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From Pietersburg to Polokwane, the road far travelled
5 August 2009
The name change of Pietersburg to Polokwane has brought with it many emotional encounters to its citizens across South African and the African continent. The merging of both white and black culture into one that is building this nation for success is amazing. As a young person growing up in this times is an amazing journey. Of course the history that my mother will tell me saddens me. But the hope and warmth in our living and working environment is amazing. I don’t see colour, I see a human being first. But history had its own doing during the 1970’s and beyond. Those that were here and took part in the political revolution of the country still want us to understand what was happening then. Which is not a bad thing because a nation without its history is doomed. As I celebrate my birthday on 06 August, I cant help but be emotional and understands that in my own ways I contribute towards a culture where information is easily accessible, to a society that has hope, to the youth that knows that the future is in their hands, to the fulfillment that I volunteer for different charity organizations in the province. In the midst of comfort we tend to forget those that need support. And I am proud that I am championing my giving nature to make someone’s life bearable. During my years of existence I remember always saying I am going to do this and it ends up happening the way it should but with lessons on the way. And I am glad that I have learned from the best, humble, wise ones and many others I am still going to learn from. A friend just asked me what I will be doing to celebrate my day. And I said a birthday for me is a day where I start a anew. Its like opening a blank page and writing your own plan. This is where I start all over again. Make new goals and thank God for all the years he has protected me and rope him in to guide me with my new ventures. In this new year I am reinventing and reengineering my volunteering spirit. Its just like the journey that Pietersburg has taken to Polokwane. We are a better nation, caring, giving and loving one. We see through common goals and we all together make our living and work environment a better one. Because together we can make it! This article is also dedicated to Mr Louis Kruger who has been a leader in the media industry and a mentor. To him and his family I wish you luck.
Eva Ratau
A sundowner in Polokwane is like no other
4 August 2009
The sounds of birds singing. The water flowing and naturally feeding life to koi and goldfish is like heaven on earth. I define heaven as a moment of sheer bliss and absolute peace. Where nature feeds and heals itself. When everything is in sync. With the economic meltdown, toyi toying and everything else blowing its air into everyone its hard to sit and enjoy nature. Where nothing can distract your senses of peace, harmony and self-lessness. On an amazing day last week I felt that peace. I knew I belonged to a system that is so intractably intertwined and everything should be as its planned to be. And funnily it was just in town, where the hustle and buzzle of life happens. But at that moment nothing could have been more ideal than the tranquility of Elements Restaurant. This is a place to be in Polokwane. We hardly talk about night life and tranquility. Its places like this that regularly visited, once sanity becomes a reality. And the other great thing about the place is it brings life to the idea that night life in Polokwane exists. With major soccer tournaments like the previous Vodacom challenge and the 2010 around the corner I hope visitors to our shores will experience the true African spirit.
Eva Ratau
Morality begins with responsibility AND it begins with all of us
22 July 2009
With staggering levels of violence against women this according to statistics south africa and crime spiralling out of control something should be done to give back to those in need of something to take their minds away from evil acts and deeds. I highlight this issue as I am inspired by the positive response that South Africans took to celebrate Madiba day. From each town and city someone was donating their 67 minutes to a worthy cause. Only if we could be able to do this everyday, our life will be highly inspired while the world we live in will be a better place for all.
The saying that your child is mine, it takes a nation to raise a child rings true to my call. Right now being a young woman who has made mistakes before, I have solemnly pledged with myself that I will not repeat the same mistakes. I will give my time everyday to a worthy cause. As Dr Nelson Mandela says" the issue is not beating yourself up when you commit a mistake but learning the lessons and not repeating them".
Unfortunately I think our social stuctures are not yet at a level where one can easily find things to do and give back. During the past weekend I realized that the only way our nation celebrates their achievements is through alcohol. And this is where the problem is. Because when one is drunk not much positivity can be said or done. Our youth are only fulfilled after going to a party with drinks to follow. What is worrying is that at these parties no political, social or business ideas are exchanged. Its party, party, party. And I think as a nation we need to start asking ourselves if there is a need to drink after each celebration? Should we not start book sessions, political education programme - weekly, business mentoring - daily. There are many stars and heroes that have wisdom that we must create platforms that we can here such stories. The Madiba story is remarkable but there are many more untapped historical stories that are not told. Lets put our heads together and start a real moral regeneration programme for all society. In Limpopo there are many desperate kids, the elderly that needs our support. I have started my bid so in the spirit of sustaining the Madiba magic lets all do something.
Eva Ratau
Limpopo ANC Member
Celebrating Mandela day, a true African journey
13 July 2009
The time he spent in jail with every second, minute, hour and day passing is surely what makes Madiba the father of the nation. A father is someone you look up to. It is someone you know will put your requests first before theirs.
Dr Nelson Mandela did just that. He believed from the deepest of his soul that change will come. And change came. Change of course requires daily event to make sure that what was fought for, is maintained and sustained.
The people of South Africa will this year, celebrate Mandela Day. This day will be celebrated in Limpopo with many events as it will be countrywide. The ANC has called on all its Limpopo cadres to pledge 67 minutes of their time to do something worth while to help others in their communities.
This message rings true to the saying that doing for others brings joy and luck into your own life. In Limpopo a varsely populated area and still rural doing something for someone can go a long way in giving them hope or a platform to excel.
This is where the ubuntu action comes in. I am, because you are. By helping others on a daily basis for example volunteering at the Rethabile HIV/AIDS centre, giving food parcels to the needy, helping someone at work, not littering and many others things.
I will be taking me time to continue giving my time and energy where its needed.
For any programme you would like the people of Limpopo to know about email to ratauep@gmail.com.
By Eva Ratau
Member of the ANC
Limpopo Premier Mr Cassel Mathale congratulates three Limpopo veterans for receiving South Africa’s highest awards
27 March 2009
Under the theme of hope and resilience, today the President of the Republic of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe, bestowed upon the citizens of South Africa the National Orders on men and women who contributed immensely to the development of our country and its people.
The National Orders are the highest awards that our country bestows on its citizens and foreign nationals who have contributed to our nation''s attainment of democracy, as well as building democracy and human rights.
Limpopo Premier Mr Cassel Mathale congratulated all the recipients of the awards, but singled out three distinguished Limpopo veterans and stalwarts who distinguished themselves in the struggle for justice, democracy, human rights and development. These recipients include: Mr Tlou Theophilus (TT) Cholo, Member of Limpopo Provincial Legislature (MPL), for his selfless sacrifice in the struggle against apartheid and exceptional leadership in the trade union movement (Order of Luthuli in Silver). Mr Rashaka Frank Ratshitanga, Member of Limpopo Provincial Legislature (MPL), for his selfless dedication to the struggle against injustice and his active commitment to the development of South Africa (Order of the Baobab in Bronze). The other veteran to receive the award is Mme Lydia Komape-Ngwenya, Member of Parliament (MP), for her commitment to workers’ rights, the empowerment of rural women and the liberation of our people (Order of Luthuli in Bronze).
"These veterans and stalwarts represent the finest qualities in our liberation struggle. It is through their sacrifices and endeavors that today we can talk about freedom and democracy. Limpopo province is proud to have produced these luminaries and we are certain that their names will remain forever listed in the annals of our history". Said Limpopo Premier Cassel Mathale.
For more information contact: Mogale Nchabeleng: (072 632 8984)
The ANC in Limpopo congratulates Mr Cassel Mathale as the Premier
24 March 2009
Issued by Eva Ratau
Written by Mogale Nchabeleng
The Speaker of Limpopo legislature convened a special sitting today (24 March 2009) at Lebowakgomo to elect the new Premier of Limpopo. Mr. Cassel Mathale was elected unopposed as the third premier of the province. He has been the Acting Premier of Limpopo province since the 03rd of March 2009. The Executive Council appointed him to act in this position following the resignation of Mr. Sello Moloto as both the Premier and the Member of the Provincial Legislature on the 02nd of March 2009.
Upon occurrence of the vacancy in the position of the Premier, the constitution of the country enjoins the Executive Council to appoint the Premier who will act for the period not exceeding 30 days. It further provides that within this period, the Legislature should elect the Premier. This appointment of Mathale must therefore be seen as an affirmation of our country a matured and true constitutional democracy.
Meanwhile, the new Premier immediately used the opportunity to announce the appointment of Mr. Namane Masemola as the MEC in the Office of the Premier responsible for governance and policy. Mr. Masemola, the former Executive Mayor of Sekhukhune District Municipality, was appointed to the legislature to replace Mr. Moloto as an MPL. However, the premier indicated that the portfolio he held prior his appointment i.e. MEC for Roads and Transport will be filled in due course.
ANC Limpopo delivering services to the people
Eva Ratau and Frans Mofapa Mohlala Communications Team
24 March 2009
Over the last 15 years we have achieved significant levels of sustained economic growth. We have managed to progressively increase the rate at which jobs have been created. But despite our progress we still face massive unemployment and widespread poverty. We need to continue to grow the economy and make sure that the benefits of growth are share among all South Africans.
That is why the ANC has developed a clear and achievable plan that will grow the economy over the next five years and create more decent jobs.
- This plans includes:
a massive public investment programme, expanding and improving rail networks, public transport, port operations, dams, housing ,telecommunications and energy generation - An expanded public works programme linked to the infrastructure programme and meeting social needs with home-based care, crèches, school renovation
- An industrial policy that provides support to key sectors and strengthens manufacturing, mining , tourism, agriculture and other important sectors
- Comprehensive measures to promote beneficiations programmes and to ensure that the natural wealth of the country is shared
- Ensuring that the mandates of development finance institutions are developmental
- Regulating contract work, subcontracting and out sourcing and addressing the probe of labnour broking and prohibit certain abusive practices,
- Creating an environment for more labout intensive production methods and porocurement policies that support local jobs and public-proivate partnerships
- A broad-based economic empowerment policty that benefirs more sections of our people, especially the workers, youth, women and people with disabilitites,
- A much larger national youth service programme4 and a new national youth development agency,focusing on access to funding,education and learing opportunities and employment creation.
In these difficult global economy times, South Africa needs a government that has shown it can manage the economy effectively, and that has a clear costed plan to ensure that we continue to grow and develop
Working together we do more.
Why you should vote for ANC?
Eva Ratau
16 March 2009
In a 15 year review report published by Acting Premier Cassel Mathale and Chairperson of the ANC in Limpopo the government highlights achievements. The review is based on the growth and development and strategies that have put in place to guide the provincial government in carrying out its constitutional mandate during the period in question.
15 years ago the provincial government introduced the Provincial Growth Development Strategy which was the guiding principles on how and what interventions they should implement. When the Medium Term Strategic Framework and the PGDS were adopted a thorough research on different economic sectors were conducted. All of this plans were cascaded down to business plans of various units and the performance instruments of public servants. It was then found that tourism, mining, agriculture were the pillars that if developed would contribute positively to the economy.
The provincial government has grown at a rate of 4.2%. The report indicates that the provincial government has truly asserted a sense of self being amongst the people of Limpopo. The people’s satisfaction level about the government and service delivery has increased from 29% to 58% over the past seven years.
In terms of the improvement of the quality of lives of the people, there are a lot of positive spin-offs in many respects. The 2007 Statistics South Africa survey and provincial 15 Year Review reports indicate that 81.2% of the people of Limpopo have access to electricity, exceeding the national average. These reports further indicate that no less than 83.6% of the households have access to piped water. This is in addition to 64.5% of households that have access to sanitation, by far exceeding 23.7% national average.
As the report notes, a focused investment in the human capital has been the center-piece of the provincial government over the period under review. In 2007 alone, the provincial government departments spent R85 million compared to R6.4 million spent by private sector in bursaries for students in tertiary learning institutions. The provincial government has significantly reduced classroom backlog from about 35 000 in 1994/95 financial year to about 1000 in 20007/08 financial year.
The report also shows that Limpopo has registered significant progress in its efforts to attain policy objective of universal access to primary health care. To date, new 114 clinics at the cost of R154 million have been built, whilst 196 clinics at the cost of R337 million have been upgraded. It is further reported that the people of Limpopo, particularly those in the villages, have benefited from many hospitals and EMS stations that have and continue to be revitalized and upgraded. With the aggressive implementation of the Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Care, Treatment and Management Programme, especially the increment of the Anti-Retroviral Treatment sites to 47 health centers, we seen the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the province decreasing from 23.5% to 18.5% over the past four years. This has consistently put Limpopo the third lowest amongst all nine provinces, and also lower than the national average.
The legislations, policies and systems that affirm women and people with disabilities as equal citizens in the land of their birth are not only functional but operational. Although there are still challenges in municipalities, Limpopo provincial administration boasts 50% of female Heads of Departments, and 1.5% of people with disabilities in its employ.
The South Africa by the South African Institute of Race Relations declared Limpopo the most peaceful province in South Africa in past two consecutive years. This represents milestone achievement in our fight against crime.
The economy of Limpopo province continues to grow at an annual average growth rate of 4.2%. Nevertheless, the report notes, as a challenge, the insufficient labour absorption capacity of this growing economy. Although the unemployment rate has been reduced from 35.6% to 32.4% over the past four years, more descent and sustainable jobs still need to be created. The report also notes a significant improvement in terms of income levels of many households through social security net such as pension, foster care and child support grants. We should however move swiftly to develop provincial economic stimulus packages to respond to the current global economic meltdown which has the potential to undermine and reverse our gains.
The dams that were built, those under construction and the ones for which we have completed feasibility studies will bring a further boom and development of agriculture and mining industries in the province. These dams include Nandoni in Vhembe district, De Hoop and Flag Boshielo in Sekhukhune district, Nwamitwa in Mopani district and Mokolo in Waterberg district. These water sources will definitely come in handy in our continued efforts to provide portable water for domestic use by our people. They will, indeed, add value to our cause of fighting the scourge of cholera and other communicable diseases like malaria.
Above all, the capacity of the provincial government to deliver services has significantly improved. This is attributed the gradual shaping up of the internal control systems such as internal audit, financial management, contract management, risk management and integrated planning.
It is however worth noting, as the report acknowledges, that a lot more still needs to be done in order to improve the lives of the majority of people who are still living in the informal settlements, vast farmlands and far-flung villages of Limpopo.
Fences dropped for animals why not human’s in SADC
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
Off my chest
9 June 2008
My focus is that fences has been dropped between three SADC countries which are Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa. The land mass where they transverse is big why are we humans that feeds and look after the animals intolerant to each other when I am because you are.
There is game census that counts the movement of the many animals that shuttles through this country. They are fed! Game rangers are employed to look after the well being of this species. But when we as human beings start looking after our own a finger is pointed and you are slashed left right and centre.
Can someone please enlight me! I affirm this question to myself and awed by this senseless and ruthlessness that we have become.
For more information on the Transfontier Park take a moment and read. The saying is this it begins with me. And this is what I am trying to speak out in my own way.
I am saying no to chauvinistic, intolerant behaviour that will take all of us down stream not up where we belong.
Limpopo’s land the past, current and future: an impact on the skills shortage facing South Africa and Africa
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
6 June 2008
According to a 2007/8 Limpopo’s Provincial Report on whether government is meeting its challenges and how the different sectors impact on the socio-economic stability of our province: skills shortage is one of the thorny issues that if not dealt with the repercussions are too high a price to pay.
Facts
Limpopo’s provincial land mass is 123 910 km, population 5.27 million the gross geographic product is R79 billion. The province is a major producer of oranges, tomatoes, mangoes. According to the department of agriculture statistics, 90 % of tomatoes consumed worldwide are from Limpopo, 65 % of mangoes from Limpopo 60 % of global consumption of avocados from Limpopo. Macadamia nuts from Limpopo. Green tea is from Limpopo.
Limpopo’s transformation, from a struggling province with a modest economy into a vibrant region of opportunity, is one of the nation’s great success stories. And this is the motivating factor behind this article.
Local and foreign interest groups with available finance for growth projects will always invest in success, and events in Limpopo have proved this theory to be true.
Limpopo’s startling turn-around was achieved against seemingly impossible odds, by a leadership team who set attainable targets, and then inspired others to reach for the sky. The province has progressed from an economy worth R14 billion in 1994, to one exceeding R73 billion.
Limpopo ’s growth might seem like a piece of a cake but hard work from those who tilt the land is what makes this province a success.
Leadership impacts
Under the current leadership I would say that the importance of partnership, while always looking beyond short-term problems to distant possibilities has been the driving force that has led to this success. According to research “ The importance of creating jobs and wealth is derived from the fact that it impacts directly on the quality of life, self-reliance & the distribution of resources and empowerment”.
Limpopo is one province that is spatially vast according to statistics as provided by the provincial government.
Agricultural sector
I don’t think that it was by a mistake that a dream was unveiled in the Sapekoe Tea Estate, ZZ2 in the Mondjadjiskloof, Tshivase Tea Estate in Thohoyandou to allow the economic emancipation of Africa to be on top gear.
Unfortunately the fruit and to many Africa’s that tilt the land are not the final benefactors in this products. They only consume the final process produced somewhere miles and kilometers away from the soil of Limpopo is a shame to humanity. A rational is that I don’t blame the powers and the people that works and helps to produce this product because of the history of our economy and social imperatives as the African land.
The juice we drink, the tea we sip, the mangoes we enjoy are plucked and should be enjoyed by those who tilt the land.
Its unfortunate that our economic sectors is not developed to cater for this massive industry that has been the main stream of our daily lives. What is being produced by the industry from ZZ2 farm in the Modjadjiskloof is consumed worldwide.
The Venda economy is based on agriculture. The women from the area are the rock that this industry thrives and grows from. The passion and dedication in how they support this industry makes me think hard and long when complaining because this is a hands on the deck and hard work at its best.
Development imperatives
I think it would make sense that development should be planned in a manner that products produced from the toil and sweat of Limpopo’s soil is produced and its citizens are privy and part of the final product. After all it’s our land and our toil.
The avocado oil in the camphor cream. Macadamia nuts from Modjadjiskloof it all comes from the belly of Limpopo.
A history and memory of Limpopo
Once known as the nation’s poorest province, Limpopo has blossomed into a powerhouse of development, with a dynamic annual economic growth rate, which has at times exceeded the national average.
The mining, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing sectors have emerged as the largest job creators. New foreign investments are being attracted each year, with the province’s favourable geographical situation in relation to Southern African Development Community nations a positive trading factor. The provincial capital, Polokwane, which has an international airport, is one of the nation’s fastest growing young cities, having become a major administrative, educational and service industry centre during the past ten years.
Sunshine, a rainbow, a dance, the language, my culture that’s what makes South Africa tick!
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
13 May 2008
A cry is a cry. A smile is a smile. A grin is not acceptable in my world. What I perceive as imperative might not be what you stand for. As in language practice creates perfection at its best. I speak of language because I just made a solemn declaration to a friend that I will teach him Sepedi while I learn with the greatest pleasure Tshivenda.
I laughed when he started speaking my language but I could clearly see that he was not chaffed by my laughter. In South Africa, 11 official languages are the order of the day. What was I thinking and expecting?
But how many times does Mzansi’s people practice and speak another language. Because if we do we would understand one another's belief or lack thereof. While at it I am getting back to class to learn sign language. My former boss was too intrigued with his Braille that one day I asked myself why? The answer: purely and surely simple that there are amongst us who use Braille as their eyes and ears.
You see with language your body expression speaks volume as well. I for one cannot say get off my case with a smile on my face. It’s like jerking water out of a stone.
Spoken word is body language at its best. Every time I laugh my muscles gets so relaxed that I am at my peace but when electrified with anger I ventilate. And this is where our senses of reasoning and relaxation are embedded.
Its pure logic.
Doing more, better, faster
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
7 May 2008
Writing is a passion! An art, a craft I have gotten to unwrap like my son unwrapping a chocolate. The sheer excitement that rushes to his mind that ooh I am about to have something pleasurable, is the IT factor. That’s how I express this space which dates 10 years ago. To a point I fell into writing, research, by chance but it’s a craft that I know I belong to. It keeps me sane because everytime I write the content is embedded deep in my soul. It’s not a racy compulsive urge that pleases me but being at peace with myself when I write what I like. My writing is a plan simply plotted 10 years ago when I started writing on the politics of the mother continent, Africa. Since then it has been take off. I have never looked back or regretted the moment. Reading and putting my pen down is something I cannot fathom. I like this writing because it’s my space and no one else. In my case I know I have knowledge and have gained and still am leaning every day and every second.
“Computer peoples should run computer companies, beverage people should run beverage companies, airline people should run airline companies, writers should write, politicians should run the dealings of politics. Any analyst or capitalist will tell you that the background and character of the people is the most important factor in the success of an existing or new venture. “My writing is my plan on paper” finish and klaar! Most of my friends & hero’s are journalists of note because I love the passion, compassion, selflessness, heroism that comes with their craft. They write because they feel, touch, see, smell it all. A friend once said Eva stop worrying too much and carrying people burdens on your shoulders.
I think he said this because he knows and understands how deep I feel, see, touch, hear and smell. And I know it’s a weakness to carry everyone’s load on one’s heart. Each and every one of us are made with a skill, wisdom, knowledge and passion for things different but as he always says to me the point is not carrying life’s journey’s, challenges, experiences on one’s shoulder.
It’s about soldiering forward. It’s about walking forward with your eyes and ears open. There is so much happening around us. Death everyday, poverty, unemployment and other socials ills facing our country and continent at large. But hope is what should drive us all to seek a better future which when it approaches we should all be ready to grab the bait and run as fast as we can. At this point I want to quote a remarkable author Gerald A_ Michaelson who writes in his book, The Art of War for Managers, that an individual must strategically, occupy a secure position, he/she must own this space. I know for sure that I “own” this writing space because of years learning the art and craft of writing it all.
