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Remarks by His Excellency, President of the Republic of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma, for the Presentation of Credentials Ceremony, Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House
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Your Excellencies, Ambassadors and High Commissioner designates,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Ladies and gentlemen;

 

First of all, allow me to welcome you warmly to our country, South Africa.

South Africa attaches great importance to the building of close and cordial relations of friendship and mutual co-operation with other countries.

This country shares with its continental counterparts a common vision of a better life for our respective peoples.

We also share a commitment to the African Agenda, the development agenda of the South and the establishment of a democratic and equitable global governance system.

We believe that your presence in South Africa will contribute to the strengthening and deepening of bilateral political and economic relations between our countries.

This is a significant development in bilateral relations between our countries.

It is a strong gesture of recognition and acknowledgement of South Africa as an equal partner in the continental and multilateral affairs.

It affirms our solid place and role in world affairs, particularly the agenda of contributing to peace and development in the continent.

We are therefore looking forward to cooperation in various areas such as agriculture, mining and many others, particularly geared towards the consolidation of the African Agenda.

Excellencies;

We have just returned from the African Union Summit, which was successfully hosted by our new African Union Commission Chairperson.

The Chairperson referred to the theme of the Summit and the 50th anniversary celebration of the Organisation of African Union (OAU) created on 25 May 1963.

Her Excellency emphasized that the spirit of Pan-Africanism and the ideals of the African Renaissance it has delivered will propel its citizens towards an integrated, people-centred, prosperous Africa at peace with itself.  

To secure decent livelihoods and the free movement of people, goods and services, the African Union agreed that we must accelerate integration and connectivity.

The Summit expressed satisfaction with the progress on the implementation of the priority infrastructure projects of Programme of Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) in the areas of transport, energy and information communication technologies.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission further underscored the need for the Union to enhance youth and women’s development alongside education as she said;

“The Pan African University and the general expansion of our higher education sector will equip our young people with critical abilities to drive innovation, sciences, entrepreneurship, research, social development and industrialization”,

Excellencies;

As I speak, I am proud to announce that we have the Ambassador of Somalia with us here whose country has just had the new head of state.

As we all know, Somalia had been without a government for more than 20 years

Their suffering through war and famine has been our suffering and now that they are on the road to recovery and prosperity, we wish to walk beside them and assist wherever we can with rebuilding their country.

Our government has pledged R100 million towards projects that would support the post-conflict reconstruction and development of Somalia.

Two of the projects have recently been approved and we are hoping to deploy a team to Mogadishu in the near future to ensure that they begin as soon as possible.

We hope to strengthen our bilateral relations and work together at multilateral levels with all countries represented here to improve this world as well as advancing the achievement of Millennium Development Goals 2015. 

In this regard, we must utilise these opportunities to define a Programme of Action to strengthen our trade and economic relations and convene regular political consultations as a reflection of our determination to continue building on the mutually beneficial relations and friendship between our respective countries.

South Africa will continue to play a meaningful role in assisting our fellow neighbours as we are doing currently in Mali and Central Africa Republic to bring peace and stability in those countries.

With a track record in dealing with situations like this, as we see the example in Burundi, we are hopeful that a durable solution will soon be found.

We continue to value relations with our traditional bilateral partners such as Sweden, Finland, Georgia, Canada, Australia and Cuba, which were instrumental during our struggle for freedom. We will forever be indebted to you.

Together with Australia, on behalf of our world, we are co-hosting the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which is the largest scientific project in the world.

We hope that this scientific endeavour shall go a long a way in strengthening our bilateral relations.

South-South cooperation will remain our cornerstone of our foreign policy and it is also imperative to strengthen these relations with countries of the South, such as Chile, represented among us here today.

As you know, South Africa will be hosting the Fifth BRICS Summit on 26 to 27 March 2013 in eThekwini.

The theme of the Summit is BRICS and Africa: “Partnership for Development, Integration and Industrialisation”.

South Africa remains on track with preparations for this Summit.

In order to ensure that Africa benefits from our membership of this group of emerging economies, I have invited eight African Presidents to participate in the first ever “BRICS Leaders-Africa Dialogue Forum”.

Within our priority of consolidating the African Agenda, this dialogue will focus on unlocking BRICS-Africa potential for cooperation on infrastructure.

Excellencies,

You are arriving at our shores when Africa is showcasing its sports and cultural diplomacy through the Africa Cup of Nation tournament, which is the talk of town in every corner of this magnificent continent which is known as a cradle of humankind.

Amongst countries playing here, we have those which are making their debut in the tournament and have showcased their capabilities.

However, we believe and strongly wish that we translate the home ground advantage into a resounding victory in this tournament.

In about two week’s time, our country will be observing an important occasion in our government calendar, the State of the Nation Address.

Various important pronouncements are made on this event, which also have a bearing on our relations with other countries.

You may already have received invitations in this regard.

In conclusion, we welcome you Excellencies to South Africa and trust that you will have time during the course of your stay here to also appreciate the vibrant touristic and cultural landscape of our country.

I wish you success in your stay in this country and look forward to more enhanced relations.

 

I thank you.

 

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Keynote Address by President Jacob Zuma on the occasion of his visit to The Tshwane South FET College, Odi campus in Mabopane
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Honourable Premier of Gauteng Province, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, 

Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande,

Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Malusi Gigaba,

Minister of Labour, Ms Mildred Oliphant,

The Chairperson of Tshwane South FET College Council,

The Principal of Tshwane South FET College,

Tshwane South FET College management, staff, Student Representative Council and students,

 

Thank you for hosting us just two days before the delivery of the State of the Nation address for 2013. 

In May 2012, I had a meeting with FET College Councils and Principals. In that meeting, I made a commitment that government would do everything possible to improve FET colleges and make them centres of excellence and choice for our youth.

I decided then, that I needed to visit an FET college and see first hand how the colleges are run and what students do here.

This visit signifies the importance that government attaches to education, specifically further education and training. 

It signifies the importance we attach to FET colleges. That is why I have brought Ministers and the Premier, so that together we can recommit government to providing full support to FET colleges countrywide.

Secondly, I thought it would be critical for me to make an assessment of whether, our FET Colleges are sufficiently equipped to deliver the skills which are required for the growth and development of the economy as outlined in the National Development Plan and its programmes such as the New Growth Path.

Lastly, I came at the beginning of the academic year to encourage the students of Tshwane South FET College, Odi Campus, and other colleges to focus on their studies.

In a few years from now, we want you to be qualified artisans and apprentices.

We are also here to say loudly and clearly, that the time for FET colleges to be made to feel inferior to universities of technology and other colleges must come to an end.

FET colleges offer training in careers that are in demand in the workplace. If you are an artisan you are as important to this economy as any other professional. 

We want you and all other FET college students to know that we attach great importance to what you are studying here because you are definitely the future of our country.

We see FET colleges as contributing immensely to youth development. 

There are approximately 3 million young people between the ages of 18 and 24 years of age who are not in employment, education or training, representing a huge waste of human potential. 

An even larger number of adults over the age of 24 are in the same position. This, if unattended to, establishes a basis for the continuation, and possibly even the expansion, of poverty in South Africa.

The expansion of the education and training system, leading to a skilled workforce, is an indispensable part of any viable strategy to tackle poverty, inequality and unemployment.

The country depends on FET colleges for much-needed intermediate and high-level technical and vocational skills.

This is particularly the case because the scarce and critical skills such as plumbing, welding, mechanics, fitting and turning are produced at FET colleges.

It is of concern to observe that in the midst of high unemployment rates, our economy is still experiencing a shortage of skilled labour. 

It shows that our youth still study courses that are not in demand in the workplace.

At the meeting with the councils and principals last year, I made a commitment towards ensuring that more funds are allocated for FET Colleges infrastructure and that has been made possible through the Minister of Higher Education and Training. 

The department has made provision for additional funding.

One of the notable achievements of government is the provision of funds for financially needy, but academically capable students at universities and colleges. 

The money made available to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has more than doubled over the past years. 

A total of R1.7 billion was allocated for FET College students in 2012. This amount will increase to R2 billion in 2013.  

This programme gives effect to the introduction of free education whereby all qualifying National Certificate Vocational (NCV) and the NATED students are exempted from payment of fees at all public FET colleges.

The SETAs or Sector Education and Training Authorities have been asked to reorient their funding to channel more resources into full occupational programmes at public FET colleges and universities. 

We want them to commit progressively fewer resources to short courses, and must increasingly channel training resources into tackling the shortage of artisans, technicians, professionals, administrators, managers and others needed to build the economy.

Government has prioritised the strengthening of artisan training through apprenticeships and learnerships. 

The National Skills Accord, signed by all the social partners represented in NEDLAC in July 2011, commits them to a number of things, with numerical targets where appropriate. Agreements include the following:

a. Government and private sector employers committed to expanding the level of training using existing facilities and to expand these facilities;

b. They agreed that training will take place both in colleges and in workplaces belonging to the private sector, government and state-owned enterprises;

c. Employers in the private sector and the state-owned enterprises agreed to take on more apprentices, learners and interns and to train beyond their own needs;

d. Organised labour and government agreed that not all trainees will become employees in the company concerned and a distinction will be drawn between trainees and employees for purposes of establishing who are entitled to collective bargaining entitlements. 

e. All parties agreed to work to improve the role and performance of FET Colleges;

 

I am pleased that Government with its social partners signed the National Skills Accord, as one of the first outcomes of social dialogue on the New Growth Path. We are optimistic that this will pave the way to achieving the New Growth Path target of five million new jobs by 2020.  

Commitments two and eight of the National Skills Accord relates directly to your roles as FET Colleges. Companies are committing to make 12,000  placement or internship spaces available for FET College students.

They will also provide opportunities for work exposure in an industry work environment to 16,000 (sixteen thousand) lecturers annually.  

The National Skills Accord positions FET colleges as the preferred training providers for skills training programmes.

In the light of the opportunities and programme outlined above, my message to young people today, particularly the students of Tswane South FET College is to encourage you to take full advantage of the opportunities brought about by freedom and democracy.

Take advantage of opportunities created by government’s investment in student financial aid, huge infrastructure programmes and other economic activities for which your skills are highly in demand.

We want you to be change agents that will break the cycle of poverty, liberate yourselves and future generations in your communities. 

Work hard, stay focused and complete your studies in record time. 

I call upon all student leadership formations including the Student Representative Councils to take the lead in advocating for discipline, class attendance and a generally positive conduct which forms the basis for success in one’s studies.

Let me also extend a word of gratitude to those dedicated members of college Councils, management as well as staff for their efforts in making sure that the youth of South Africa are provided with education and training of good quality. 

We wish you all a good start to the year and a very productive 2013.

We look forward to seeing you in the workplace soon as qualified artisans, contribution to building a prosperous South Africa.

 

I thank you.

