecausehis/herparentscannotaffordschoolfees,NopersonmustdiebecauseofpoorcareinourhealthfacilitiesNochildmustsleephungrybecauseofpovertyanddeprivation,Nofarmworkworkermustsuffertheindignityofabuseandtorture,No farmer, black or white, must relinquish farming for fear of being killed and deprived ofproductionland,Nowomanmustbesubjectedtoabuseandviolence,Noseniorcitizenmustbeabused,neglectedandleftdestitute,ANDThedreamofeveryyoungpersonmustbenurturedandnourishedtoblossom.

25. United by our common vision and purpose, let us put our shoulders to the wheel, break thebarrierstoprogressandbuildaprosperousProvince.

26. Noneofuscandenythatthereisgrowingcynicism fromcertainquartersofourpopulationwhoholdaviewthatthestatusquoisskewedinfavourofthefewwhohaveeconomicpower.Wemustalsoacceptthatsuchcynicismattimesistowardthoseinelectedpositions.


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27. Forthesepeople,theirlivedrealityisoneofjoblessness,povertyandglaringinequalities.28. Someof thecriticismlevelledatusas leaders, isofourownmaking.Wegetpreoccupiedbyourownresponsibilitiesofofficeandspend less timetalkingto thepeople andresponding to theirneeds.

29. Thearroganceof leadershipmustgiveway tohumility. Leadersmust listen to thepeopleandrespond to the issues raisedby our communities. All leadersmustmake themselves available toleadanduniteourcommunitiestoadvancethevisionofaProvincethatisunitedinitsdiversity.

30. ItisthereforeofcriticalimportancethatasweaddressthepeopleofthisProvince,wedosonotingthesecontrastingrealitiesandconfronttheminamannerthatbringshopeandrestoresthefaithofthepeopleintheirelectedgovernment.

31. Honourable Speaker, to honour the late Oliver Reginald Tambo we would like to position thecomingyearasoneofintegrityandservantleadership.Bythiswemeanfosteringacommitmentto reflect openly and honestly on our progress to date. Boldly identifying where we may havefalteredandfearlesslychartinganacceleratedcourseofaction,together,thatensureswemeetthetargetswehavesetforourselvesandourpeople.

32. Make nomistake, our people arenotmere passengers on this collective journey, they are ourdrivers,andwhenwetakeawrongturntheyaresurelyentitledtopointitoutandtoinsistthatwegetbackontrack.

TheMandate33. HonourableSpeaker,betweenourlastStateoftheProvinceAddressandnow,wehavesincehad

electionsforCouncillorsthatwillserveourpeopleatlocallevelforthenextfiveyears.Anumberofchallengesonbasicservicespersistinourvariousmunicipalities.Thetaskaheadisnoteasy,butdoable.

34. AsfortheProvincialGovernment,letusremindourselvesofthecontentsofourmandateasraisedin the 2014 Election Manifesto of the African National Congress, the Mpumalanga EconomicGrowth andDevelopment Path, ourMediumTerm Strategic Framework aswell as theNationalDevelopmentPlan.

35. Wepromisedourelectoratethatwewillfocuson;• Growingtheeconomyandcreatingdecentemploymenttoaddressthetriplechallengeof

unemployment,poverty,andinequality• Improvingthequalityofeducation• Improvingourhealthcaresystemtoensurethatweincreaselifeexpectancyandmitigate

thenegativeimpactofHIVandAIDS,andopportunisticdiseases• Ensuringthatourpeoplehaveaccesstobasicservicestoimprovetheirqualityoflife

36. Today,aswedoeveryyear,wehavecometoaccountontheprogressmadeoneachandeveryoneofthesekeypriorities.

GrowingtheEconomyandCreatingJobs37. HonourableSpeaker,despitetheeconomicheadwindswehavefacedinrecentpast,economicdata

showsthattheSouthAfricaneconomyavoidedarecessionin2015,butbarelygrewin2016.38. Withinthisoverallpatternofdeclininggrowth,limiteddomesticinvestmentintheeconomyby

the private sector has negatively impacted on the labourmarket and constrained our ability tocreatejobs.

39. Atthisdifficulttime,wecallupontheprivatesectorinvestintheeconomy,andjoinhandswithgovernmentaswenavigatechallengingeconomicconditions.


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40. Honourable Speaker, we strongly condemn the collusive behaviour of some banks on their

currencytradingplatformsasfoundbytheCompetitionCommission.Thisdoesnotbodewellforour economy and the confidence we need to inspire to build a dynamic globally competitiveeconomy.

41. The Provincial economy created 130 000 net jobs over the past five year period, achievingapproximately36percentofourannualjobcreationtargetduetolacklustreeconomicgrowth.

42. Morecouldhavebeenachievedifitwerenotforthesubstantialfluctuationinglobalcommodityprices,whichwas furthercompoundedbythedroughtweexperiencedover thepast twoyears.Theminingindustryshed23000jobsoverthesameperiod.

43. Over the past five years, 77 000 jobs were created in the Province in the community andgovernmentservicesmakingthepublicsectorthebiggestcontributortoemployment.

44. Wecontinuetomakesignificantheadwayinthefightagainstpoverty.TheshareofMpumalanga’spopulationbelowthepovertylineimprovedto36.3percentin2015from37.6percentin2011.

45. Whilst important strides have been made in setting our economy to work for the people ofMpumalanga,therearestillstructuralconstraintstoeconomicgrowthandjobcreation.

46. Honourable Speaker, the majority of our people who have remained trapped in poverty havedemonstrated remarkable patience, showing that they understand that centuries of structuraldamagebycolonialandsuccessivenationalistapartheidgovernmentscannotbeundone inafewdecades

47. Wecannotexpectthemtoremainpatientforever.48. True social transformation requires steady and sustainable economic growth, and here,

HonourableSpeaker,wehavefaltered.49. Whenweaddressedthiseminenthouselastyearwewereconfidentthatwewouldbeabletorally

ourresourcesand,inlinewiththeNationalNinePointPlan,boostinfrastructuredevelopmentas a means to attract investment, accelerate service delivery and drive economic growth andtransformation.

50. Wehavebeendisappointed.51. Wehavenotmovedattheenvisagedpaceduetoanumberoffactors,bothinternalandexternal.52. However, Honourable Speaker, we have taken action.We have investigated the challenges and

identified the shortcomings. The following areas will become cross cutting priorities in thecomingfinancialyear:• We have established stronger linkages between our service delivery departments and our

leadimplementingagentfor infrastructuredevelopment intheProvince, theDepartmentofPublicWorksRoads andTransport. Aswe refine and finalise our plans for 2017/18we arepleasedtonotetangibleimprovementsinourplanningandresourcingprocesses,includingaccelerationplanstoensurethatprojectsalreadycommittedtoareprioritisedandcompletedassoonaspossible.

• HonourableSpeaker, to furtherensure thatourbig ticket infrastructureprojectsarerolledoutasplanned,wewillbeestablishingaProvincialProjectManagementUnitcoordinatedbytheOfficeofthePremiertomanageandoverseethesecriticalprojectsfromstarttofinish.

• WherewehaveexperienceddelaysintheestablishmentofourInfrastructureDeliveryFund,we have ensured that in the interim we can employ our own resources to facilitate thecompletionofkeyinfrastructureprojects.


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• We will no longer find ourselves at the mercy of unscrupulous contractors and sub-contractors vying for personal gain at the expense of our people and the services they areentitled to. We have established a panel of experts from across disciplines in the builtenvironment andwewill be utilising their expertise in all infrastructure projects to ensurebothvalueformoneyandqualitydeliverables.

53. Honourable Speaker, we have noted that many in our communities are still unemployed anddesperatetoescapethepovertytrap.Itisthereforenotsurprisingthatsomeofourcommunitiesexpress their dissatisfactionwith the statusquobydisruptingactivities onourbuilding sites.Whilstthebehaviourisunacceptableandcausesunduedelays,itisunderstandable.

54. AsaProvincewehavecommittedtoensurethatallourinfrastructureprojectsareasinclusiveaspossible,andtothisend,boththeleadershipandourkeyofficialswillensurethattheappropriatesocialfacilitationprocessesaccompanyprojectplanningandrollout.

55. Honourable Speaker,we are investing invarious social and economic infrastructureprojects,whichintheyearunderreviewhasamountedtomorethanR2billion.

56. During this period of our electoral mandate, we have finished the reconstruction of 16 roadprojects totaling 284 kilometers, including the coal haulage grid.We have upgraded 74 kmofgravel roads in highly populated rural areas; and completed the blading of 10 644 km ofmunicipalroads;

57. Onhealthinfrastructure,wehavefinishedtheconstructionof8newcommunityhealthcentres,therevitalizationof5hospitals;therehabilitation,renovation,refurbishmentandmaintenanceof61healthfacilities;andthereplacementoflifesupportequipmentacrosstheProvince.

58. Oneducationinfrastructure,wehavefinishedconstructionof5boardingschools;replacementof28unsafeschools;completionofbasicservicesandsanitationprojectsin222schoolssince2015;construction of 24 Grade R facilities; and construction of 6 new secondary schools. We havefinishedtheconstructionof9newlibraries.

59. Aspartofourinfrastructureportfolio,wearepleasedtoreportthattheconstructionofthestate-of-the-artMpumalangaTrafficCollegehasbeencompleted.

60. Overthelasttwoandhalfyearsofthecurrentadministration,wehavemadeprogressintherolloutofkeymunicipalinfrastructuretoimprovethequalityofservicedelivery.

61. Wehavesuccessfullyfinished327waterinfrastructureprojectsbenefiting350259households;165sanitationprojectsbenefitting285065households;85electrificationprojectsbenefiting48140households;17 solidwastedisposal and treatmentprojectsbenefiting146835households;250kmof roadandstormwaterconstructed invariousmunicipalities;andwehavedrilled582boreholesequippingvariousmunicipalities.