Limpopo, A province of immense opportunities
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
30 April 2008
Once known as the nation’s poorest province, Limpopo has blossomed into a powerhouse of development, home to the big seven. Most of us have had a close encounter with the big five: the elephant, lion, rhino, leopard. But these days most private conservancies boast the big seven because the wild dog and cheetah are part of the current wildlife mix.
An interesting development in recent years has been the reintroduction of the Big Five into the Waterberg region.
My fascination with the province fathoms me. I have traveled the continent and other provinces and my destiny is Limpopo. There are many reasons why I celebrate my province. In my articles for the next few months I will share with you my experiences as a traveler, a writer and an adventurer and hopefully give you plenty reasons to start exploring our beautiful province.
Cultural Diversity
With six of South Africa’s official languages widely spoken in Limpopo, and several other cultures well represented, I believe that Limpopo has become a true microcosm of the country’s rainbow nation. Several cultural villages, situated in the Sekhukhune, Waterberg, Mopani districts are open to tourists, and function as living museums, to depict important cultural trends dating back to the past centuries.
Cultural History
According to history and research the Venda people have been firmly entrenched in the Soutpansberg area since their arrival from the north during the seventeenth century are , while the Shangaan nation’s culture was brought to the Eastern Lowveld from Mozambique. Northern Sotho communities, originally concentrated in the Sekhukhuneland area, now live in large parts of Limpopo’s central region, while many southern districts of the province have become home to the Ndebele, who have cultural links with Zimbabwe.
The cultures of the Afrikaner and English people have progressively started to merge in recent years, but they have respectively managed to retain distinctive values from their Voortrekker and colonial roots. Meanwhile Indian settlers have made meaningful contributions to the province’s economic development, and German, Portugese and Greek communities have become an integral part of the local scene in most major centres.
Limpopo’s marvelous leaders
Limpopo’s leaders make no secret of the fact that they believe the province’s greatest asset is its people, because they are resourceful, friendly, peace-loving and hardworking. Anyone who has tackled the province’s renowned Ivory Route will testify to the wonderful hospitality of the rural communities. Others will speak of the friendly assistance they received, during a mechanical breakdown in an isolated area. Humour, as well as a cooperative spirit, also characterise the people of the north. Limpopo is undoubtedly a province of achievers.
Tito Mboweni, Cyril Ramaphosa, Mathole Motshekga, Judge Ngoepe, Frederick van Zyl Slabbert, Mamphele Ramphele and Mbulueni Mulaudzi are just some of the region’s protégés who have made their marks at the highest level.
The Legacy of Sekhukhune
It is a fact that the Pedi people first occupied an area larger than the present Limpopo Province from about 400 A.D. and they lived in the Sekhukhuneland region, south east of Polokwane, sine the end of the seventeenth century. This region takes its name from the warrior king, Sekhukhune 1, who was the original Lion of the North, the undisputed ruler of a vast kingdom, only rivaled by the Shaka king.
Once all the wars and conquests had subsided, the Pedi people started to turn their attention to farming and became very knowledgeable and successful agriculturists. Presently the mining industry is booming in the region with investments worth billions invested in the region. The sad point is that the tourism industry is still left in the drenches. Hopefully with time we will see developments that will seek to p reserve the Ba-Pedi culture and heritage.
This article is dedicated to a great tourism and conservation writer the late Dirk Nel, his spirit still lives on.
Lekgaalameetse nature reserve peace and tranquility at its best
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
14 April 2008
God must have been standing here when he created the world. These are words an acquaintance used to explain Lekgaalameetse. A nature reserve managed by Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board nestled in the majestic Wolkberg Mountains in Tzaneen.
This is my story of one venue and comfort in traveling began in earnest with a trip to Lekgaalameetse 10 years ago. I was awed with the beauty and the tranquility of the “place of much waters” as its known.
This is where I learned the art of relaxation and my search for relaxation began in earnest. I want to use the word relaxation as a real treasure hunt with which there is no end, for I seek relaxation ceaselessly, hungrily, in this age of a frantic, a disturbed society who have forgotten how to relax.
Many people, me included feel relaxation is such a goal unattainable in these hustle-bustle times, traffic jams, load shedding and not forgetting the uncertainty of the world around us.
Yet my search is such an important one, It’s a golden goal that I seek, an inner quest, an untroubled sea that flows within me, a music of sweet violins and gently ticking bells, that is relaxation and that is what Lekgaalameetse nature reserve is.
It is extreme fun because you travel from the bottom of the reserve to the top of the Wolkberg Mountain. This is a place where one friend once said “God was standing here when he created the world”.
The freedom of driving in the rugged steep rock mountain to the top of the mountain is awesome. It’s adrenaline at its best! For a first time 4 x 4 trial I must say I remember the experience like yesterday.
It’s a memorable feat of what Limpopo is home to. Lekgaalameetse is nestled in the beauty of the mountains where water is a plenty as you can feel, see, touch.
The wooden chalets and the guest house is located at the river bank.
Talking about Lekgaaalameetse now affirms to me that leisure is an active and what we all should seek. We owe relaxation and leisure to ourselves because memories of places been and things done is what makes life worth living. A trip to Lekgaalaameetse is a must for anyone looking for a adventure and adrenaline.
Belief and patience can make one susceptible to criticism and intolerance from impatient characters
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
18 March 2008
What makes one person think they are more majestic and powerful than the other? I think selfishness & arrogance are the main culprits. I believe in respect for oneself and automatically and arguably this spreads to the world and people around us.
My mantra is that everyone deserves respect, honor and recognition no matter how rich or poor, small or big they are. We are in this together! I am because you are!
I am alive to fulfill a mission so is my son, brother, mother, friend, colleague, aunt etc and no one has the right to tell me I am not worth anything mostly the so called family.
Waking up day and night to the same noise that you are not worth anything by the people you live with cuts through one like a sharp knife. I am not perfect but yet I am not saying I am holier than though. Each and everyone of us deserve a platform to live and be alive. If and when I wrong another fellow soul it’s not because I plot and plan to do that. It might be because of circumstances beyond or above my control.
The honorable laurette winner Madiba Rolihlala Mandela was prisoned for his belief for 27 years and he came out without bitterness and vengeance to anyone. This is truly the most remarkable destination that a human soul can reach. Imagining how each second, minute and day passed by for 27 years and yet being loving to those that made those same moments miserable is what I call remarkably remarkable.
Over the weekend I was leafing through this Madiba's autobiography as I always do when in moments of need and I was reminded how life is worth living. How precious is every moment. How each and everyone of us play a critical role in the journey that is life.
Its this freedom that I celebrate and treasure today, and as long as I live.
Mountain splendor with a twist of world class golf estate at Entabeni Safari Conservancy
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
14 March 2008
Entabeni Lodge is a five star graded tourism establishment nestled comfortably and majestically in the Waterberg mountains. I rate it among the top ten lodges in the province and below are among some of the wonderful things to do in the 22 000 hectare malaria free- Entabeni Safari Conservancy.
When you are in Entabeni Safari Conservancy you are in the jet arena. It’s the jetz that whizzes through Limpopo skies to bring revelers alike a memory to remember. According to my guide this week the Chief Executive Officer of Legend Lodge, Peet Cilliers the fact that we have signed a R3 billion investment to bring the world of golf and peace to Waterberg is a dream come true for me and the hard working team at Legend Lodges.
According to Cilliers much more is to come. Last year in conjunction with local and international partners a R3 biliion Legend Golf & Safari Resort is currently being build and is due for completion late this year”. The project was launched with much pomp and glamour last year to investors at Entabeni.
As part of a joint venture between Legend Lodges, Hotels & Resorts and IFA Hotels & Resorts Ltd (IFA SA) and IFA Hotels & Resorts Kuwait (IFA Kuwait) the resort, a world, first development featuring a true African golf course designed according to world-class standards, is expected to attract large numbers of local and international corporate, leisure and incentive visitors to the province and will considerably boost the province’s GDP.
Says CEO of Legend Lodges Hotels & Resorts and shareholder in the development company,: “ The Resort will form part of our flagship 22 000 hectare malaria-free Entabeni Safari Conservancy, located within the greater UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere of the Limpopo Province.
Cilliers is excited to see his long-term vision become reality through the joint venture they entered into with International hotel group, IFA Hotels & Resorts.
South Africa is renowned for, amongst other things, its beautiful golf resorts and golfers come from around the globe to compete against each other on some of the most picturesque golf courses in the world. The Legend Golf & Safari Resort, set to complete its 18-hole professional golf course by of the first quarter of 2008, brings a unique spin on the “professionally designed golf course in a beautiful setting” concept by bringing together the talents of not one, but 18, of the top international golfers to each design a signature hole.
According to Cilliers the 18 golfers literally represent the four corners of the globe and tie in with the unique inspiration of Africa’s ancient link to the world through the old trade sea routes around Africa creating The World- in One golf course.”As part of a wilderness conservancy, Africa’s wildlife the design and layout of the resort has been undertaken in such a manner as to minimize the impact on the natural resources and surroundings, preserving the pristine bushveld environment and ensuring that the resort remains one of the most eco-friendly in Africa.”
According to David Riddle, the golf director, the course is the longest in Africa (8km) and designed as an-18 hole “true African championship golf course” of world-class standard, consisting of two loops of nine holes with large putting greens. The course provides for golfers at all levels of the game. “The opening holes play from the clubhouse, which is centrally situated, run through the site, convening mid-way up the slope and returning down the hill in a southerly direction. The sheer scale of the golf course, with large sinuous greens and bunkers and the majestic mountainous backdrop, make for a unique golfing experience. On any given hole, a range of five tees, allows the golf course to be set up for any form of the game, and creates the flexibility required for a successful golf club.” Greens are constructed to California specification and to comply with US PGA recommended specification. The large greens are planted with bent grass, fairways with kikuyu, first cut with cynodon then flowing into the natural veldt grasses of the surrounds.
Apparently when the facilities is complete it will host a Welcome and Recreational Centre, offering guests a variety of restaurants and dining options, boutique shops, a theatre and various leisure activities including safari game drives to entertain the whole family. While the Club House will afford golfers access to private dressing rooms offering all amenities and an exclusive members lounge. All spaces naturally and logically emanate from the central courtyard overlooking the 9th and 18th holes and the majestic Waterberg Mountain Range. A state-of-the-art Golf Academy with a driving range will offer the avid golfer a range of products and professional training programs with virtual training facilities.
One of the most talked about features of the golf course is its extreme 19th hole, which is the longest Par 3 in the world. Set high up on the impressive Hanglip Mountain , accessible only by helicopter, golfers are invited to tee-off from the edge of the mountain to hit a hole-in-one on the additional 19th hole located at the bottom of the cliff. A hole-in-one earns the lucky golfer US$1m. “We will offer this year-round when the course opens for play and golfers need only play this one hole for a chance to win the prize,” says Cilliers.
Entabeni is located in a malaria free zone. By invitation only, select investors have already bought stands within the resort's residential estate. Cilliers adds that the local community also stands to benefit by the creation of jobs and opportunities. The establishment of the Legend Foundation assists in the social upliftment of communities through sport and other disciplines will also assist in skills development and create various sustainable community projects like a vegetable farm, nursery and clinic.
At the Fields of Legends complex, a variety of sport facilities such as soccer, rugby, netball, hockey, tennis and cricket etc will be offered with associated academies. Educational programs offered at the golf and sport academies, will assist in the sport training of talented youngsters of the Limpopo Province. Furthermore, international teams participating in the 2010 Soccer World Cup will have the opportunity to practice on the on-site, world-class soccer pitch.
Ga-Sekhukhune, Moroke 8th January Analysis
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
14 January 2008
The ANC NEC statement, is it a beacon of despair or hope! I choose the latter because I was part of a revolutionary gathering at Moroke on 09 January 2008. I realized like many that attended the event that the soul of the ANC is not about personal agenda or gains it’s a real call for all South Africans to unite. But there is always a thorn in my eye every time I travel to Sekhukhune.
Firstly, this is an area with rich resources, untapped tourism sector, the best brains and fighters in the global arena are from the area. And evertytime I go there I make a solemn declaration with myself that the culture of the Ba-Pedi must and be preserved, marketed and brought out and given its due credit. Like other regions were developed in Limpopo there is no excuse why this should not happen for the heart and soul of Sekhukhune.
13 years into democracy this is not done! 13 years into the new dispensation there are constant reasons why the area is not developed and quite frankly I am getting tired of this! I strongly think that the land issue and kingship of the region must be finalized because this is affecting the developmental state that the President of the movement is talking about. Hence I think the powers that be in the area finds it easy to justify non-development and lack thereof in Sekhukhune area. I know from and other alike minds now that this impacts negatively on the potential beacon of hope for Africa.
I hope as the new change of guard has proclaimed in their statement that we should all go back and work, we all take this into consideration and abide.
Message of condolences from Dr Tshenuwani Farisani on the death of Cde Florence Masakona
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
13 December 2007
It is with sadness that we received the tragic news of the passing on of yet another member of the legislature early this week, the chairperson of the Standing committee on the Status of women, youth and People with Disabilities, Comrade Florence Masakona, who died on Wednesday.
Comrade Florence Masakona, who passed on after many months of ill health, has been a member of the Limpopo Legislature since the late 90s, replacing yet another member, Ms Bulala who had also passed on. Her valuable contributions to the democratic state are well documented and known. She has been a champion for women, youth and people with disabilities. She was well-known for her non-nonsense stand when coming to issues close to her heart.
On behalf of my family, the legislature, and people of Limpopo, I must confess this has been a tough year for us in the Legislature. This is the second member of the Legislature, and a third person we have lost within a year.
Cde Masakona died at a crucial time, when the movement she is passionate about is to be host to one of its largest meetings, the 52nd Conference in the Province. Her absence and contributions will be missed.
We ask the nation to pray with the Masakona family, her children and the Limpopo legislature, during these trying times.
Vha edele nga Mulalo Mukololo
May her soul rest in Peace
Dr Tshenuwani Farisani
Speaker: Limpopo Legislature
Issued by: Kenny Mathivha ( PRO)
Limpopo Legislature
082 450 1331
16 December a day of reconciliation & a momentous journey to Limpopo 52nd ANC conference
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
13 December 2007
“There are few countries which dedicate a national public holiday to reconciliation. But then there are few nations with our history of enforced division, oppression and sustained conflict. And fewer still, which have undergone such a remarkable transition to reclaim their humanity. We, the people of South Africa, have made a decisive and irreversible break with the past. We have, in real life, declared our shared allegiance to justice, non-racialism and democracy; our yearning for a peaceful and harmonious nation of equals.” These are the words articulated by South Africa’s former President Dr Nelson Mandela 13 years ago in a statement to celebrate reconciliation day.
Fast forward to 2007 ANC conference and reconciliation day and my opinion
This words are still as relevant as the air we breathe at this juncture than ever before. Unity, reconciliation, ubuntu is what this young democracy needs to move like a well oiled engine. As knives are apparently out, camps are apparently emerging, all I can say is it’s never too late for the people of Mzansi to unify. Its not too late for us to start again with a spirit of optimism and hope for the future. I have made mistakes, I have wronged others, I have been wronged in the process but I live with the hope, happiness and joy that we can all start again instead of pointing fingers at each other.
The Holy Grace Bishop Barnabas in his last September address re-emphasised the need for unity, tolerance & knowledge. A statement that cuts through my soul like a sharp knife; until dignity is restored where its been lost, wounds are healed all is in vain.
Social grants or no grants. BEE or no BEE Africa has always been a kingdom rich with resources and talent and it still is. Before the passing on of King Thulare Ryan Sekhukhune 111, I had an opportunity to meet this lion of the north. I got this opportunity to meet him because he went to the same school as my father Mr Ratau. My dad’s father was a king in a small village called Ntoane in Glen Cowie in Ga-Sekhukhune.
Because of his dedication to the people a school called Sekwena Primary School named after him was build and officially opened by President Thabo Mbeki. I can proudly say today the school offers education to six villages around the area. You see my late grandfather King Sekwena Ratau believed in his people. He respected the counsel and advise from the communities hence the respect he enjoyed while he was alive. Still on the issue of the late King Thulare Ryan Sekhukhune 111, I will in my own ways each and every day work towards restoring dignity to the people of Sekhukhune wherever humanly possible.
Land must be given back to its rightful heirs and the battle going in the Ga-Ratau royal kraal will continue because it should. The riches of the soils in Ga-Sekhukhune must be enjoyed by all, the cultural imperative of the area must be preserved, and the agricultural sector must be kept alive for the coming generation.
I believe that just as the pride of the people of Mapungubwe has been restored the dignity of the Ba-Pedi must be restored by us all.
Continued and edited speech by the former President Nelson Mandela on national reconciliation day, 16 December 1995
“The rainbow has come to be the symbol of our nation. We are turning the variety of our languages and cultures, once used to divide us, into a source of strength and richness.
But we do know that healing the wounds of the past and freeing ourselves of its burden will be a long and demanding task. This Day of Reconciliation celebrates the progress we have made; it reaffirms our commitment; and it measures the challenges.
The Government of National Unity chose this day precisely because the past had made December 16 a living symbol of bitter division. Valour was measured by the number of enemies killed and the quantity of blood that swelled the rivers and flowed in the streets.
Today we no longer vow our mutual destruction but solemnly acknowledge our inter-dependence as free and equal citizens of our common Motherland. Today we re-affirm our solemn constitutional compact to live together on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
Reconciliation however, does not mean forgetting or trying to bury the pain of conflict.
Two terrible defects weakened the foundations of the modern South African state that were laid in the great upheaval at the beginning of the Century. Firstly, it rested on the treacherous swamps of racism and inequality. The second defect was the suppression of truth.
Now, at the end of the Century, South Africans have the real chance to strike out along a glorious path. The democratic foundations of our society have been laid. We must use our collective strengths to carry on building the nation and improving its quality of life.
Reconciliation means working together to correct the legacy of past injustice. It means making a success of our plans for reconstruction and development.
Therefore, on 2007 December 16, National Day of Reconciliation, my appeal to my commanders, comrades, cadres who will be going to the historical ANC event to remember us.
1st economy + Grant/Aid + 2nd economy = South Africa’s potential social and economic prosperity
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
08 December 2007
One of the issues I am keen to keep tabs on when the dust settles after the 52nd ANC National Conference to be held in Limpopo in a weeks time, is how government will use its resources to lift the destitute millions of South Africans who are going hungry each and every day.I am eager to hear the plans by the leadership elected on how they will seek better ways and means to contribute towards their emancipation.
I am happy that this issues is being put high on the list of the delegates going to the conference. This is a breath of fresh air that politicians voted by the people will discuss and decide on what needs to be done in creating a platform for them to move from the so-called second economy to the first.
I believe that the current policies as adopted by government to introduce grants and aid to the people is a remarkable move. Purely because to many its not about incompetency but given a level platform to prove and showcase themselves. You see to many of my elders, brothers and sisters scattered around the Sekhukhune area is not whether they can do it but a platform they need and the means to get there to prove that they can.
Of course I believe that the Social Grant System should not be viewed as a spoonfeeding mechanism but an opportunitity to get there and when you are there proof yourself, work hard and let other generations access the same platform.
You see for many of us living in the suburbs the apartheid system made it easy to get around. Roads are tarred. Buildings are constructed. Access to everything is on your finger tips but to many this is a luxury. For most people its about putting bread on the table for the families, educating their offsprings and so forth, anything else is lavishness. And of course its not their doing. It’s a system that was created of many years. Now is the time that the government ploughs back unreservedly o the main contributors of our democracy, the ordinary South African, my late grandfathers wishes and even the current generations dreams and hopes.
I look forward to the outcome of the conference.
In memory of France Mofapa Mohlala
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
07 December 2007
As the ANC conference draws close I cant help but to remember what IF Cde France Mohlala was still alive. What would I do differently in my contributions to the success of this conference? What counsel & advise would he offer to the Youth League, the Provincial, Branches structures in preparation of Limpopo welcoming all the many delegates coming to our soil. And what comes to my mind is a lot of things. You see Mr Mohlala was a unifier, a man of laughter, great depth, knowledge and many more attributes that most comrades got to know him. Of course right now I can only speak of my memories and the great motivator he came to be in my life and the team that established the website.
He would always say comrades its not about you, its about the people we are here to represent. Its about what the people would want to know about the movement they voted. Its about opportunities abound for all of us alike. He was said personalities, egos and everything else aside. It’s this trait I got to respect and drew strength. He was a real humble servant of the people and his memory shall live on forever.
And in memory of him, I hope all the delegates that comes to the province will take a moment to remember the contribution he and other comrades like Peter Mokaba, Ms Martha Motswenyane contributed to the struggle. Obviously not forgetting the guidance and contribution of the current leadership.
Love, Life and everything is adventure made possible at the Outpost Lodge
By Eva Pebetse Ratau a member of the France Mohlala House
29 November 2007
When my thrilling journey was over, when the last rays of the sun faded in the west, and darkness descended, memories of my day was shared around a blazing fire, in the company of good friends and the love of my life. My memoirs of my trip to The Outpost Lodge situated in the Kruger National Park was filled with amazing events of places I visited, the morning bush walk, the night drive, the chat with Elephants and nature made a day at the lodge a memorable occasion. As night befall my tour was sealed off by a superb meal with a great class of Amarula, a proudly brewed product from Limpopo now consumed by millions around the globe.
This are my memories of my travel to the Outpost Lodge. My experience from the moment I set foot at the reception entrance to my last day at the lodge, was a highlight of my times as a traveller and I shall cherish this forever.
The Outpost Lodge is a 4 star bush safari lodge which seeks to offer its tourists a real treat and experience of one being immersed with nature. During my tour, my guide taught me the essence of preserving nature for the future generation. Lesson number one is this as human beings we cannot survive without our environment.