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State of the Nation Address by His Excellency Jacob G Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa on the occasion of the Joint Sitting Of Parliament, Cape Town
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Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly,

Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces;

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP;

Deputy President of the Republic, Honourable Kgalema Motlanthe;

Former President Thabo Mbeki and Mrs Mbeki,

Former President De Klerk and Mrs De Klerk,

Former Deputy Presidents Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Baleka Mbete,

Honourable Chief Justice of the Republic, and all esteemed members of the Judiciary;

Honourable Peeroo, Chairperson of the SADC Parliamentary Forum,

Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers,

Distinguished Premiers and Speakers of our Provinces;

Chairperson of SALGA, and all local government leadership;

Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders;

The Heads of Chapter 9 Institutions;

The Governor of the Reserve Bank; Ms Gill Marcus,

The Deputy Chairperson of the National Planning Commission and Deputy President of the ANC, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa and all ANC Officials,

Leaders from business, sports, traditional, religious and all sectors,

Members of the diplomatic corps, Special and distinguished guests,

Honourable members,

Fellow South Africans,

 

Good evening to you all, sanibonani nonke, molweni, dumelang.

 

Let me thank the Presiding Officers for affording me this opportunity to share our 2013 programme of action with the joint sitting of Parliament.

 

We greet all who are watching this broadcast from their homes and at GCIS viewing centres around the country, including those in Khayelitsha, Nyanga and Gugulethu here in Cape Town.

 

Let me also extend my gratitude to all who contributed to the preparation of this address.  I received several messages via email, twitter and Facebook.

 

I also spent some time with Grade 12 learners who shared their own views on what should be contained in the speech. I found the inputs very informative and enriching.

 

Honourable Members,

Compatriots and friends,

 

On the 15th of August last year, the National Planning Commission handed over the National Development Plan, the vision of the country for the next 20 years, to the President in this august house.

 

The NDP contains proposals for tackling the problems of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

 

It is a roadmap to a South Africa where all will have water, electricity, sanitation, jobs, housing, public transport, adequate nutrition, education, social protection, quality healthcare, recreation and a clean environment.

 

The achievement of these goals has proven to be difficult in the recent past, due the global economic recession.

 

The crisis in the Eurozone affects our economy as the Eurozone is our major trading partner, accounting for around 21 per cent of our exports.

 

Our GDP growth is expected to average at 2.5% cent, down from 3.1% in the previous year.  We need growth rates in excess of five per cent to create more jobs.

 

The National Development Plan outlines interventions that can put the economy on a better footing. The target for job creation is set at 11 million by 2030 and the economy needs to grow threefold to create the desired jobs.

 

In my last meeting with the business community, the sector indicated that for the economy to grow three-fold, we must remove certain obstacles.

 

We will engage business, labour and other social partners in pursuit of solutions. No single force acting individually can achieve the objectives we have set for ourselves.

 

Honourable Members,

 

I would now like to report on progress made since the last State of the Nation Address and also to discuss our programme of action for 2013.

 

I will look at the five priorities – education, health, the fight against crime, creating decent work as well as rural development and land reform.

 

Last year, I addressed the nation on government’s infrastructure plans.  

 

By the end of March this year, starting from 2009, government will have spent about 860 billion rand on infrastructure. Various projects are being implemented around the country. I will discuss just a few.

 

The construction of the first phase of the Mokolo and Crocodile River Water Augmentation has commenced and it will provide part of the water required for the Matimba and the Medupi power stations.

 

The construction of the bulk water distribution system for the De Hoop Dam began in October 2012, to supply water to the Greater Sekhukhune, Waterberg and Capricorn district municipalities.

 

We have to shift the transportation of coal from road to rail in Mpumalanga, in order to protect the provincial roads. Thus the construction of the Majuba Rail coal line will begin soon.

 

We have also committed to improve the movement of goods and economic integration through a Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistics and industrial corridor.

 

In this regard, substantial work is now underway to develop the City Deep inland terminal in Gauteng.

 

Initial work has commenced in the expansion of the Pier 2 in the Durban Port.

 

And thirdly, land has been purchased for the development of a new dug-out port at the Old Durban airport.

 

In the Eastern Cape, I officially opened the port of Ngqura and construction is now underway to develop a major new transhipment hub.

 

The Umzimvubu Dam is critical for rural livelihoods. Preparatory work has commenced for the construction to begin next year.

 

The upgrading of Mthatha airport runway and terminal and the construction of the Nkosi Dalibhunga Mandela Legacy Road and Bridge are currently underway.

 

I have asked for work in the North West to be fast-tracked further in light of the huge backlogs in that province, especially electricity, schools, clinics, roads and water in the next two years.

 

To improve the transportation of iron-ore and open up the west coast of the country, we have expanded the rail capacity through the delivery of 11 locomotives.

 

The first phase of the expansion – to increase iron ore port capacity at Saldanha to 60 million tons per annum – was officially completed in September last year.

 

Construction work is taking place in five cities – Cape Town, Nelson Mandela Bay, Rustenburg, eThekwini, Tshwane to integrate the different modes of transport – bus, taxi and train.

 

In the energy sector, we have now laid 675 kilometres of electricity transmission lines to connect fast-growing economic centres and also to bring power to rural areas.

 

In addition, government signed contracts to the value of R47 billion in the renewable energy programme.  

 

This involves 28 projects in wind, solar and small hydro technologies, to be developed in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape and in the Free State.

 

We established an 800 million rand national green fund last year.  To date, over 400 million rand investments in green economy projects has already been approved for municipalities, other organs of state, community organisations and the private sector across all provinces.

 

We have also rolled out 315 000 solar water geysers as of January this year, most of which were given to poor households, many of whom had never had running hot water before.

 

We have scored successes in extending basic services through the infrastructure programme. Close to 200 000 households have been connected to the national electricity grid in 2012.

 

You will also recall that Census 2011 outlined the successes in extending basic services. The report said the number of households with access to electricity is now at 12.1 million, which translates to 85%. Nine out of 10 households have access to water. 

 

To prepare for the advanced economy we need to develop, we will expand the broadband network.

 

Last year, the private and public sector laid about 7000 kms of new fibre optic cables. The plan is to achieve 100% broadband internet penetration by 2020.

 

With regard to social infrastructure, a total of 98 new schools will have been built by the end of March, of which more than 40 are in the Eastern Cape that are replacing mud schools.

 

Construction is expected to begin in September at the sites of two new universities in the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga.

 

Last week, we published an Infrastructure Development Bill for public comment.

 

We are cracking down on corruption, tender fraud and price fixing in the infrastructure programme.

 

The state has collected a substantial dossier of information on improper conduct by large construction companies.

 

This is now the subject of formal processes of the competition commission and other law enforcement authorities.

 

The infrastructure development programme has been a valuable source of learning for government. In the year ahead, we will fast-track many of the projects that the PICC has announced.

 

The lessons are that we must coordinate, integrate and focus on implementation.

 

Honourable Members,

 

The past two years have demonstrated that where the state intervenes strongly and consistently, it can turn around key industries that face external or internal threats as has happened in our manufacturing sector.

 

We have seen the revitalization of train and bus production in South Africa, largely because of the drive for local procurement.  

 

PRASA and Transnet have committed hundreds of billions of rands to improving our commuter and freight train network.

 

The clothing, textiles and footwear industry has stabilised after 15 years of steadily falling employment. A clothing support scheme provides broad financial support, saving a number of factories and jobs.

 

On broader economic transformation, revised Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act and codes are being finalised.  The development of black owned enterprises and black industrialists will be prioritised.

 

Government has several programmes of supporting small business.  A key project for the Presidency currently is to get government departments to pay SMMEs within 30 days.

 

Departments are required to submit monthly reports so that we can monitor progress in this regard.

 

We have taken a decision that accounting officers who fail to execute this directive, should face consequences.

 

In the 2010 State of the Nation Address, I announced the Job fund, and three billion rand has been approved for projects that will create jobs.

 

Honourable Members,

 

Just over a third of the population is under the age of 15. Our country, like many others, has a crisis of youth unemployment.

 

Last May I asked constituencies at NEDLAC to discuss youth employment incentives. I am pleased that discussions have been concluded and that agreement has been reached on key principles. The parties will sign the Accord later this month.

 

The incentives will add to what Government is already doing to empower the youth.

 

State owned companies provide apprenticeships and learnerships and we urge that these be increased.  We appeal to the private sector to absorb 11 000 FET graduates who are awaiting placements.

 

The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform runs the National Rural Youth Services Corps, which has enrolled 11 740 young people in various training programmes.

 

The Department is also planning nine Rural Youth Hubs per province, including in the 23 poorest districts in the country.

 

We will also use the Expanded Public Works Programme and the Community Work programme to absorb young people.

 

Working together we will find a solution to youth unemployment.

 

Honourable members,

 

We identified tourism as one of our job drivers.

 

Tourist arrivals grew at an impressive 10.7 percent between January and September 2012, which is higher than the global average of 4% for last year.

 

Ironically, the very success of South Africa’s national conservation effort resulting in over 73% of the worlds’ rhino population being conserved here, has resulted in our country being targeted by international poaching syndicates.

 

We are working with recipient and transit countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and China and are intensifying our efforts to combat this increasing scourge.

 

Honourable Speaker

Honourable Chairperson,

 

Mining, which is historically the backbone of the economy, has faced difficulties in recent months.

 

Last year the sector was hit by wild cat strikes and the tragedy in Marikana where more than 44 people were killed.

 

We established an Inter-Ministerial Committee made up of senior cabinet Ministers to assist families during that difficult period. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry led by Judge Ian Farlam continues its work.

 

Through working together we were able to restore social stability in the area.

 

Government, labour in the form of COSATU, NACTU and FEDUSA, Business Unity SA, Black Business Council and the community sector met in October and reached an agreement which laid the basis for a return to work across the mining industry.

 

In particular, we agreed to work together to strengthen collective bargaining; to address the housing problems in the mining towns; to support the National infrastructure Programme; to address youth unemployment; and to identify measures to reduce inequalities.

 

Work is underway and the team will report in due course with specific plans for Rustenburg, Lephalale, Emalahleni, West Rand, Welkom, Klerksdorp, Burgersfort/Steelport, Carletonville and Madibeng.

 

Two weeks ago, I had a meeting in Pretoria with Sir John Parker, the chairman of Anglo-American Plc to discuss the reported plans to restructure and retrench 14 000 workers at Anglo American Platinum.

 

Compatriots,

 

Honourable Members,

 

We believe that at a policy level we have managed to bring about certainty in the mining sector. The nationalisation debate was laid to rest in December at the ruling party’s national conference.

 

Ensuring that the public services we provide our people today can continue to be provided to our people tomorrow, requires that we have suitable tax policies to generate sufficient revenue to pay for these services.

 

From time to time, we have commissioned studies into our tax policies, to evaluate the extent to which they meet the requirements of the fiscus.

 

Later this year, the Minister of Finance will be commissioning a study of our current tax policies, to make sure that we have an appropriate revenue base to support public spending.

 

Part of this study, will evaluate the current mining royalties regime, with regard to its ability to suitably serve our people.

 

Honourable Members,

Distinguished guests,

 

In last year’s address we raised the issue of the gap market, the people who earn too much to qualify for an RDP house and too little for a bank mortgage bond.