62. Honourable Speaker, although limited resources remain a major obstacle to infrastructuredelivery,atotalofR1.9billioncapitalinvestmenthasbeensetasidetocontinuetheconstructionandcompletionofthevariousroadupgrade,flooddamageandrehabilitationprojects.

63. This is by no means a small achievement. No young democracy like ours anywhere in thedevelopingworldhaseveraccomplishedwhatwehaveachieved.Lethistory judge theANC led-governmentontheseachievementsandnothingelse.Leveragingstatepowerfortheradicalsocio-economictransformationagenda

64. Honourable Speaker, our infrastructure delivery programme creates an important platform toleveragestateprocurementfortargetedenterprisedevelopmentinthebuiltenvironmentvaluechain.

65. Wewill focus on deliberatelybuilding the capacity of local communities to participate in theconstructionandmaintenanceoftheirowninfrastructure.


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66. We will also take necessary measures to scale up emerging contractor developmentprogrammes toensuremeaningfulparticipationofpreviouslydisadvantagedgroupswithin theconstructionsector.

67. Inthisregard,wehaveadoptedaSocialEnterpriseModelwhichseekstounlockopportunitiesforcommunity-based SMMEs and cooperatives tomanufacture and supply constructionmaterialsfor government infrastructure projects such as integrated human settlements, roads, schools,hospitals,pavingforaccessroadsandmaintenanceofpublicinfrastructure.

68. Themain aim is to supportblack-ownedenterprises in themanufacture of bricks, doors, tiles,trusses,concretepipesandmanyotherproductsintheconstructionenvironment.

Revitalisationoftownshipandruraleconomies69. HonourableSpeaker,asaProvincewearenowconsolidatingtheimplementationofanumberof

programmes in line with theNine Point Plan. These are already in the pipeline, including therevitalizationoftownshipandruraleconomies.

70. Over the past year, we allocated R80 million to ensure the success of this programme. Thisamountwasintendedtostimulateeconomicactivitythroughfinancialandtechnicalsupporttoarangeofsmallandmediumenterprises.

71. Amongst MEGA’s interventions was the rehabilitation, of industrial premises in formerhomelands and the establishment of partnershipswith financial institutions for further fundinginitiatives.

72. ProgressintheestablishmentoftheSMEFundhasbeenslowerthananticipatedbuttheprocessisclose to finalisation. Once finalised, this will be capitalised at R500 million in joint fundingsupportedbyMEGAandStandardBank.

73. Through this partnership with Standard Bank, we will enhance our capacity to fund thedevelopmentofSMMEsandcooperativesintownshipsandruralareas.

74. Notwithstanding delays on this front, we have made strides in the disbursements of fundingsupporttosmallbusinessesandcooperatives.Todate,thevalueofloanapplicationsthatMEGAreceivedstandsatR72.7million.Theseareatvariousstagesofevaluation.

75. Loans totalling an amount ofR49.8millionwere approved andR6.3millionwill benefitwomenR7.4millionwill support youth owned enterprises. R36.9million is directed to rural enterprisesandtownshipenterpriseswillbenefitfromR2.35million.

76. Theanticipatedtotalnumberofjobscreatedthroughthissupportis1428.77. As government, we have resolved to use state buying power to procure goods and services

producedandsuppliedbytownshipandruralSMMEsandcooperatives.78. ThesupplyoffreshproducefortheGovernmentNutritionProgrammetoschools,hospitals,ECD

centres and theTraffic Collegewill soon bemanaged and provided by designated cooperativeslargelyownedbywomenandtheyouth.TheExecutiveCouncilhasapprovedthedeliverymodelandsetApril2017asadateforimplementation.

79. Ourplanistoempowerourpeoplestartingfromthemanufacturersandorproducersrightuptotheendofthevaluechain.

80. Equally,wecallon theprivatesectorpartners to followsuitespecially those in thewholesaleand retail sector to support cooperatives that are in fresh produce, particularly fruits andvegetables.


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81. Wearecollecting furtherdata fromallourmunicipalitiesonanyexistingsmallbusinesses thatareeither intheagriculturalormanufacturingsectors.Thisdatawillassistustounderstandthecapacityofthesebusinessesandpreparetargetedinterventionswhereneeded.

82. Honourable Speaker, radical socio-economic transformation requires that we take bold anddecisive action to deconcentrate patterns of economic ownership and participation through thetargeteddeploymentofstateresourcesinsupportofblack-ownedenterprisesinmanufacturing,agricultureandagro-processing,aswellastourismandservices.

83. Inthecomingyear,wewillcommencewiththeimplementationofkeyeconomictransformationinitiativestodrivethedevelopmentofblack-ownedbusinesses.

84. As government,wewill designatea range of products and services and introduce transversalcontracts to achieve cost-effectiveness and efficiencies whilst ensuring that state procurementcreatesopportunitiesforentrantsintothemainstreameconomy.Theseproductsandserviceswillinclude:• Cleaningmaterialsanddetergents– inthisregard,wewill focusonsettingupfacilitiesfor

themanufactureofchemicalsandcleaningmaterialstosupplygovernment.• Schoolandofficefurniture–thisisintendedtocreatecapacityforthemanufactureofwood

products,includingfurnitureforschoolsandgovernment• Printingofgovernmentmaterials–herewe intendtoprovidesupport tocooperativesand

small printing businesses to undertake printing works for government to ensure theestablishmentorexpansionofblack-ownedprintingcompanies.

• Meeting and Conferencing facilities – here, we want to support the establishment of highcapacity black-ownedmeeting and conference venues with the capacity between 5000 and7500seats.

• Travel andaccommodation services– in this regard,wewill support the establishment orexpansionoftravelagencies.

• Animalfeedsupply,–wewillbegintosupporttheestablishmentorexpansionofblack-ownedanimal feed production enterprises linked to DARDLEA’s agriculture production supportprogrammes.

• SupplyofFertilisersandseeds–wewillexplorethefeasibilityofestablishingablack-ownedfertiliser manufacturing plant to supply government supported projects as well as theestablishment of Nurseries to supply seedlings to government supported fresh produceenterprises.

• Schooluniform,protectiveclothing,hospitallaundryandpatientgowns–inthisregard,weintend to identify opportunities for youth and women-owned cooperatives to supplygovernmentrequirements.

85. HonourableSpeaker,webelievetheseradicaleconomictransformationinitiativescanbeachievedif there isacollectivewill to transformoureconomic landscape.Untilwegetdowntodoingthedifficultthingsandboldlychartinganewcourse,thestatusquoofskewedeconomicownershipandparticipationwillremain.LandReformandRuralDevelopment

86. HonourableSpeaker,landreformisafundamentalpolicyofgovernmentandisanecessaryroutetothefullrealisationoftheFreedomCharterthroughtherestorationofdignitytothe landlessanddispossessedmajority.


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87. Our government has to date, through the land reform programme, acquired and allocated461946Hectares for land redistribution and a further 503 769Hectares for the settlement oflandclaims.Intheprocess,atotalofalmostR7,5billionhasbeenspentbygovernmentontheseacquisitions.

88. It isofgreatconcernthatdespitesuchinvestment,mostofthesefarmsarelying fallowwithoutany agricultural activity. This is not right and cannot be accepted. It undermines our efforts ofaddressing the landquestion. It affects the agendaof growing the agricultural sector to addressfoodsecurity,andofcreatingmuchneededjobsfortheunemployed.

89. ThesituationisfurtherexacerbatedbyinfightingwithinCommunalPropertyInstitutions,whichholdownershipoftheseassets.Insteadofpeoplefocusingonworkingtheland,muchoftheirtimeisspentfightingoverthelimitedresources.

90. Thestateofdysfunctionalityandnon-complianceoftheseTrustsandCPAsisofmajorconcern.Theyinadvertentlythreatenpeaceandstability insomecommunitiesas isthecaseinMpakeni-Mlegeni.

91. Weareconsciousofthechallengesfacedbyfarmdwellersandfarmworkers.Ourgovernmentisworkingwith theDepartmentofRuralDevelopmentandLandReform, the landownersand thefarmdwellers/workerstofindnegotiatedsolutionstoprevailingproblems.

92. ThebeneficiariesoflandreformhavethroughtheOfficeofthePremier,thePublicProtector,theLegislatureandthePresidentialhotline,reportedanumberofchallenges.

93. It is for these reasons that as the Provincial Government we are approaching the land reformprogramme as a critical pillar of our transformation to bring about equity and dignity to allSouthAfricans.

94. Our land reform programme must be anchored to our agenda of growing the agriculturalsectorforbothdomesticconsumptionandexportstointernationalmarkets.ThisisimportantforusasaProvincebecausethissectorcontributes3.4%oftheGrossDomesticProduct,accountingfor630000formaljobs.

95. AsGovernment,wehaveintherecentpastrespondedtothedecline inproductivitybyengagingstakeholders through various forums, including the National Land Summit in 2005 and theVulnerableWorkersForumin2010.

96. To take this process forward and to comprehensively respond to these issues, we will in thecourse of nextmonth, host aProvincial Land Summit to discuss pertinent policies and issuesaffectingthelandreformprogramme.

97. Honourable Members, alongside our efforts to address land challenges, we need to urgentlyintervenetoimprovethesocio-economicconditionsoffarmdwellers toensurethat, likeallofus, they live in environments that support their full enjoyment of socio-economic rights anddignity.

98. IampleasedtoreportthattheCommissionontheSocio-EconomicConditionsofFarmDwellerscompleted and presented its report in September last year. The report raised critical issuesaround security of tenure, the violation of rights, and matters related to poor access to keyinfrastructureandsocialservicessuchaseducation,health,housingandbasicservices.