Amarula a True World Treasure
As the night befall it brought with it a slower pace, of Amarula, the relaxed mode, the gentle beat of drums, the distant roar of the Elephants, soft music, appetising wafts - and I thought this are really the amazing thoughts of rest and comfort.
The Outpost Lodge is one of the many luxurious accommodation facilities that Limpopo offer. My trip to the lodge was vested in my interest to complete a research to unsterstand how public private partnerships between local land owners and investors can enter into to a win-win viable business solution.
Remarkable Private Partnerships in Tourism
And my findings were amazing. In simple words this model is the right one to be used by communities who have claimed the land that belongs to them but what was taken snatched from them through the apartheid system.
The story of The Outpost which belongs to the Makuleke community dates years ago. To be more specific 5 years ago, rightly so the Makuleke community claimed what belonged to them, their land. They won the case one of its kind in our country.
A Story by the Makuleke
The Makuleke Region was occupied by the Makuleke Community for some 140 years prior to their forced removal in 1969 under the apartheid policies of the previos government. After South Africa returned to democracy in the 1990’s, the Makuleke’s lodged a successful land claim resulting in the return of their land. This return was conditional on the land being used only for ecotourism and subject to the environmental management of Kruger National Park.
The Makuleke Community then awarded a 30 year concession to The Outpost. A true community lodge, the Outpost was built with a labour foce provided by the Community. The Outpost now operates with staff drawn almost entirely from the community. The Outpost pays 8 & of its turnover to the Community as a concession rental and a further 2 & of its turnover is paid to a Trust formed for the benefit and welfare of the Community. At the end of the 30 year period, the entire lodge will be returned to the Community, with the objective being for community members to have obtained the necessary skills to operate The Outpost for their own benefit.
This arrangement representwsw one of the most advanced integrated conservation and sustainable develop ment models in the world and provide real ownership and control to the Makuleke community.
A Remarkable Success
As I write this article the Makuleke area is a hub of its own. This has for the last years worked successfully not only for the community but it has been a good investment move for the investors. The lodge now employs more than 10 local community members over and above other tourism services they offer like guided tours. Through this initiative the community has benefited greatly from the investment. Because tourism is a multi faced industry more than 10 officials are recruited to run the lodge, 15 community members make and sell beads that are sold at the lodge, catering is being sourced from the local communities which benefits close to 30 people. The more the visitors to the Outpost the great the economic impact for the province.
This I believe is a remarkable model that could be used for public private partnerships in the future for those with land and those with capital to invest. Many communities in our country are now getting what rightfully belongs to them and I think that tourism should be one of the sectors they should venture into.
At the end of this trip I sealed my memory with a kiss goodbye for my long haul back to the hustle & bustle of Pololokwane.
The missing link, the human element to our core
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
What prompts me to write this email at this moment is my sadness at the passing on of one man I got to admire. He is Mr Mokwena. I met him a couple of times and every time I had an encountered with him it has been a moment I treasure.
He couldn’t hear properly but the enthusiasm espoused by him in the midst of his illness and troubles blew me away. In the last 3 years to be specific I lost many people I look up to be more specific my heroes.
Commander France Mohlala, a dear friend Dirk Nel, Mr Mokwena, thank you. To many others that have supported me in against all odds, KE A LEBOGA.
To Mr Mokwena may you rest in peace!
Memorial Tombstone unveiling of Sipho Albert Mahlangu
Click here to download the invitation in PDF format, please note that contrary to the time on the invitation the ceremony will start at 7h00.
What about ubuntu?
An article by Eva Pebetse Ratau
25 October 2007
For God’s sake why the me myself and I battle ahead of the ANC 52nd conference to be held in Limpopo in December. This remember is a historic event that will decide the economic landscape and political stability of our country and our continent. I ask this question is the debate around who is better than the other deserving of much space in the midst of the high levels of unemployment and poverty in our country. I think not.
What I think is this space to talk, debate, issue statements and so forth should be given to a united approach by those that wants to lead our country. They need to table and find answers to this questions : how do we create employment, create political stability, half unemployment and many more questions.
Some analysts & statistics argue that our country is reaching crisis mode. This debate is not a laughable cycle but a reality of the facts around the globe. The gap between the rich and the poor has widened and unsurprisingly this is no different to the world around us. According to statistics by United Nations an organization with more resources to study such trends confirms this worrying factor. That even in Europe this is the case. The rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer. For a continent that has to claim its rightful place in the global markets we have more to prove. I believe united we should stand as we have proved beyond reasonable doubt that we are more mature than others.
Our heroes are free from the drenches of Robben Island and other underground places. We have a constitution to be proud of. The last thirteen years South Africa has taken its rightful place in domestic and international affairs. We are seeing our economy grow from strength to strength. Our foreign debt and inflation is under control. Our people are getting jobs and basic services. They can choose where they live, what they say, where they walk without fear. Why do we then want to mess this up through point scoring exercises at the expense of million South Africans.
I believe that this country has plenty and untapped opportunities & resources that can benefit the millions left outside our economy, only if we could let politicians do politics, businesses do businesses, journalists proudly write, lawyers practice law, doctors heal the lame and blind. I believe that if we let such a system take root without interruption jobs will be created for millions because everyone will do what their trained and passionately can do.
Commanders, Cadres, Comrades and Combatants as we go to the conference lets not think only about ourselves but the million destitute South Africans who rely on you to help speed the process to bridge the gap between the first and second economy.
Mapungubwe, Africa’s First Economic Hub
By Eva Pebetse Ratau
24 October 2007
During my journey to Mapungubwe I found myself sitting at the hill of the jackal as part of my adventure, holding conversation with nature. I lay on the ground on top of the hill and meditated upon this question: is this where Africa’s wealth began? And if so how and where did all begin?
While in that moment of trance I found myself carried far from mankind and my imagination. Suddenly like a thief in the night my soul expanded and drifted and I felt a breeze passing through the branches of the trees in the valley and the air was talking to me. Yes this is where it all begun, the air whispered. My eyes and ears opened to the language of nature’s wonder and her secrets. I was ripe with curiosity to hear and learn more. What is to follow is my story of Africa’s first trade empire.
Long ago, before the days of the ivory hunters and the slave traders, when the Kingdom of the Rain Queen was not even thought of, and the war between Sekhukhune and the British was not plotted, the gold of Mapungubwe was buying wealth and prosperity from the East.
A community of skilled industrialists in their own right, the people of Mapungubwe created a civilisation of wealth on both sides of the Limpopo River, which pre-dated the likes of Great Zimbabwe and Thulamela. And today, we can share in the historical richness of this colourful culture, which is preserved in the Mapungubwe National Park, with its striking World Heritage Site.
It is said a nation without a history and its roots, does not have a future. Here, in Mapungubwe, visitors will discover for themselves why the relics from a distant lifestyle 2000 years ago carry a message of hope for today. Mapungubwe is situated 200 km from Polokwane and is surrounded by three SADC countries namely Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. There is a summit in the park called the confluence of Shashe.
This is where the Limpopo river meets. This point is the most interesting spot as you can see through the naked eye the three countries.
The history of Mapungubwe goes like this. A golden rhino, along with artefacts, glass beads and pottery, were unearthed during recent excavations inside the park by experts and academics from the University of Pretoria. According to this finding this information has provided ample evidence of the capabilities of the people of Mapungubwe many years ago to successfully trade in art and mining. There is also evidence that the Mapungubwe community had contacts with Islamic traders on the east coast, who were part of a larger Indian Ocean network. This relationship led to African gold and ivory being exchanged for beads and ceramics from as far afield as India, Indonesia and China.
This I am talking of loads of years ago before colonisation, BEE and globalisation were even thought of. Business was booming in the Mapungubwe kingdom and successfully so. The findings of the golden artefacts is still a mystery to most on how this could have been given the fact that there was no high tech machinery to melt material to a final product. But these findings and other artefacts preserved at the site makes a trip to Mapungubwe a fascination on how we Africans successfully conducted business that has build our continent’s economy. The intention with this article is not to spoil your fun but to get you to move from your coach and start seeing the picture in clear color that Africa was once a haven of economic success.
Did you know?
There is clear archaeological evidence that rhino once roamed this area, before being hunted to extinction. Hence South African National Parks reintroduced the rhino into the reserve. Other species that a traveller is sure to see are the rare and endangered species such as wild dog and roan antelope.
Background information on the site
This world heritage site and national park covers more than 28 000 hectares of land. A visit into the park takes one through the sophistication of how Africans used to trade with different parts of the world decades ago. The findings of the golden rhino and other artefacts confirms the fact that Africa has been the hub of economic development way before we were colonised.
For accommodation and tour packages into the park contact South African National Parks or our offices for a trip to remember.
University of Limpopo a True World Class African University
Written by Eva Pebetse Ratau a member of the France Mofapa Mohlala branch
9 October 2007
A province of immense opportunities, Limpopo is able to offer top training in the legal, medical, engineering, educational, tourism, mining, forestry, agricultural, conservation and public administration fields.
The University of the North, now merged with the Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA), the Tshwane (Pretoria) University and Technikon campuses in Polokwane while other trade and professional career training institutions have established excellent academic standards in the province.
It is befitting that the ANC will be hosting the upcoming 52nd National Conference at the University ground. This world class institution has trained leaders such as National Chairperson Mr Mosiua Lekota, Judge President Bernard Ngoepe, Ms Sanki Mahanyele, Ms Bridgitte Mabandla, Professor Sam Mokgokgong the leading neurosurgeon, Mr Noel Chabani Manganye the former vice Chancellor of the University of the North, Mr Rudolph Phala and many more.
Moria a Voyage of Redemption
Written by Eva Pebetse Ratau
9 September 2007
Awesome, blissful, mighty, mystical are just some of the words, I will use to explain my journey to Moria's September Conference held on the 02nd. Having been part of this year's Zion Christian Church convention I proudly speak of the African people's power and His Grace Bishop Barbabas Lekganyane who delivered a message of hope to the 2,5 million Zionists that attended the event.
This expedition to Moria every year offers hope to millions Africans alike. Just a few kilometers away from the entrance to the main gate I stood with awe and fullfiment to see all the people that traveled to Limpopo to listen to a message delivered by His Grace Lekganyane.
The message from the Bishop was clear: the power of knowledge, morality, respect is the essence of our humanity. Needless to say that just among the delegates was our President Thabo Mbeki, our Premier Sello Moloto, Dr Ngoako Ramathlodi, the President of China this holy place is a true destination for many believers & travelers.
As a writer I applaud the message that the Bishop delivered that without knowledge we are doomed as a nation. In this spirit I encourage that those that have not been to Moria to travel and experience the power of the land. I think its also befitting that our provincial and national tourism bodies have accorded Moria a destination status. Obviously most of the sacred rituals will still remain sanctified.
The Peaceful Pilgrims
The headquarters of Africa's largest indigenous church at Moria, some 40 km east of Polokwane, is the venue for a major annual Easter convention, attended by an estimated 2 million followers.
The Zion Christian Church, is understood to have a total membership of about 4 million, has large local congregations throughout Southern Africa, from Johannesburg and Durban to Mbabane and Lusaka.
The large annual influx of buses, taxis and pickups into Limpopo causes heavy traffic congestion at times, but the pressure on other road users has been relieved in recent years by careful staggering of arrival and departure times at Moria.
Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane has played an influential role in South Africa's relatively peaceful transition from the apartheid era to true democracy in the early 1990's hence the yearly attendance of many of our leaders.
Significantly, Bishop Lekganyane invited political leaders Dr Nelson Mandela, Mangusuthu Buthelezi and FW de Klerk to attend the main prayer service at the church's mountain retreat in 1994, prior to our nation's first fully democratic election. Since then, political leaders have visited Moria at regular intervals.
Bishop Barnabas has been part of an interesting family hierarchy of church leaders; succeeding his late father Edward as bishop in the early 1980's. His grandfather, Engenas Lekganyane, originally a Church of Scotland mission convert, founded the ZCC in 1925.
Most ZCC churchgoers wield considerable moral, social and economic influence by their weight of numbers. ZCC leaders in their respective churches always taken a firm stand against violence, while also consistently encouraging their followers to be law-abiding citizens.
An analysis of the past week's media report from a youth this century
08 - 18 August 2007
How good it will be if all of us South African's to work towards the same goals, of bettering the lives of many of our people that are desperately crying and calling out for help.
The past weeks reports has been a revelation to me a youth with hope and ambition for Africa. I think only if we could you use the energy and platform we have as the people to speak positively about our beautiful continent we would not have much to loose.
There seems to be a panic from certain quarters regarding the upcoming National Conference to be held in Limpopo. So much has been done by the current leadership in par with our Constitution. We are free. Why are we still fighting amongst ourselves? Why are we not building on the foundation we have designed? And this a question I ask myself, our leaders and even the branches. I think as we go to the National Conference we need to ask ourselves this question, WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SAY AND DO AT THE CONFERENCE THAT WILL MAKE OUR COUNTRY A PROSPEROUS AND BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN.
First Lady of Limpopo to lauch South African Women in Dialogue
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau, Spokesperson for SAWID Limpopo
10 March 2005
The first lady of Limpopo, Me Ramokone Moloto will on the 2nd April 2005 launch the South African Women in Dialogue Limpopo. More than 600 delegates from six District Municipalities across the province and 400 dignitaries will converge at Cosmo Leisure for the two-day workshop. This platform will seek to discuss, share and commit the women of Limpopo to a programme of action to be implemented by the provincial SAWID committee.
Among some of the key speakers that will address the delegates are Me Manching Monama the Director General of Limpopo who will unpack opportunities for women as enshrined in the newly adopted Provincial Growth & Development Strategy. Other speakers will emanate from women who are experts in the field of Media & Communication, Government Procurement Processes, Leadership and Business Management.
The first annual SAWID dialogue took place in July 2003 and provided an opportunity for the women of South Africa to share their experiences towards peace and reconciliation. This was inspired by a successful dialogue between South African women with the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Following from this, the SAWID forum has been requested to facilitate other peace dialogue for women of Burundi, Ivory Coast.
"It is with this at heart that we deem it fit to launch this project in the province, says Me Moloto." The launch will take form of a two day Empowerment Lekgotla on the 02/03 April 2005 at Cosmo Lesiure and a Gala Dinner will be held on 2nd April. There are many challenges that face women today on the continent and in our province and through this initiative we will seek to find solutions to this challenges. Among some of the programmes and projects that the Limpopo SAWID branch will seek to tackle head on are poverty, HIV & AIDS, assisting and facilitating in the implementation of NEPAD's projects, create a platform for women in business across the Districts and Municipalities" says Me Moloto.
Background information on SAWID
South African Women in Dialogue is a non-profit organization initiated by the first lady of the country Me Zanele Mbeki. The project's main objectives is to provide a platform for ongoing dialogue among South African women to establish a common agenda for the development of women and seek to strengthen PAN African women partnerships in conflict resolution and management of peace and stability.
Contact at 015 297 6996 or 297 4054
And
Lucky Mogale Nchabeleng
Spokeperson: Ms Moloto
015 287 600
072 632 8984
Premier Moloto State of the Province address
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau, Schalk van Schalk Wyk
22 February 2005
The way forward
Integration of all government programmes and close cooperation with the private sector and communities for maximum growth and the eradication of poverty through job creation. That is what Premier Sello Moloto sees as a winning formula for the development of the province in the year ahead. In his State of the Province address at the opening of the Limpopo legislature on Thursday, Moloto very thoroughly and honestly spelled out his vision for the future, but also admitted wrongdoings in government and proposed methods to curb that.
He emphasised the following important points to implement the provincial growth and development strategy in the province:
- working groups comprising business, labour and government at all levels, including municipalities should be formed;
- one major threat to the implementation is the availability of appropriate and competent skills and capacity;
- local people should benefit from development programmes such as mining;
- there is a need for a balanced approach in order to retain and even improve productivity in agriculture whilst the land claims are settled;
- security of both farmers and farm workers is receiving priority attention;
- in tourism there should be a stronger domestic content and regional focus to reaffirm Limpopo's status of being the haertland of SADC and a gateway to Africa;
- plans to build an international convention centre in Polokwane are at an advanced stage;
- bidding for the seat of the Pan African Parliament is receiving overwhelming support;
- the expanded public works programme is taking shape and is extended to municipalities;
- all developmental programmes of government at all levels should employ labour intensive methods;
- the payment cycle for work done for the provincial government remains 30 days but will be adhered to;
- the issue of capacity within the public service to implement government policies and programmes require constant monitoring and evaluation;
- the outcry about allegations of graft and corruption within the public service is a major concern;
- Government procures goods and services at prices far above the market value, sometimes inflated more than five times the actual value;
- in some instances government pays for the same service more than once;
- departments have been directed to develop guidelines to curb this tendency of inflated tender prices;
- government is concerned about the level of theft, pilferage and wastage that is taking place in many government institutions;
- a call is made to all organs of civil society, be it labour, business, churches and community-based organisations to assist in bringing this wastage to an end;
- social security grants are being abused and access to them are in some cases obtained illegally;
- planning endeavours are beginning to show signs of integration at all levels;
- monitoring and evaluation is unsuffiecient, hence the inability to determine the impact of policies and programmes;
- 1 646 headmen have now been appointed and the remaining 96 will be finalised before the end of March;
- issues commonly raised by the people include lack of roads, water, electricity and shabby treatment by public servants in various service delivery institutions;
- these challenges are acknowledged and government are doing everything in it's power to improve the situation;
- due to the unfavourable climatic conditions in Limpopo, a dire need exists for all to use water sparingly;
- the long term and lasting solution for the water shortage is the building more dams in the province;
- ward committees have been estalished throughout the province in order to bridge the gap between government planning and programmes implementation and community involvement;
- in the last festive season there has been a decline of about 20 percent n fatalities on the roads of the province;
- an international transport convention will be held in Limpopo during May;
- ritual killings, racial and witchcraft related crimes have occured during the past months and is a source of grat concerne to government;
- increasing levels of domestic violence and suicides is a worrying phenomenon and stems from expensive lifestyles which are unaffordable;
- there is a need to foster social cohesion and restoration of family values in an endeavour to build a caring society;
- the HIV and Aids epidemic continues to be a source of great concern and therefore the prevention and treatment campaign are implemented at the eight accredited sites - the aim is to expand this to as many health institutions as possible;
- immense resources have been invested in youth development programmes and interventions and it is for the youth to now seize these opportunities to secure a better future for themselves;
- there is an inability to overcome the backlog in classroom provisioning in education and the President's policy directive would not be realised of wiping out the shortage of classrooms by March this year;
- government must find a permanent solution to the recurring and persistent issue of temporary educators.
Contact
ANC Provincial Secretary
Cassel Mathale
ANC Spokesperson
Joe Maswanganyi
Premier at Water Summit...
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau, Schalk van Schalk Wyk
22 February 2005
More dams needed
The building of more dams and better water harvesting and conservation methods are the only imaginable solutions for the water shortage in Limpopo.
This was the view of premier Sello Moloto when he opened the provincial water summit at Meropa yesterday. (Monday)''Government seeks permanent and lasting solutions to the problem of water shortages in communities in Limpopo. Water is a rare and basic commodity of life and should therefore be used sparingly and conserved. This summit is one means of resolving this problem given our otherwise dry and rain starved geograpic location,'' Moloto said. He stressed that government continious to implement its commitment of free basic clean water up to 6 kilolitres per month to all household.
''However, we know that there are communities in our province that still do not benefit from this provision, as we would like them to. The building of more dams and the employment of better and appropriate water harvesting and conservation methods would be the only imaginable solutions to this challenge,'' Moloto said.
He said that apart from water being essential in sustaining quality livelihoods in families, it also plays a catalyst role in facilitating local economic development, fighting poverty and averting the outbreaks of controllable diseases such as bilharcia and cholera.
The premier urged the department of Local Government and Housing to accelerate the process of devolving the water function to municipalities ''as a matter of urgency and need''.
''In municipalities where this function already exists the department of Water Affais and Forestry should provide the necessary support in ensuring that the development planning and the ability to spend such allocated funds and the operation of water services happens,'' Moloto stressed.
He indicated that his office continues to be ''inundated with grievances from communities'' who complain about water delivery whilst funds allocated to the municipalities ''remain unspent''.
''Similarly municipalities should also focus on efficient revenue collection for water services in order to ensure that there is sustainability in water service provision,'' Moloto said.
Contact
ANC Provincial Secretary
Cassel Mathale
ANC Spokesperson
Joe Maswanganyi
Premier's State of Province Address...
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau, Schalk van Schalk Wyk
Communities of Thulamela praised
The communities of Thulamela municipality were praised for shouldering the responsibility for their own development in partnership with organs of the state.
And this praise came fron non other than Premier Sello Moloto in his State of the Province address when he opened the Limpopo legislature on Thursday.
The people of Thulamela came together as a collective in the true spirit of Letsema and Vukuzenzele to aid their municipality in the speedy delivery of electricity. Ten villages contributed about R4.2 million, and the municipality contributed the remaining amount. The electrification programme in these villages has been completed. The other group of eight villages has already contributed about R660 000 and the electrification process is due to be completed before the end of this financial year.
''Shouldering the responsibility for their own development, in partnership with organs of the state, and defying the helplessness characteristic of those who wait for delivery of services only from the state, they did this.
These communities understood that they cannot only be passive recipients of government services without active involvement. They clearly understand that the reconstruction and development of this country require theiractive participation,'' Moloto said.
Just two months ago, the community of Thulamela Municipality was recognised by the Minister of Provincial and Local Government for being exemplary in complementing government in its delivery of social services. Through partnership with the municipality the community has ''made us proud'' by scooping the Vuna Special Performance Excellence Award.