 

From April 2012 to December 2012, Provincial Departments committed a budget of 126 million rand of the Human Settlements Development Grant for this programme, known as the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy programme.

 

The money is being used through the National Housing Finance Corporation, which has been appointed to deliver houses to people within the Gap market in twelve registered projects.

 

A total of 70 million rand of this amount has been used to date.

 

Projects include Walmer Link in the Eastern Cape, Lady Selbourne, Nelmapius, Bohlabela Borwa, Cosmo City and Fleurhof in Gauteng, Intabazwe Corridor Housing in the Free State and Seraleng in North West.

 

The implementation of these eight GAP housing projects is currently underway.

 

Compatriots and friends,

 

Honourable Members,

 

On education, we are pleased that the Grade 12 pass rate is finally on an upward trend. We congratulate the Class of 2012, their teachers, parents and communities for the continued improvement.

 

We congratulate the top province for 2012, Gauteng and top grade 12 learner, Miss Madikgetho Komane, from Sekhukhune district, Limpopo, who is our special guest.

 

Honourable members,

 

The Annual National Assessments in our schools, have become a powerful tool of assessing the health of our education system. 

 

We welcome the improvement each year in the ANA results, but more must be done to improve maths, science and technology.

 

The Department of Basic Education will establish a national task team to strengthen the implementation of the Mathematics, Science and Technology Strategy.

 

We urge the private sector to partner government through establishing, adopting or sponsoring maths and science academies or Saturday schools.

 

Compatriots,

 

We are pleased with the growth of our early childhood education programmes, including Grade R.

 

We are also pleased with our adult education programme, Khari Gude, which has reached more than 2,2 million people between 2008 and 2011. 

 

We also continue to encourage people from all walks never to stop learning.  Many were inspired when accomplished musician and my special guest, Mr Sipho Hotstix Mabuse obtained his matric last year, at the age of 60.

 

Honourable Members,

 

We declared education as an apex priority in 2009. We want to see everyone in the country realising that education is an essential service for our nation.

 

By saying education is an essential service we are not taking away the Constitutional rights of teachers as workers such as the right to strike.

 

It means we want the education sector and society as a whole to take education more seriously than is happening currently.

 

All successful societies have one thing in common – they invested in education. Decent salaries and conditions of service will play an important role in attracting, motivating and retaining skilled teachers.

 

In this regard, we will establish a Presidential Remuneration Commission which will investigate the appropriateness of the remuneration and conditions of service provided by the State to all its employees.

 

I have directed that the first priority should be teachers.

 

The Commission will also assess the return on investment.

 

In elevating education to its rightful place, we want to see an improvement in the quality of learning and teaching and the management of schools. We want to see an improvement in attitudes, posture and outcomes.

 

Working with educators, parents, the community and various stakeholders, we will be able to turn our schools into centres of excellence.

 

Honourable Members,

 

Five years ago, South Africa had such a low life expectancy that experts suggested that by 2015, our life expectancy would have been exactly where it was in 1955.

 

It was with good reason that we were delighted when late last year, studies from the Medical Research Council, the Lancet medical journal and others began reporting a dramatic increase in life expectancy from an average baseline of 56 years in 2009 to 60 years in 2011. These reports also noted significant decreases in infant and under five mortality.

 

Increased life expectancy is a key to the country’s development. People are returning to work, they are being productive, economically and socially.  The family structure is increasingly stable and parents live longer and are able to take care of their children.

 

We should not become complacent, in light of these achievements.

 

Given the high co-infection rate between HIV and TB, we have integrated these services.

 

Work is also continuing on the research side. South Africa has discovered a candidate drug to treat Malaria.

 

In addition, researchers at the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa consortium, also discovered broad neutralising antibodies against HIV.

 

Deputy President Motlanthe has appointed new members of the South African National Aids Council Trust. We congratulate the team, which is led by retired Judge Zac Yacoob, as chairperson.

 

Diseases of lifestyle are on an alarming increase.  We have to combat and lower the levels of smoking, harmful effects of alcohol, poor diets and obesity.

 

Honourable members,

 

In 2014 we will create the National Health Insurance Fund. The Department of Health will accelerate and intensify progress in the pilot districts. 

 

In that regard, as from April this year, the first group of approximately 600 private medical practitioners will be contracted to provide medical services at 533 clinics within villages and townships in 10 of the pilot districts. 

 

Compatriots and friends,

 

In June we will mark the centenary of the 1913 Land Act which turned black people into wanderers, labourers and pariahs in their own land.

 

Former ANC President Sefako Makgatho outlined as such in his 1919 ANC conference presidential address.

 

He said;

 

“The Native Land Act still operates as mercilessly in different parts of the Union, and as a result many native families are still working for white farmers only for their food’’.

 

We are also honoured, in this year of the anniversary of the 1913 Land Act, to have present among us, Mrs Nomhlangano Beauty Mkhize, one of the veterans who together with her husband, Saul Mkhize, led the struggle against forced removals in Driefontein and Daggaskraal, in the present Mpumalanga Province.

 

The land question is a highly emotive matter.

 

We need to resolve it amicably within the framework of the Constitution and the law.

 

I received a message on Facebook from Thulani Zondi who raised his concern about the slow pace of land redistribution. He said:  “Mr President, as we are commemorating 100 years since the Land act of 1913 was introduced to dispossess the African majority.

 

I urge you to accelerate redistribution of the land to the landless African people.

 

“When we do the redistribution we need to be mindful of food security. Training and mentorship of emerging black commercial farmers must take place”.

 

From 1994, we have been addressing the land reform problem through restitution, redistribution and tenure reform.

 

As stated before, we will not be able to meet our redistribution targets.

 

Government’s mid-term review last year revealed a number of shortcomings in our land reform implementation programme. We will use those lessons to improve implementation.

 

Firstly, we must shorten the time it takes to finalise a claim. In this regard, Government will now pursue the ‘just and equitable’ principle for compensation, as set out in the Constitution instead of the “willing buyer, willing seller” principle, which forces the state to  pay more for land than the actual value.

 

Secondly there are proposed amendments to the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994 in order to provide for the re-opening of the lodgement of restitution claims, by people who missed the deadline of 31 December 1998.

 

Also to be explored, are exceptions to the June 1913 cut-off date to accommodate claims by the descendants of the Khoi and San as well as heritage sites and historical landmarks.

 

Another key lesson is to provide adequate post-settlement support to new landowners so that land continues to be productive.

 

We also need to provide better incentives for commercial farmers that are willing and capable of mentoring smallholder farmers.

 

Another challenge we have faced is the preference for money instead of land by some claimants, which also does not help us to change land ownership patterns.

 

As part of the Presidency stakeholder engagement programme ahead of the State of the Nation Address, Deputy President Motlanthe held a meeting with both farmers and farm workers in Paarl on Tuesday.

 

Stakeholders agreed that there should be peace and stability in the agriculture sector and that the living and working conditions of farm workers should be improved urgently.

 

It is also encouraging that even the farmers called for the fast tracking of land reform and support to emerging farmers.

 

We will continue the engagement with both farmers and farm workers.

 

Compatriots and friends,

 

We should also remain mindful of rapid urbanisation that is taking place. The Census Statistics reveal that 63% of the population are living in urban areas. This is likely to increase to over 70% by 2030.

 

Apartheid spatial patterns still persist in our towns and cities. Municipalities alone cannot deal with the challenges. We need a national approach.  

 

While rural development remains a priority of government, it is crucial that we also develop a national integrated urban development framework to assist municipalities to effectively manage rapid urbanisation.

 

As part of implementing the National Development Plan, all three spheres of government need to manage the new wave of urbanisation in ways that also contribute to rural development. 

 

Honourable Members,

 

Improving the status of women remains a critical priority for this government.

 

The Bill on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment has been approved by Cabinet for public comment. The Bill criminalizes practices that have adverse effects on women and girls.

 

It also legislates the 50/50 policy position with regard to the representation of women in decision making structures.

 

Honourable members,

 

The brutal gang rape and murder of Anene Booysen and other women and girls in recent times has brought into sharp focus the need for unity in action to eradicate this scourge.

 

The brutality and cruelty meted out to defenceless women is unacceptable and has no place in our country. Last year the National Council on Gender Based Violence was established. 

 

It comprises government, non-governmental Organizations, Community-Based Organizations, Faith-Based organizations, academia, research institutions, government, men’s groupings, and representation from women, children and persons with disabilities.

 

We urge this coordinating structure to make the campaign of fighting violence against women an everyday campaign.

 

We applaud all sectors for the campaigns that have taken place already, highlighting that such acts will not be tolerated.

 

I have directed law enforcement agencies to treat these cases with the utmost urgency and importance. The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units, which were re-established in 2010, have increased personnel.

 

During the last financial year, the Units secured over 363 life sentences, with a conviction rate of 73% for crimes against women above 18 years old and 70% for crimes against children under 18 years of age.  

 

Masibhunkule sisebenze sonke, silwe nalenkinga esibhekene nayo yabantu abadlwengula omame nezingane, ngisho nezalukazi imbala. Ihlazo nobunswelaboya obesabekayo lokhu abakwenzayo. Izigilamkhuba kufanele zibikwe emaphoyiseni ziboshwe.

 

Government is adding other mechanisms to protect women, such as the Protection from Harassment Bill. While the Domestic Violence Act also provides protection, it only applies to persons who are in a domestic relationship. 

 

The Protection from Harassment Bill also deals with harassment by persons who stalk their victims by means of electronic communications. 

 

In addition, the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill was passed by the National Assembly last year and is now at the National Council of Provinces.

 

Once implemented, the law will  assist women and children, who are often victims of this heinous crime.

 

Compatriots and friends,

 

There is increased visibility of the police which contributes to the reduction in the levels of serious crime.

 

The operations focusing on illegal firearms, stolen and robbed vehicles, liquor and drugs which are regarded as main generators of crime have assisted in crime reduction.

 

Compatriots and friends,

 

Government continues to wage a war against corruption.

 

The capacity of the Special Investigating Unit has grown from an initial 70 staff members to more than 600 at present.

 

I have since 2009, signed 34 proclamations directing the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption, fraud or maladministration in various government departments and state entities.

 

Criminal Investigations were initiated against 203 accused persons in 67 priority cases under investigation by the end September 2012.

 

In total, pre-trial proceedings have been initiated against 191 persons. A total of 66 persons under investigation are alleged to have received R5 million or more benefits through corruption. Freezing Orders were obtained against 46 persons.

 

In other successes, in the past financial year, 107 officials working within the criminal justice system were convicted. 

 

The Asset Forfeiture Unit seized assets valued at more than R541 million. A total of R61 million of these assets have already been forfeited to the State. The assets are channelled back to fighting crime and corruption through the Criminal Asset Recovery Account.

 

Last year, additional funding of R150 million from the Criminal Assets Recovery Account was approved for the work of the Anti-Corruption Task Team which comprises the Hawks, the Special Investigating Unit and the National Prosecuting Authority. 

 

These resources are aimed at strengthening the capacity of these law enforcement agencies in our resolve to fight corruption.