99. Inthecomingfinancialyear,wewillimplementanintegratedprogrammeofactiontoaddressthe recommendations contained in the Commission’s report. An institutional coordinatingstructurelocatedintheOfficeofthePremierwillmobiliseallkeystakeholderstoworktogethertodeliverprogrammesthatwillchangethelivesoffarmdwellersforthebetter.


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RevitalisationofAgricultureandagro-processing100. HonourableSpeaker,wewillcontinueto focusonagricultureasonethekeysectors todrive

industrial development and job creation. The establishment of the International FreshProduceMarket remains our critical lever to stimulate increased agricultural production tosupplydomesticandinternationalmarkets.

101. Constructionofkeyinfrastructureisunderway,andweurgeallourfarmerstounite,organisethemselves,andensurethatwearereadyforincreaseddemandtosupplytheAgri-parksandtheInternationalFreshProduceMarket.

102. Government is moving with speed to implement Agri-parks in all three Districts of ourProvince. Two Farmer Production Support Units have already been developed by theDepartmentofRuralDevelopmentinBushbuckridgeandNkomazimunicipalitiesrespectively.

103. TheFeedlotinMzintiiscompletewhilethepackhouseinBushbuckridgeis90%completeatacostofR20million.

104. Honourable Speaker, we are pleased that the Fortune 40 young incubator programme ismaking progress by promoting the participation of youth in the agriculture sector. In itsfullness,thisprogrammewillseetheempowermentof20youthownedSMMEsand20youthowned cooperatives fully integrated into the agricultural sector.Wemustmake agricultureattractivetoyoungpeoplenotonlyasameansofemploymentbutasabusiness.

105. To this end, through this programme we have secured 15 farms, with eight of these beingprovided with required infrastructure including tractors to enable the farms to start withproduction.Sevenofthesefarmsareinproductionandarealreadysellingtothemarket.

106. Our focus for theyear in thisprogrammeis theprovisionof inputsandthedevelopmentofinfrastructure in these farms including irrigation, broilers,mechanization, pack-houses andfencingtothetuneofR81,917million.

107. Each farm was allocated a full time extension advisor to oversee andmentor these youththroughout the production cycle. We are also subjecting these young people to technicalagriculturalandfarmingbusinessmanagementskills.

108. We will have interactions and enter into agreements with Amakhosi as part of supportingagricultural activity on communal land and thisprocess will identify land that is under-utilisedtobringitintofullproduction.

109. Wewill also continue toupgrade the Nooitgedacht Research Farm to build our researchcapabilities in order to support farmers across a range of farming activities with soundresearch.

110. We have already procured a state of the art soil testing machine for the soil testinglaboratory.Thiswillensurethatfarmingiscarriedoutwithscientificrationaleandrigorandthatallfarmsweareservicingwithinputs,aremappedwithuptodatesoilinformation.

111. Other agricultural projects include the re-commissioning of the Bushbuckridge poultryabattoiraswellasthefarmersupportprogrammetoassistfarmerstoproducesoyaandmaizetosupplytheLekwaOilseedCrushingPlantinStanderton.

112. We are also exploring the viability of re-opening of theMarapyane Agricultural College,whichislocatedinDrJSMorokaMunicipalityinNkangala.WeneedaCollegethatwilloperateas a farmer-training centre to cater for famers to ensure continuous improvement of theirskillsandexpertise.

113. HonourableSpeaker,oursuccess inagriculturecalls forcollaborativepartnershipsamongkeystakeholders,includingemergingandcommercialfarmers,manufacturersofagriculturalmachinery,theProvincialgovernment,aswellasuniversitiesandresearchinstitutions.


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114. IamprivilegedtoannounceourpartnershipwiththeMpumalangaShowtostageoneofthebiggest, unique anddiverse agriculture, forestry,wildlife and tourism shows in the country.This showwill create a platform for innovative collaboration and exchange of ideas amongindustryplayers.

GrowingourTourismindustry115. HonourableSpeaker,thetourismindustryintheProvinceisoneofourmoststrategicsectors

andhasthepotentialtogrowoureconomyandcontributetojobcreation.116. Despite the lacklustreglobaleconomicgrowthand thedecline indisposable income, foreign

and domestic tourists have been steadily visiting our shores. Over 1.3 million internationaltourists visited Mpumalanga in 2015 with international tourists spending R3 billion in ourprovince.

117. As government,we took a decision to invest in our tourism infrastructure to improve thetourismexperienceinourfacilities.

118. We can report that construction work at Manyeleti is progressing well despite initialchallengesexperiencedwithcommunityfacilitation.AllpriorityinfrastructureupgradeswillbecompletedbytheendofAprilthisyear.

119. Wehaveappointedthetransactionadvisertoassistwithpackagingnewcatalyticprojectstoattractinvestmentforthedevelopmentofnewtourismproducts.

120. ThedevelopmentoftheSkyWalk,CableCar,andthe5-starBourke’sLuckhotelarepriorityprojects that have already been registered with National Treasury for public-privatepartnerships.

121. Weare pursuing the nomination of theBarbertonMakhonjwaWorldHeritageSite. The draftnomination dossier was submitted to UNESCO in September 2016.We are now in the finalstages of the compilation of the nomination dossier and hope for a positive outcome in thisregard.

122. AspartofpromotingMpumalangaasadestinationofchoice,wehavelaunchedaConventionBureau to attract and host major international events, conferences and exhibitions. TheConventionBureauwill also provide support to the industry to host signature events in theProvince.

123. Wewillneed to complement this initiativewitha clear strategyon InternationalAirRoutes,andtargetspecificairlinestoflydirectlytoourProvince.TheCityofMbombelamustpursuewithvigourtheissueofbuildinganInternationalConventionCentreandattractingatleastonetopbrandhotel.

124. Anotherexciting initiative is thepartnershipwith theUralAssociationofTourism inRussia,whichwillhostten(10)touroperatorsfromMpumalangainYekaterinburgtoexposethemtothetourismpotentialofthatregion.Inreturn,asimilardelegationfromRussia’sSverdlovskRegionwillvisitourProvinceinMay2017 to document our tourism sites for promotion among tourists in their region. Thisexchangewillassistinexpandingourtourists’base.

125. IhavesinceassignedtheMECforEconomicDevelopmentandTourismtoworkonthisproject,and to ensure that our participation at the International Trade Exhibition to be held inYekaterinburginAprilisasuccess.

126. On new investments, I am pleased to announce a new public-private partnership tourismventure, between Graskop Gorge Lift company in Graskop, Thaba Chweu Local MunicipalityandtheNationalEmpowermentFund.


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127. AnoutdoorPanorama liftwill be constructed,whichwill ferrypeopleup anddown the cliffintothegorgewherevariouselevatedwalkwayssuchastreetopwalks,escarpmentwalksandrivertrailswillallowvisitorstoexplorethisuniqueenvironment.

128. The objective is to develop the GraskopGorge into an adventure center thatwill serve as amajortourismnodeonthePanoramaTouristRoute.

129. Supportingthisoutdoorliftsystemwillbeanewlyconstructedretailcomplexthatwillprovideamultitudeoftourismproductsandservicesincludingarestaurant,bar,retailoutletsandkidsplayarea.

130. TheSecondphaseof thisprojectwill includea40-bedBoutiqueHotel.Whencompleted thisventurewillcostoverR60million,creating46directjobsand32indirectjobs.

131. Therewillbemoreseasonaljobscreatedinandaroundthisventure.Unemployedwomenandyoutharetargetedforthesejobs.TheGraskopGorgeprojectisexpectedtocommenceassoonasnextmonth.

132. Honourable Speaker, central to all these initiatives are deliberate actions towardstransformationofthetourismsectortoeliminatebarrierstoentryandbroadenownershipandparticipationbypreviouslydisadvantagedindividuals.

133. ThiswillincludeleveragingstateprocurementtosupportthegrowthandexpansionofBlack-ownedenterprisesacrossthetourismvaluechain.

Strengtheningpartnershipswiththeprivatesector.134. Honourable Speaker, the context of limited fiscal resources calls for more innovative and

collaborativepartnershipswiththeprivatesectorandStateOwnedEnterprisestorespondtoeconomic growth and unemployment challenges. Our success is dependent on sustainablepartnershipsbetweengovernment,business,labourandcivilsociety.

135. Our partnership with ESKOM has seen a number of initiatives that have contributed toenterprise development and job creation in the Province. The construction of Kusile PowerPlant over the last few years has catalysed economic activities around Nkangala District,therebyimpactingpositivelyonjobcreation.

136. As we move forward, we should be cognisant that the Kusile Power Plant presentsdownstream opportunities from their Fly-ash and Synthetic Gypsum which are majorapplications in construction and agriculture. Wewill collaborate with Eskom and other roleplayers and come up with concrete multi-year action plans on how to beneficiate theseproducts.

137. This downstream industrial development will benefit black industrialists and create newexportcapabilitiesfortheProvince.

138. Wealso appreciate the contributionEskomhasmade in supporting enterprise developmentaround each of their power stations. Last year they committed R30m for CooperativeDevelopmentthatbenefits three(3)cooperatives foreachpowerstation.Thesecooperativeswillcreateatotalof145directjobsand415indirectjobs.

139. HonourableSpeaker,wealsowelcomeSasol’scontributiontotheeconomyoftheProvince.140. ThecompanyisinvestingR6billionintheconstructionofaFineAshDam6(FAD6)inSecunda,

whichisasignificantinvestmentwithhighimpactintermsofenterprisedevelopmentandjobcreation.

141. This project which will span over three decades, is already employing 481 people and hassubcontracted 102 small businesses owned by local people at the pre-first phase stage.Weexpectthatthisinvestmentwillbenefitlocalcontractors.


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142. Sasolwill alsopartnerwithus to support initiatives likebuilding clinics, community centresandschools.Furthermore,thecompanyhasalsoagreedtoabsorbsomelearnerswhohavebeencompletingartisanshipswithHydraArcinSecunda.