''They proved that communities in dire straits can be able to access basic services such as electricity without having to be constrained by projected timelines. We therefore would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the communities in Thulamela Municipality. We hope and trust that this sense of community spirit and voluntarism which is prevailing in these communities would spread throughout the Province. We call upon all municipalities in the province and councillors in particular, to emulate this example of community participation and involvement in the delivery of services. Clearly this kind of initiative resonates with the letter and spirit of the Freedom Charter when it says, 'the people shall govern','' Moloto said.
Contact
ANC Provincial Secretary
Cassel Mathale
ANC Spokesperson
Joe Maswanganyi
Premier says...
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau, Schalk van Schalk Wyk
People have clarified goals
The people of Limpopo have over the past nine months redefined and clarified their development goals and objectives in their strive for excellence.This was stressed by the Premier of Limpopo, Mr Sello Moloto when he delivered his State of the Province address at the opening of the Limpopo Legislature on Thursday.
''True to the nature and character of the people of Limpopo, they have dedicated time in refocusing and redefining the development path through drawing on the important lessons from the past decade of freedom and democracy,'' Moloto said.
What emerged out of these elaborate and deeply intense consultative process was that the people of the province have identified priorities as follows:
- reaffirmed that development is about people and therefore comfortable with a people-driven and people-centred development process in order to improve the quality of their lives;
- there is a need to grow the economy in order to enhance the fight against poverty and create work;
- there is a need for the building of institutional capacity and efficiency in order to enhance innovation and competitiveness in service delivery;
- there is a need for both social and economic regional integration in order to give effect to Limpopo's strategic location as the heartland of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and gateway to the rest of Africa; and
- attention should be given to priority programmes like HIV and AIDS, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, Small Medium and Micro Enterprise development including a better and improved implementation of Local Economic Development programmes.
Implementation of Growth Strategy...
Working groups between business, labour and government needed Working groups comprising business, labour and government at all levels, including municipalities should be established in Limpopo.
This is, according to Premier Sello Moloto, necessary to implement the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy of Limpopo adopted in October last year.
Opening the Limpopo legislature on Thursday, Moloto said in his State of the Province address one major threat that has the potensial to ''undermine and derail'' the implementation of the Strategy is the availability of appropriate and competent skills with the relevant capacity to implement it.
''The Province has subsequently developed a human resource development strategy, which is an elaborate plan on how we are to tackle this potential obstacle. We envisage a more coherent and inclusive programme as we build adequate human resources for the future,'' said Moloto.
According to him the new Provincial Growth and Development Strategy's distinguise feature is anchored around the need for integration and clustering of projects or programmes. This approach is informed by the fact that development is multifaceted and recognises the urgency for convergence of all developmental plans by all spheres of government.
''Our strategy correctly identifies that working groups comprising business, labour and government at all levels, including municipalities should be established in each of the cluster value chains to achieve this.
''There is obviously a need to build a requisite infrastructure including provision of water, transport, electricity and appropriate information technology in order to improve integration, productivity and competitiveness within and across all the clusters. Our strategy also places a big premium on the need for proper research and development capacity within each cluster in order to maximise and promote new product opportunity development aimed at enhancing competitiveness and innovation within each cluster,'' said Moloto.
Contact
ANC Provincial Secretary
Cassel Mathale
ANC Spokesperson
Joe Maswanganyi
Mining needs to involve locals
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau, Schalk van Schalk Wyk
The mining industry in Limpopo need to take certain steps to involve communities in the local benefication in the spirit of good neigbourship.
This was one the requests put to the business sector by Mr Sello Moloto, Premier of Limpopo when he delivered his State of the Province address at the opening of the legislature on Thursday.
He emphasised that the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy endorsed the seven major elements of the national mining charter. According to the premier these included the following that need to be implemented in Limpopo:
- the need for local procurement, particularly the non-core mining operations. These will include services such as security provision, gardening or landscaping, transportation, catering, cleaning and vending.
''These are the minimum services that should be provided by local people.
It has to be emphasised that local people should not only be engaged as workers in the provision of these services, but also as owners and directors of the companies responsible,'' Moloto said;
- the mining houses should develop human resource capacity for both their employees, unemployed youth and learners through provision of training opportunities in programmes like learnerships and internships. As part of their social upliftment programmes, students should also be assisted with bursaries;
- the common concerns of many communities around many mines have always been the increasing number of informal settlements, increasing levels of crime, health hazards like cracking houses, air and water pollution and increasing incidences of HIV and AIDS. The mining houses should obviously take keen interest in these matters in the spirit of good neighbourliness through their community development programmes;
- beneficiation
- it has been established that the labour absorption capacity of mining is very limited.
''There is a growing sense of a need to improve the value chain of our mining investments downstream in order to increase the capacity of this industry to create jobs. This can only be achieved if the mining companies are encouraged to be involved in the local beneficiation of their primary commodities,'' said Moloto.
- research and exploration the province has a great potential in mining.
''We are envisaging an increase in further investment in this sector due to the fact that the charter provides for incentives in research and exploration. We hope that continued research will provide solutions to even the challenges of beneficiation that we are facing''; - ownership equity targets it is equally envisaging a through-going transformation of the sector and entrance of the new players through the implementation of ownership equity targets. ''This will obviously happen within the context of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment framework'';and
- employment equity targets the mining sector is also required to comply with labour relations regime of the country, particularly in terms of employment equity, safety and environment. ''As a province, given our experience with the problem of Asbestosis in Penge and Mafefe, we take a particular interest in issues of mining safety and management of the environment. Similarly, we are particularly worried about the possibility of a threat of water pollution and earth cracks in Phalaborwa. The necessary interventions will be made to avoid such a disaster,'' Moloto concluded.
Contact
ANC Provincial Secretary
Cassel Mathale
ANC Spokesperson
Joe Maswanganyi
Bid for PAP supported
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau, Schalk van Schalk Wyk
Limpopo's bid for the seat of the Pan African Parliament is receiving overwhelming support, the Premier announced on Thursday.
Opening the Limpopo legislature with his State of the Province address, Mr Sello Moloto said all political parties, business and various organs of civil society in the province have come out in support of this initiative.
''The provincial government will continue to engage the relevant stakeholders and other provinces for the relisation of this initiative,'' Moloto said.
He also announced that plans to build an international convention centre in Polokwane ''are at an advanced stage''.
''In collaboration with Polokwane municipality we concluded a feasibility study. This confirmed that a middle size, high tech centre with a post-modernist African look and feel is needed,'' said Moloto.
He also said that the province is partnering with the Durban international convention centre who are providing support in drawing the architectural design, marketing and operational plans.
Contact
ANC Provincial Secretary
Cassel Mathale
ANC Spokesperson
Joe Maswanganyi
Labour intensive programmes for jobs
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau, Schalk van Schalk Wyk
All development programmes of government at all levels should employ labour intensive methods, Premier Sello Moloto instructed on Thursday. In his State of the Province address at the opening of the Limpopo legislature he said the expanded public works programme is begnning to take shape.
''We are now at the stage where the programme is extended to municipalities. As a measure to responed adequately to the issue of poverty and unemployment all developmental programmes of government should employ labour intensive methods,'' the Premier said.
According to him a drawback which has been observed with this programme has been the fact that contractors and suppliers which are engaged are not adequately adhering to the principles of this programme.
The programme is also undermined by the fact that there are delays in the payment of workers and in certain instances there is underpayment or non-payment of workers at all. Government is equally not exonerated in this tendency because of the delays in the payment of contractors.
''We therefore recommit ourselves to ensuring that the payment cycle in government remains within thirty days. As we correct weaknesses on the government side, we will not tolerate any contractor or supplier who does business with government and continue to exploit workers,'' Moloto stressed.
Contact ANC Provincial Secretary - Cassel Mathale
ANC Spokesperson - Joe Maswanganyi
Boshielo gets town to the business of Tourism
Written by Eva Pebetsi Ratau
16 February 2005
The Chief Executive of Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board Mr Bennny Boshielo announced today in Limpopo that the Board is on schedule with regards to the commercialisation of nature reserves in the province. In the last months we've had consultation with our key stakeholders in the industry. We have met with land owners, Communities, product owners, SMME's and we've all reached a consensus that we need to speed up the process to transform the tourism industry to allow more black players into the fold.
Speaking from LTP headquarters in Polokwane Mr Boshielo committed and promised his undivided support to transforming the industry. And the commercialisation process is the first major step that government has committed itself to the implementation and monitoring of this process. This process is enshrined within Limpopo Growth Development Strategy which was recently adopted.
"The LGDS clearly sets out goals for us as a parastatal that by 2007 the province should have achieved a growth of 7% and double its contribution to R4 billion which will in turn create sustainable jobs within the industry, training SMME's, and ideally creating the brand called Destination Limpopo. This growth can only happen if we begin to unlock and unleash the immense opportunities abounded in the provincial tourism industry".
The tourism industry in Limpopo currently has two faces. One that is very competitive and the other side which include a few SMME's operators. For the economy of the province to grow we need to speed the process of introducing and supporting new role players. Its sad that as we are celebrating 10 years of democracy we still have a situation where the industry is still very exclusive, it is our prerogative as the board to change this. Tourism is a people centred and people driven industry it is one industry that merges culture and history together. This positive linkage should bring with it a strategy, that the board is finalising, to make sure that it works for its people who knows and can tell the story to tourists alike.
Many schools of thoughts and academics explain tourism differently. We as government explain tourism as a tool that we need to use to address development and the economic imbalances and bring the majority of the local communities into the mainstream of tourism.
Mr Bosheilo stressed that "My approach will be different as the man at the helm of this parastatal. We need to demystify the notion that tourism is a difficult industry to venture into. The Board has different resources available to assist those that want to get into the industy. The project at hand to help this process is the commercialisation of 15 nature reserves this year Our aim in doing this is to afford Previously Disadvantages People and entrepreneurs to get into the industry. We will make it our responsibility to remove any entry barriers for those taking part in this commercialisation program. Our approach will be a bottom/top approach where we will offer training, marketing services and facilitate finalisation assistance. This is in line with the provincial strategy of making sure that the economic growth is enjoyed by millions of Limpopo's citizens. It is our mandate as government to move our people from abject poverty to self empowerment. How do we do this? By channelling the concentration of capital and wealth redistribution from the vertical to the horizontal, thereby achieving our Broad Based Black Economic Imperative. It is undebatable that over the past decade of democracy the tourism industry in the province has seen one of the slowest transformation processes. Its our job to change this industry for our people and the future generations."
Contact Details : 082 218 5236
Hightlights of past nine months
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau
10 February 2005
LIMPOPO’S provincial and local spheres of government recently evaluated the performance of the provincial government over the past nine months at an exco lekgotla.
The highlights of the year, as identified at the lekgotla include:
- The continuing growth of the economy - surpassing the national average and resulting in the unemployment rate dropping by 2 percent.
- An increased number of learners who passed the matric exams and Limpopo achieving the highest number passes in mathematics and natural science at higher grade.
- A year-to-date reduction in crime statistics compared to the corresponding period last year.
- Successful outreach programmes such as ''exco meet the people'' and the Batho-Pele roadshows, which made government more accessible to the people and served their needs and aspirations.
- Loans and guarantees provided to small, micro and medium enterprises (SMEEs) through the Limpopo De-velopment Corporation (LimDev) - thereby helping to create employment and reduce the number of jobless people.
- Development of a plan intended to cement Limpopo as the centre of the Southern African Development Com-munity economic gateway into Africa.
- Reducing the malaria mortality rate to less than 1 percent and tabling detailed plans to completely flush out this scourge.
- Continuing the roll-out of a com-prehensive HIV/Aids treatment cam-paign, including anti-retrovirals to all accredited hospitals.
- Successfully launching the expanded public works programme that provided much-needed jobs; and
- Aligning municipal integrated de-velopment plans and local economic development plans with the provincial growth and development strategy in order to consolidate, enhance and synergise government developmental plans.
Contact Details 082 218 5236
Schalk vanSchalkwyk
or
Cassel Mathale
Provincial Secretary at 082 379 1312
or
Joe Maswanganyi
Spokesperson at 083 645 5630
Grow economy and create jobs
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau
10 February 2005
ECONOMIC growth, poverty reduction, job creation, building institutional efficiency and fighting HIV/Aids are what the people of Limpopo demand from the provincial government.
This is the conclusion the premier, his executive council and other important roleplayers came to after an executive lekgotla that was held in Bela Bela recently.
At a media briefing after the lekgotla, the director general of the province, Ms Manching Monama said the lekgotla was held to ''evaluate the performance of the provincial government over the past nine months and to plan for the next financial year and beyond''.
''All in all, the executive council lekgotla directed the provincial government to commit more resources to the development of infrastructure, develop small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) and related broad based black economic empowerment initiatives. This will enable our people to play a meaningful role in mainstream economic activity,'' Monama said. Together with the office of the provincial speaker, executive mayors and municipal managers of the six districts - as well as Polokwane - they unveiled programmes for 2005/06 to develop mechanisms to ''expedite the pace of service delivery by these spheres of government in line with the national agenda''.
In line with this, the lekgotla committed those present to ''priorities intended to reverse the frontiers of poverty to meet their obligations as enshrined in the people's contract to create work and fight poverty''.
These include:
- Expanding the capacity of the public service while introducing institutional efficiencies and efficacies to meet the priorities identified.
- Expediting the process of realigning and adapting the Further Education and Training (FET) curriculum, within the national parameters, to respond to the needs and priorities of the province as identified in our Human Resource Development Strategy.
- Establishing the Limpopo Airport Holdings as an autonomous corporate entity with its own Board of Directors and yet accountable to the Department of Roads and Transport, whose mandate will be the development of airport infrastructure in the province.
- Train and deploy more personnel for taking care of people living with HIV/Aids in hospitals that have been accredited to provide antiretrovirals, and those who provide home-based care to those infected.
- Finalising the provincial Nepad implementation plan in line with the provincil growth and development strategy (PGDS).
- Acceleration of expanded public works programme (EPWP)- with 40 learners graduated last year, and 80 more ready for intake this year.
- Engaging the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in providing the EPWP with technical support; and
- Align the municipal integrated development plans (IDP) and local economic development (LED) plans with the PGDS in order to consoli-date, enhance and synergise government developmental plans.
''These resolutions will be explored further and translated into imple-mentable plans when various MECs will be presenting their detailed budget vote speeches in the legislature during the course of next month,'' Monama said.
Contact Details 082 218 5236
Schalk vanSchalkwyk
or
Cassel Mathale
Provincial Secretary at 082 379 1312
or
Joe Maswanganyi
Spokesperson at 083 645 5630
Deliver services to everybody all over the province
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau
10 February 2005
THE PEOPLE of Limpopo are all entitled to quality services and there should be no excuse for non-delivery - even in remote corners of the province.
That is the approach of Ms Maite Nkoana Mashabane, the new MEC for Local Government and Housing, expressed in her maiden speech at a welcoming function in Polokwane recently.
"In our democracy we need to implement the people's contract and policies of the governing ANC. To be able to do this properly, we all need to work together with dedication.
"We should not allow badly built houses or poor services. We have councillors all over the province, we have municipalities throughout and dedicated provincial and local officials that should prevent this [non-delivery of services]."
To achieve this there needs to be correct planning, cooperation and team spirit, Mashabane stressed.
"If we don't start leading from the front we will not be able to deliver properly and on time. We should also consult with the communities and traditional leaders in regard to proper planning in their areas.
"We should not hide problems. We need to know about problems and together we will be able to solve the problems as challenges," Mashabane said. She promised to visit all the districts as soon as possible to familiarise herself with the conditions and situation at grassroots level.
* In her farewell speech, out-going MEC Machwene Semenya said Mashabane takes over the department at a difficult time.
President Thabo Mbeki has tasked municipalities to speed up and perform better with service delivery.
"Political leaders take decisions on policy matters, but the implementation of this should be enhanced by dedicated officials in cooperation with the communities they serve. You don't need bureaucrats to implement, but you need loyal people, not people giving excuses for non-deliverance," Semenya said.
She requested close cooperation between the Department of Local Government and Housing and her new department, Safety, Security and Liaison, as "crime often occurs in informal settlements.
Contact Details 082 218 5236
Schalk vanSchalkwyk
or
Cassel Mathale
Provincial Secretary at 082 379 1312
or
Joe Maswanganyi
Spokesperson at 083 645 5630
Finance Minister makes funds available to Limpopo
THE MINISTER of Finance, Mr Trevor Manuel, has made an additional allocation of R565 082 000 to the Limpopo provincial government for the 2004/05 financial year.
Published in the Government Gazette of 8 December 2004, this additional money is provided to fund "unforeseeable and un-avoidable spending pressures, including social security grants and increased salary benefits" in accordance to the division of Revenue Act.
Under specific purpose alloca-tions to provinces, Limpopo received an additional R2-million for drought relief to farmers in identified areas.
Another R2 044 000 has been allocated to address the degra-dation of natural and agricultural resources and to improve the socio-economic status and food security of rural communities.
Limpopo Matric results are tops
Issued by the ANC in Limpopo
LAST YEAR’S matric results have proved that the quality of education has improved significantly since the dawn of democracy in the country.
That is the view expressed by the Limpopo Youth Commission in it’s response to the results.
"We welcome the 2004 Senior Certificate Results, which shows an improvement of 0.6% from the previous year’s results. We are encouraged by the increased pass rate of learners who were pursuing commercial, maths and science subjects. We are further pleased with the progress made in reducing a number of dysfunctional schools from 29 in 2001 to six this year," Ms Joyce Tsipa, deputy chairperson of the commission said.
She said they are looking forward to the day when there are no more dysfunctional schools in Limpopo.
"Meanwhile, we acknowledge the 70.6% pass rate and congratulate those who have passed, we are also conscious of the 29.4% of our learners who did not make it this year. Our message to them is that they should not lose hope but rather rise again with courage and vigour to confront the new academic year.
"We welcome the commitment by the two provincial universities (University of Limpopo and University of Venda for Science and Technology) to enrol the new entrants and provide financial support to deserving students. We advise students to visit various government departments as soon as possible to request financial support to pursue their studies. "We applaud the good work done by Department of Education and all stakeholders within the education fraternity in Limpopo," Tsipa concluded.
* The Youth League of the African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo said the results confirm "that our education system in Limpopo is in a state of near perfection as envisaged by the Freedom Charter".
"Since the collapse of the apartheid Bantu education a decade ago, wherein the pass rate in Limpopo was at around 30 percent, we are now witnessing a consistent spiral improvement that has now reached 70,6 percent.
"We are however concerned about the harsh reality that not all of those who have passed matric will have access to higher education nor access to employment opportunities in 2005," Mr Julius Malema, provincial secretary of the Youth League said.
Contact details
Eva Pebetsi Ratau
082 218 5236
Schalk van Schalkwyk
082 802 4719
Julius Malema
ANC Youth League Provincial Secretary
082 977 7040
Polokwane International Airport on the Highway to success
Issued: On behalf of Polokwane International Airport by Eva Pebetsi Ratau
30 November 2004
Polokwane International Airport Limited has embarked on a development strategy which will enable it to take its rightful place among the country's top aviation centres.
"Ownership of the airport, which was originally part of an air force base, was transferred to the Limpopo provincial government in 1995 and commercialised services started operating in February, 1996", explained Mr Shadrack Ramusa the Chief Executive Officer of Polokwane International Airport.
He continued to say, "Polokwane International Airport is one of ten airports in South Africa which currently hold international licences and the only one in Limpopo Province. It has fully operational customs and immigration facilities."
With customs and immigration operating on a permanent basis, the airport is able to facilitate any international air traffic. The airport operates from 06h00 to 20h00 from Monday to Friday, from 07h00 to 15h00 on Saturday and 12h00 to 20h00 on Sunday with the possibility of an extended period upon request.
The airport operates a category seven rescue and fire fighting service, with plans already in place to achieve a category 9 by the year 2005.
Ms Patricia Tharage, General Manager of Marketing and Planning explained that, "As part of the infrastructure upgrade to create world class aviation facilities, the airport has set aside R30 million for the extension of the runway to accommodate Boeing 747, for the upgrading of its navigation aids with the installation of new ILS and CVOR and DME and erection of a new air traffic tower, construction of a cargo warehose and cold storage during the current financial year".
Tenders are already out for the appointment of consulting engineers for the design and drawing of terms of reference for the construction of the infrastructure.
"The airport pride itself with the aviation security services in place and intends to build on the synergy with the South African security agencies to ensure a safe and secure environment for aviation growth. The airport acknowledges all stakeholders and in particular all our tenants operating from the airport for cooperating to ensure zero tolerance to aviation security breaches", concluded Mr Ramosa.
Tel: 015 297 3354 or 082 218 5236
Fax: 015 297 2807
Email: evaratau@yahoo.com
OR
Contact: Achatakali Patracia Tharage
General Manager: Marketing and Planning
Polokwane International Airport
Tel: 015 288 0122
Fax: 015 288 0346
Mobile: 083 400 7843
Email: patriciat@pi-airport.co.za
Discover Limpopo this festive season
Issued by: On behalf of the African Ivory Route, Eva Pebetsi Ratau
27 November 2004
This festive season the African Ivory Route is offering adventurous visitors and travellers alike a once in a lifetime unique outdoor experience they will never forget,' announced Mr Charles Maluleke Senior General Manager: Tourism and Environment at the Department of Finance and Economic Development.
Mr Maluleke said; 'As part of our marketing drive we will be encouraging travellers and visitors to take advantage of our special rates to explore the cultural history of Limpopo and to also experience the wildlife and scenic beauty of our province'.
On Tuesday, 30 November 2004 the management and team members of the African Ivory Route will embark on an aggressive campaign to encourage local travellers to visit the Ivory Route camps. We will also launch our festive campaign that will run on print and electronic media. This campaign will seek to encourage local tourists to take advantage of the affordable packages that will be on offer from December to February 2005. This campaign will kick off with a bush breakfast at Pietersburg Game Reserve and will lead to the streets of Polokwane where brochures and goodies will be given away.