 

We urge the private sector to also take this fight against corruption seriously so that we tackle it from all angles.

 

To further boost the fight against corruption, we will fill all vacant posts at the upper echelons of the criminal justice system.

 

Compatriots and friends,

 

Honourable Members,

 

There are some lessons from Marikana and other incidents that we cannot allow to recur in our country.

 

Our Constitution is truly one of our greatest national achievements.   Everything that we do as a government is guided by our Constitution and its vision of the society we are building.

 

We call on all citizens to celebrate, promote and defend our Constitution.

 

Our Bill of Rights guarantees that “everyone has the right, peacefully and unarmed,  to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions”. 

 

We therefore call on our people to exercise their rights to protest in a peaceful and orderly manner.

 

It is unacceptable when people’s rights are violated by perpetrators of violent actions, such as actions that lead to injury and death of persons, damage to property and the destruction of valuable public infrastructure.

 

We are duty bound to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic. We will spare no effort in doing so.

 

For this reason, I have instructed the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to put measures in place, with immediate effect, to ensure that any incidents of violent protest are acted upon, investigated and prosecuted.

 

Courts will be allocated to deal with such cases on a prioritised roll. The law must be enforced and it must be seen to be enforced - fairly, effectively and expeditiously.

 

The citizens of our country have a right to expect that their democratic state will exercise its authority in defence of the Constitution that so many struggled so long and hard for. We cannot disappoint this expectation.

 

The JCPS Cluster has therefore put measures in place at national, provincial and local level to deal with such incidents effectively.

 

Let me hasten to add that government departments at all levels must work closely with communities and ensure that all concerns are attended to before they escalate.  That responsibility remains. We are a caring government.

 

Honourable Members,

 

This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Organization of African Unity which has been succeeded by the African Union.

 

We pay tribute to the OAU for its relentless struggle for the decolonization of our continent, including contributing to our own freedom.

 

We will continue to work for a stronger and more effective organization of our Union.

 

The NEPAD programme as well as the African Peer Review Mechanism have just celebrated their tenth year of existence.

 

As the convener of the NEPAD Presidential Infrastructure Championing Initiative, South Africa continues to work with other champions to implement high impact infrastructure projects in the continent.

 

On peace and security, we stand by the people of Mali in their effort to claim and assert the territorial integrity of their country.

 

We urge the leadership in the Central African Republic, Guinea Bissau and Somalia to continue their march towards lasting peace for the sake of their people. We remain firmly opposed to unconstitutional change of government. 

 

We are encouraged by the developments between Sudan and South Sudan. We commend our former President Thabo Mbeki and other members of the AU High Level Panel for the dedicated manner in which they have been working with the two sides. 

 

We are in solidarity with the DRC as the country battles the menace to its security.

 

South Africa will continue supporting Africa's peace efforts including through mediation, troop contribution for peace keeping, and by providing material and financial assistance.

 

In this regard, we look forward to the conclusion of political dialogues in Zimbabwe and Madagascar. 

 

Our vision of a better Africa in a better world will receive great impetus when we host the 5th BRICS Summit next month in Durban.

 

We are inspired by the exponential growth of bilateral relations, diplomatically and economically, between South Africa and other BRICS countries.

 

Strengthening North-South relations remains central to our foreign policy agenda.

 

We reaffirm our partnership with countries of the North, especially the USA, Europe and Japan.

 

The UN’s 70th anniversary provides an opportunity to take forward the transformation of the UN Security Council.

 

We shall continue to use the G20 to represent the aspirations of the people of Africa and push for the transformation of Bretton Woods institutions.

 

South Africa’s internationalism has a strong element of solidarity to it.  We stand with the people of Palestine as they strive to turn a new leaf in their struggle for their right to self-determination; hence we supported their bid for statehood.

 

The expansion of Israeli settlements into Palestinian territories is a serious stumbling block to the resolution of the conflict.

 

The right of self determination for the people of Western Sahara has to be realised.

 

We remain firm in our call for the lifting of the economic embargo against Cuba.

 

Working together we can do more to create a better Africa and a better world.

 

Compatriots,

 

In the year 2012, we focused on preserving and promoting our country’s cultural heritage with particular emphasis on our liberation heritage.

 

We also hosted a historic National Summit on Social Cohesion, focusing on building a socially inclusive, caring and proud nation.

 

In the implementation of our programme we will work with our Social Cohesion Advocates; eminent South Africans drawn from a variety of sectors within our society.

 

We are proud to have in our midst this evening, two of our eminent social cohesion advocates, Judge Yvonne Mokgoro and Advocate George Bizos.

 

Compatriots,

 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Raid on Liliesleaf Farm, the Escape from Marshall Square as well as the Start of the Rivonia Trial.

 

A series of events are being planned throughout the year to mark the three events, culminating in a national commemoration on the 11th of July.

 

Honourable Members

 

We have just concluded a highly successful Africa Cup of Nations tournament. We extend hearty congratulations to the African champions, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also to all participating teams for their contribution to showcasing the standard of African football.

 

We thank all our people for being excellent hosts and fans.

 

I had the opportunity to personally thank CAF President Honourable Issa Hayatou for affording us the honour of hosting the AFCON.

 

Compatriots and friends,

 

As I said earlier, this programme of action will be implemented differently as the activities of departments must be aligned with the National Development Plan.

 

Compatriots,

 

Before concluding, let me take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of struggle stalwart and prominent human rights lawyer, Comrade Phyllis Naidoo who passed on today.

 

Only recently, we lost Comrade Amina Cachalia.

 

We are truly saddened by the loss.

 

Honourable Members,

 

Compatriots,

 

As South Africans, we should continue to have one primary goal - to make our country a truly great and prosperous nation.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!

 

I thank you.

 

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Address by President Jacob Zuma on the occasion of the signing ceremony of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Your Excellency, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma;

Your Excellency, Mr Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations;

Your Excellency, President Museveni, Chairperson of the International Conference of the Great Lakes;

Your Excellency, President Guebuza, Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community;

Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government here present;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

 

We are truly honoured to be among those invited to witness a potential turning point in the history of the DRC and the region.

The signing of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Region is yet another opportunity to comprehensively deal with the complexities facing the DRC and the region.  

This Framework in itself does not provide all the answers, it is an instrument that points the Government of the DRC, its immediate neighbours and the international community in a direction that will take this country out of the current morass.

Its success will depend on the commitment and ultimately the concrete actions taken by all the parties to it, to interpret and implement it to its fullest noble intention. 

We welcome the inclusion of benchmarks and follow-up mechanisms that will facilitate a common understanding of the actions required by all parties.  

This partnership needs to go beyond our cooperation within the context of the envisaged Regional Oversight Mechanism. We need to ensure coherence in our various initiatives all with the same intention – to support the DRC and its neighbours in a process leading to sustained peace and development and the proposal to appoint a United Nations Special Envoy to this end is warmly welcomed.

We hail the commitment of the international community to walk alongside the DRC and its neighours on a path of peace, stability, nation-building, reconciliation, mutual understanding and trust, as well as socio economic development underpinned by political and human freedoms.

A heavy burden of responsibility falls on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its neighbours. Theirs is the historic task of freeing the people of the DRC and the region from its tortuous history of conflict and instability, and to introduce a new future offering democracy, peace, stability, progress and prosperity.

Your Excellencies, South Africa is committed to partnering with the government and people of the DRC as they respond to the urgent challenges of development. 

We will always be ready to work with them on important challenges such as reconciliation, post conflict reconstruction and development covering such areas as security sector reform, institutional capacity building and economic development.

We welcome the intention to strategically review the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) to strengthen its capacity to support the Government of the DRC to address security challenges and to extend state authority. 

South Africa further welcomes the proposal for an Intervention Brigade as a realistic option to bring security to the eastern DRC within the shortest timeframe and hope that the signing of this Framework will hasten the deployment of an appropriate peace enforcement mechanism.  

We are convinced that a military deployment presents only a short term solution but that real stability, peace and development requires far- reaching actions from the Government of the DRC and its neighbours. 

We believe that only a comprehensive political solution would form the basis of lasting peace in the eastern DRC. 

Therefore, all armed groups must cease immediately all forms of violence and other destabilizing activities and release immediately all child soldiers and permanently lay down their arms. 

South Africa calls on the African Union and the international community to assist the Government of the DRC in its process of nation-building to create strong institutions of governance across the public service to safeguard the gains of peace. 

We call on countries of the region to unreservedly commit themselves to this Framework and to do what is necessary to make it work.

The DRC lies at the very heart of our great continent and we wish that this heart can beat peacefully, diffusing vitality to the benefit of its people and those of the region and indeed of all of Africa.

In conclusion, we are reminded of the words of Patrice Lumumba that;

“we are proud of this struggle amid tears, fire and blood, down to our very hearts, for it was a noble and just struggle and indispensable struggle, of where we are to put an end to the humiliating slavery that had been forced upon us. We are going to ensure that the lands of our fatherland truly profits its children”. 

The words of Patrice Lumumba  must bear fruit. May the people of the DRC and their neighbours live in peace and harmony!

 

I thank you.

 

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Remarks by President Jacob Zuma at the launch of the Stop Rape Campaign in schools hosted by the Department of Basic Education and LEAD SA, Mitchells Plain, Cape Town
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The Minister and Deputy Minister of Basic Education,

Deputy Ministers,

MECs responsible for Basic Education

Mr Yusuf Abramjee and representatives of LEAD SA,

The Principal of Glendale Secondary School, educators, boys and girls,

 

Good morning to you all.

 

Thank you for hosting us for this important occasion.

We are here today to share with you a very important message.

 

South Africa faces a problem of the ongoing abuse of women and children including violent attacks on defenceless women and girls.

 

We have to build a more caring society in which the rights of all are respected, especially the rights of women and children.

 

That is why government, through the partnership between the Department of Basic Education and LEAD SA, is launching the Stop Rape Campaign.

 

Over 64 000 cases of rape were reported to the police last year.

 

The Minister of Police indicated last year when releasing crime statistics that while the levels of serious crime had decreased, the levels of sexual assaults were of serious concern.

 

We have come together to say that these horrendous attacks must stop.

 

No woman or child should be beaten, raped, stabbed, shot or attacked in any manner anywhere in our country, whether by known or unknown attackers.

 

We know that there are also boys and men who have been victims of sexual assaults. This must also stop.

 

I trust that you do make time to read and understand the Constitution.

It says that everyone has the right to freedom and security of the person. This includes the right -

(a) not to be deprived of freedom arbitrarily or without just cause;

(b) not to be detained without trial;

(c) to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources;

(d) not to be tortured in any way; and

(e) not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading way.

The Constitution also says that everyone has the right to bodily and psychological integrity which includes the right to security in and control over their body.

We should respect these rights and respect one another at all times.

Importantly, we remind you that all cases of rape, sexual assault or any form of violence should be reported to the police.

 

The police and the existing courts are empowered under the Domestic Violence Act, the Sexual Offences Act and Children’s Act to arrest, prosecute and convict perpetrators of violence against women and children.