143. Honourable Speaker, we are also working closely with SAPPI on the development of theNgodwanaProject,whichwillcontributeatotalofR13bntoMpumalanga’seconomyover20years leading to 300 jobs during construction and a BBBEE procurement spend of ±R626million.Ofthistotal,R51millionwillbespentonSMMEstherebycreatingmuchneededjobs.

144. Honourable Speaker, we are strengthening partnerships in the mining sector to addresschallenges brought about by the closure of a number of mines leading to retrenchments.Mining remains an important sector of our economy contributing 25.9% of our GDP andemploying53000people.

145. TheclosureofGlencore’sOptimumCollieryandthetragicincidentattheLilyMineisonesucharea where we have had substantial job losses. Last week, together with the Minister ofMineralResources,wevisited thismineand thousandsofworkersand theirdependentsarenowdestituteandlivingindehumanisingconditions.

146. As government the government of Mpumalanga we continue to work closely with multiplestakeholdersinthesector,tolimitthenegativeconsequencesofthissituation.Wehavetofindinnovativewaystorevivesuchmines.

147. Our approachwill have to be bold and innovative. That iswhat the situation demands. WehavedirectedMEGAtoexplore theviabilityofutilising itscurrentminingholdingsasabasefromwhichtobuildadiversifiedstateownedminingcompany.Wecannothaveminingassetsinthisprovincethatarelyingidleandunproductivewhenunemploymentisthishigh.

148. This initiative will not only create new jobs but will also practically demonstrate ourcommitment to the growth and development of a sector that will remain a significantcontributortoourGDPforsometimetocome.

149. Iamexcitedthatdespitethisnegativeoutlookinthesector,wearepartneringwithExxaroonskills development and enterpise development to ensure that we respond to the plight ofcommunitieslivingaroundtheirmine.IamalsoexcitedthattheyhavedecidedtoinvestintheProvincetothetuneofR3,8billioninBelfast.Thisinvestmentwillcreate1160newjobsandtheGDPimpactovertheentirelifeofthemineisR39billion.

150. Aspartofthisdevelopment,Exxarowilldonate80Hectaresoflandtoestablishanagri-villagetoaccommodatetheresettlementof32householdsaffectedbytheestablishmentofthismine.ExxarowillalsoinvestR50millionaspartoftheresettlementofthesefamilies.Asgovernment,wearecommittedtoworkwithExxaroasthisisamodelofsustainablebusinesspractice.WealsowelcometheirinvestmentinLeeuwpanMinetoensurethatitslifeisextendedby10moreyears,thussaving1200permanentjobs.

151. HonourableSpeaker,wearebuoyedbyHighveldSteel’sannouncementthatitsStructuralMillwillberestartedduringthesecondquarterof2017.

152. HighveldSteel, togetherwithArcelorMittal SouthAfrica concludedaContractManufacturingAgreement that will result in the only medium to heavy Structural Mill in South AfricarestartedafterHighveldceasedproductionin2015.

153. WearehappythatthisrestartwillcreatemuchneededjobsinMpumalanga.IntegratedandSustainableHumanSettlements154. HonourableSpeaker,ourphysicalwellbeingisasmuchafactorofourbodilyhealthasitisa

factoroftheenvironmentwithinwhichwelive.


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155. Forthosewhohavenoaccesstotheamenities thatmanymoreofustakeforgranted,theirdaily life remains a struggle tomeet basic needs rather than an opportunity to explore anddefineaprosperousfutureforthemselvesandtheirfamilies.

156. Decenthousing,andthebacklogcreatedbythedysfunctionalandinequitableinvestmentanddevelopmentpatternsofapartheidremainsapriority,butsotooistheabilityofourcitizenstoaccessbasicservices,schools,healthcare,openspaces forrecreation,suitablesportsgroundsandappropriateplacesofworship.

157. Ourworkhasevolvedawayfrommerelyprovidingmuchneededhousingunitstothepeopletowardsaholisticapproachthatconsidersthebroaderbasketofsocio-economicneedsandthisisevidentinoursettlements.

158. We have taken our cue from the United Nations Habitat approach, and our planning andinvestment now considers a range of cross cutting issues including social inclusion, localeconomicdevelopment,urbanprosperityandenvironmentalstability.

159. Currently,HonourableSpeaker, ourapproach is to implementourprogrammes, existingandfuture in the prioritised areas that experience shortages in respect of basic services, or facerapidpopulationgrowth.Assuch,ourkeyhumansettlementprojectsarebeingimplementedacrosstheProvince.

• Themore thanR1billion invested inprojects inEhlanzeniwill result in thecompletionofatotal of 6 652 housing units in Mashishing, Sabie, Tekwane North and South, Mjindini andMalelane.

• We set aside more than R5.8 billion for integrated human settlements projects in the GertSibande.Thesewillcompriseof4000unitsinStandertonExt.8;3500unitsinBalfourRidge;626unitsinWesseltonExt.7;and5465unitsinEmzinoni.

• InNkangalaweareinvestingR2,47billiontobuild11450units inSiyanqoba,1500unitsatDuvhaPark,3300unitsinSiyathuthukaand2200unitsinRockdaleExt.

160. Theroll-outoftheseprojectshasseenthecreationofmorethan3000jobopportunities.AccesstoBasicServices161. Honourable Speaker, I am sure that you will agree with me that any human settlement

programmewithoutthefullspectrumofbasicservicesislittlemorethanahouseofcards.162. Access to basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity, and refuse removal is what

makesourlivingspacesliveable.163. When the Statistician-General, Mr Pali Lehohla, presented the Statistics South Africa

Community Survey in 2016, he commended Mpumalanga Province on its sterlingperformanceintheprovisionofbasicservices.

164. Wherewehavenot excelled is reflected in the fact that only39.4% of ourhouseholdshaveaccesstoweeklyrefuseremoval.Whilstwearedisappointedwiththisfigurewehavechosento focusonthegreeneconomyaspectsofwastemanagementasamechanismtodealwiththewastechallenge,whilstsimultaneouslycreatingeconomicandemploymentopportunities.

165. HonourableSpeaker,whilst thenumberofhouseholds intheProvincecontinuesto increaseyearonyear,wecanreportthat90.7%ofthesehouseholdshaveaccesstoelectricity.

166. Current electrification projects across the Province will see a further 900 householdsbenefittingwithinthisyear.

167. Wecannot,however,speakto issuesofaccesstoelectricitywithoutacknowledgingthedirecircumstancesthatsomeofourmunicipalitiesfoundthemselvesinJanuary.


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168. eMalahleni,Mkhondo,Mbombela,Lekwa,Msukaligwa,andChiefAlbertLuthulimunicipalitiesfacedimminentelectricitycutsasaresultoftheexorbitantamountsowedtoEskom.Whilstwemanaged to avert a crisis at the time, the predicament persists. It is a complex systemicproblem and we have committed, through our department of Cooperative Governance andTraditionalAffairs,andourProvincialTreasurytosupportourlocalgovernmenttoresolvetheissuesstrategicallyandmanagefuturetransactionssustainably.

169. Honourable Speaker,88% of our households haveaccess to cleandrinkingwater and thisreflectsanadditional150933householdssince2011.

170. It is however inexcusable that only 49% of our households have access to the minimumrequiredstandardofsanitation.

171. DuringtheStateoftheProvinceaddresslastyear,wereiteratedourcommitmenttospendingalargeportionofourinfrastructurebudgetontheprovisionofwaterandsanitation.

172. Thatcommitmentwillremainwithusuntilacriticalmassonwaterandsanitationhasbeenreached.

173. Testament to this commitment is the fact that, with the 2016/17Municipal InfrastructureGrant (MIG)allocation ofR1.8billion,265projectsarecurrentlybeing implementedacrosstheProvince.

174. Watersupplyandsanitationare themost importantbasicservices fundedthroughMIG forpoorcommunitiesandassuch,58%ofthegrant,whichamount toR1billion, isprioritisedfor 149 water and sanitation projects. The remaining 42% amounting to R768 million iscommittedto116projectsthatwillincludeelectricity,solidwaste,roads,andsportsfacilities.

175. Thefollowingprojectsarecurrentlyunderway:• InGertSibandeweareimplementing47waterandsanitationprojectstothevalueofR215million. Of the 47 projects under implementation, 7 are completed benefiting 8 124householdsinvariousmunicipalitiesandcreating129jobopportunities.

• In Chief Albert Luthuli a water project in Elukwatini B is completed, benefiting 2 410householdswithafurther2sanitationprojectsinEmanzanaandElukwatinibenefiting5034households.

• InGovanMbekiwedrilled25boreholesinfarmareas,benefiting230households.• InDr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme awater reticulation project in Daggakraal has been completedbenefiting 90 households. A further 2 sanitation projects in Hlanganani Trust and Sinqobilewillbenefit360householdsinourruralareas.

• In Nkangala we are implementing 39 water and sanitation projects to the value of R301million.

• Of the 39 projects under implementation, there are 2 water and sanitation projects inKwazamokuhle Ext.8 that have been completed benefiting 395 households within thejurisdiction of Steve Tshwete municipality. A total of 40 job opportunities were createdthroughtheprojects.

• In Ehlanzeni we are implementing 63 water and sanitation projects to the value of R512million. Of the 63 projects, 14 water projects have been completed in Bushbuckridge andNkomazimunicipalitiesbenefiting11369households.

176. Municipalities,suchasNkomaziandBushbuckridgeareperformingwellinrespectofprojectimplementation and the National Treasury is considering giving them additional MIGfundinginthecomingfinancialyear.

177. Overall, however, the performance of ourmunicipalities in respect of basic service deliverydoesnotmeetourexpectations.