Mr Maluleke further said that, 'As part of the packages that will be on offer will be accommodation from as little as R150 at camps like Manyeleti, the "place of the stars. This camp offer the visitor a superior game viewing including the big five, while the Modjadji camp holds the legends and secrets of age-old cultures and rituals".
Based on legendary tales from the smuggling era of the previous century the African Ivory Route was launched 4 years ago with the purpose of introducing local rural communities to the eco-tourism industry. This project seeks to promote the culture of travelling ones Province.
Mr Maluleke explained that by welcoming locals and foreigners into their villages, to most local communities this has been a new and fulfilling experience. The communities are now starting to reap the benefits of this innovative project.
He concluded by saying that plans are afoot to expand the scope of the African Ivory Route and its attractive product.
As part of this plan, this festive season we are calling upon all visitors to explore the preferred eco-tourism destination in Southern Africa. We know that the more visitors come and join us in the province the more jobs we will be able to create and more communities will reap the rewards.
Tel: 015 297 5534
Mobile: 082 218 5236
OR
Contact: Moses Ngobeni
Tel: 015 298 7000
Mobile: 082 903 2273
OR
Contact: Klaas Bonzai
African Ivory Route
Project Manager
Tel: 015 295 3025 or 291 3717
Mobile: 082 904 5877 or 083 249 3093
Fax: 015 291 2656
E-mail: info@africanivoryroute.co.za
Website: www.africanivoryroute.co.za
Bigger, Better and Faster Travel Services
24 November, 2004
In line with its vision of being recognised as a transformed and successful world class international airport, that positively touches the lives of all people, Polokwane International Airport is ready to set new standards of excellence in 2005.
However, the services to be offered will be affordable, convenient and accessible, designed to meet the needs of all clients, from articulate tourists to demanding importers and exporters.
“Starting with the introduction of larger aircraft and more frequent scheduled flights on the Polokwane-Johannesburg route in 2005, the airport will be called upon to handle larger numbers of people daily,” explained Ms Patricia Achatakali Tharage the General Manager of Marketing and Planning at Polokwane International Airport.
Ms Tharage further said that, “As an introductory offer, return flights to and from the Johannesburg International Airport. Obviously the carrying capacity of the daily flights will increase dramatically, and the in-flight service will be the very best”.
To meet the needs of business executives wishing to spend a day in Gauteng, discussions and negotiations are at a final stage to finalise the early flight take off time, while return flights might also be available late each afternoon.
Apart from improved comfort on the new, large capacity flights, travel time from Polokwane to Johannesburg will be reduced to a mere 40 minutes!
“With its new, highly motivated management team, Polokwane International Airport Limited (PIAL) stands by its undertaking to be a commercially-driven organisation, committed to delivering excellent economic and social benefits for all its stakeholders. In addition, the company will ensure the maintenance of high standards of safety, security and orderliness”, said Mr Shadrack Ramusa the Chief Executive Officer of Polokwane International Airport.
“The final objectives must always be satisfied customers, full utilisation of state-of-the-art technology, the promotion of innovative ideas, diversity among employees, respect for the environment, and good returns for shareholder investments,” concluded Ms Tharage.
Annual Premier's Awards Ceremony.
Issued by the ANC in Limpopo
14 November 2004
Public Works does it again, Mnandi top individual
The department of Public Works has for the second time in three years been adjudged the best government deparment in Limpopo for which it received the Platinum Award at the annual Premier's Awards Ceremony in BaPhalaborwa recently during a glittering event.
Mr Philip Mnandi, a disabled person, was awarded the Platinum Award for an individual as the Best Public Servant in Limpopo.
The Platinum Award for a team or section of a department was awarded to the Mopani South East team.
In a short message at the event Premier Sello Moloto said that all public servants in Limpopo should be acknowledged, ''but in a race there will always be a winner, but those who don't cross first have also run the marathon''.
''Likewise many public servants have done their bit in rendering good services to the people of Limpopo, but tonight we award those who have won.
For those who have not won, run even better next year than you might be the winner and being awarded,'' Moloto said.
He emphasised that the Limpopo government have gone ''out of our way'' to get independent assessors to adjudge the winners and make it as transparent as possible.
''We are proud to award to those who have been found extra ordinary and have performed better than the rest and have served the people of our province acceptionally well,'' Moloto said.
Awards were awarded in three categories namely for individuals, groups or teams and the best department as a whole.
In each of the categories either a silver, gold or platinum award was awarded with the platinum award to the best performer in the category. In the individual category five silver awards, as well as R10 000 were awarded, three golden awards and R20 000 each and one platinum and R30 000.
The winners were:
Silver: Mr G Horn, Mr M P Nong, Mr D Apather, Ms Gladys Nthalungu and Mr M J Ramabingo;
Gold: Mr J Chimanzi, Ms F S Maguga and Ms B M Masete;
Platinum: Mr P Mnandi.
In the group or team awards went to:
Silver and R30 000 each: Piet N Aphane School; Agriculture Finance Team and Local Government and Housing's Information Unit;
Gold and R40 000: Thengwe High School and Health and Welfare's Waste Management Team.
Platinum and R50 000: Mopani South East.
In the competition for departments the department of Agriculture (last years winner) won silver and R10 000; gold and R20 000 was won by the department of Health and Welfare and the overall winner and winner of the Platinum Award and R30 000 was the department of Public Works.
For more information please contact Eva Ratau at 015 297 5534 / 082 218 5236 OR Provincial Secretary : Mr Cassel Mathale at 082 379 1312 OR Spokesperson : MR Joe Maswanganyi at 083 642 5630
Limpopo a preffered destination for donor funding
Despite weaknesses the Limpopo province continues to be a preferred destination for the donor community and this bestows an immense responsibility on the province to make sure that donor funding and overall management is streamlined and corrected.
This was said by Mr Sello Moloto, Premier of Limpopo when he addressed delegates to a Donor Conference at Vanetia Mine near Musina.
''We are the first to acknowledge that despite the impressive achievements we made as a province in relation to donor funding, there are some weaknesses which we have observed in the past ten years. Our overall management of donor funding has been reactive and uncoordinated. There seems to be some lack of understanding between us and the donor community around priorities in the province.
Nevertheless, the reviewed Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS) begins to clearly set out priorities which we think we should be focusing on as the province, these would include poverty,unemployment, infrastructural development and skills shortage. We would want to underscore the fact that despite weaknesses mentioned earlier, our province continues to be a preferred destination for the donor community. This bestows an immense responsibility on us to make sure that our donor funding and overall management is streamlined and corrected,'' Moloto said.
According to him the province is currently working on a donor-funding framework which is aimed at streamlining and correcting the identified weaknesses. ''We view this conference as a platform which presents a possibility and unique opportunity for all stakeholders to engage and deliberate on the framework in order to ensure that all parties’ wishes and interests are well catered for and respected''.
''We would like, in advance, to thank all the donor agencies, embassies and corporate business for the support which we have received in the past ten years and continue to enjoy. Many of you, because of your support and contribution, are tending to become valuable citizens of this province and we welcome this development. It is our considered view that many within the donor community have always wanted to join this winning nation of South Africa and Limpopo in particular. Our PGDS provides an ample opportunity for you to lend your helping hand. For it is within reach, possible and can be done,'' Moloto said.
He referred to the fact that the second PGDS has just been adopted and this strategy will serve as a development framework for the province over the next five to ten years and beyond. It is a culmination of a two to three year review process that was meant to ensure that the strategy is adjusted to new conditions. The review process has been characterized by rigorous consultations with almost all stakeholders, within both the public and private sectors.
According to him the distinguishing feature of this new approach is anchored around the need for integration and clustering of projects or programmes. This approach is informed by the fact that development is multifaceted and recognizes the urgency for convergence of all developmental plans by all spheres of government.
''We would once again stress emphatically that we are not contemplating any change or shift of the existent policies. Our focus will be on policy implementation, one area which the ten-year review identifies as our major weakness. The strategy envisages a greater focus on the implementation of these policies in order to intensify the fight against poverty and unemployment,'' Moloto stressed.
He said the period preceding the Provincial Growth and Development summit saw sectoral summits for two purposes, namely:
- to consult and engage the private sector for a collective review on how the economy has been performing in the past ten years; and
- to solicit a buy-in from the private sector in order to foster a common understanding amongst all stakeholders on the new direction taken with development, particularly around fighting of poverty and creating work.
The summits have, according to the premier further assisted to identify the areas which government and public sector in general should be focusing on in order to create a conducive environment for investment and sustainable economic development.
''We have also learnt from these summits that development can never be sustainable without broad based community involvement and empowerment.
We are indeed pleased that we are now able to understand and appreciate the potential and critical areas for private sector investment in general and donor funding in particular. The issue of developing the secondary industry around our competitive edges, i.e. mining, tourism and agriculture, both up-stream and down-stream, has never been as clearly defined and illustrated as it is now.
''Everybody is agreeing that we can only be able to expand the labour absorption capacity of these competitive edges if we concentrate our efforts on building secondary industry along the value chain. It has become clear to us that a prerequisite for the realization of these objectives is a need for adequate provision of requisite human capital and infrastructure for water, road network, energy, telecommunications and other services.
''It is, however, necessary to indicate that Limpopo provincial government would obviously not have all resources to provide for the infrastructure and related services at once. There would still be a need for partnership with donor agencies, corporate business and private sector in general.
Our strategy recognizes the importance of linking up with the Southern Africa Developent Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) as a whole as we are the heartland of SADC and gateway to Africa. Our strategic location demands of us to take earnest interest in the unfolding developments within the AU and NEPAD,'' Moloto said.
For more information please contact Eva Ratau at 015 297 5534 / 082 218 5236 OR Provincial Secretary : Mr Cassel Mathale at 082 379 1312 OR Spokesperson : MR Joe Maswanganyi at 083 642 5630
Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims appointed by President Mbeki
14 November 2004
The President Mr Thabo Mbeki has appointed a Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims in terms of section 23 of the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act No. 41 of 2003.
Professor Thandabantu Nhlapo chairs the Commission The Ralushai Commission's Report on Traditional Leadership in Limpopo is being referred to this commission. In a press statement ''on the Ralushai commission's report'' the Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Mr Sydney Mufamadi announced that the Ralushai Commission's report, that was handed to the former Premier Ngoako Ramatlodi in October 1998 and neither ''accepted or rejected'' would be handad to a new commission appointed by President Thabo Mbeki.
Mufamadi announced that Mbeki has appointed a Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims in terms of section 23 of the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act No. 41 of 2003.
Professor Thandabantu Nhlapo chairs the Commission and it is in the process of preparing for public hearings to be held at such places as it determines. At the same time, the Commission is collating all information and documentation that may be useful in the execution of its task. In an effort to assist the Commission, the Ministry for Provincial and Local Government has handed all relevant research materials, including reports of various commissions of inquiry appointed in provinces such as the Eastern Cape, Free State, North West and Limpopo.
''During 1996, the former Premier of Limpopo, Advocate Ngoako Ramathlodi, appointed the Ralushai Commission of Inquiry to investigate, among others, claims by certain traditional leaders that they were irregularly deposed or not duly recognized by the previous government.
During October 1998, a report was submitted to the former Premier. The Limpopo Provincial Government did not accept nor reject the recommendations of the Ralushai Commission. Instead, the former Premier handed over the report to the Ministry for Provincial and Local Government as a contribution to the process of developing a national policy on the matter of traditional leadership disputes and claims. The policy formulation process has now been completed and has given birth to the Commission appointed by President Mbeki recently,'' Mufamadi said.
The Ministry for Provincial and Local Government has handed over the Ralushai Commission's report to the Commission chaired by Nhlapo.
''The Department of Provincial and Local Government will take the necessary steps to ensure that the relevant information contained in the Ralushai Commission report is made available to all affected parties (to the extant that it refers to them), who submitted their claims and disputes. This information will assist them to prepare for submissions to the national commission and assert their rights,'' Mufamadi concluded the statement.
For more information please contact Eva Ratau at 015 297 5534 082 218 5236 OR Provincial Secretary : Mr Cassel Mathale at 082 379 1312 OR Spokesperson : MR Joe Maswanganyi at 083 642 5630
Limpopo Tourism embarks on Commercialisation Roadshow
Issued : On behalf of Limpopo Tourism and Parks by Eva Pebetsi Ratau
7 November 2004
As part of efforts to unlock the economic opportunities within the eco-tourism industry in the province, Limpopo Tourism and Parks has embarked on a programme to commercialise 15 of its 53 nature reserves to enhance its capabilities to attract local and international tourists, to create job and business opportunities especially through Black Economic Empowerment, empower communities, generate income and protect the resource base through appropriate and sustainable land usage.
“Limpopo Tourism and Parks is not resting on its laurels to implement government’s programme as outlined by the newly revised Limpopo Growth Development Strategy which was adopted in October 2004. As part of the first phase the Board conducted a site due diligence for each of the 15 reserves to determine the status quo.” explains Mr Fixon Hlungwani, General Manager of Parks.
Key among issues that the strategy seeks to address is job creation and doubling tourism’s contribution to the provincial economic wealth within the next five years.
At present tourism contributes around 3.5 % of the provincial Gross Domestic Product and its envisaged that this percentage will be doubled by 2007 which will lead to job creation within the eco-tourism industry.
“The mandate we got from the Premier, Mr Sello Moloto and the majority of the people in the province is that they need jobs and opportunities within all sectors of government. Tourism being one of the major contributors to the success of the province we saw it fit to roll out the commercialisation programme to put tourism into a new trajectory of growth. Among key of the campaign is to solicit input from all our stakeholders to feed into the feasibility study that will lead to the commercialisation programme” says Mr Hlungwani.
Much work has already been done. Through a tender process the Board has appointed a transaction advisor who is tasked with assisting and bringing in the technical expertise in rolling out the commercialisation programme.
He continued to say,” This is the second phase where we will be interacting with key stakeholders, local communities, chiefs, land claimants, prospective investors, our plan and receiving input and feedback in order to finalise the feasibility study. At the end of the day we want this process to be representative of the expectations of our people and to meet the market demands”.
A task team that comprises staff from the Board and other stakeholders has been put in place to workshop the proposed commercialisation programme. Meetings with the public sector agencies, staff, local communities will be held during November 2004. These roadshow will unfold at the scenic and beautiful Nwanedi Reserve on 09th November 2004. On Wednesday 10th November we will be at Magoebaskloof Hotel where we will outline the commercialisation plan for the Tzaneen Dam, Lekgalameetse & Hans Merensky Reserve. Our next stop will be at Sanbonani Hotel in Hazy View where we will discuss potential investment opportunities of Mangwazi Nature Reserve.
We will then be at Klein Kariba in the Bela Bela region where we will orkshop and request feedback on the proposed developments of the Rust de Winter & Doorndraai Dam. D’Nyala Nature Reserve will be our next stop where Masebe, Mokolo, Wonderkop and Blouberg Reserves will be discussed. Our last stop will be at Atherstone Nature Reserve on 18 November.
It’s our vision as the Board to consult extensively with all our stakeholders and consider their recommendations because the success of these projects should benefit all the people of Limpopo and South Africa as a whole.
I’d like to invite all the interested parties to please come on board. As the Board we envisage that by 2007 Limpopo would have doubled its income and create jobs. Our goal is also to make sure that the eco-tourism industry is truly representative and addresses the legacy of the past.’ concluded Mr Hlungwani.
To take part in the roadshows please contact Eva Pebetsi Ratau or Joey Rasebotsa at 082 218 5236 or 015 297 5534 or fax 015 297 2807 or email mmc@mmcon.co.za or evaratau@yahoo.com.
Tel: 082 218 5236 or 015 297 3354
OR
Contact: Mr Fixon Hlungwani
General Manager Parks
082 775 3176
OR
Khorombi Matibe
Senior Manager Marketing
082 5664257
Note to the Editor
Tourism Growth Plan as adopted in the 2004 October Limpopo Growth and Development Strategy
Tourism activities contribute approximately 4% to the provincial economy, which has not change significantly during the past five years. This is disconcerting, because tourism is considered to be a competitive advantage to the Province, together with agriculture and mining. The Tourism Growth Plan (which is obtainable from the Tourism and Parks offices)is a deliberate intervention strategy to double the contribution from tourism to provincial economic wealth creation within the next five years. This development strategy is founded upon the commercialisation of government nature reserves, the promotion of tourism clusters or destinations with routes between them, and targeted marketing on behalf of tourism operator’s within those destinations.
The Tourism Strategy identified 22 new projects within the nine nodes or destinations in the province, to promote tourism cluster or value-chain development within Limpopo. The intention is to draw more visitors to the Province, keep them longer in order that the tourism spend may increase and employ and empower more people within the industry, by way of increased and expanded facilities. In this manner, Limpopo could double the contribution from tourism to the provincial economy.
To obtain a copy of the revised and adopted Limpopo Growth and Development Strategy visit www.limpopo.gov.za or www.golimpopo.com.
Limpopo's Municipalities get boost
Issued by ANC in Limpopo
3 November 2004
FOURTEEN municipalities in Limpopo have been included in Government’s Project Consolidate - a hands-on engagement and support programme to address local government’s main challenges by focusing on capacity building and support.
"The principal purpose of this initiative is to deepen the thrust and impact of existing policies and programmes directed at local government. This two-year engagement programme is going to allow national and provincial government, together with key partners in the private sector, to find new, creative, practical and impact orientated modes of engaging, supporting and working with local government," Mr Sydney Mufamadi, Minister of Provincial and Local Government said on Friday at the project’s launch.
According to Mufamadi, the primary focus of the targeted, hands-on engagement programme will be on areas requiring immediate and direct action.
Teams will be deployed to work at municipal level, assisting in addressing practical issues of service delivery and local governance.
Specific areas will include:
- Public participation, ward committees and community development workers
- Indigent policy, free basic services, billing systems and municipal debt
- Expanded Public Works Programme, Municipal Infrastructure Grant and Local Economic Development; and
- Performance management framework, indices and communication.
"Another element of Project Consolidate will focus on addressing the billing problems in key municipalities. An innovative proposal has been developed which will bring together appropriate established and prospective service providers and companies working in this area on billing in order to provide targeted assistance to 12 municipalities throughout the country.
"Municipal billing systems have come to occupy a unique position in our new system of developmental local governance.
They are, in an important sense, the cement that holds together the compact between residents and their local government," Mufamadi said.
Important institutional oversight and management arrangements have been put in place to support the project. In all of these arrangements, national government will work closely with provinces, organized local government and key stakeholders and partners. These institutional arrangements include the following:
- Inter-Ministerial Committee: A national Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Project Consolidate has been established. The IMC will exercise oversight and give guidance on the implementation of the initiative.
- Advisory Working Group: An Advisory Working Group (AWG) has been constituted. Its main purpose will be to offer ongoing and periodic advice and guidance to the Minister for Provincial and Local Government on the implementation of Project Consolidate over a period of 2 years.
- Project Management Unit (PMU): A national PMU will be established in the department of Provincial and Local Government. Its primary functions are to support the deployment teams with project management services and also to undertake ongoing monitoring of the support initiatives; and
- Delivery Facilitation Team: Project Consolidate is innovative in the sense that it will deploy professionals and experts to priority municipalities to address local governance and service delivery challenges. These professionals will act as Local Service Delivery Facilitators in the priority municipalities.
"The priority municipalities that will be receiving additional support are found in all provinces, and represent metropolitan, district and local municipalities, and both urban and rural municipalities. Government will, through this intervention, ensure a more proficient use of resources derived from nationally raised revenue, to benefit the indigent and to boost government policy on the provision of basic services. We seek to make local government more dependable as an enabler for the realization of the goals of sustainable service delivery," Mufamadi said.
The fourteen municipalities Buschbuckridge, Maruleng, Greater Tubatse, Fetakgomo, Makhuduthamaga, Greater Giyani, Greater Letaba, Mutale, Makhado, Thulamela, Aga-nang, Blouberg, Lepelle-Nkumpi and Thabazimbi.
Makhuduthamaga in Sekhukhune will also receive support to improve its billing systems.
For more information contact Eva Ratau at 082 218 5236
Cassel Mathale
Provincial Secretary 082 379 1312
Joe Maswanganyi
Spokesperson 082 379 1312
Limpopo Provincial Growth and Development Summit
Issued by the ANC in Limpopo
New growth and development strategy adopted Development can never be sustainable without broad based community involvement and empowerment as well as private sector investment.
This was highlighted by Premier Sello Moloto when he officially opened the Limpopo Growth and Development Summit at Klein Kariba in the Waterberg District on Friday 15th October 2004.
''The sectoral summits over the past two months have assisted us to identify the areas which government and the public sector in general should be focusing on in order to create a conducive environment for investment and sustainable economic development. We have also learnt from these summits that development can never be sustainable without broad based community involvement and empowerment,'' Moloto said.
Accordingly he said Government now understand and appreciate the potential and critical areas for private sector investment. ''More than ever before, the issue of developing the secondary industry around our competitive edges, i.e. mining, tourism and agriculture, both up-stream and down-stream, has never been as clearly defined and illustrated as it is now''.
Everybody is agreeing that we can only be able to expand the labour absorption capacity of these competitive edges, i.e. if we concentrate our efforts on building secondary industry along the value chain, according to the premier.
Referring to the previous Growth and Development Strategy that was adopted in 1999 the premier indicated that this strategy has since then been serving as a development framework for the province.