 

We urge you to read these laws and know them well, and share the knowledge with your families.

 

Our courts already deal harshly with perpetrators found guilty of violence. During the last financial year, the sexual offences units secured over 363 life sentences, with a conviction rate of 73 per cent for crimes against women above 18 years of age and 70 per cent for crimes against children under 18 years of age.

Our fight has been further bolstered by the re-introduction of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units at the SA Police Service from 30 June last year. 

These units have dedicated investigators and other resources and are assigned to cases where women and children are affected by violence.

We urge you to use these units to report cases of violence or attacks.  We have also taken a decision to re-open the Sexual Offences Courts. 

We wish to emphasise that men have a role to play in the campaign against rape and sexual violence.

 

Many men are already playing a constructive role in their communities, through raising awareness and assisting the police to catch the perpetrators, among many interventions.

 

Therefore, what we are launching today is not a women’s campaign. It is everybody’s campaign. It is also a campaign for all South Africans as this scourge affects all communities.

 

Tomorrow, at the start of Human Rights Month, we invite schools to participate in the Stop Rape Campaign.

 

Together we must say that abusers, murderers and rapists should face the full might of the law.  In addition, we must support the victims of sexual crimes as to rebuild their shattered lives.  They need the love and understanding of the families, relatives, friends and neighbours.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it is my pleasure to declare the start of the Stop Rape Campaign.

 

Working together we will make a difference.

 

I thank you.

 

Enquiries: Mac Maharaj 0798793203/ macmaharaj@icloud.com

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

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Address by His Excellency Jacob G. Zuma on the occasion of the Bongi Ngema-Zuma Foundation’s sponsors dinner promoting the fight against diabetes, Hilton Hotel, Sandton, Gauteng
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Programme Director, Sotobe,

Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi,

Honourable Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa, Honourable Ms. Nomvula Mokonyane, the Premier of Gauteng,

Honourable MEC of Health in Gauteng, Mr. Hope Papo,

Honourable MEC of Health in KwaZulu Natal, Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo,

MC for Health in the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Nonceba Molwele,

Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosi Maubane,

Honourable Ambassadors of the People’s Republic of China and Zambia

South Africa’s Ambassador to Singapore, Hazel Ngubeni,

Leaders from business, sports, traditional, religious and all sectors,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

Good evening to you all.

 

One of our government’s foremost goals is to promote a healthy nation and increase the life expectancy.

We have done well with the fight against HIV and AIDS and other communicable diseases. We need to make progress as well in slowing down the pace of silent killers such as diabetes, hypertension which is known to our people as BP or high-high!

I am therefore happy to join you this evening to escalate the fight against diabetes, one of our silent killers.

Earlier this week, the Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan, spelt out our government’s budget.  Without doubt, a huge component is allocated to health services.  

Investing R133.6 billion, nearly 15 percent of the total budget, on health this year illustrates the significance we are placing on this national imperative.

Consider also that our consolidated budget for health and social protection accounts for R268 billion in the new financial year 2013/ 14.  This makes it the biggest portion, followed by education, sport and culture at R233 billion. 

Over the next three years, close to R430 billion will be invested in health. 

What this clearly indicates, is this government’s commitment to improve health care in the country.  We are pleased that we have your support as demonstrated by your presence this evening.

We have great plans for taking forward our quest for a healthy nation.

We have bold plans for health care. We want to halve TB deaths by 2015 and increase testing for the disease as well as the number of citizens receiving treatment for TB as well as HIV and Aids.  In line with this, we expect the phasing in of the National Health Insurance scheme will help us turn the tide even faster.

I am very optimistic about us achieving our goals in improving healthcare and thereby cement the foundation for a prosperous future of this nation.  My optimism is built on our strategic focus on primary healthcare.  My optimism is also growing on the back of inroads we are making in reducing new infections, and improved life expectancy. 

According to the Medical Research Council studies released last year, life expectancy rose from an average baseline of 56 years in 2009 to 60 year in 2011. 

At the same time, the reports noted significant decreases in infant and children under age five mortality.  

We are encouraged by this trend, which is aligned to the work we do at the African Union’s level. 

At the AU level, we have resolved to advance the agenda of prioritising women and child health.  This we will drive through the Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA). 

An important aspect of our pragmatic approach to addressing the challenges we face is to seek comprehensive and holistic solutions.

That is why we have begun to intensify the focus on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and its associated diseases. Diabetes is the main focus of our host tonight the Bongi Ngema-Zuma Foundation.

Diabetes is also within the broad category of lifestyle diseases, including obesity, which are at an alarming increase in this country. 

You have already heard that, according to the International Diabetes Federation, nearly 370 million people in the world live with diabetes.  Of these, an estimated six million are in South Africa. 

And just like the deadly relationship between TB and HIV/ Aids has shown, the addition of diabetes in the picture, compounds an already devastating scenario. 

So indeed we have to act, and act now!  We have to heighten levels of awareness about the diabetes pandemic to reduce the growing burden of the disease and promote a healthier nation. 

Allow me to reiterate, therefore, my call for unity in action among all of us as stakeholders – business, public sector, non-governmental and civic organisations. 

Let us build working partnerships so we can effectively deal with the scourge of disease. 

Ladies and gentlemen

As part of building a prosperous South Africa and job creation, we have in the last four years rolled out an expansive capital infrastructure build programme. 

This programme, which is worth nearly R900 billion, is aimed at improving our power, roads, water, education and healthcare infrastructure. 

Because of the strategic importance of continued investment in scaling up infrastructure, we are extending this programme.  We will be investing roughly four times in the next two decades, enhancing the capacity of our infrastructure. 

It is through creating an enabling economic environment that we can grow our economy, and ensure that it is redistributive and shared equitably. 

More importantly, we have taken these ambitious investment decisions as a pragmatic route toward eliminating unemployment, poverty and inequality. 

However, our plans will be in vain if we steam ahead with all the investment plans, but falter in addressing disease.  A healthy nation is the key to building a prosperous South Africa.

In the same way, ladies and gentlemen, to build a prosperous South Africa we need to promote stable communities and rebuild the moral fibre of our society.

The reported incidents of extreme and deadly forms of violence – especially against women and children, have to be rooted out from society.  The sordid acts know no age, colour and gender.  We condemn such brutality and barbarism in the strongest of terms. 

We are also alarmed at new incidents of extreme brutality, such as the actions seen on video last week, of police chaining a human being to a van and dragging him. Mr Mido Macia later died from the injuries. We congratulate the people of Daveyton who exposed the incident and to ensure that justice is served. We cannot bring Mr Macia back, but this incident should shock us all into action to build a violence-free society.

Such incidents indicate that something is seriously wrong with the psyche of some of our people. We need to address this matter strongly as all sectors of society.

Our society was seriously brutalized for decades under apartheid colonialism.

We have to ensure that the future generation does not imbibe that experience.

They should be the foundation of a more caring South Africa. Our children need to know the difference between right and wrong. They need to know the sanctity of the rights to life and human dignity and the primacy of respect for other human beings.

It is for this reason that we launched the Anti-rape campaign at Glendale Secondary School in Cape Town last week.

We believe in investing in our young people as they are the future.

Compatriots and friends

As government we refuse to allow these shocking incidents to kill our big dream of an equal, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, caring and prosperous South Africa.  Our historic mission gives us no other option but to stay true to the task of building a united nation. 

This begins with a change of mindset at all levels, from individual to family, to community and to society as a whole. 

Let us together play our crucial roles in nurturing a truly responsible, caring, and strong-willed society.  We have a beautiful country. We should continue building a prosperous nation, where we all share in its wealth, and reap the benefits of freedom.

We have it within ourselves to build the South Africa that Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and many of our heroes sacrificed life’s comforts for.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for supporting programmes of building a healthier and more prosperous nation.

 

I thank you.   

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Address by President Jacob Zuma on the occasion of the Official Opening of The National House of Traditional Leaders
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The Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosi Pontsho Maubane (Kgabo!)

Minister Masenyani Richard Baloyi (Mathebula!)

Deputy Minister Yunus Carrim (Ndaa VhoCarrim!)

Other Ministers and Deputy Ministers present,

Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Max Sisulu (Xhamela!)

The Chairperson of the NCOP, Honourable Mninwa Mahlangu (Mrungwa!)

The Deputy Chairperson of the NHTL, Kgosi Makgeru (Hlabirwa’a Bauba!)

Members of the House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL)

Heads of Chapter 9 institutions,

Mr Cecil Le Fleur, Chairperson of the National Khoi-San Council and your Councillors,

Nkosi Patekile Holomisa, President of CONTRALESA (Aah Dilizintaba!), and your Executive Committee,

Chairpersons of the Provincial Houses and all their majesties kings and queens present,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Lotshani!

 

Two weeks ago, I delivered the State of the Nation Address where we outlined progress made and the priorities and direction of our government for the new financial year. 

 

I committed government to forge ahead with building partnerships with all of the citizens of this country and all sectors, to make a better life for all our people a reality. 

 

We outlined progress made in the five government priority areas. These are education, health, the fight against crime and community safety, job creation as well as agriculture and land reform.

 

I am happy today to have this opportunity to open the National House of Traditional Leaders so that it can conduct its business for this financial year. 

 

The institution, status and role of traditional leadership, according to customary law, are recognised by the Constitution of the Republic. 

 

The institution of traditional leadership has a role to play in supporting government in its programme of building a prosperous South Africa. 

 

We require your ongoing support in implementing programmes in our five priorities and the programme of action of government as a whole.

 

Amakhosi ayahlonishwa ezindaweni eziningi ezweni lakithi. Ningabaholi bethu, abaholi babantu bethu. Siyawuxhasa kakhulu umsebenzi owenziwa indlu yamakhosi kuzwelonke, kanye nasezifundazweni.

 

Chairperson,

 

The National and Provincial Houses were reconstituted last year. We trust that the new leadership has settled in and fully engaged in the business of the House.

 

When we meet traditional leaders we often look back at the heroic role played by amakhosi in our history. 

 

We recall our ancestors, from King Harry of the Cape San to the last armed resistance leader, Nkosi Bambatha in 1906, who put down the spear and gave way to the new form of resistance in the form of the congress movement.

 

The spear was then picked up through the formation of the African National Congress in 1912. 

 

Since then, the battle continues to reverse to legacy of apartheid colonialism which is manifesting itself through abject poverty, mass unemployment and gross social inequality. 

 

We are looking up to the modern day traditional leadership to work with us as we navigate through the new challenges facing our people today, especially the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment. 

 

We are looking upon you, the descendants of the warriors and heroes of the wars against colonialism, to participate actively in building a new caring, united, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa.

 

Esteemed leaders of our people,

 

Today I would like to discuss mainly three aspects in relation to the role of traditional leaders in promoting a united and prosperous nation. These are nation building, food security and the promotion of indigenous heritage.

 

I trust that as part of the work that the National House will be undertaking this year, you will not lose sight of the National Development Plan and its implications and opportunities for traditional affairs.

 

As you know we have adopted the Plan as the development blueprint for the next 20 years.  