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178. Honourable Speaker, we had a frustrating situation in Bushbuckridge where a significantnumber of villages had internal water reticulation completed but they could not receivewater. Thiswas largelydue to the lackof bulkwater supply thatwas supposed to connectthesevillages.

179. We have completed the bulk water supply systems connecting a number of villages likeHluvukani,Zoeknog,Tsakaniandothers.

180. It is evident from theabove thatour localgovernment institutions are still facingmultiplechallengesatthecoalfaceofservicedeliveryandwearecertainthatinthisregard,theywillcontinuetorequireoursupportandinterventiontoensurethatourcitizenshavetheaccesstheyareentitledto.

181. Whilstthedeliveryofbasicservicesremainsthecompetenceofourmunicipalities,itisforusto guide and intercede where we see that the availability and quality of public services isfalteringduetomismanagementandcapacityconstraints.

182. Tothisend,ourdepartmentofCooperativeGovernanceandTraditionalAffairs(COGTA)hasidentified institutional weaknesses in our municipalities and developed a programme ofsupporttoacceleratethedeliveryofbasicservices.

183. This Integrated Municipal Support Plan prioritises municipalities that are institutionallydysfunctionalwhenratedinrespectofthefivepillarsofthe“BacktoBasics”servicedeliveryapproach.

184. COGTA, the Office of the Premier and our Provincial Treasury will support identifiedmunicipalities in respect of good governance, financial management, revenue collection,institutionalcapacityandadministrativecapabilitytoensurethattheyarebetterpositionedtodischargetheirservicedeliverymandate.

InstitutionalisedLong-TermPlanning185. Honourable Speaker, we have acknowledged the progress to date as well as the setbacks

encounteredasweestablishandserviceourhumansettlements.Lookingahead, it isobviousthatwecandomoretoensurethatweeffectivelyaddresseachoftheelementsthatconstituteprosperousandsustainablehumansettlements.

186. We have made significant progress in eradicating informal settlements and upgradingexisting human settlements. However, we will not succeed in building sustainable humansettlementsthatwillstandforgenerationstocome,ifourprocessesarenotanchoredonlong-termplanning.

187. Whenwepreparetobuildintegratedhumansettlements,wemustidentifygrowthpointsthatwillcatalysethesustainabledevelopmentofsuchsettlements.Thisrequirescarefulplanningthattakesalong-termviewandintegratesthesustainableeconomicactivitiesthatmakesuchsettlementsviable.

188. Such planswould have to be cognisant of current and future economic development nodes,prioritycorridorsandmigrationpatternssothatweareabletoutiliseourresourcestocreatesettlementsproactively.

189. Weneedthecapacitytopredictandplanforthefuturebeyond2030.Thisprocesswillhavetotakeintoaccountprinciplesofspatialplanningespeciallyissuesofaccesstosocialserviceslikeeducationandhealthcare,asthesearecriticalcomponentsofhumandevelopment.

190. WehaveundertakentoestablishaProvincialPlanningCommission thatwilltakethisworkforwardusinghumansettlements,theebbsandflowsofeconomicactivity,migrationpatterns,theperformanceofourproductivesectors,transportlogisticsetceteraasabasisforlong-termplanning.


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191. This commission will bring together practical, academic and technical expertise andexperience from across the sectors as a means to ensure that the upward socio economictrajectoryofourProvinceisbasedonsoundevidenceandspecialistadvice.

192. Wearelookingforwardtolayingthegroundworkforabrighterfuturethatextendsbeyonda50-yearhorizon.

ImprovedQualityofEducationandTraining193. HonourableSpeaker, there isnoneed forme to try to convince thisHouseof thevalueand

importanceofeducation.Idonothavetoselltheideathateverychildisentitledtothelifeofopportunitiesandpossibilitiesthatcomewithadecenteducation.

194. Idonothavetoemphasisethe importanceofnurturingsuccessivegenerationsofcapableandcommittedcitizenswillingandabletoworkfortherealisationofourcollectivevisionofapositivelytransformedandprosperousfuture.

195. Overtheyears,ourDepartmentofEducationhasfaceditsinstitutionaldemonsandemergedthebetterforit.Thereremains,however,muchworktobedoneaswenurtureouryoungest,keenestminds through their school going years and into their first years as the employers,employeesandentrepreneursofthefuture.

196. LetustakeamomenttoreflectonprogressandtodistilthefuturepathwaysnecessaryinourongoingeffortstoeducateandempowerthechildrenofourProvince.

197. EarlyChildhoodDevelopment,accordingtoDawes(2008)preparesourchildrenforadulthoodandprovides themwith thenecessaryopportunities for social, cognitive, spiritual, physicalandemotionaldevelopment.Theseprogrammeslaythefoundationforholisticdevelopment,whilstcultivatingaloveforlifelonglearning.

198. In 2016 we continued to improve access to such ECD programmes in the Province byreaching 179787 learners. The quality of our ECD programmeswas also enhanced as 1080schoolsnowhaveaccesstoGradeRresourcesand500pre-gradeRcentreshaveaccesstoECDresourcestoo.

199. Wehavetrained792PreGradeRpractitionersthroughourECDInstituteandtheremaining1000 practitioners will complete their training by the end of this month. This is part ofstreamliningcurriculumdeliveryandprovidingsupporttocommunitycentresacrosstheECDsector.

200. Honourable Speaker, we must confront the unfortunate reality that, due to a number ofsystemicchallenges,theconstructionoftheadditional7ECDCentresenvisagedlastyearwasnotcompletedasplanned.Wehaveaddressedthesitesuitabilityandcontractorappointmentchallengestoensurethatwegetbackontrackinthisregardandthesecriticalcentresremainapriorityin2017/18.

201. Furthermore, an existing 55 ECD centres will be renovated in the coming year through aconditionalgrantamountingtoapproximatelyR5.3million.

202. TheEducationsector isnot immune from thepersistentbudgetcuts andweare constantlyexploring new and innovative approaches to ensure that we offer our children the bestpossible teaching and learning opportunities and experiences throughout their primary andsecondaryschoolyears.

203. Overall,HonourableSpeaker,ourGrade12performancehasstabilised.77.1%ofourlearnerspassedin2016andthisisabovethenationalperformanceratewhichstandsat72.5%.

204. Ofconcern,however, isthefactthatsomeofourtopperformingareas intermsofpassratesoverthelastcoupleofyears,suchasSteveTshweteandNkomazi,havedeclinedwithmoreorless5percentagepoints.


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205. AstheProvincialleadershipwewillactswiftlyinthisregardandmyMECswillbedeployedto circuits that are underperforming so that we can offer hands-on support to address thisregression.

206. Academic performance at a secondary school level is a key determinant for future success,startingwithUniversityadmission.AsaProvincewehaverecognisedthecriticalimportanceofmathematicsandscienceassubjectchoicesforourfutureprofessionals.Tothisendwehaveinvestedstrategically inprogrammes intendedto improvethemathsandscienceuptakeandsuccessrateofourlearners.

207. To augment the establishment of ourMSTA Hub we undertook to ensure that we have asuitably qualified cohort of professional educatorswith the relevant content knowledge andexpertise.

208. HonourableSpeaker,itbearsmentioningthattheProvinceisfacedwithanagingpopulationof teachers, most of who are approaching retirement age. In fact, the percentage of youngteachers aged 20-25 is relatively small, with only 4.9% in secondary and 2.1% in primaryschools.

209. Weareworkingon turning thisaroundandalreadyanewpoolofyoung teachers isbeingsupportedwithtraining.

210. HonourableSpeaker, in itsmostbasic form,a learningenvironment couldbe reduced to thebricksandmortarthatconstituteaclassroom.

211. OurProvincewasnotexemptfromtheravagesofapartheidonoureducationsystemandwefound ourselves inheriting structures thatwere not fit to be labelled classrooms at all. In2010weundertooktoeradicate253oftheseinappropriateandunsafestructuresandtodatewehavereplaced247.

212. Ineffect, since2010 thedepartmentofeducationhas investedR4,9billionandcompletedatotal of 923projects. Infrastructure investmenthas grown fromR604million in2010/11 tooveraR1billionin2016/17.

213. Over the last seven years the department has managed maintain, and renovated 283dilapidatedandstormdamagedschools.Furthertothis65schoolswereupgradedinordertoensuretheiroptimumfunctionalityasschools.

214. In linewith the implementationof thenormsand standards for education infrastructure,the province embarked on a basic services programme. This included provision of services(water and electricity) where required. Thus far 515 schools have been provided withsanitationfacilities,140schoolswithelectricityand289withwater.

215. Honourable Speaker, let us pause to welcome the contribution that Eskom has made inrespectofimprovingoureducationfacilitiesintheProvince.WethankthemoncemorefortheR34million invested in the state of the artWilge School in Emalahleni Local Municipality,whichwashandedovertotheMpumalangaDepartmentofEducationinJuly2016.

216. Everycontributionmovesusforward,butwearestillleftwithmuchtodo.217. Our Provincial school profile indicates that we have a total of 1074 schools, including 18

specialschoolsand5statefundedboardingschools.218. Itisabitterpilltoswallow,butitmustbesaidthatinsomeoftheseschools,properteaching

and learning isnot takingplace.Therearehigher thanacceptable teacher to learner ratios,mixedgradeclassesandabysmalfacilities.

219. These so called schools require immediate and radical intervention for the sake of theirlearners.

220. We have resolved that these schools will be demolished and that the learners will beaccommodatedincentrallylocatedboardingschools.


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221. In2010weadoptedthisBoardingSchoolStrategyinruralareasinordertoclosesmallnon-viablefarmschoolsandimprovethequalityofeducationforourruralpopulation.

222. This resulted in the successful construction and operationalization of 5 comprehensiveboarding schools and in this coming financial year,wewill startwith the constructionof anadditionalboardingschoolinBohlabela.