''Two to three years back the process of reviewing the strategy and adjusting it to new conditions commenced. This review process has been characterized by rigorous consultations with almost all stakeholders, within both the private and public sectors. The distinguishing feature of this new approach is anchored around the need for integration and clustering of projects or programmes. This approach is informed by the fact that development is multifaceted and recognizes the urgency for convergence of all developmental plans by all spheres of government,'' Moloto stressed.
In the province address earlier this year it was stated that the leadership ''are not envisaging any policy change or shift''.
''Our ten years review reveals that our major weakness has been on policy implementation. In the next five to ten years the focus will be on how best do we implement these policies in order to intensify the fight against poverty and unemployment''.
In the past two months the sectoral summits were meant to serve two purposes, the premier said. They are:
- to consult and engage the private sector for a collective review on how the economy has been performing in the past ten years; and
- to solicit a buy-in from the private sector and also foster a common understanding amongst all stakeholders on the new direction to be taken in the new development, particularly around fighting poverty and creating work.
''These sectoral summits were a build up to today’s gathering whose aim is to formally adopt the new Provincial Growth and Development Strategy,'' Moloto said.
In order for to be able to realize these goals or objectives, there is, according to the premier a need for provision of requisite infrastructure for water, road network, energy, telecommunications and other services. ''It is, however, necessary to indicate that government would obviously not have all resources to provide for the infrastructure in question at once.
There would still be a need for partnership with the private sector.
The other area which came up clear and we have been found wanting as a province is lack of skills to support these economic activities. Our human Resource Development Strategy must share a light and give direction on what needs to be done in order to address this deficiency,'' Moloto said.
Contact Cassel Mathale 082 379 1312 / Joe Maswanganyi 083 642 5630 / Eva Ratau082 218 5236
Polokwane to get International Convention Centre
Issued by the ANC in Limpopo
Another R190 million to implement new growth strategy To start implementing the newly adopted provincial growth and development strategy the Limpopo Government is putting upfront an amount of R190 million for infrastructure development which is over and above the capital budget passed earlier this year.
This was announced by Mr Sello Moloto, Premier of Limpopo when he opened the provincial Growth and Development Summit on Friday 15 October 2004.
''R150 million will go into the upgrading and maintenance of road infrastructure, and R30 million will be utilized towards pursuing the goal of making Polokwane the logistic hub of the province by building an International Convention Centre and upgrading of both Gateway International Airport and Peter Mokaba Stadium to suit the international standard of the capitol city,'' the premier said.
This amount has been realised from the successful servicing and paying up of the provincial debt overhang which was inherited from the former Bantustans. Polokwane Municipality together with the provincial government are finalising the feasibility study on the International Convention Centre. A further R10 million has been allocated for the third phase of the HP-I community in Mogalakwena municipality.
''The same amount or more would still be made available for infrastructure development over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework period. We are also pursuing other infrastructural development alternative funding mechanisms, which if positively concluded, an announcement will be made at an appropriate time,'' Moloto said.
According to him the people are more than ready to build a people’s contract in order to fight poverty and create work. ''This has been reconfirmed during our sectoral summits and various other meetings with different stakeholders and interest groups''.
''Those of us who are called upon to guide and lead this process of building a people’s contract in order to fight poverty and create work have got an enormous task that lies ahead. This contract obviously demands unreserved commitment and selfless dedication on the part of the leadership in order to equal the enthusiasm displayed by our people. Our growth and development strategy derives its orientation and outlook around two important principles, i.e. people centeredness and people-driven approach.
This approach derives its meaning from the fact that development is about people.
''The strategy we are adopting here today should serve as a platform to unlock, nurture and harness the potential which remains untapped in the province. The possibilities are abound. It is possible, within reach, can and should be done,'' premier Moloto concluded.
Contact Cassel Mathale 082 379 1312 / Joe Maswanganyi 083 642 5630 / Eva Ratau 082 218 5236
International Growth Competitive Index for 2004 shows
Issued by the ANC in Limpopo
South Africa in pole position - Minister Sydney Mufamadi Limpopo commended for being one of five provinces that has adopted Provincial Growth and Developent Strategy South Africa is in the pole position within the region and at 41 out of 104 national economies featuring in the global rankings of the growth competitive index for 2004 of the World Economic Forum that was published last week.
This was stressed by Mr Sydney Mufamadi, Minister of Provincial and Local Government when he delivered the keynote address at the Limpopo Growth and Development Summit held at Klein Kariba, Bela Bela on Friday, 15th October 2004.
''In 1994, we inherited an economy mired in a prolonged recession. According to this report, in the short period of ten years, our economy has produced a level of performance which places it in the pole position within the region, and, at 41 in the global rankings. This verdict constitutes a useful feedback on the effectiveness of the measures our government has undertaken since at least 1996, in order to achieve stability in the face of continued macro-economic turmoil. More importantly, it provides us with insights into areas where further progress is called for, in order to improve the environment for improved economic activity, and generate sustainable growth,'' Mufamadi said.
The provincial summit builds on the laudable results of the National Growth and Development Summit which took place in Midrand in June 2003. The national summit laid a good foundation for growth-promoting cooperative relations between spheres of government, the public sector and the private sector, the labour movement, and community-based organizations.
Accordingly, the usefulness of your decisions will be determined by the value they add to the national effort at enhancing the ability of our economy to grow, according to the minister. ''It is universally acknowledged that in the context of the changed world economy, an unskilled labour force has become a competitive liability.
It is also true that no economy can break out of productive inefficiency if it continues to experience stagnant investment. No economy can grow and develop sustainably in the absence of serious investment in the creation and maintenance of social and economic infrastructure. It is only when we pay collective and systematic attention to these matters, that we shall be able to place our economy on a higher growth trajectory,'' Mufamadi said.
In the 2004-05 financial year, there has been a significant growth in the equitable share of the provincial government sphere he said. ''This increase in the provincial share of nationally raised revenue communicates a message which says that in our estimation, provinces are key component of the development state. They are expected to move decisively towards playing a developmental role rather than only dispense painkillers to those who are placed at the lower end of the market''.
''This province must be commended for being one of the five provinces that have completed the drafting of a Provincial Growth and Development Strategy. We are agreed that the development of provincial strategies is one of the tasks that must be given priority attention. The strategies must indicate the various developmental potentialities of the composite district areas, the province’s proposed growth trajectory, and, indicate the areas of comparative advantage for investment.
''It is also understood that our country’s economic resurgence is inextricably bound up with the economic regeneration of the rest of the African continent. In this regard, Limpopo has endowments which can contribute immensely to the process of enhancing our regional and global positioning. The province shares international borders with three countries: Botswana to the west and north-west, Zimbabwe to the north, and Mozambique to the east. It also shares boundaries with Gauteng, a province which is home to the most industrialized metropole of the African continent. The N1 artery which connects Limpopo to the Gauteng metropole is the busiest overland route in Africa in terms of cross-border trade in raw materials and beneficiated goods,'' Mufamadi said.
According to him all these factors place a special obligation on the policy makers, the intellectual community, corporate and individual citizens of this province. They tell us that there is a lot we need to do together in order to increase the productive efficiency of the province. In other words, we have to forge ourselves into a unified social framework for sustainable development.
''The problems we have in this province are a microcosm of the national challenges. As Premier Moloto said earlier, we have a skills-constrained economy,'' Mufamadi said.
Although South Africa has made significant progress overall, it must continue to strive for enhanced levels of performance. ''For its part, government continues to look for ways of improving the stock of public investment in the economy. We have recently introduced two instruments, i.e. the Municipal Infrastructure Grant and the Extended Public Works Programme – through which we seek to stimulate economic growth, whilst we simultaneously create a platform for our people to enter into productive economic activity. We'’ll also use these resources to remove all municipal infrastructure backlogs over the next ten years.
''By realizing our set goals within schedule, we shall have executed our national share of responsibility towards the Millenium Development Goals.
Success in this regard depends on efficient implementation of local development plans and provincial development strategies which lend themselves to national co-ordination. It is for this reason that national government will be following the deliberations of this summit with keen interest,'' minister Mufamadi concluded.
Contact Cassel Mathale 082 379 1312 / Joe Maswanganyi 083 642 5630 / Eva Ratau 082 218 523
Tourism major job creater – Premier Moloto
Issued by the ANC in Limpopo
Throughout the world tourism is regarded as a major job-creation sector in the modern economy. It is said that for every eight tourists who visit a country, one direct and three indirect jobs are created.
This was stated by Mr Sello Moloto, Premier of Limpopo when he delivered the welcoming address at the Provincial Tourism Summit hosted by the Department of Finance and Economic Development at the Ranch Hotel on Tuesday.
At the Mining Summit last week the premier indicated that although Limpopo has the highest provincial growth rate in the country, unemployment is a challenge that should be addressed.
"It is befitting to be convening this summit in a month which has been declared tourism month. There is going to be a hive of activity in this province around tourism during this month. On the 24th of this month we will be converging at Mapungubwe to officially launch the Mapungubwe National Park, whilst on the 27th we will be celebrating the international tourism day in Phalaborwa. We hold a strong a belief that these activities will contribute towards exposing and harnessing the tourism potential of our province," the premier said.
According to Moloto, Limpopo is renowned for its natural resources, unique heritage and scenic beauty.
"We take pride in having two of the national orders derived from our province - the order of Mapungubwe and the order of Baobab. These indeed affirm our province and people as being resilient and steadfast like the Baobab, and striving for excellence as was in the ancient Mapungubwe".
History has it that the first civilisation occurred in Mapungubwe which straddled over the confluence of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. "The great Mapungubwe is recorded in history as one of the flourishing Iron Age Metropoles, which traded in gold, ivory and animal skin in the whole of Africa and the far flung nations of the east including the Chinese, Indians and Arabs in the middle-east. This happened long before Africa was conquered and colonised," Moloto said.
The forthcoming launch of Mapungubwe National Park on 24 September will contribute immensely to the formation of yet another major transfrontier conservation area. The Limpopo Shashe Park will include Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe in the northwest, while linking with the Greater Limpopo Park towards Mozambique in the east.
"The challenge we face as the province is how to reclaim and restore the historic pride of our province, that is being the cradle of ancient mining and trade. In the context of being a link and gateway to Africa, we should, and must ensure that our province's strategic location, being in the center of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), our development is geared towards realizing this objective. We have got all the reasons to pursue this path of development, because we are following the tracks and footprints of our forebearers. For it is within reach, possible and it can be done," Moloto said.
The Modjadji dynasty remains the only royal house in Africa where Queen, "with some supernatural powers capable of making rain", reigns supreme, and stands out as yet another distinguishing feature of Limpopo.
"Just a day ago and every year during Easter, pilgrimages of more than 3-million people converge on Moria city for prayers. These people are drawn from all over SADC Countries, like Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zambia and as far as Malawi. In entering the city every one is filled with the spirit of holiness and peace. They all feel at home in this province and have got a very strong spiritual attachment to it. This pilgrimage contributes in more ways than one towards the well-being of this province as their spiritual domicile like Mecca is to the Muslim community," Moloto said.
Unfortunately, he added, the importance of Moria has never been given the necessary prominence it deserves.
The process of declaring Dzata in Vhembe and Tjate in Sekhukhune to the status of world heritage sites is well underway. "On the 16th of this month we will be unveiling the statue of the warrior-monarch King Sekhukhune I in Tjate".
Limpopo’s rich cultural and artistic diversity is another strength which has never been exploited to its fullest potential. As one travels to many centers in the country, the floors and corridors are decorated with the art and craft from this province.
One wonders where these crafts are taken from and who the people involved in this artwork are. Most importantly, are these craftsmen and carvers benefitting from their talent and toil?
In this regard, we are faced with the challenge of creating a better environment for these talented sons and daughters of Limpopo to thrive.
Memorandum of Understanding signed by Government and Mining Industry Consodidating Black Economic Empowerment in Limpopo
THE LIMPOPO Provincial Government (LPG), Trade and Investment Limpopo (TIL), the Secretariat of the Limpopo Mining Procurement Initiative and the individual Limpopo mines (Anglo Platinum, Impala Platinum, Kumba Resources and Southern Era) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at consolidating Black Economic Empowerment in the province. This follows last week’s Mining Summit held at the Meropa Conference Centre in Polokwane.
Promoted by the Limpopo Procurement Forum, the MoU is intended to stimulate economic growth and job-creation through a common BEE preferential procurement approach. The aforementioned mines have reached agreement on the development of dedicated Preferential Procurement Principles to utilise locally based service providers and suppliers, in an effort to streamline transformation initiatives of the Limpopo mines and local economic objectives. The participating mines have also agreed to embark on a process of measuring the current status of procurement from their suppliers to determine procurement spending.
Hosted by the LPG and the Department of Finance, the summit brought together key industry stakeholders to discuss ways of ca-pitalizing on Limpopo’s mining sector, one of the province’s strategic economic growth areas.
Limpopo has been proactive in the establishment of a procurement forum. Through a technical forum established to evaluate procurement, it was discovered that mines expend about R12,7-billion, and only R4-billion, or 30 percent, remains in the province.
“The signing of the MoU is to ensure that the expenditure in the province is increased to at least 90 percent. This increase will impact largely on business in general but particularly on black enterprises. It will result in the overall development of a strong mining cluster and indeed growth in the province," said the CEO of Trade and Investment Limpopo, Joe Mathebula. It’s expected that the MoU will do much to promote entrepreneurs and SMMEs, while at the same time addressing economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.
All are key objectives in Limpopo’s Growth and Development Strategy between 2004 and 2014.
CEO Cheryl Carolus at Limpopo Provincial Tourism Summit
7 September 2004
Limpopo’s diversity should ensure bigger slice of growing Tourism cake
CONSERVATIVE estimates presently put the tourism industry's contribution to this country's gross domestic product (GDP) at around R100-billion a year. This figure could be significantly higher if more provinces put in more effort to sell themselves as premier tourist destinations in this highly competitive global industry.
This was said by South Africa Tourism's chief executive officer (CEO), Ms Cheryl Carolus, who was the keynote speaker at the one-day tourism summit held at The Ranch hotel last week.
"South Africa has become a winning nation and there is no reason why a province like Limpopo, which has so much diversity and so much to offer, does not get its fair share of this rapidly growing economic cake," Carolus argued.
To illustrate that this cake is indeed growing, Carolus said that the number of international tourists who visited the country a decade ago numbered 600 000. This figure has since grown to a staggering seven million over the past two years.
And while more than 50 percent of the total injection to GDP comes from international tourists, Carolus stressed the importance of focussing tourism strategies on the domestic market as well.
This is especially important where a province like Limpopo - with a number of neighbouring countries - is concerned.
Growing this market should be a key priority, said Carolus, since global evidence shows that countries which sell themselves to their neighbours tend to fare better in terms of attracting visitors.
"Ireland has a population of three million but it attracts nine million visitors every year. Most of those come from around Europe. Compare that with South Africa's one million domestic travelers last year," Carolus said.
She also said that other benefits of leaning toward domestic tourism include a possible reduction in the country’s fluctuating exposure to international travel demands and also an improved quality of service for locals.
Limpopo officially launches the Mapungubwe national park on 24 September 2004 and this has enormous potential to impact on the local, regional and international tourism market. The province already boasts the picturesque Soutpansberg mountain range with its large variety of rare birds and trees; has the order of the age-old Baobab and is also home to two thirds of the world renowned Kruger national park. Unesco has declared a large part of Waterberg district in Limpopo a biosphere, whilst Zoutpansberg is in the process of being declared a biosphere reserve. Game hunting already pumps about R1-billion annually into the provincial coffers.
* Officially launched by the province's Premier, Sello Moloto, the summit had as some of its strategic objectives the creation of sustainable employment through public-private partnerships.
This will lead to increased investment and better opportunities for small and medium enterprises, as well as bringing about a reduction in poverty.
Speaking on the similar theme of what Limpopo’s tourism focus should be, the premier said: "We have said that our rich cultural and artistic diversity is the strength which has never been exploited to its fullest potential. We have a responsibility to develop a tourism strategy that embraces a stronger domestic content and the regional focus, as we are the heartland of the SADC."
The summit resolved that a Limpopo Tourism Development Cluster Working Group in Limpopo, consisting of major stakeholders in the industry be set up as soon as possible.
The output of the working group will include setting up of a conference and sports centre, a shopping mall cluster in Polokwane and the development and implementation of support plans to ensure that tourism growth potential and opportunities in the province are fully realised.
ANC Limpopo gets 42 new Councillors
The African National Congress (ANC) was the biggest beneficiary of the crossing of the floor period for municipal councilors which ended at midnight on 15 September 2004, with 42 councilors joining their ranks.
The official opposition, Democratic Alliance (DA) gained 14 councilors with one of their members, councilor Daan Erasmus of Lephalale, crossing to the ANC.
The 42 councillors who joined the ANC are mainly from the New National Party (NNP) 22, Pan African Congress (PAC) nine and United Democratic Movement (UDM) four. A further two crossed from Azapo and one each from the ACDP, DA, DTF and one independent.
Some councilors have apparently crossed twice during the "open" period of 14 days. According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) councilors who did so will be placed where they crossed first.
Premier extend condolences
The Premier of Limpopo, Mr Sello Moloto, has extended the condolences of the people of the province to the families of two South African icons at the provincial agriculture summit on Tuesday 14 September 2004.
"The country has once again suffered another blow in the passing away of one of our stalwarts, Ray Alexander.
"This has come when we are still mourning the death of yet another icon of our struggle, oom Bey.
"They pass away when we are still looking forward to their guidance and stewardship in our quest to transform this country.
"The people of Limpopo, indeed, share the grief with their families," Premier Moloto said.
In honour and memory of these fallen giants, he requested the more than 400 delegates to stand up and observe a moment of silence.
Reading the only way of assuring a better tomorrow
MEC Joe Maswanganyi at Readathon celebrations at Marble Hall
THROUGH reading ignorance in society can be avoided, and it is crucial that our people, particularly the youth start reading. Turning all our people into avid readers is the only way of assuring a better tomorrow.
This was said by Mr Joe Maswanganyi, MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture during the Readathon celebrations that were held at Marble Hall recently.
"In the words of Dr Martin Luther King, ‘nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity’. Literacy is the cornerstone of socio-economic development in any country. The social ills that may be brought about by high levels of illiteracy threaten societal development," Maswanganyi said.
According to him countries like Cuba have been, and still are, successful because they take literacy seriously. Programmes promoting literacy have borne fruit in that Caribbean country.
"We too can take advantage of our go-vernment programmes that target different sections of our population. "The Adult Basic Education intended to ensure that our illiterate adults find their way on to the list of well-informed South Africans is one of the many programmes engineered by our democratic government. I must however stress that the Readathon is not about reading English books. It is about reading books written in different languages. In the process of reading for our pleasure and practical purposes, we must also recognize that we have a lot to benefit from our African language authorship. Nations that succeed are the ones that are jealous about their languages," Maswanganyi said.
Literacy informs us about the world around us, and allows us to share knowledge with other people outside our country and region. Knowledge is universal and demands of us to broaden our horizons and know more about the world and its socio-economic trends. The decisions that we take as people and as a country should largely be influenced by events around the world," Maswanganyi added.
"Also important is the fact that reading informs us about other cultures, and can be a source of unity among our people. Illiteracy is the source of conflict in other parts of the world.
It should also be known that illiteracy results in less productivity in the workplace. It is on the basis of this fact that people in the work environment need to be exposed to reading. We also need to eradicate the culture of reading texts only when they are prescribed in schools. This limits our access to knowledge about issues that have direct bearing on our everyday lives," the MEC said.
The fact that libraries are not adequately equipped with books is something Maswanganyi is aware of, "but this must however not be an excuse for not reading. We should instead ensure that we do much with the little we have"."I am confident that this project will immensely contribute to the improvement of literacy levels in our communities," Maswanganyi said.
The ANC-Limpopo held its Provincial General Council
6 September 2004
The African National Congress-Limpopo as part of its constitutional mandate held its Provincial General Council in Tiro Hall at the University of the North on September 05, 2004. The General Council was well attended by more than 900 ANC branch delegates and invited guests.
The Deputy President of the ANC Cde Jacob Zuma delivered a keynote address. In his address, he focused on organizational matters and emphasized the need to build strong and vibrant branches of the ANC. The Deputy President also emphasized the need to ensure that we build, strengthen and defend the unity of the movement. He also took the opportunity to welcome amongst our ranks the following Cdes:
Cde Bila Elias from the UDM, Cde Choshi Isaac from the NNP, Cde Masemola Kingsley from the UDM, Cde Maxwell Nemadzivhanani from the PAC and Cde Schalk van Schalkwyk from the NNP.
Furthermore, Cde Deputy President Zuma reflected on the significance of the move by the NNP to dissolve and its members to join the African National Congress.
In its conclusions the General Council adopted a declaration, which is attached to this statement.
For more, contact Cde Cassel Mathale at 082 379 1312 or Cde Joe Maswanganyi at 083 642 5630
Provincial Secretary
Cassel Mathale
Declaration of the Limpopo Provincial General Council University of the North
5 September 2004
We the delegates of this Provincial General Council, drawn from hundreds of branches throughout the province, having spent the day deliberating on issues of importance to the ANC’s organizational and transformational programmes, emerge from this council with renewed commitment to the cause of transformation as led by the ANC.
Having received both organizational and political reports and an inspiring address from the Deputy President, are convinced of the correctness of our policies and programmes, both in government and elsewhere.
We are humbled by the increasing number of South Africans who are finding a home within the ANC. This being further confirmation of the correctness of our policies and programmes. We therefore call on all freedom loving South Africans who want to be agents of transformation to emulate these dedicated activists who have finally found a home in the ANC.
We declare our commitment to the unity of our organization and all the forces that stand to gain from the transformation of our country.
We also dedicate ourselves to spare no effort in rebuilding and strengthening the revolutionary culture within our structures.