 

The Plan informs us that 30 years from today, South Africa will be mostly urban, and that our rural areas will be abandoned as the youth migrate to the cities in search of greener pastures. 

 

Migration to the cities will leave the arable and fertile land lying fallow. 

Such a prospect will definitely and most certainly threaten South Africa’s food security. 

 

We are already witnesses to this phenomenon. Many fields lie untilled across the country. The NDP identifies agriculture as an economic activity that is still capable of pushing back the frontiers of poverty. 

 

This requires traditional leaders to work with government to promote farming to our youth and the rural population.

 

At the same time, we are conscious of the fact that years of land deprivation reinforced by land dispossession laws such as the Land Act of 1913 and later apartheid laws, have deprived generations of our people of the skills necessary to survive out of agriculture. 

 

People who had been proud farmers were now forced to work after being dispossessed of their land, livestock and equipment. Working on the farms was thus turned into a form of slavery.

 

The outcome of this state of affairs over generations is that our youth developed a grim view of agriculture. Those living in rural areas aspire to move out of the villages as soon as they can. We need to change the situation.

 

We need to make them appreciate the economic importance and centrality of agriculture. We must encourage them to study agricultural and food production sciences at school and universities. 

 

Our educational institutions at both secondary and tertiary level must respond to this challenge and channel resources adequately and appropriately. 

 

I therefore humbly request this august house to support government in making agriculture and farming look “cool” and attractive as a career choice to our youth.

 

Also key to this promotion of agriculture is access to land. I trust that the departments of Traditional Affairs and that of Rural Development and Land Reform will be discussing with the National House soon on land reform.

 

We have to work on the implementation of measures on land reform to allow communities who missed the 1998 land claims application deadlines to still apply for land that was taken away from them as part of the cruel colonial land dispossession. 

 

We are also exploring means of allowing those who were dispossessed before 1913 to also obtain justice, as mentioned in the State of the Nation Address. 

 

You will assist us in encouraging those who get their land back to use it and not resell it. Selling the land, at times back to the previous “owner”, defeats the purpose of changing land ownership patterns. 

 

The programme of reversing land dispossession must be undertaken in a manner that corrects the injustice while also promoting agricultural stability and food security. 

 

With the support of traditional leaders, the land reform programme will be successful in all respects.

 

Esteemed leaders of our people,

 

The second point I wish to discuss today is nation building.

 

We meet during a period when our country has experienced heightened incidents of violence against women and children, and other forms of violence.

 

These incidents remind us that we come from an immensely violent culture. We survived a cruel system of governance which was described as a crime against humanity by the United Nations. 

 

The apartheid system could only be sustained through violence, and violence became entrenched. When we correctly demanded freedom, equality, justice and human dignity, the response was violence, murder and mayhem.

For that reason, our struggle became deliberately a struggle to eliminate all forms of violence. It was a struggle to achieve a peaceful, caring, stable society. 

 

We cannot turn our backs on that legacy of dignified, principled struggle for peace, freedom, human rights and justice. That is why South Africans are outraged at the incidents of violence.

 

However, in expressing our disgust, we should not lose sight of the fact that the overwhelming majority of the 52 million South Africans are peaceful, caring, law abiding citizens. 

 

They love their country. They do their best each day to make South Africa a better place. Therefore, when expressing outrage, we should be careful not to then paint all South Africans as violent and brutal. We should be careful not to rubbish our country. 

 

We should not and cannot lose faith in our own humanity and our collective ability to correct the wrongs that we see in our country.

 

We also dare not portray our beautiful country as an inherently violent place to live in. South Africa is a stable, peaceful country. Like all countries, there are elements that conduct themselves in a shocking and unacceptable manner.

 

And like all countries, we will search for solutions.

 

We have all been correctly angered by the rogue elements and criminals who molest women and children and commit other extreme forms of violence. 

 

Others burn and loot properties during what should be peaceful protests. 

 

The outrage expressed by our people at such recent violent incidents in particular is most welcome as it indicates that South Africans have not lost their sense of right and wrong. Using this positive trait, we must now work closely together to find solutions.

 

Traditional leaders are well placed to work with government and other sectors to rebuild the moral fibre of our society. 

 

We believe it is important to look at the root causes while also addressing the symptoms of the sickness. The police are dealing with the symptoms in relation to criminal activities. 

 

As far as general crime is concerned, the levels have decreased over the years.

 

However, the crimes against women and children remain high and of concern.

 

But the police continue to make inroads. During the last financial year, the Units secured over 363 life sentences, with a conviction rate of 73% for crimes against women above 18 years old and 70% for crimes against children under 18 years old.  

 

With the support of the community, most suspects in the high profile rape and domestic violence cases have been arrested. 

 

I have also directed the justice, crime prevention and security cluster to implement measures to nip violent protests in the bud. We are doing this to build a culture of responsibility, accountability, respect for authority and respect for one another. 

 

People have a right to protest, but there is no need to use violence to get the message across. 

 

We have at the same time instructed government to improve interaction with communities. 

 

Some people take to the streets because they feel nobody is listening to their grievances.

 

While the police will continue to arrest those who perpetrate such evil crimes, we also know that success in the fight against this scourge and against violence generally, depends on all of us and not only with the police.

 

We have identified the regeneration of the moral fibre and the strengthening of families and communities as a priority. 

 

Realising this challenge, plus the general weaknesses in the family structure in our society, the government has decided to fast-track the finalisation of the family policy.

 

We have produced a White Paper on Families through the Department of Social Development, building on the Green Paper that was released for discussion last year. 

 

We believe that the family is the foundation of society.  Our goal is to promote cohesive families, households and communities in South Africa, where violence, deviance and social decay would be non-existent. 

 

This is the foundation of a more caring, united and more prosperous South Africa. 

 

We are aware of the diverse nature of families and households in our country. We have single parent households, granny-headed households, female-headed households, child-headed households and others. 

 

The period of apartheid colonialism brought immense pressure to bear on the African family in particular.

 

We have gone through a period of the migrant labour system and rapid urbanisation leading to the split in families with breadwinners moving to the cities. 

 

This put pressure on families leading to children growing up with one or neither of the parents. Sadly this continues to this day in some families, where parents can be called economic migrants.

 

The HIV and AIDS pandemic and the internecine violence of the 80s and 90s also contributed to the breakdown in family life.

 

The triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment on their own wreak havoc on families and households.

 

Inequality in income distribution is also large and persistent. 

 

Inequality according to race also remains rampant. Figures from Census 2011 confirm this stark inequality, and revealed that white households earn six times more than African households. 

 

The average annual African household income is at R60 613 and the one of the white households is at R365 164. Close to 1.9 million African households reported no income at all. 

 

These are the socio-economic conditions we have to contend with, as we build united, cohesive, caring and stable families and communities. The situation does not make our task easy.

 

What is important in building new and caring communities, is that everyone should play their part. 

 

We have seen shocking cases of parents who do not know where their children are at any given time, even at night. That is unacceptable. Parents must take responsibility for their children and children under their care. They cannot delegate this responsibility to the police or to government. 

 

Beyond households and families, working together we must promote a culture of accountability as all sectors and leaders of society, including traditional leaders.

 

We all have a responsibility to socialise the youth to be caring, responsible and upright citizens.

 

They must know the values and ethos in our Constitution which pronounces against all forms of discrimination and violence. 

 

Promoting this accountability means that communities must be involved in the affairs of the schools in their jurisdictions. They must motivate the youth to go to school and support the teachers. No child must roam the streets during school hours and parents just look away. 

 

The existence of taverns near the schools and the fact that owners allow school children to patronise these areas indicates the level of decay in our society. The abuse of alcohol, drugs and other substances is a contributory factor in some of the crimes that are committed. 

 

These matters may look small and insignificant but on a larger scale, they take us to the problems we face currently, of wanton lawlessness.

 

More importantly, I wish to highlight the role of men in building stronger families. 

 

South Africa has a serious challenge of absent living fathers in many households, especially African households.  

 

The White Paper on Families states that absent living fathers is a common and increasing phenomenon affecting families in our country. 

 

The proportion of fathers who are absent but living increased from 41.6 percent to 47.4 percent between 1996 and 2010. 

 

African children have the lowest proportion of present fathers at 31.1 percent, while Indian children have the highest at 83.0 percent, with White children following closely behind at 80.8 percent. For Coloured children the proportion is 53 percent. 

 

It is noted that poverty, high rates of unemployment and financial constraints may contribute to large numbers of fathers failing to take responsibility for their children. 

 

However this should not be an excuse. Nothing stops a father from loving and caring for his children, even if he is poor.

 

It is well known that the presence of a father has a positive effect in a child’s life chances; academic performance; and social, emotional wellbeing. 

 

We salute all the mothers who raise children alone, under difficult circumstances. 

 

Chairperson and compatriots,

 

We also have a responsibility to strengthen inter-generational solidarity and to improve relations between children, parents and grandparents. 

 

The older generation in particular needs support. The horror of the sexual molestation of senior citizens, some who are over 80 years of age has exposed the worst forms of moral decay in our society.

 

Our White Paper promotes inter-generational solidarity. This can include better caring for the aged, and sharing of wealth, skills and knowledge between generations.

 

The nation building project requires all parties and stakeholders to play a role. 

 

We urge this House to help us promote a culture of respecting one another and of respect for authority and adherence to values that are enshrined in the Constitution. 

 

Members of this House are aware that simple respect for one another, and the respect traditionally accorded to adults in society by those younger than them is becoming a scarce commodity.

 

We cringe when we hear how some young people address older persons these days in discussions or debates. It is a symptom of the erosion of ubuntu and fundamental values.

 

The recent shocking incidents should shock us into positive action, by making us focus on what can bind us as the South African nation.

 

We must identify how we can support families and households in distress, strengthen our communities and take forward the mission of building a caring, united and prosperous society.

 

Kgosi Maubane and the leadership of the House,

 

Your programme on cultural tourism has indeed attracted our attention.

 

You seek to unearth the ancient shrines and catacombs of our ancestors hidden in caves. 

 

These graves are in need of preservation to boost domestic tourism as people are eager to see where epic resistance battles were fought. 

 

Our country will benefit from learning how our ancestors worshipped. 

 

They want to trace their footprints as they traversed the continent, going to and from, south to north and back as free nomadic hunter gatherers and herder communities at peace with their environment. 

 

We are waiting eagerly for the folklore to be translated into real stories and the indigenous knowledge to be revealed and integrated into the mainstream scientific knowledge. 

 

The bones of our ancestors that have been found in some parts of the country need to be given life, flesh and a living spirit. They need to be turned into a site for living heritage and cultural tourism – a monument that all of us would want to visit as domestic tourists who are inquisitive about our past in order to navigate the future. 

 

Out of such initiatives across the country, we will create jobs for tour guides, translators, entrepreneurs, traders and other trades as tourism has a way of unleashing creativity amongst the hosts, and of banishing poverty in the process. 

 

Similarly, the debilitated state of some of our declared heritage sites, particularly those in the rural areas is a cause for concern as some of them have been desecrated and vandalised. 