223. Honourable Speaker, the progress in the boarding school programme has prompted us toconsider that these schools may further enhance the education sector in the Province byprovidingexistingsitesfortheestablishmentofspecialisedschools.

224. ItisourvisionthatourlearnershavetheopportunitytospecialiseinfieldsofstudythataredirectlyalignedwiththeeconomicgrowthanddevelopmentopportunitiesoftheProvince.In2017/18 we will focus on determining appropriate curricula and strategic technicalpartnerships for schools specialising in agriculture, sports and sports management and thecreativeindustries.

225. Honourable Speaker, as we turn our attention to the transition from school to tertiaryeducationandultimatelyapositiveandrewardingcareerpathallowmetoannouncethatweareplanningtoaugmenttheR200millionthatwearecurrentlyprovidingforbursaries.

226. At present we have awarded 1017 bursaries to learners who are currently studying atvarious universities across the country. In addition, one hundred youths were awardedbursariestostudyMedicine,VeterinaryScience,Education(Maths&Science)andEngineeringinRussiainthe2016academicyear.

227. It is our intention to ensure that our bursary money continues to be well invested indeserving learners pursuing relevant tertiary qualifications and as such, in 2017 we willestablishaninter-departmentalBursaryCommittee,supportedbyexternalindustryexpertisetoensurethatappropriatecandidatesareselectedandsupported.

YouthDevelopment228. Honourable Speaker, inmy opinion the success of our education system should not only be

measuredinrespectofnumbersoflearners,teachersandclassroomsfunctioningatanygiventime.A truemeasure of successwouldbe thenumber of learnerswho exitGrade12with acertificatethatunlocksthefurtherstudiesoremploymentopportunitiesthattheyaspireto.

229. Theremustbeapositivepost-secondaryschoolrealitythatenablesourlearnerstotaketheirlivesinaconstructivedirection,andIamafraid,HonourableSpeaker,thatitisatthisjuncturethatwehaveyettomakeasignificantprogressiveimpactonthelivesofouryouth.

230. As it stands,wehavea learner throughputrate ofonly59.7%,whichmeans that, ineffect,only40%of the learnerswhoenter theschoolingsystemactuallymake it throughGrade12.Add to this the fact that of those who do pass in Grade 12, only 22.9% achieve Bachelor’sDegreeadmission.

231. What happens to those individuals that do not progress through the systemwith a positiveoutcome?Thesystemisbleedingandouryouthsarefeelingthepain.

232. Ourunemployedyouthcurrentlyconstitute71.9%ofourtotalunemployedpopulation.Thisistherealitythatwearefacedwith,andthisarealitythatrequiresamulti-dimensionalapproachtoyouthdevelopmentintheProvince.

233. HonourableSpeaker,ouryoungpeopleareagitated–andjustifiablyso.Theyhavetheenergyandoptimismofyouth,andyettheyaretrappedintheshacklesofunemploymentandpovertyandeasilyfallpreytothesocialillsthatgohandinhandwithdeprivation.


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234. Over and above our efforts to improve the education system, we will continue with aprogrammatic response toyouthunemploymentandsocial exclusion that ispremisedontargeted skills development programmes to enhance youth participation in productiveeconomicactivities.

235. Acoreelementofthisresponseisourpartnershipswiththeprivatesector.236. Wearepleasedtoacknowledgethatin2017/18Eskomwillcontinuetoworkwithitspartners

in theNkangalaDistrictMunicipality to contributeR36million towards the Siyasebenza JobCreationInitiativewhichispredictedtocreate900jobs.

237. This project will also encourage rain water harvesting in households, government andbusinesspremisesinsupportofthePresidentialwaterconservationinitiatives.

238. In keepingwith the emphasis on Skills Development as a key sustainable intervention, theEskom Generation Learnership programme has absorbed 644 learners into permanentpositionstodate,88arecurrentlyundergoingtrainingandEskomhasplannedafurtherintakeof59learnersfor2017.

239. Weare further collaboratingwith theprivate sectorandSETAs toensure thatyoungpeopleareexposedtobusinessandemploymentcreationprogrammesacrossanumberofsectors.

• The New Venture Creation programme is benefitting 322 youth to enhance theirentrepreneurship skills, thereby equipping them with skills to start up, and run newbusinesses,

• In this coming financial year, ourGraduate Placement Programme will see 1200 recruitsplacedinvarioussectorsofemploymentaspartofourskillsdevelopmentendeavours,

• OurArtisan Development Programme with MQA will place 120 youth through structuredprogrammesfocusingonelectricalengineeringanddieselmechanics.

240. Honourable Speaker, our key priority for 2017/18 is the operationalization of the SkillsDevelopment Hub in Emalahleni, in partnership with the private sector, to ensure that wedevelopapipelineofskillstosupportthekeysectorsofoureconomy.

241. This hub will create an institutional platform for better coordination and investment incriticalskillsthatrespondtoindustryanddevelopmentneeds.

242. Honourable Speaker, the partnerships and approaches enumerated above have yieldedpositive results and have been the primary pillar of our youth developmentmainstreamingapproachtodate.

243. Itisnotenough.244. It addresses a fraction of our challenges. Whilst these initiatives respond to the skills

developmentpartofourintervention,itdoesnotcovertheentiretyofthecrisisathand.245. We need a paradigm shift that is holistic, pointed and radical. The Youth Development

Directorate in the Office of the Premier has developed a Provincial Youth DevelopmentProgrammeofActionthatseekstorespondtotheseissues.

246. WiththePoAinplace,weareabletoexploreopportunitiesforouryouthalongspecificsectorvaluechainsincludingagriculture,mining,manufacturing,energyandtourism.

247. Honourable Speaker, our job seeking youths face additional socio-economic barriers tofindingemployment,andthis iswhythesocialsupportdimensionofouryouthdevelopmentstrategyisequallycritical.

248. A recent study by the Centre for Social Development for Africa reported that the averagetransport andotherwork seeking costs for youngpeople amount to aboutR560permonth.This same group has an average per capita household income of R527 per month, whichrendersthecostsoffindingemploymentprohibitive.


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249. Oursupportprogrammesandpartnershipsmustseektoaddresstheseadditionalconstraintsifwehopetomakeameaningfulimpactonyouthunemployment.

250. Wewill beworkingwith all departments andmunicipalities to determine the commitmentsandresourcesrequiredtophaseintheimplementationoftheYouthDevelopmentPoA.

251. Thefactthatthenumberofyouthutilisingtheservicesinour90YouthDevelopmentCentresisalmost double the number planned for is a further testament to the dire need for supportexperiencedbyouryouth.

252. One of the greatest obstacles to the attainment of sustainable economic activity andindependenceforouryouthissubstanceabuse.

253. In2015 theWorldHealthOrganisationreported thatanestimated15%of theSouthAfricanpopulation,predominantlyyouth,sufferedfromdrugabuse.

254. VariousstudiesalsoputtherateofalcoholabuseamongSouthAfricansat40%.255. Thisgivesussomeindicationofthepervasivenessofthisscourgeinourcommunities.Addto

this,HonourableSpeaker,thefactthat,asreportedbytheSouthCityInstituteforSocialJusticeinNovember2016,substanceabusecostsSouthAfricaclosetoR136billionperyearspentontreatment,policingandeducation,anditisclearthatwehaveamassiveproblemonourhands.Thisisbudgetthatcouldbedirectedtodevelopmentprogrammes.

256. Substanceabuseamongouryouthisoneoftheleadingcausesofcrime,interpersonalviolenceandriskysexualbehaviour. Itdeniesouryoungpeopletheopportunitytofullyparticipateinthesocio-economicdevelopmentofourProvince.

257. Thisyearwemanagedtoreach72851ofourchildrenthroughdrugpreventionprogrammesandourrehabilitationandtreatmentcentresinNkangalaandSwartfonteinwillstrengthenoureffortsinthisregard.

258. Butitisnotenough.259. To date we have reached 105666 youth with our services, and the construction of our

governmentrunMsogwabaandDaantjieYouthDevelopmentCentreswillfurtherassist.260. An integrated Youth Development Programme of Action demands more and calls for a

responsivenetworkofsocialdevelopmentservicesandpartnershipswiththeprivatesector.HealthSystemEffectiveness261. Honourable Speaker, I would like us to turn our attention to the Provincial Healthcare

System.Whatconstitutesahealthypopulation?262. To be healthy, in its simplest sense, means to be free from illness or injury. It therefore

follows, that healthcare is the organized provision of medical care to individuals or acommunity.OurhealthcaresystemispivotaltoourvisionofaProvincepopulatedbystrongandcapable individuals able tomakeapositive impact on the livelihoodsof their familiesandcommunitiesandthedevelopmentoftheProvincialeconomyasawhole.

263. Allowus tobe frank–healthcare in theProvinceofMpumalangahas longbeen fraughtwithallegations of mismanagement, neglect and poor performance. In the past, this hasnegativelyimpactedonourcitizens’rightstoaccessingqualityhealthcareandbyextension,has obstructed both their social and their economic aspirations. The burdens of TB,HIV/AIDSandmaternalandchildmortalityhave,inparticularwroughthavocinthedaytodaylivesofourcommunities.


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264. Inthefaceofthesechallenges,wehaveputincreasedpressureonourDepartmentofHealthtoensurethattheyturnthesituationaroundandwhenweassesstheprogressmadeinrespectoftheturnaroundstrategy,wecanconfidentlysaythattheDepartmentismovingtowardsabetterresourcedandmoreprofessionalinstitutioncapableofprovidingadecentstandardofmedicalcaretoourcitizens.

265. Wehave,asplanned,appointedadditionalspecialistsinboththeGertSibandeandNkangalaDistricts.

266. We continue to develop the capacity of our healthcare professionals, current and future,throughourpartnershipswithCubaandRussia–thisyearalonewehaveprovidedbursariesfortenfirstyearmedicalstudentstostudyinCuba.