We affirm our commitment to work tirelessly
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To build and strengthen the ANC as a movement that organizes and leads the people in the task of Social Transformation. To work within our branches and all structures to build a cadreship that will unite, mobilize and organize all forces that stand to gain from the programme of transformation.
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To deepen our democracy and culture of human rights and mobilize the people to take active part in changing their lives for the better. To mobilize and empower communities to take charge of issues that affect their lives.
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To strengthen the hold of the democratic movement on State power, and transform the state machinery to serve the cause of social change. To strengthen the ANC’s capacity to utilize its hold on state power to speed up social and economic transformation.
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To pursue economic growth, development and redistribution in such a way as to improve the people’s quality of life. To encourage and support broad-based black economic empowerment and strong cooperative movement.
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To work with progressive forces throughout the world to promote and defend our transformation, advance Africa’s Renaissance and build a new world order. To this end we support the leadership of the organization and government in its work to save African lives and to bring peace to the Great Lakes region and other parts of the continent. We also support the leadership’s endeavor to entrench multilateralism in addressing the challenges that face many countries throughout the world.
We the Limpopo Province of the African National Congress stand united, strong in our belief in the correctness of our policies and programmes. We face the future with full confidence that, spearheaded by the ANC, South Africa will be transformed into a united, non-racial, non-sexist democratic society. This movement is unstoppable. WE ARE ON THE MARCH! AMANDLA!!
No Political Opposition can Challenge ANC - Zuma
Issued by ANC in Limpopo
The African National Congress (ANC) is a dynamic organisation which changes according to conditions and adapts quickly to new circumstances.
This was the view expressed by deputy president, Mr Jacob Zuma when he addressed the Limpopo Provincial General Council meeting of the ANC at Unin on Sunday.
"The ANC has got no political opponents because there is no political organisation that can challenge the ANC. The ANC can only undermine itself and become its own enemy and therefore it needs to stick to its founding principles," Zuma said.
According to Zuma the ANC is set apart from other political organisations by the following distinctions:
- it has the capacity for further growth
- it has the capacity to change when needed; and
- it has the capacity to adapt to new conditions.
"We are a dynamic and growing organisation. In 1999 we won seven of the nine provinces, but in 2004 we took all powers and won all nine provinces," Zuma said.
According to the deputy president, political parties in the country are currently "discussing vanishing from the political landscape".
"In the ANC we welcome all who want to work together to make South Africa a better place. Those who complain that we are becoming a one-party state talk about dictators where one person is taking decisions," Zuma said.
"But the ANC is a party where everyone’s voice is heard as a democratic party and therefore there is no reason to fear a strong party," he added.
According to Zuma the debate about the future of South Africa is inside the ANC and not outside.
"Therefore the decision by the New National Party (NNP) to join the ANC is one of the most crucial and historic decisions taken during the past century.
"Their decision is a victory over racism because the old National Party ran a government that was a crime against humanity. The NNP’s decision to adopt the freedom charter reflects that the charter was and is correct and should be supported," Zuma said.
He warned delegates that some people want to create an ANC for themselves. "We must guard against those who want to rule the party because of the size of their pockets. We must not be a money organisation because then we can not look after the poor," Zuma stressed.
Mogalakwena HP i-community gets second Presidential review, looks to third year
Issued by ANC in Limpopo
Mokopane, Limpopo, South Africa – 11 September 2004 – The progress at the Mogalakwena HP i-community comes under the local and international spotlight today as South African President Thabo Mbeki joins HP CEO Carly Fiorina to review developments made over the past year.
The project, supported by an innovative three year partnership between HP, the Limpopo Province and the Mogalakwena Municipality – aims to establish breakthrough models of social and economic development. And the annual ‘Presidential review’ is designed to evaluate the progress made since the Mogalakwena HP i-community was launched as a legacy project of the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.
“It’s not merely a matter of a vision but also a matter of ensuring that we produce results,” said President Mbeki at that original launch.
“I think, as South Africans, we [have an] important asset in HP. Many of us understand that, in reality, education [around information and communication] technology is going to be imparted to the people of Limpopo. And I am quite convinced that [the kind of technology used in the Mogalakwena HP i-community] is actually more appropriate for developing societies than for developed societies.”
Fiorina also outlined HP’s commitment resources, money or equipment….we are committing some of our best talent to targeted communities around the world; putting them in place for up to 3 years and charging them with the responsibility of working with local citizens to set goals and create solutions for the challenges that the community prioritizes for itself,” she said.
“What we have learned in communities from Senegal to East Palo Alto is that when we work hand-in-hand with community leaders, NGOs and government- and when we work together to co-invent sustainable solutions… that are meaningful to the community – we can leverage our involvement to bring other partners into the equation.”
The Mogalakwena HP i-community is meeting its aims through the establishment of an information network, based on a comprehensive technology infrastructure that links the region’s towns, villages, organisations and people together. However, technology merely facilitates and underpins the progress. So the project partners are also developing innovative solutions that help meet the food security, water source, sanitation and alternative energy needs of the people.
To this end, a host of developments have been realized since the first Presidential review this time last year, all of which reflect the Mogalakwena HP i-community’s progress towards meeting its original goals.
One of the highlights of the year was the Mogalakwena HP i-community’s receipt of a United Nations World Business Award in June. This recognized the project’s contribution to alleviating poverty and stimulating development, in line with the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.
Looking ahead, it is sustainable livelihoods project that is expected to create great waves as the project enters its third year. The Mogalakwena HP i-community was launched with clear guidelines regarding the accomplishments that needed to be made over time. The first year was about establishing the infrastructure; the second was about making the project sustainable, and the third about developing models for replication. The project partners anticipate the sustainable livelihoods project playing a key role in this regard.
Cde Castro Pilusa
The ANC sends it condolences to family and friends of the late Cde Castro Pilusa. The members of the ANC in Limpopo are saddened by the passing of Cde Castro Pilusa. Cde Castro Pilusa has played a pivotal role to the transformation in our country. His legacy and contribution to the ANC will be carried on. More details of his funeral will be available soon.
Limpopo hosts are ready
Issued by : On behalf of Limpopo Tourism and Parks by Eva Pebetsi Ratau
Travellers who visit Limpopo next month can expect an enthusiastic welcome from airport and hotel staff, tourism operators, lodge owners, business enterprises and grassroots citizens.
"Not that the locals need any encouragement to be friendly -they have been in festive mood since the record influx of tourists we hosted during the Solar Eclipse in 2002; what a party that turned out to be", commented Mr Charles Maluleke the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Limpopo Tourism and Parks – LTP.
September is tourism month, and an exciting programme of events throughout the province will culminate in the national celebration of World Tourism Day in the Valley of the Olifants, home of the Big Five, the Rain Queen and Amarula - and also the Gateway to Kruger National Park.
The climax events have been scheduled to take place over the last weekend of September in Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa, both easily accessible by road or air.
Trips into the Kruger National Park, elephant rides, game viewing cruises on the Olifants River, visits to the Swadini Reptile Park or the Hoedspruit Cheetah Research Centre, canoeing on the Blyde River and guided tours to weaving and fruit processing venues, are some of the interesting activities to enjoy in this picturesque area.
"Limpopo is basking in its newly established reputation as the country's preferred eco-tourism destination, and offers some stunning adventures, lodges and resorts, which are very affordable", said Mr Maluleke.
He pointed out that would-be visitors planning to travel north during the coming tourism month could obtain detailed information from regional tourism centres in Bela-Bela (Warmbaths), Polokwane, Tzaneen, Makhado (Louis Trichardt), Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa.
Alternatively, they could visit the website www.golimpopo.com for details of special low price tourism packages, and suitable accommodation, he pointed out.
Contact details: 082 218 5236
Tourism - A True Peoples Industry
Issued by : On behalf of Limpopo Tourism and Parks by Eva Pebetsi Ratau
As Limpopo gears up for tourism month in September, its citizens have again been reminded that all sectors of the community are directly affected by any influx of tourists.
The province will be hosting the national celebration of World Tourism Day on 27 September.
"It is a well-known fact that one job is created by every eight foreign tourists who visit the province; this is a very good reason why we should welcome such visitors, and make them feel at home", the acting CEO of Limpopo Tourism and Parks Mr. Charles Maluleke said in Polokwane.
Good service
Limpopo Tourism and Parks, in turn, pointed out this week that tourists who received good service at restaurants, hotels or roadside stalls were likely to return to these same venues on their next trip. In addition, they would also tell their friends of their pleasant experience.
Regular injections of foreign revenue, through the spending of large numbers of tourists, contribute positively towards the prosperity of the regions they visit.
In recent years, Limpopo has opened its heart to tourists, to the point of inviting them to visit the homes of the people, to share their lifestyle, food and culture. This was particularly true during the Solar Eclipse in 2002, when many of the province's lodges, guest houses and resorts were fully booked.
An open heart
During the Easter holiday period this year, the MEC for Finance and Economic Development Mr Thaba Mufamadi set a good example by personally greeting scores of visitors at the Kranskop Toll Plaza, the southern gateway to the province. He even positioned himself in a toll booth, to collect the tourists' valuable toll fees.
With a large influx of holidaymakers expected from Gauteng, the province's southern neighbour, promotions and special offers are currently being marketed aggressively by mineral resorts, game lodges and mountain retreats in the Waterberg region. Many of these exciting destinations are less than two hours' drive away from Johannesburg.
Waterberg is also known for its guest farms, horse safaris and peach brandy (mampoer). More information about this fascinating malaria-free region is obtainable from the Tourism Centre at the Waterfront in Bela-Bela (Warmbaths), or by visiting the website www.golimpopo.com.
Contatc details: 082 218 5236
Limpopo Tourism Expanding, says MEC
Limpopo MEC for Finance and Economic Development Mr Thaba Mufamadi said today that the province has progressed steadily towards its objective of becoming one of the top tourism destinations of choice for both local and foreign holidaymakers.
In welcoming the fact that Limpopo would be hosting the country's national celebration of World Tourism Day at the end of September, the MEC confirmed that the highlight events in Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa would be attended by senior South African tourism officials, as well as VIP guests from all nine provinces.
Mr Mufamadi urged all Limpopo citizens to participate in the programme of events scheduled for the tourism month of September.
He recalled the province's early tourism promotion programme, built around the Golden Horsehoe concept. This strategy focused attention on top tourism destinations in the north eastern, northern and north western border areas.
The Mapungubwe World Heritage Site, Makapan's Cave, the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, together with the Waterberg and Kruger-to-Canyon Biosphere Reserves, were identified and developed as the initial components of the province's broad tourism strategy, he explained.
"After that, we moved on to the commercialisation of our parks and nature reserves, and this process has now started to yield positive results in terms of economic development and community empowerment", he added.
"We successfully empowered rural communities through the launching of the African Ivory Route product, which has created employment opportunities for the youth, increased community participation in tourism, and contributed towards the growth of the rural economy", the MEC added.
Other achievements had been the implementation of awareness programmes, which had successfully created a tourism culture in the province, and resulted in the opening of resource centres in the Waterberg, Capricorn, Soutpansberg and Valley of the Olifants regions.
Meanwhile aggressive national and international marketing helped to position the province as a competitive tourism destination. This caused the number of domestic travellers to Limpopo to increase from 2.2 million in 1996 to 4.3 million in 2002.
Mr Mufamadi said the industry accelerated by 59 % between 2000 and 2002, with the number of international tourists increasing from 114 000 to 193 0000 in two years. The direct spending of tourists was estimated at R1.35 billion, making the industry a major roleplayer in the creation of jobs.
"Current trends suggest that this momentum has continued, and we are very positive about the future of tourism in the province", Mr Mufamadi concluded.
Limpopopo highlights a unique tradition
Issued by: On behalf of the African Ivory Route by Eva Pebetsi Ratau
20 April 2004
Many adventure-seeking South Africans know about the African Ivory Route, with its exciting ecotourism destinations, rich wildlife and challenging mountain trails, all pertinently showcased during the recent Limpopo Offroad Challenge, which featured eight top 4 x 4 teams from various parts of South Africa.
Now the Department of Economic Development, Environment & Tourism, plans to highlight a unique and ancient cultural tradition on this route, by means of a special event in the Letaba district of the province's picturesque Lowveld Region. "The occasion will also serve as an opportunity to expose the local community directly to the domestic tourism market," announced Mr. Collins Chabane the MEC of Economic, Development, Environment & Tourism.
"Baleni, is situated on the Ivory Route in a remote and tranquil Mopani forest on the banks of the Klein-Letaba River, offers tourists a number of interesting experiences, notably a glimpse of the traditional lifestyle of Shangaan communities," noted Mr Chabane"
At Sawutini (the place of salt), visitors can, among other things, see one of the few remaining sites in the country where responsible salt mining is still carried out in the traditional way.
Mr. Moses Ngobeni, Senior Manager of Tourism and Planning and Development at the Department explains that on, on 30 April, 2005 visitors will be able to attend Baleni Day, to see for themselves how salt is still being retrieved as it was generations ago. It is not surprising that an Ivory Route camp was built here, at the centre of this unusual mining industry.
As the area has a lot of amarula, the local community has also prepared a fruity treat for the visitors who are coming to explore their unique cultural site. In addition, there will be an exhibition of local cultural arts and crafts.
The aim is to raise awareness among South Africans of Baleni as a tourist attraction, and also to use the day as a platform to promote the entire African Ivory Route portfolio, which offers visitors a variety of adventures along the province's north eastern, northern and north western borders.
Apart from a practical demonstration of traditional salt mining activities, the Baleni Day programme will feature traditional dancing, as well as an address the MEC Mr Collins Chabane.
Other guests will include the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr. Joe Maswanganyi, the CEO of Limpopo Tourism and Parks, Mr. Bennie Boshielo, members of the media, and the mayors of local and district municipalities in the region. The main programme is scheduled to be held at Baleni's local Shawela Sport Centre.
Makana Investments (Limpuma)
Tel: 015 297 4054
Mobile: 082 855 6318
OR
Contact: Moses Ngobeni
Tel: 015 298 7000
Mobile: 082 903 2273
OR
Contact : Xoliele Hlungwani
Marketing Manager, African Ivory Route
Tel : 015 295 3025 or 291 3717
Mobile : 082 904 5877
Fax: 015 291 2656
Website : www.africanivoryroute.co.za
E-mail :info@africanivoryroute.co.za
Another UDM Leader joins ANC
Issued by Limpopo ANC Headquarters
3 April 2004
The African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo has announced today that yet another prominent United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader has joined the ruling party's ranks.
The announcement was made by ANC Provincial Secretary Cassel Mathale, during a media briefing at the ANC's Limpopo Headquarters in Polokwane, which was attended by senior party officials.
The UDM member who has pledged his future loyalty to the ANC is Cde Elias Bila, until recently an executive member of his former party. Mr Bila was Deputy Chairperson of the UDM from 2000 to 2003, before taking over as its Chairperson for the past year.
His walk-over came less than a year after Reverend Kingsley Masemola, provincial leader of the UDM, joined the ANC. Mr Bila is presently affiliated to the ANC's Vhembe branch as a member.
In reply to a question, Mr Mathale said Mr Bila would not immediately be deployed in any leadership position. However, he said he made no secret of the fact that he believed Mr Bila would be an asset to the party.
Mr Mathale said the ANC leadership and its membership, together with Mr Bila and other peace-loving people of the province, were committed through the party's people's contract to fight poverty, create jobs for the poor, and fight for a better life for all.
"With Mr Bila's organisational knowledge and experience, we will build a strong ANC, with the capacity to deliver on our mandate of creating a united non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa", Mr Mathale declared.
Mr Bila denied that he had left the UDM because the party had failed to appoint him as successor to Mr Masemola. He said he believed the ANC would provide him with greater scope to live out his political aspirations.
Mr. Cassel Mathale
Provincial Secretary
Contact details: 082 379 1312 OR
Mr. Joe Maswanganyi
Spokesperson ANC
Contact details: 083 627 2552
World Tourism day
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau
Limpopo will be hosting this year's national celebration of World Tourism Day on 27 September, with colourful festivities in the Phalaborwa/Hoedspruit region.
However, as September is National Tourism Month, a number of festive events have also been scheduled in other parts of the province during the three weeks preceding the main programme.
Local municipalities and tourism product owners throughout the province are already on board with planning strategies, and would soon announce details of their respective activities.
Existing events such as Tzaneen's Hadeda Festival and Mokopane's Bushveld Festival would be incorporated into the overall tourism month programme.
The first big event will be a Tourism Summit on 7 September, to be hosted by the Department of Finance and Economic Development.
Another top attraction will be the exciting four day Limpopo Eco Challenge from 19 to 23 September, which will feature prominent national offroad specialists. This event will be held in the Lowveld, and will end at the Hoedspruit Tourism Centre.
Other major events will include the official opening of the Mapungubwe National Park to the public on National Heritage Day (24 September), and a VIP Golf Challenge at Phalaborwa's Merensky Estate on 25 September.
A Gala Dinner, Peoples Concert, and Mini Tourism Indaba and Exhibition will be some of the climax events to be featured in Phalaborwa during the peak weekend programme leading up to World Tourism Day itself.
Special guests from all nine provinces will attend the weekend festivities, while National Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk will meet and confer with MEC's from all parts of the country at Mopani, in the Kruger National Park.
Tourism product owners will be offering special low price accommodation rates, and affordable trips to major tourism destinations.
Throughout the month, tourism would be promoted as a generator of economic development and also showcased as an attractive career option for young people, she added.
Contact details :082 218 5236
NOTE TO THE READER
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau
Reflecting today on the past decade the ANC in Limpopo is happy to announce that Limpopo has amongst others also made great inroads in the development of the tourism sector. Especially with regards to the development of the previously disadvantaged sector, we have now more than 35 effectively run tourism operations!
This then also followed the objective set to this government to focus on three main economic clusters, agriculture, mining and tourism 10 years ago. >From the three it was also identified that tourism could be a major contributor to the GDP of Limpopo.
Road infrastructure is an important aspect within the tourism infrastructure and we have improved and built a vast number of kilometers. Such as the Limpopo Corridor which link South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique and then of course also the main arteries of which the N1, where we are today, is one improving and encouraging travel to Limpopo.
Warm hospitality, mysterious and alluring African culture, endless mountain vistas, championship golf courses, clean calm waters combined with a wide range of accommodation choices and natural wildlife coupled with world class infrastructure, makes Limpopo ideally situated and hard to resist.
With its partners, the Provincial Government is setting enviable standards of excellence and benchmarking against the best within the industry not only regionally but internationally, developing the region into a desirable and premier destination for the discerning leisure visitor.
Be embraced by our warm and generous hospitality, Go Limpopo! A place of endless opportunities!
Contact details :082 218 5236
Limpopo gearing up for World Tourism Day
Issued by Eva Pebetsi Ratau
Preparations are underway in Limpopo for one of the most momentous events in the province's short history.
On 27 September, 2004, international attention will be focused on Limpopo, when the country's celebration of World Tourism Day will be held here.
South Africa has always been known for its sunny skies and beaches, as well as its large variety of wildlife. However, its real appeal as an international tourism destination has only been fully appreciated since the dawning of true democracy here ten years ago.
This new freedom has sparked a desire to explore the country, and has opened the door for an unprecedented influx of foreign visitors.
Limpopo has emerged as a leading attraction, because it offers a unique mix of cultural, scenic and ecotourism experiences, which few other regions of the country can match.
"The popularity of the province is due largely to the successful marketing efforts of product owners, and the fact that we have world-class facilities", says Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board Marketing Manager Ms Mmatsatsi Ramawela.
"The high interest in the province is also due to the fact that local communities have been making it their task to welcome and assist tourists", LTPB Acting Chief Executive Mr Charles Maluleke points out.
"I am personally looking forward to welcoming visitors on World Tourism Day, because the occasion provides an excellent opportunity to showcase our province's attractions", Finance and Economic Development MEC Mr Thaba Mufamadi is quick to explain.
Contact details :082 218 5236
Limpopo's Tourism Growth Strategy On Track
The Limpopo Department of Finance and Economic Development says the province's three phase tourism growth strategy is progressing satisfactorily, with a number of initiatives now starting to unfold.
The overall objective of doubling the provincial GGP from 4% to 8% is no longer a mere pipe dream, and MEC Thaba Mufamadi believes this could be achieved in the foreseeable future.
The ongoing marketing of Limpopo as a preferred eco-tourism destination, more effective community tourism empowerment, the completion of a provincial Tourist Guide Registration Programme, as well as the establishment of firm tourism policies and guidelines, are key outcomes the department wants to achieve.
Well developed and managed provincial nature reserves, together with a clearly defined strategy for protected areas, are elements closely linked to the tourism objectives.
A Formidable Challenge
The achievement of our overall tourism objectives is a formidable challenge, as Limpopo currently receives less than 3 percent of all international travellers who visit South Africa. The Department pointed out that 54 percent of all domestic trips at present were from within Limpopo.
In order to change this situation around, a campaign would have to be launched to bring in more tourists from outside the province, to increase the number of bed-nights sold, and to induce visitors to spend more money in the province.
The Game Industry
Limpopo Tourism and Parks reported this week that assessments of six provincial tourism clusters had shown that the game industry, the commercialisation of nature reserves, small tourism business opportunities, the linking of destinations through route planning, and the role of government at all levels, were vital factors in the total strategy.
The economic value of the game industry had emerged, in particular, as a significant growth strategy factor, as game ranches covered 1 million hectares of the province's land area.
The fact that Limpopo provides the most popular hunting ground in South Africa for foreigners, and that game prices have increased by over 300 percent during the past decade, are other important plus factors. The value of the game industry was not previously integrated into the province's tourism growth model.
Special Projects
A large number of special projects have been identified, as building bricks to enhance the appeal and viability of Limpopo's tourist destinations.