 

I have asked the Department of Traditional Affairs to collaborate with the South African Heritage Resources Agency to attend to their rehabilitation. 

 

In the same vein, we call upon communities to act as guardians of these centres as they indeed are about who we are. People who desecrate their heritage and sacred sites are doomed.  

 

The initiatives of the departments of Traditional affairs and Tourism will make cultural tourism a new weapon against rural poverty, unemployment and deprivation.

 

Chairperson and honourable members of this House,

 

I am pleased that the Khoi and San leadership under the National Khoi-San Council are with us in this chamber today. 

 

We are aware that the legislation meant to integrate their structures into the mainstream of traditional leadership institutions has taken longer than it was anticipated. 

 

I want to take this opportunity to reiterate government’s commitment to redressing this apartheid legacy, that is, their exclusion from traditional leadership institutions.

 

Compatriots,

 

Our country has great potential and can be anything we want it to be. It is upon this cadre of leadership gathered here to make of our country the best it can be, a winning nation.

 

I urge you to join our nation building campaign. Let us do everything possible to build more cohesive communities. 

 

Traditional leaders, as the leaders of our people, are well-placed to assist us in this campaign of reversing moral degeneration and building societies where there is respect for human life, human dignity and respect for every person regardless of their station in life.

 

I wish you well in 2013.

 

I thank you!

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Address by President Jacob Zuma at the inaugural Community Development Workers Conference held at the Birchwood Conference Centre, Johannesburg
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Honourable Premier, 

Honourable Ministers and Deputy Minister,

Mayor and Councillors,

Senior officials

Community Development Workers and Practitioners,

Fellow South Africans,

 

I am pleased to be interacting with our Community Development Workers, who are our link with many communities around the country.

You are an important cadre of public servants as you communicate directly with the recipients of government services on a daily basis. 

Nibaluleke kakhulu njengezisebenzi zentuthuko zomphakathi. Abantu bayakwazi ukubuza izinto kinina ngoba nitholakala eduze njengamakhansela. 

Ngakho-ke kubalulekile ukuthi nazi kabanzi ngokwenziwa uhulumeni emazingeni onke.

We have made several commitments to our people since 2009, and no doubt, they ask you about these commitments from time to time.

I made a commitment on behalf of government in my Presidential inauguration speech on 09 May 2009, assuring the country and international community that for as long as there are South Africans who die from preventable disease; for as long as there are workers who struggle to feed their families and who battle to find work; for as long as there are communities without clean water, decent shelter or proper sanitation, we would not rest or falter.

In my 2010 State of the Nation Address, I reminded public servants of our expected vision that year. I emphasized that the defining feature of the administration would be that it knows where our people live, understands their needs and responds faster. 

I want to thank you for your contribution in assisting government to realise this vision. 

The introduction of the CDW Programme was approved by Cabinet on 19 November 2003. It was introduced primarily to improve the dissemination of information to communities about benefits and services to which all citizens are entitled to.

We rest assured that we are represented well by yourselves in Community Policing Forums, School Governing Bodies, Ward Committees, Hospital Management Forums, Service Delivery Improvement Forums, and other community structures created to enhance public participation in service delivery. 

The programme of Community Development Workers was also instituted to assist communities to access and benefit from the services that could materially improve their lives.

For example, in addition to supporting the War on Poverty Programme, CDWs have been instrumental in empowering citizens by teaching them to plant food gardens in their communities and villages in order to be self sufficient. 

Therefore, you are not only giving our citizens a meal for a day, but you are giving them life skills by teaching them to fish for food for life, thus addressing poverty.  

Your work as our link with communities is also to assess delivery and to let us know where there are still serious gaps. We have achieved a lot in the past 18 years. 

More people now have water, electricity, sanitation, housing and other services than before 1994. However, the gap remains massive and services are still needed urgently in many areas, especially in former homelands which were most neglected during the era of apartheid colonialism.

The current service delivery-related protests in some areas indicate the impatience and frustration amongst communities, as they love and trust their government, and expect it to bring services faster.

It is important to improve communication with our people at all times, to minimise frustrations that are caused by miscommunication or lack of information.

I am aware of your concerns that government departments are sometimes lethargic or lazy in their response to service delivery concerns you refer to them, on behalf of communities. 

Hence, in the State of the Nation Address I announced that all government departments must work closely with communities and ensure that all community concerns are attended to before they escalate. 

This pronouncement should assist you to continue with your service delivery facilitation efforts. 

In the past year, we continued to actively monitor service delivery in communities. We launched the Presidential Siyahlola Monitoring Programme through which I travel to communities with Ministers to get a first hand feel of issues. But, as you know, the President cannot be everywhere. 

I rely on Ministers, Premiers, MECs, councillors and public servants to ensure that the needs of the communities are taken care of. 

They must continuously visit communities and keep people informed of what programmes are being delivered, which ones are delayed and the reasons, as well as an indication of work that is being done generally.

We will therefore expand the Siyahlola programme this year by relaunching government’s Imbizo programme and the Imbizo Focus Weeks programme.

This will enable leaders in all spheres to visit to communities in an organised fashion and keep in touch with our people, thus easing frustrations. 

If Ministers, Premiers, MECs, Mayors, councillors visit communities intensively in one week per quarter, various communities will be covered, if not the whole country.

Community development workers will play a key role in organising these visits, as you have information from the ground, with regards to the needs of the communities you serve.

While expanding communication with the public, we have to ensure that those still wanting to protest in any way, do so within the ambit of the law.

I announced in the State of the Nation Address the need for all to adhere to the Constitution with regards to protest action and freedom of expression in general.

Given the new tendency to use violence during some protests, I have instructed the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to put measures in place to ensure that any incidents of violent protest are acted upon, investigated and prosecuted. 

The law must be enforced and it must be seen to be enforced - fairly, effectively and expeditiously. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Communities no doubt ask you about the massive infrastructure programme that we are engaged in, which was also referred to in the State of the Nation Address.

We will have spent more than R800 billion by the end of March this year on building roads, schools, renovating hospitals and clinics, upgrading ports, building dams and all sorts of other infrastructure.

The intention is to improve these facilities, enhance our global competitiveness through world class economic infrastructure, and also to create jobs.

I trust that you will be armed with information on these projects during this conference so that you are able to brief communities in your areas.

The communities also need to be briefed about the opportunities government is providing for youth development. 

In the State of the Nation Address I announced that the apprenticeships and learnerships offered by state-owned companies should be increased and an appeal was made to the private sector to absorb 11 000 FET graduates who are awaiting placements. 

There are various other young people who are looking for internships or fulltime jobs. I will be engaging the private sector further to promote this partnership for youth development.

Already, government is doing a lot on its own to promote youth development.

We have 11 740 young people who are benefiting from various training programmes run by the National Rural Youth Services Corps of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. 

This Department is also planning nine Rural Youth Hubs per province, focusing on the 23 poorest districts in the country. 

We also want young people to know about short-term job opportunities in the Expanded Public Works Programme and the Community Work Programme. These programmes will assist to provide much needed skills to improve the employability of the youth. Other departments also have youth development programmes in place. We want all to find ways of promoting these programmes to ensure that they assist the youth.

Also important for you as community development workers, is to help us spread the word that education is an important and essential service in our country.

It is for this reason that we are prioritising the remuneration of teachers in the work of the Remuneration Commission that we are establishing to look at the working conditions of public servants in general.

Our message still stands for teachers to be in school, in class, on time, teaching, and not abusing learners especially the girl child. The children should also arrive in school on time, ready to learn and respect their teachers. 

When you engage parents, School Governing Bodies and other stakeholders, you should reiterate government`s seriousness in turning our schools into centres of excellence, thus elevating education to its rightful place in our society.

In the State of the Nation Address we also emphasised that we will insist on returns for our investments in public servants. 

We want public servants to work hard and make us see the benefits of improving salaries and conditions of service.

If citizens continue to complain about poor services, it will mean we are not getting value for money. If citizens complain about long queues in hospitals, licensing departments and other frontline service departments, we will not be doing our jobs efficiently as government.

It also means the Batho Pele principles that the Department of Public Service and Administration is championing are not being implemented.

I have therefore directed the Department to ensure that the Batho Pele and other principles are adhered to so that we can achieve the caring, effective and efficient public service we committed to.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Your role is also to make communities aware of draft legislation before Parliament that requires public input. 

In my 2013 SONA, I placed special emphasis on the pending Bill on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment that has been approved by Cabinet for public comment. The Bill criminalises practices that adversely affect women and girls. 

Given the current surge and violent attacks on women we have to engage our communities on understanding how collectively we can address these problems. 

As facilitators and agencies of public participation, you should actively mobilise citizens to fight the abuse of women and children, and crime in general. 

Government alone cannot fight this scourge, we need the support and active participation of communities.  

We are happy to see many civil society organisations actively promoting the campaign for safer communities for women and children.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I urge you as well to take forward government`s declaration of war on corruption and the promotion of good governance.

We have noted the report released on Tuesday, 12 March 2013 by the Auditor General, Mr Terrence Nombembe. 

He said the overall audit outcomes for national and provincial government regressed in the past year. It is regrettable and unacceptable that the situation has not improved since the last report.

We will study the report as government and use it to improve the way departments work. 

However, the audit outcomes are consistent with the Management Performance Assessment Tool findings we reported on last year.  

Last year the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency conducted an assessment of 103 departments which identified some of the challenges that lead to qualified audit outcomes. 

We have directed the Departments to implement the changes that were suggested by the Presidency to them after the internal assessment, in order to improve the weaknesses they have in their management systems which ultimately lead to poor audits. 

The assessments identified a number of areas needing improvement.

These include the need to improve monitoring and evaluation methods internally as well as the setting of service delivery standards and implementing improvement plans. 

Also important is the need to manage financial disclosures of senior managers and ensuring awareness of the code of conduct. 

They are also to improve supply chain management and procurement systems.

The Presidency will continue to carry out these assessments on an annual basis. The next report is expected to be concluded mid-year. This will enable Cabinet to track whether management practices are improving in departments. 

The Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation will work with National Treasury, and the Department of Public Service and Administration to assist departments with the development of further improvement plans.

The department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation is also currently in the process of implementing a municipal assessment programme together with the Department of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs which will similarly assist municipalities to identify weaknesses and develop improvement plans.

It is taking longer but we believe that the systems we are putting in place will assist departments to improve. Additional to this, is the need to train officials in financial management, even those who do not work in finance departments.

I am also pleased that your work also goes beyond the borders of our country, so to speak.

We are in the process of concluding the public participation phase of our third African Peer Review Mechanism Report. 

In drafting this third APRM report, we held consultative conferences in the nine provinces of the country. 

In this regard, I want to thank all of you who have mobilised communities to ensure that their voices are heard in the APRM process and throughout the African continent on matters of democracy and political governance; economic governance and management; corporate governance; and socio-economic development.

As a partner in the Open Government Partnership initiative which was launched in September 2011, the South African government is currently drafting its first Government-Self Assessment Report. 