267. HonourableSpeaker,theIdealClinicInitiativecommencedinthe2015/16financialyearandisaimedatfast-trackingdeliveryontheprioritiesincludedintheNationalDevelopmentPlan2030toimprovehealthcareservicedelivery.

268. Currently, our Department of Health has42/286 PHC facilities that have achieved an Idealclinic statusandmoreassessmentswillbeconductedaround theProvince inMarch2017 todeterminetheadditionalPHCsnowworthyofbeingratedas“ideal”.GertSibandeDistricthas23/75 facilities that have achieved Ideal Clinic Status, nineteen of which have undergonemajorandminorrefurbishmentthisyeartodate.

269. TheplanisforallPHCfacilitiestoreachtheIdealClinicstatusby2019/20.270. We have also completed refurbishments at three hospitals including Sabie Hospital,

Middleburg Hospital (Wards 15) andKwaMhlanga wherewe have now provided doctors’accommodation.

271. OurpatientscurrentlyratetheirexperienceofcareatPHCsat82%andthesatisfactionrateatregionalhospitalsisrecordedas87%.

272. HonourableSpeaker,wecontinuetotakeagenerativeapproach tothemaintenanceofourhealthcare facilities by ensuring that this task alsoprovides opportunities foremploymentandincomegenerationinourcommunities.Intheyeartodate,ourDepartmentofHealthhasthuscontractedtencooperatives toundertakemaintenancecontractsatselectedhealthcarefacilities.

273. However,ourPHCsitesremainunderutilisedasourcommunitymembersstillprefertousehospitals for services that are rendered at PHC facilities. This places an undue burden onalreadyoverstretchedhospitalpersonnel.

274. OurWardBasedOutreachTeams,ontheotherhand,arestartingtoregistersuccess.Thisisevidenced by improvements in some priority indicators including a reduction in the TBclientlosttofollowupratewhichisnowat4%andtheincreasednumberofantenatalfirstweekvisitswhichisat65.9%,10%higherthanthetarget.

275. Honourable Speaker, the Integrated School Health Policy was signed by theMinisters ofHealth and Basic Education in 2012 to increase access to health services and provide asafety-netforchildrenwhoneverhadaccesstohealthcareservices.

276. Currentlywehave43SchoolHealthTeamsestablishedthroughouttheProvince,13ofwhichwereappointedduring2016/17financialyear.Since2012,theteamshavemanagedtoassess354296 learnersandreferred53044 for furthermanagement, thus reducing thehealthbarrierstoeducationforasignificantnumberoflearners.WewillcontinuetosupporttheseSchoolHealthTeamsasstrategicmechanismsforpositivecommunityintervention.


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277. OurDistrictClinicalSpecialistTeamsestablishedin2012,asaninterventiontofasttrackthereductionofMaternalandChildmortalitiesareoperationalinallthreedistrictsandcontinueto have a positive impact on the lives of our mothers and their newborn babies. In GertSibande alone, the teams have contributed in the reduction of maternal mortality from322.5per100000livebirthsin2010/11to91.9per100000livebirthsin2015/16.

278. Duetoongoinginfrastructureconstraints,ourDistricthospitalsarenotyetcompliantwithallextremeandvitalmeasuresofthenationalcorestandards.Thisshouldnotbethecaseand whilst our efforts to cast the healthcare net as wide as possible are commendable, ifambitious,weareforcednowtopulloureffortsintosharperfocus.

279. Honourable Speaker, the pace of delivery in respect of critical health infrastructure is apersistentchallenge.WhilstMammetlhakeHospitalisoncourseandourfourDistrictClinicsinEhlanzeniandGertSibande respectivelyareprogressingasplanned,weareplaguedbyprojectdelaysandissuesonsitethatmakethepaceofdeliveryinthisregard,unacceptable.

280. HonourableSpeaker,inthepast,whenconfrontedwithsuchdelays,wehavebeentemptedtoadvocateformore–morecapacity,moretime,moreresources.

281. Ibelieveitistimetotakestockandappreciatethatbeforeweattempttodomore,wemustdobetter.

282. It istimetochangeourapproach.Wemustadmitthatinasmuchaswehaveimprovedthelives of many by addressing past barriers to health services access, our efforts have beensomewhatscattered.

283. We have tried to focus all our efforts and resources equally on infrastructure, attractinghealth professionals, access to medication, school and ward based outreach teams,preventativeandcurativeapproaches,advocacyandcommunication,etc.

284. Itistimetoconsolidate.Weneedtobuildonoursuccessesandbestrategic.285. Thecoremeasureofhealthcaresystemeffectivenessremainsthenationalcorestandards

attainedatthesitesofhealthcareserviceprovision–ourprovincialanddistricthospitalsandourPHCfacilities.

286. Ourassessmentofourperformanceagainstthesestandardstellsusthatdespiteourconcertedefforts and many noteworthy gains, the overall performance of the Department rangesbetween36%and76%againstthenormof100%compliance.

287. ThisisNOTacceptable.288. Infrastructure isacriticalpillarofhealthcareservicedelivery–our facilitiesmustbe fit for

purpose,accessibleandwellequipped.In2017/18wewill commit in the regionofR600million to ensure that the facilitieswe setout to

build,maintain,upgradeandrenovatemeettheexpectationsofourcitizens.289. At these sites, our standard of service must be of the highest order – this includes the

availability of suitably qualified medical professionals, operational and current medicalequipment, theavailabilityofmedication andof course,medical staff thatarecommitted toputtingthe“care”backinto“healthcare”.

290. In2016wemade1401appointments tobolsterhumanresourcesacrossourhealthfacilitynetworkrangingfrommedicaldoctorsandspecialiststonurses,pharmacists,groundsmenandcleaners.

291. Inthecomingfinancialyear,ourresourceswillbeusedtostrengthenthisfoundationatkeyhealthcaredeliverysitesasabasisforfutureprogressiveimplementation.

292. HonourableSpeaker,inasmuchasourhealthcareservicesitesmustmeetallcorestandards,itisalsoincumbentuponustoensurethatoursickandinjuredareabletoaccessthesefacilitiesingoodtimetoensurethattheydonothavetoundergoanyadditionalpainandsuffering.


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293. Honourable Speaker, our Province’s healthcare system continues tomake gains in the fightagainstHIVandAIDS,butthewarisnotyetover.TheProvincehasanHIVprevalencerateof37.5%,whichisabovethenationalaverageof29.5%.WhatthistellsusisthatthescalingupofHIVtreatmenttoeligibleclientshasprolongedthelivesofpeoplelivingwithHIV.

294. Ofcourse,wemustseektoensurethatHIVprevalenceismaintainedwhilstatthesametimeensuringthatwekeeptheincidenceornewinfectionratetoaminimum.

295. InourProvince,thetotalnumberofclientsonAntiretroviralTreatment(ART)iscurrentlyat351978.In2017/18wewillincreasethisnumberto439359.

296. Thiswillresultinmoreclientslivinglongerandwillalsoreducetheirchances/probabilityofinfectingothers,thuscontributingtoreducingnewHIVinfections.

297. Moving forward, our primary focus will be to ensure both access and adherence to ARVtreatmentthroughmulti-agencycollaborationbetweentheDepartmentsofHealth,Educationand Social Development as well as via theMpumalanga Provincial Aids Council and theYouthDevelopmentDirectorateintheOfficeofthePremier.

SecuringCommunitiesandFightingCrime298. Honourable Speaker, ensuring the health of our citizens goes well beyond the simple

transactionalprovisionoftreatmentforphysicalailments.Asgovernmentwearealsoobligedtoprovideforthepsychological,socialandeconomicwell-beingofourpeople,inparticular,ourmostvulnerable-olderpersons,children,andpeople livingwithdisabilities,ourwomenandouryouth.

299. Thesesectorsofourpopulationcontinuetocarrythegreatestshareofthepoverty,inequalityandunemploymentburdenthatisthelingeringlegacyoftheapartheidgovernment.

300. Wehavemadegainsoneithersideoftheagespectrum.301. Intermsofouryoungestcitizens,wehaveensuredthat50000childreninthe0-4agecohort

are subsidised to access registered Early Childhood Development programmes whilst anadditional4866childrenareaccessingsponsorednoncentrebasedprogrammes.

302. For thosewhoareentering their twilightyears,manyofwhomremainyoungatheartandagileofmindwehavehostedactiveagingprogrammesforapproximately4000ofourolderpersons.We have further ensured that 6 167 of our senior citizens have been supported to accesscommunitybasedcareandsupportcentres.

303. Itgavemepride in July2016toparticipate inasodturningceremonymarkingthe firststeptowardstheestablishmentofaR31millionretirementvillageatOgies/Pholawhichseekstofurtherpreservethedignityandqualityoflifeforourelders.

304. Five (5) cooperatives who are going to build the village as part of a Skills DevelopmentProgrammehavealreadybeenregisteredandtrainedandwillbeonsiteinthesecondquarterof2017/18.

305. We once more thank Eskom and their partners, in this regard, for further cementing theirCorporateSocialInvestmentfootprintintheProvince.

306. Honourable Speaker, whilst we acknowledge that we have managed to ensure that manyfamilies in the Province are able to put food on the table as a result of government socialgrantssupport,wemustrepeatourcautionthatthisisnotsustainableduetoshrinkingstaterevenuebase.

307. We must build a working economy for the people of Mpumalanga so that those who areeconomicallyactive,areabsorbedintogainfulactivity.Thestateshouldsupportthosewhobycircumstancewillalwaysbeinneedofasocialsecuritynet.


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308. Honourable Speaker, it remains a disturbing reality that many of our people are still thevictimsofcrime.

309. Theshockingstatisticsaroundsubstanceabusementionedearliergaveusasoberingglimpseofonlyonedimensionofthecriminalactivitiesthatplagueourcommunities.Thesesocalled“socialills”aretheby-productofimpoverishmentandpurposelessness.

