Premier-Elect Wants Free State to be a Force

The Free State should become a force to be reckoned with, African National Congress premier-elect Winkie Direko said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a media function in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, Direko said that as a born and bred Free Stater it was her wish that all in the Free State should look on the ANC as partners.

She would respect Free Staters regardless of colour, creed or political affiliation. Free Staters were bound to work together, even if they differed politically, "to make this place tick".

"If we do not work together we will continue to be looked down on by other provinces. As a small province we must not sit down and feel sorry for ourselves. We must get up and do something for the Free State.

"People outside must see the Free State as a small, but dynamic, province," said Direko.

While friction would occur between people who worked together, it should not become a mountain of an obstacle. After agreeing to disagree, the struggle for development should continue.

She called for criticism to be constructive and for the building of healthy relationships to make the Free State a community that would grow and achieve what had been thought to be unachievable.