This report will highlight the progress government has made over the past 12 months in the areas of promoting transparency, citizen participation, accountability, and the fight against corruption. 

We ask that you mobilise communities in your areas to participate in the Open Government Partnership process so that their voices are heard not only in their local municipal spaces but across the world.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In the 2013 State of the Nation Address we also announced that government will now align all plans with the National Development Plan. 

This means that we must communicate this Plan to communities in all 11 languages so that they understand what we are talking about. 

The Plan contains proposals for tackling poverty by creating more jobs and bolstering the quality of education. 

It unites all of us behind a vision of a South Africa where all will have clean water, affordable electricity, proper sanitation, decent jobs, decent housing, reliable public transport, adequate nutrition, quality education, social protection, quality health care, accessible recreation, safer communities and a clean environment. 

The Plan promotes an active citizenry, people who do not fold their arms but who work with government to create a better South Africa. We will work with you to promote that culture in our country.

All the work we will be doing going forward as government will be informed by the Plan.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I wish to conclude by encouraging you to continuously remember the commitment made in the inauguration of this fourth administration, that to achieve all our goals, we must hold ourselves to the highest standards of service, probity and integrity. 

We said then that, “Together we must build a society that prizes excellence and rewards effort, which shuns laziness and incompetence’’.

Let us build a strong culture of service and dedication to the people we serve.

I thank you and wish you well in taking forward the work of improving the quality of life of all.

 

I thank you.

 

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Remarks by HE JG Zuma to the opening ceremony of The Commonwealth Conference on Education and Training of Youth Workers, UNISA, Pretoria Main Campus
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Your Excellency Mrs Masire Mwamba, The Commonwealth Deputy-Secretary General

Vice-Chancellor and the Principal of the University of South Africa, Professor Makhanya;

Hon. Ministers and Deputy Ministers

Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

Youth workers from across various sectors;

Students;

Esteemed delegates,

 

We are all present here today because young people hold the key to our future. We can only prosper if there are dedicated efforts to invest in the youth. 

We extend a warm welcome to all visiting delegates.

Our government, in partnership with the Commonwealth Youth Programme, the Commonwealth Regional Centre for Africa, the University of South Africa and the National Youth Development Agency, is honored to host this Commonwealth Conference on Education and Training of Youth Workers under the theme “Toward Professionalising Youth Work”.

Many agencies employ youth workers or youth development workers. These include churches, NGOs and government departments. They play a crucial role in many organisations, helping to provide a service to the youth.

I am pleased that three days will be spent discussing the professionalisation of youth work, with particular focus on education and training, given the importance of youth development in our respective countries in the Commonwealth.

The conference comes shortly after the week 10 to 17 March 2013 during which we celebrated Commonwealth Day in all member countries through numerous events and activities.   

In South Africa we used Commonwealth Day to recognise achievement in areas such as social entrepreneurship, green and sustainable industries, and technological innovation to name a few.

We have re-committed ourselves to promote youth development opportunities for those that will be the future leaders of our country. 

This is in line with the fact that the Perth Communiqué of CHOGM 2011 committed all nations that are members of the Commonwealth to provide a greater voice and a more effective role for youth in the Commonwealth. 

We undertook to do this by amongst others, enhancing communication with the youth, collecting and sharing good practices, and ensuring that the voice of the youth is represented in Commonwealth actions at national and international levels.

In this regard, the Commonwealth Secretary-General in his Commonwealth Day message rightly reminded us “of the need to build strong political, economic and social structures that support young people in realising their aspirations”.

This conference therefore enables an opportunity to support young people in their pursuits, and in particular, to appreciate the efforts of Youth Workers as they are the frontline providers of services to the youth, be it health care, education or developmental work. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

This conference follows many years of advocacy by the Commonwealth for the professionalisation of the youth work sector in order for practitioners to meet the minimum basic qualification to practice youth work.

As you would be aware, the Commonwealth Secretariat has partnered with many universities and institutions across the Commonwealth to deliver formal training in youth work as a professional course. Such formalization gives youth work a formal base and promotes this work in the mainstream of professions which is the desired effect.

I am however informed that while training has taken place for a lot of youth workers, youth work or youth development practice as a profession are still not recognized. Such work remains undefined and less exposed.

We trust therefore, that this conference will go a long way towards raising awareness of youth work so that practitioners can be recognised accordingly.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are mindful of the fact that this Commonwealth Conference on Education and Training of Youth Workers also takes place against the backdrop of low global growth that began with the 2008 global financial crisis. 

The crisis brought on a global dilemma of rising joblessness, higher poverty and worsening income inequality, especially among the youth. 

Research undertaken by the OECD and the African Development Bank highlights the fact that youth have been disproportionately affected by low growth.  

In South Africa, more than 40 per cent of those who are economically active and under the age of 30 are unemployed. 

While this is worrying, there is also a positive angle. The OECD report highlights that countries which have higher numbers of youth in their population have better growth prospects than those with aging populations. 

This makes us very optimistic regarding growth prospects since South Africa’s Census 2011 report, released last year, revealed that our country is essentially a nation of young people. Just over a third of the population is under the age of 15. 

This makes us a nation with a future, and we must utilize all available resources to build that future. That future is our young people.

Therefore our focus on improving the quality of education is well-placed as we are investing our children and the youth to ensure sustainable development.  

It is important to note as well that more than 50% of the Commonwealth’s population is under the age of 30. Therefore, the future of the Commonwealth is tied inexorably to the future of young people.  

In this regard, we applaud the fact that the Commonwealth invests in the youth in the manner that it does, especially in education.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II signed the new Charter of the Commonwealth at Marlborough House in London on Monday, 11 March 2013, in her capacity as Head of the Commonwealth.  

Adopted by the Heads of Government of all our member states on 14 December 2012, the Charter sets out the core values and principles of the Commonwealth. 

It recognizes the necessity of access amongst others, to affordable education.  

We make our own humble contribution to the Commonwealth’s education drive, through the annual Voluntary Contribution to the Commonwealth of Learning of more than R2million.

Another area in which we are involved is the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, an international programme under which member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. 

The Plan was established at the first Commonwealth Education Conference in 1959 and is reviewed by Education Ministers at their triennial meetings. Our Department of Higher Education is the designated national agency with respect to South Africa.

In this regard, South Africa offers scholarships for Master’s and Doctoral study through individual universities.

We are also fully supportive of the inclusion of education in the new Strategic Plan of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

We therefore support the ongoing training of young people including the mainstreaming of youth work as a discipline or a career.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Most of you are aware that in less than two weeks, the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) are converging on our shores to join me as our country hosts the 5th BRICS Summit in Durban on 26-27 March 2013 – the first one in Africa.

With a global GDP of 25%, a global land area of 30%, 43% of the global population and 4,4 trillion US dollar foreign reserves base, we are certain that BRICS will contribute immensely to satisfying the employment and development needs of our young population.

We are thus truly excited to be part of this grouping. Our membership of BRICS enhances our participation in other important groupings such as the Commonwealth.

We expect Durban to be a hive of activity and that many opportunities will be taken up by the business community of our country in particular, to promote investments into our beautiful country.

We offer opportunities in, amongst others, infrastructure development, manufacturing, tourism, the green economy, mining, agro-processing and other job drivers, energy and information and communication technologies.

Our BRIC partners do appreciate our youth employment and empowerment drive. 

This agenda remains central to our engagements and discussions with the grouping. 

I am raising this matter as we see strong synergies between this meeting of Commonwealth youth workers and the BRICS gathering. Both should assist us to further empower the youth in the developing world.

May your discussions be successful and fruitful, as you seek to further promote youth development.

 

I thank you.

 

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Address by President Zuma at the memorial service of the victims of De Doorns bus accident, Khayelitsha Stadium, Western Cape
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Minister of Transport and other Ministers and Deputy Ministers,

Pastor Ximbi and members of the congregation of the 12th Apostolic Church in Christ,

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen

On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, I wish to pay my heartfelt condolences to the congregation of the 12th Apostolic Church in Christ, the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the tragic bus accident on 15 March 2013 in the De Doorns area here in the Western Cape Province.

On that fateful day, 23 bus passengers who were travelling from their place of worship met their untimely death, as a result of the bus veering and capsizing and coming to rest on its left side on the concrete culvert and against a rock surface.

The Government shares your sorrow; your grief is our grief. We remain concerned by the high number of people who die tragically on our roads.

The law enforcement agencies are investigating the cause of the bus accident. There is a preliminary report. Once the report is finalised, we will be informed about the contributory factors that led to the fateful event.

Given the number of people who die each day on our roads, the Department of Transport’s campaign to promote road safety continue to be of great importance. All of us should participate actively to promote road safety.

We are all affected by this challenge. The Department of Transport will continue to implement its public awareness and road safety education campaigns to heighten awareness of the rules of the road and the consequences of bad driving.

South Africa has a rich history of mass mobilisation which was an important pillar in the struggle against apartheid.

Working together we can confront the scourge of fatalities on our roads.

Our messages should be clear and targeted to address all the causes of road fatalities which include:

. Drinking and driving;

. Pedestrians walking on the road while intoxicated,

. Road unworthy vehicles,

. Dangerous overtaking, and

. Drivers and passengers not using seatbelts.

 

With respect to drinking and driving, various government departments are considering banning alcohol advertisements and the abolition of the current alcohol limit which allows people to drive after taking a limited amount of alcohol.

Probing questions are being asked about the advisability of allowing people to drink and drive.

The Department of Transport is also considering measures to introduce a point demerit system which will see serial offenders losing their driving licences. This will make it difficult for serial offenders to drive on our roads.

Approximately 20 % of the people who die on our roads are passengers, largely because they do not wear seat belts.

Only 2% of passengers compared to 60% of the drivers fasten their seat belts. Drastic measures are needed to reduce road fatalities by strengthening law enforcement. Traffic officers should issue fines to motorists and passengers who do not use their seat belts.

There are still many unroadworthy vehicles driving on our roads.

Law enforcement agencies should do their work and impound those vehicles.

All road users should remember that not obeying the rules of the road is a crime like any other crime. Government will not hesitate to consider further stringent measures to enforce compliance with the law.

As part of the campaign to improve safety on the road, government will improve the different modes of public transport. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will soon procure new trains. This will go a long way to improve the passenger rail system.

About 7000 new coaches will be procured over the next twenty years bringing a new experience to many users of public transport. PRASA will also revamp its signalling infrastructure to improve safety and disseminate information about the scheduling of trains.

Government values the role played by the mini bus taxis and bus operators to transport people to different destinations. We call upon the public transport associations to help us ensure that their members comply with the rules of the road.

It is the responsibility of every road user to guarantee that their vehicles are always in good condition and do not ‘cut corners’ at the expense of the public safety.

As we approach the Easter Holidays, I urge all South Africans who will be travelling to different destinations to obey the rules of the road.

Motorists, in particular, should ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before undertaking journeys.

Passengers should be vigilant, and demand the best services from transport operators. All of us should live up to the theme of the road safety campaign: GET THERE, NO REGRETS!

May the souls of the departed rest in peace!

 

I thank you.

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