310. Whilst we support our citizens to become educated, economically active and sociallyresponsible,wemustsimultaneouslyrootoutthecriminalelements intentondisruptingthepeaceandstabilityofourcommunities.

311. Ourfirstpriorityremainsgenderbasedviolenceandcrimesagainstchildren.312. Ourefforts in this regardwillbeguidedby thecrimestatistics recentlyreleasedbySAPS–

thesewillenableustodeterminewhichseriouscrimesneedimmediateattentionandwherethey aremost pervasive. These hotspots are a factor ofmushrooming informal settlements,illicitminingactivity,theillegalsaleofliquortominorsandthelike.

313. ByadoptinganapproachthatgeographicallyprioritisestheidentifiedcrimehotspotssuchasEmalahleni, Pienaar,AcornhoekandTongawewill be able to concentrateourproactive andreactiveprogrammeswheretheyarelikelytohavethemostimpact.

314. ContributingtothisimpactisthefactthattheSAPSinMpumalangahasmanagedtoimproveits policing resources by procuring an additional vehicle fleet of 218 vehicles, comprising4x4policevansfitforourterrain,detectivevehiclesandadditionalvehiclesforpolicesupportwork.

315. Tomorrow in Middleburg, the MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison will joinMinisterNhleko inwelcoming467newlytrainedpoliceofficers to theProvince.Thesenewmemberswill bedeployed invariouspolice stations, variouspoliceunits in thisProvinceaswellasinourportsofentry.

316. Theseareyourchildren,yourbrothersandsistersworkwiththemin fightingthescourgeofcrime.Theyarethedefendersofourcommunitiesdonotkillthem."Wabulalaiphoyisa,ubulalaumphakathi"

317. Inadditiontothehumanresourcesthatwewelcome,wemustaddthatthenewpolicestationinKwaMhlushwawillbecompletedbytheendofMarch2017.

318. TheseadditionalresourceswillsurelybolstertheSAPSeffortstoarrestcrimeintheProvince,butwecannotassumethattheycandoitallontheirown.

319. Fighting crime and addressing social ills requires a collaborative and appropriatelyresourcedeffort.ThroughtheDepartmentofCommunitySafety,SecurityandLiaison,weareworkingwiththeSAPSandotheragenciestoensurethatweinterveneinaholisticfashiontothesechallenges.

StrengtheningInternationalPartnerships320. OurProvincecontinuestoforgestrategicrelationswithourinternationalpartnersinorder

to support our agenda for development through investment in our economy, opening ofmarkets for our products and seeking new technologies that would make us contribute tomakingourcountryacompetitiveplayerintheglobaleconomy.

321. These initiatives are bearing fruit. At the regional level,we signed agreementswith CuandoCubangoinAngolawithafocusonagricultureandforestry,tourismandnatureconservation,infrastructure development as well as trade and investment. We will be sending a team ofcommercialandemerging farmers to thatprovince fora technicalassessmentonagriculturepotential. This is meant to support our food production supply for the International FreshProduceMarket.


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322. WithregardstoOman,ourfocusisonfacilitatinginvestmentinsupportofourInternationalFreshProduceMarket so thatweareable toexportagriculturalcommodities.Engagementsare proceedingwith other departments at national level. TheOman’sMinister of CommerceandIndustrywillbevisitingthecountrynextmonthattheinvitationofourMinisterofTradeandIndustry.

323. Most importantly, our international agendamust leverage theNational Government’sBRICSplatform.ThisiswhywearestrengtheningrelationswithselectprovincesinRussiaandChinainamutuallybeneficialmanner.Ourpartnershipisnotonly limitedtotradeandinvestment,butalsoincludeseducationalandculturalexchanges.

324. We signed agreementswithHebei Province on education, health, agriculture, infrastructuredevelopment, business to business cooperation. Last year on the 16th September MEGAorganised and convened thePeople’sRepublic of ChinaBusiness Forum (PRCBF), andwasattended by a delegation 19 large Chinese Companies that are not only large by Chinesestandards,butbyworldstandards.Weareworkinghardatattracting investment fromthesepartners.

325. AttheendofNovemberlastyear, I togetherwithfewmembersofmyExecutiveundertookaworking visit to the Russian Federation where we met with various stakeholders ingovernmentandprivatesectortopromoteMpumalangaaspotentialpartnerindevelopment.

326. WewereabletomobiliseourRussianfriendstoconsiderinvestinginourProvincebutalsotoimportagriculturalproductslikecitrusandredmeatfromus

327. I am pleased to report that an agreement to establish a tractor assembly plant inMpumalangawassignedbetweenMEGAandMinskTractorWorks.ThetwoPartieswillbytheendof thismonthfinaliseabusinessplan fortheassemblyproduction,whichwilldeterminethemodelrangeandvolume(perannum)oftractorsthatwillbeassembledinourProvince.

328. ThisinitiativewillcreateemploymentandfurthercontributetoenhancingourartisanalskillsbasecreatingopportunitiestodeveloptractorMechanics,weldersetc.

329. OurProvincealsosignedacooperationagreementwithMogilevRegioninBelarus,whereinwe have agreed to cooperate in trade and industry, agriculture, tourism, education andhealthcare.Wewill be sending students to theBelarussian State Agricultural Academy tostudyinthefieldsofagro-industryincludingagronomy,biotechnologyandaquaculture.

330. OurpartnershipswithRussia,ChinaandItalyseektotapintotheirtechnologicalknow-howinordertodevelopourlocalskillstherebypositioningusforimprovedglobalcompetitiveness.WearedeterminedtoturnMpumalangaintoamanufacturinghubforSouthAfricaandtherestoftheContinent.

331. Going forward,wewill formalise Joint Implementation Committees to ensure coordinationbetweenourselvessothatimplementationistightened,monitoredandevaluatedbyPrincipals

BuildingaCapableState332. HonourableSpeaker,aswereflectonourprogressandourchallenges,ourinputs,outputsand

results,wemustalsoquestionourownperformance.333. We must interrogate our systems and structures and ask our individual public servants,

“Havewetrulyservedourcitizenstothebestofourabilities?”“Havewedoneenough?”334. It ismycontention,honourablemembersof thishouse, thataswehave focusedonwhatwe

needtodo,wemayhavelostsightofwhatitisweneedtobe–acaring,skilled,professional,responsiveandresponsiblepublicservice.


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335. MargaretChase Smith, aUnitedStates Senator in themid-1900s captured the essencewhenshe said, “public servicemust bemore than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be acompletededicationtothepeopleandthenation.”Shealsosaidthat,“constructivecriticismisnotonlytobeexpected,butsought.”

336. Honourable Speaker, the issues that I speak to now are intended in the spirit of just such“constructivecriticism”.

337. As the provincial government and all our public entities, we have set ourselves atransformative agenda for accelerated development. For that to be realised, we need acapable state staffed by peoplewho have theappropriate orientationand commitment topublicservice.

338. We must embrace the opportunity to transform and develop not only our society, butourselves.AspublicservantsofthisProvince,weneedtodobetter,shake-offthecobwebsofoutdatedthinkingandsedentaryadministrationandgettowork.

339. Wemustimproveourknowledgeandskills.WemustlookbeyondthebordersofthisbeautifulProvince and absorb all we can learn from the Provinces and Nations that surround usgeographically,andthosethatimpactonusglobally.

340. TheOfficeof thePremierhas initiated anumberof projects to ensure thatwe improveourservice delivery footprint by directing resources away from dated, self-replicatingstructurestowardstechnologiesandconfigurationsthatarebotheffectiveandcostefficient.

341. Wehaveundertakenthedevelopmentofanewmodeltoreconfigureourregionalservicestoimproveservicedeliveryandcurtailcosts.

342. We are investigating opportunities and partnerships in the ICT sector that will move usclosertoe-governmentbusinessprocessesthusmakingMpumalangaasmartprovince.Thisinitiative will, through the use of technology, afford us real time communication with ourpeopleutilisingtheVodacomSmartCitizenSolutions.Wearealreadybenefittingfromtheuseofsmartgovernmentsolutionsinsomeofourhealthfacilities.

343. Whilst these technological initiatives will greatly enhance our efficiency and effectiveness,theyarenosubstitutefortheprofessionallyqualifiedthoughtleadersandtechnicalexpertswerequiretotakeourpublicserviceintothefuture.

344. In2017/18wewillcommencewithconsultationstodeterminethefeasibilityofestablishingaProvincialSchoolofGovernanceinMpumalanga.

345. Wewould liketoseethisschoolanchoredat theUniversityofMpumalangaandwebelievethat through partnership approach with prominent tertiary institutions in the governancearena,wewillbeable todevelopa leading school that generates top cadresofpublic sectorprofessionalsthatareworthyoftheirtitles.

Conclusion

346 HonourableSpeaker,IwishtothankyoufortheopportunityandtimeyougaveustopresenttotheHouseandthepeopleofourbeautifulProvincethisStateofProvinceAddress.

347 Ifwelookatwhatwehavemanagedtoachieveoverthelastyear,oureffortsofpushingbackthe frontiers of poverty and underdevelopment are on track. Our investment in publicinfrastructurehasbeenremarkable,andintheprocessfacilitatingtheeaseofdoingbusiness.

348 However,weallagreethatradicalshiftsandboldaction isrequiredtochangethecourseofhistoryandaddresstheprevailingchallengeofskewedpatternsofeconomicownership.Wemustbeboldandmovewithspeedinrespondingtotherealityofoureconomicsituation.Wedonothavealuxurytime.


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349 Weneedtofocus,andbeunitedbehindthepurposeofbuildingaProvincethatisprosperousandsocially cohesive.AProvince that cares for its citizensandwherenoone is leftbehind.TogetherletusbuildagloballycompetitiveProvince!

End

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