As we wrapped up the first decade of democratic governance in this country, we were able to celebrate our achievements. But, much more than this, we seized the opportunity to look at where and how we could improve delivery to those who remain poor, unemployed, discriminated against and often homeless.
Good governance is about taking action where it is required. It is about making sure that we deliver on our mandates, and are accountable to the people we are elected to serve.
There has been an ANC-led government in the Western Cape for just over a year. Ever since I became Premier, I have made it clear that we intend to achieve objectives that are measurable and will truly make a difference. At the end of this term, we want the Western Cape to be a different place - a place where all our people have begun to share in the prosperity of our province; a place where equity, mutual respect and good neighbourliness have become part and parcel of the social fabric.
This is the imagined community we have in mind when we talk of a Home for All in the Western Cape.
As local structures, you stand at the cutting point of delivery and transformation of our province into a Home for All. But, because you carry much of the responsibility, national and provincial government are committed to support your efforts and help guide your structures so that they become the sure and efficient engine of change.
Our task at provincial level is to provide the framework for change and prosperity in our province. These goals are underpinned by the iKapa elihlumayo strategy. iKapa elihlumayo is a Xhosa phrase that means a growing Cape, 'n groiende Kaap. It means a Western Cape in which we can begin to share, to build and to develop for the benefit of all our people.
iKapa elihlumayo is an eight-point strategy for transformation and growth.
The first priority we have identified is the need to build human capital with an emphasis on our youth. This means we need to make an investment in our young people - the citizens of tomorrow.
The second leg of the eight-point plan is to roll out our micro-economic strategy. We need urgently to increase the pace of growth in our province.
The provincial Department of Economic Development is developing a very detailed assessment of each sector in the provincial economy. This will be used to provide municipalities with the information you need to develop your economic development plans. This will help us to guide private sector growth and investment, by building partnerships and a shared understanding with our colleagues and partners in the business community.
The third leg of the eight-point strategy is to build social capital with an emphasis on youth. All over the province, social capital has been eroded and destroyed, especially amongst our youth. There are high levels of crime and gang activity, a proliferation of guns as the weapon of choice, domestic violence and sexual assault, high risk driving resulting in road accidents, alcohol and drug dependency, AIDs and TB.
We can only begin to impact on the daily human tragedies these imply by working together across government - by building strong links between local and provincial government, and by making sure our social capital investment is provincially coordinated between social services, housing, health, community safety, education and sport and culture.
Here again, local government has a key role to play. Your role is to deliver many of the services that can make a difference at the municipal level. You are the frontline, the foot soldiers who must begin to win the battles your communities face. In a war against poverty, we are forced to engage our forces against the problems that find fertile ground in poor communities.
The fourth leg of the iKapa elihlumayo strategy is to make sure that the Western Cape has the necessary infrastructure to support the growth, labour market participation and well-being we so badly need. The provincial road network, for example, is in serious need of attention and expansion. Because this is costly, we have to set our priorities and work towards our targets.
Our fifth leg is our Spatial Development Framework. Its purpose is to guide development in the Province. It will identify potential areas of growth and direct investment to these areas.
The last three legs of the strategy relate to how we will work to meet our targets.
First, there must be efficient coordination between all spheres and sectors. In order to deliver effectively, provincial and local government need to develop streamlined and interactive channels of communication and coordination. In this respect, SALGA has an enormously important role to play, as the forum at which issues can be discussed and resolved, and joint strategies pursued.
Here I want to stress the enormous importance of public participation in the process. Practice all over the world has shown that, if we do not involve people in the processes that affect them, we may not be able to take them with us when we need to.
Another critical aspect must be to ensure good and clean financial management. We cannot allow corruption, fraud or maladministration in this province. Where it occurs, we must not hesitate to act. Swift investigation must be followed by action against those whose crimes rob ordinary people of the benefits to which they are entitled.
Finally, national government has now rationalised the sometimes blurred distinctions between the delivery duties of the provincial government and those of district, metro and local authorities.
This then is iKapa ehlelumayo - the framework within which we all need to operate if we are to bring about real change in our province.
We need to be guided - indeed, driven - by the urgent needs of the people in this province ? By the kind of compassion and humanity that will not rest until it has ensured that all the people in this province can live in dignity and a sense of purpose.
We need to be driven by the passions expressed in the Freedom Charter which, fifty years ago, set the standard according to which our country should be governed.
But, above all, we need to remember that we are here because were here - and struggled - before us. We are here because the national revolution that took place in 1994 was based on the vision of a better life for all. We are here because freedom, justice, equity and human dignity could not be denied forever ?
And because it must never be betrayed.