These include important initiatives, such as the ongoing promotion of the Mapungubwe Heritage Site and the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, and the creation of an entrance gate to the Kruger National Park near Giyani.
Other priorities will be the upgrading of facilities at the Modjadji Museum and Cycad Reserve, the establishment of better public recreational facilities at dams and lakes in the Tzaneen area, the development of Haenertsburg as a tourist village, and the introduction of mountain adventure experiences at Lekgalameetse and Wolkberg.
Meanwhile, the need for a Convention Centre in the province's Capricorn Region, and better utilisation of the facilities at the Hans Hoheisen Research Centre near Hoedspruit are to be investigated.
Next month sees Limpopo hosting many visitors at the country's national celebration of World Tourism Day in the Phalaborwa/Hoedspruit area.
Special tourism month programmes in other parts of the province will precede this highlight event. This influx of tourism officials, travel operators, media representative and other visitors is seen as an opportunity to showcase the province as a desirable holiday destination. The department will also be on the lookout for potential investors and private sector partners to develop the province's tourism infrastructure.
Unveiling of the tombstone of cde. Peter Mokaba on June 16th in Limpopo
| PROGRAM DIRECTORS: | Cde. Joe Mathebula |
| Cde. Pricilla Shilubane | |
| SESSION ONE | AT HOME |
| 08h00 | Prayer by Moruti |
| 08h10 | Procession leaves for Graveyard |
| SESSION TWO | AT GRAVEYARD |
| 08h30 | Opening Prayer by Moruti |
| 08h35 | ANC, ANCYL & Family Conduct Unveiling Rituals |
| 08h45 | Vote of Thanks |
| 08h50 | Announcements |
| SESSION THREE | PROCESSION LEAVES FOR HOME |
| 08h55 | Refreshments are served |
| 09h20 | Announcements |
| SESSION FOUR | AT PETER MOKABA STADIUM |
| Programme Directors | Cde Fikile Mbalula/Cde Nikiwe Num |
| 10h00 | Opening –National Anthem |
| 10h15 | Reading of Messages by Cde. David Masondo |
| 10h30 | Reading of the Obituary by Cde. Cassel Mathale |
| 10h35 | Reading of Tribute by Cde. Sankie Mahanyele |
| 10h45 | Speech by ANCYL President Cde. Malusi Gigaba |
| 11h10 | Speech by Provincial Government-Premier Sello Moloto |
| 11h45 | Introduction of ANC NEC Speaker by Cde. Ngoako Ramathlodi |
| 11h50 | Keynote Address by ANC Deputy President Cde. Jacob Zuma |
| 11h50 | Vote of Thanks by Family |
| 11h55 | Announcements by Cde. Joyce Mashamba |
Limpopo’s MEC stresses importance of Environment Issues
Issued on behalf of the Department of Finance and Economic Development by Eva Pebetsi Ratau
Today in Botlokwa, which is situated just a few kilometres outside Polokwane, you would have thought that it was one of those days where the MEC of Finance and Economic Development was on an elections campaign. Indeed the MEC was a on a campaign, but a different one. Mr Mufamadi, accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Rejoice Mabudhafasi were on an environmental journey of celebrations.At an event held at St Brendans High School the MEC challenged the youth, local communities and the business sector to partner in conserving and protecting thee environment.
“ I cannot over-emphasize the importance of encouraging environmental awareness among young people, as they are the generation which will be confronting and managing these issues during the next few decades", Mr Mufamadi pointed out during his address to the St Brendan’s Secondary School at Ga-Phasha Village in Botlokwa. The MEC further elaborated on the role of environment education, programmes and the prominent role that this programmes have in the lives of the youth in the country. Currently in Limpopo the government is investigating ways in which environmental education can play a more prominent role in the lives of high school teenagers. Plans to step up the introduction of competitions, research projects and outdoor adventure programmes, in partnership with the private sector, are currently being formulated,”
Another priority will be the stepping up of training programmes in water management, to combat the persistently high rate of water-related diseases such as cholera and bilharzia. This action plan will be implemented in consultation with the Department of Health and Welfare. Obviously, these programmes will also highlight the need to save water.
Mr Mufamadi also raised his concerns about air pollution, due to veld burning, as well as the continuing wide use of wood fires as an energy source. In cooperation with Eskom the electrification of villages in rural communities is progressing steadily. Talks are being held with Eskom and other energy agencies, in an attempt to speed up the provision of electricity to more rural communities in the province. The use of gas as an energy source is also a viable option, as it is very affordable,” concluded Mr Mufamadi.
During her address Ms Mabudhafasi said, “ South Africa not that long ago hosted the very successful World Summit on Sustainable Development or WSSD, and is now responsible for the global implementation of the Johannesburg Plan of Action, which replaces the famous Agenda 21. Equally South Africa is taking the lead in the implementation of the New African Partnership for Development, or NEPAD, as well as playing a leadership role in SADC. And a key feature of these programmes is environmental management. In a province most province around the country, many people have the wrong idea of environment. Either they think it is about complicated things, which only concern people in the Northern hemisphere, or else they think it is only about plants and animals. Very few people realize it is about them. It’s about all of us.
The Deputy Minister continued by emphasising that without the environment there wont be people.
In her speech Ms Mabudafhasi said “ Think for a minute. What would there be without our environment? No animals, maybe. No flowers. No trees, no plants, no grass, no water, no food no air. No people. It’s true. People have the power to destroy their environment, and they are doing so faster and faster each year. But when they have done so they will discover that what they have really destroyed is themselves. Each one of us has the power to ensure this does not happen. Each one of us has the responsibility to engage in the foremost struggle of the twenty first century. South Africa is one of the very few countries in the world, which has made the right to a clean and healthy environment a basic constitutional right. Because our new society recognizes that without a healthy environment there can be no healthy society. And we all have to defend that right, against pollution, against exploitation, against abuse. Because destruction of the environment is destruction of the future”.
Contact Details:
015 – 298 7175/
082 218 5236
OR
Masilo Ratopola
Limpopo Province
Contacts:
Tel – 015 298 7175
Cell: 082 886 0241
“ A DECADE OF SUSTAINABILITY, OUR ENVIRONMENT, OUR FUTURE”
The World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the human Environment. This Conference resulted in the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme.
The main objective of the World Environment Day is to encourage people to become active supporters of the sustainable and equitable living to promote awareness and an understanding that communities play a central role, altering attitudes towards environment issues and to develop partnerships that will ensure all nations and people to enjoy a safer and more fulfilling future.
Tribute by the ANC on the Occasion of the Unveiling of the Tombstone of Comrade Peter Mokaba
Mogale Wa Bagale
The ANC dips its black, green and gold banner in honour and memory of Mogale wa Bagale Cde Peter Mokaba. We are doing this because our country, our movement and people haven lost one of the most militant revolutionary leaders of our struggle. We say we have lost immensely because Peter Mokaba ebe ele sebatabata sa Marumo a Setšhaba. He was an ever roaring young lion of the South African struggle.
Comrade Peter rose from the dusty streets of Mankweng to become one of the most celebrated heroes of our freedom struggle. Comrade Peter became involved in the struggle at an early age and slowly rose through the ranks. He was an SRC President at Hwiti in 1974, MK Northern Transvaal Regional Commander, COSAS and AZASO Founder, initiator of CONTRALESA, Commissar of NYO, President of SAYCO, Member of UDF and DESCOM, Founder of NOTPECO, leader of the ANCYL and ANC, and Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. This is the road comrade Peter travelled, a road full of thorns.
Comrade Peter was an all-time political Commissar of our Movement. He was a regional Political Education Officer of the UDF Northern Transvaal and later a National Political Education Officer of the National Youth Organisation (NYO). He participated in the political discussions in the camps, within the NYO and at the Robben Island. He also wrote many political discussion documents like- “The Youth must learn”- “The National Question-Good Governance is the answer”, “Workerism and leftwing communism an infantile disorder once again”, on an approach to leadership issues”, and “HIV/AIDS and the struggle for the Humanisation of the African”. All his papers raised very sharp issues facing the movement at each moment. This demonstrates that comrade Peter applied his mind to the complex issues in our struggle.
Comrade Peter was not just a political animal. He was an all-rounder. He grew up playing soccer for the Turfloop Dynamic Bullets and started a Karate Club. He also danced ballroom, wrote poetry, played softball, sang in the school choir, played drama and liked parties. Cde Peter Mokaba was a full human being who loved life, whose youth and enjoyment was stolen by the diabolical system of apartheid. The system of white minority rule denied him full enjoyment of life and youth.
Comrade Peter was in and out of jail and his family was heavily harassed by the police. His mother, Priscilla Mokaba was detained on a number of occasions, while sister Mapula had to leave the country into exile. His home was firebombed by the security police and was under constant surveillance and continuous raids. At one time about fifty askaris and security police were assembled to find and kill him. At this stage there had already been countless attempts on his life, all which he survived some almost miraculously. Despite living in the valley on the shadow of death comrade Peter never feared evil, his commitment to struggle was never diminished.
Comrade Peter made toyitoyi the dance very popular. But he was not a toyitoyi dance gymnast; each of his chants had a particular message. And the message was ever relevant to the phase of the struggle and the tasks of the unfolding National Democratic Revolution (NDR). In the dark days of the state of emergency he used to sing “Form the units and Fight”. At the funeral of a comrade he would sing “Ke dibatabata Tsa Marumo a Setshaba”. His popular slogan was, “Roar Young Lion Roar”. In the tough days of repression he carried the slogan, “Rather Die to a Person than let the Enemy Pass”. Of course SAYCO’s slogan was the death defying, “Freedom or Death, Victory is certain”. These slogans tell the story fo a brave young man who defeated Goliath. The story of Peter Mokaba is part of the history of the struggle.
We have decided to give comrade Peter Mokaba the epitaph of “Mogala wa Bagala” “Combatant for Life and Patriot to the End”. This is the epitaph we used to lay to rest his political elder comrade Mampongoane Peter Nchabeleng in April 1986. we used this special message because Peter Mokaba is a hero of heroes, who fought in the struggle his entire life and remained true to the call of freedom. This epitaph we give rarely, destined for those who make a special contribution to the freedom struggle.
We are unveiling comrade Peter’s tombstone in the Heroes Acre of Mankweng, where we have laid to rest heroes and heroines of our struggle. Those include:- Moss Manale, Zakes Ngoasheng, Andrew Mehlape, Shadrack Mafokoane, Moss Makwela, Thembi Skosana and many other freedom fighters who struggled side by side with comrade Peter in COSAS, MK, SAYCO and the Mankweng Youth Congress. The tombstone and the Heroes Acre will remain memorial sites forever and ever.
We are unveiling comrade Peter’s tombstone on June 16, 2004, 28th Anniversary of the 1976 student uprising and as part of ten (10) years of freedom and democracy.
We do so because, for a major part of his life, comrade Peter was a leader of the Youth in fighting fro freedom. This year we are celebrating ten years of freedom that comrade Peter fought for. The biggest tribute we can pay to comrade Peter is to deepen, defend and advance the 1994 April democratic breakthrough. Part of our task is to ensure that the freedom that comrade Peter fought for is nurtured and strengthened for future generations.
REST IN PEACE HERO OF HEROES!!!!
LONG LIVE THE FIGTING SPIRIT OF CDE PETER LONG LIVE
Limpopo to mark June 16 celebrations by unveiling tombstone of the late Peter Mokaba
THE ANC in Limpopo will mark the June 16 (Youth Day) by unveiling the tombstone of the late youth league leader, Peter Mokaba. Mokaba, who died two years ago, is remembered for his outstanding contribution in the struggle against apartheid. Being a youth leader of his time, he played a constructive role in bringing the youth of South Africa together, in the dark days of apartheid, when the apartheid security forces were determined to destroy the black voice.
His name will go down in history as one of the committed leaders to the liberation struggle whose immense and unquestionable contribution brought about the fruits of democracy.
The unveiling of Mokaba’s tombstone comes at a time when the country celebrates 10 years of democracy, marking a fitting tribute in Mokaba’s honour. Mokaba was, at the time of his death, the ANC’s election chief strategist based at Luthuli House.
The ANC, to mark Mokaba’s contribution to the liberation struggle, has organized a line up of activities, which include memorial lectures on the life and times of Peter Mokaba.
The lectures will be held in Limpopo’s six regions.“We regard this as an important step towards the acknowledgement of the role played by this remarkable leader and other cadres of our movement. His spirit will continue to guide the remaining young generation on the democratic values and principles,” Cassel Mathale, provincial ANC secretary, said.
“Mokaba left a wonderful legacy in our midst. He has helped to lay the foundation in which we can all enjoy the fruits of democracy. He dedicated his entire youth to the fight against social injustices that apartheid imposed on our people,” Mathale said.
Mathale said the party has also resolved to bring the main June 16 event to Limpopo’s Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Limpopo Premier - Mr Sello Moloto appoints his Cabinet
On friday at the Premiers Provincial Offices Mr Moloto announced his team that will lead the province in the next five years.The Members of the Executive Council are
- Ms Joyce Mashamba - MEC of Department of Education
- Ms Rosina Semenya - MEC of Local Government and Housing
- Ms Dikeledi Magadzi - MEC of Safety and Security
- Mr Thaba Mufamadi - MEC of Finance and Economic Development
- Mr Charley Sekoati - MEC of Health
- Mr Stan Motimele - MEC of Transport
- Dr Aaron Motsoaledi - MEC of Agriculture
- Mr Collins Chabane - MEC of Public Works
- Mr Joe Maswanganyi - MEC of Sports, Arts and Culture
As the ANC in Limpopo we would like to declare our support to our comrades, who we beleive and the people of Limpopo that they will help lead this province to greater heights.
Congratulations to the ANC President - Thabo Mbeki
The ANC in Limpopo would like to congratulate Comrade Thabo Mbeki for his re-election as President of the Republic of South Africa. Millions of South Africans went to vote for the ANC because they believe that through the guidance and leadership of Comrade Mbeki they will have a better future. We as the ANC in Limpopo will continue to give you support.
The ANC to build on the solid foundation for the next decade of freedom
The winning and team spirit of all of us in the continent has contributed towards the democracy we are celebrating. Hence this past weekend thousands of people attended 10 years celebrations of democracy across the country. In Limpopo celebrations were held at the Peter Mokaba stadium.
To many who attended the celebrations it was a day of emotion and jubilation as they remembered 10 years ago when the ANC took power. Not only did 10 years ago the majority of our people in Limpopo and the rest of the country were denied of their dignity to live peacefully in this country, but their right to celebrate who they are. Today that has changed. As Africans we are able to celebrate who we are and what we have been able to achieve. From the days of the liberation struggle, to today, the days of freedom and democracy where all of us are celebrating our humanness.
History is reminding all of us that human beings originated on this continent and civilisation spread from here to other continents. Among some of the historical sites that lies in Limpopo is Mapungubwe. Mapungubwe is a world heritage site that bears a cultural history, that showcases the artistic talents of its African descendants who skillfully crafted golden artifacts, providing the often down-played artistic advancement of African people during that era. Between the years 9000 to 1300 AD this site stood as one of the most powerful indigenous kingdoms in history. The roots of the Zimbabwean Shona and Venda people can be traced to Mapungubwe and evidence of their society is preserved in over 400 sites. It bears testimony of the fact that an African civilization prospered in wealth and had a distinct social order, way before the colonization of Africa.
In the next five years the ANC will continue to work within communities and within government to play its part in creating work, fighting poverty and promoting equality. The ANC government cannot however achieve these objectives alone. We call upon all the citizens of South Africa, trade unions, communities and other organisations to help monitor and report violation of rights.
It’s through partnership and working together that the ANC government and the people of this country can bring about positive change on the continent.
LIMPOPO Premier-elect Sello Moloto has warned that the important task in his premiership would be to maintain the unity of the province
President Thabo Mbeki appointed Moloto- the current health and welfare MEC - as premier along with eight other premiers for the other provinces. "The first thing I asked the President was if I would get his personal support and from the ANC leadership. He has undertaken to give me all the necessary support," Moloto said.
"The President said to me he has briefed all the ANC structures and, he, too, was assured of the leadership's support," Moloto said.
Moloto currently enjoys the support of the ANC structures in the province. This was evident during the party's nomination lists for the provincial representatives at the organisation's list conference held at the University of the North. He scored more than 400 votes.
Moloto yesterday paid tribute to the outgoing premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi, saying "he managed and continued to put the province in tact". "I have learned a lot from Ramatlhodi. He is such a patient and calm leader," Moloto said.
Moloto has also acted on several occasions while Ramatlhodi was away. MEC in the Premier's Office, Catherine Mabuza, has in the meantime been sworn in as acting premier until Moloto takes an oath on Friday. "It was a mixture of feelings for me. I am prepared to take the province forward, but of essence would be to maintain peace and stability in the province, given the several ethnic backgrounds in the province," Moloto said.
"My immediate priorities would be to continue with the mandate of fighting unemployment, poverty and the provision of basic services such as water and electricity to the province's rural masses," he said.
The provincial sitting of the legislature has been scheduled for Monday at the Legislative Chambers in Lebowakgomo. It is here that the sitting would elect the Premier, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
Moloto and his executive council (MECs) would be sworn in in Polokwane on April 30; and this would be followed by his first state of the province on May 27.
Mr Sello Moloto Premier Elect for Limpopo
THE ANC in Limpopo welcomes and supports the deployment of Comrade Sello Moloto as the Premier of the Province. We have confidence that the ANC government led by Comrade Moloto in Limpopo will deliver on the mandate our people has given us.
Comrade Moloto and the team that he will appoint will continue to address the challenges of unemployment and poverty that still face our people. The foundation laid by the previous ANC government led by Comrade Ngoako Ramathlodi will serve as the basis for new leadership to continue the fight against poverty.
It is now time to get back to work and partner our communities in social contract to create employment and fight poverty.
Addressing thousands of ANC supporters at Gateway International Conference Hall in Limpopo on Friday, Provincial Secretary Mr Cassel Mathale thanked the millions of South Africans and the people of Limpopo for voting for the ANC. More than 1 487 168 people voted for the ANC in Limpopo. The ANC is humbled by this results. The ANC will continue to work hard and excel in improving the lives of South Africans.
South African's have a lot to celebrate
THE ANC in Limpopo wishes to join millions of South Africans in celebrating the first decade of uninterrupted democracy. We are indeed proud to have led the transformation process in the province and the entire country. We are equally humbled by your co-operation and trust you had in our leadership in both the hard and rocky initial years of our governance.
With no Government experience, no prime minister or president, let alone the political party, can claim to have delivered better than the ANC. Dedicated men and women came out from exile and internal structures to give you a better life, hence the democracy South Africa enjoys. We had had the first group of leaders who took it upon themselves to deliver on essential services.
Limpopo, under the ANC leadership, is one of the best run provinces with sound financial policies and management (administration). Credit goes to those hardworking individuals and collective entities for the visionary and selfless contribution they made, and continue to make, for the improvement of the lives of the people.
We have made huge strides in the economy of the country. We are now rated differently as compared to the other provinces. Ours is not a jobless growth. Limpopo´s economy has even surpassed the national economy. Our education system has improved tremendously from 30% in 1994 to 70% in 2004. Our focal point is now on quality and skills development. Limpopo produces high numbers of students with Mathematics and Physical Science.
In line with the New Partnership for Africa´s Development (Nepad) – an African concept aimed at the eradicating poverty and underdevelopment - Memorandums of Understanding have been entered into with several continental and international countries as way of empowering our people to break away from the concept of juniorisation to the one of equality.
We have turned many agricultural projects that had collapsed under the apartheid governments and made them sustainable and create jobs for our people.
Millions of people have access to descent shelter, proper health services, and water, roads, and electricity. Our infrastructure is one of the best in the country. The ANC would therefore want to make it categorically clear that the change of premiership will in no way impact negatively on the lives of our people.
We are convinced that the mandate of bettering the lives of our people will remain the core business of the leadership even beyond the elections. We have seen in the period under review the development of some people into strategists, taking the province forward.
There is a generation of young and able leaders without whom our success stories would not have been possible.
Mufamadi calls on people to be wary of empty promises
Issued by Limpopo ANC Headquarters3 April 2004
MORE than 50 000 ANC supporters in Limpopo today filled the 30 000-seater Oscar Mpetha Stadium at the University of the North to listen to Provincial and Local Government Minister and ANC NEC member Sydney Mufamadi launching a scathing attack on opposition parties in the country such as DA and the UDM, saying people should not be lured by their empty promises.
Speaking at the ANC Limpopo Siyaqoba rally, Mufamadi said Tony Leon did not have the interests of the majority of the people at heart, but was just making a lot of noise to try and attract votes while knowing full that he cannot deliver.
“Leon was nowhere near the liberation struggle and you should not be convinced as he comes here to say he knows your sufferings better than we do. We saw ANC leaders being forced into exile, jailed and we never heard of Leon then.
Now that the standard of living in the country for most of our people has improved we see leaders such as Leon coming here to tell you they know your needs better than the ANC.
“He should in fact be thanking the ANC for having made it possible for him to form a party and be free as he is now,” Mufamadi said.
“We, in the ANC, have always been with you, amongst you, know, understand and experienced your sufferings better than anyone else in the country. No opposition party in South African can claim and pretend it has the better understanding of the South African politics than the ANC,” Mufamadi added.
Tony Leon never lost any relative in the liberation struggle whereas several black people, including President Thabo Mbeki, lost blood relatives in the struggle.
He enjoyed the luxury of working in the South African National Defence Force during those days, and his father was an apartheid judge sentencing black people to jail.
He cannot come here today to say he has the interests of the people at heart.
Meanwhile, Limpopo ANC Chairperson Ngoako Ramatlhodi gave an emotional speech at the rally as he thanked the ANC structures for having supported him as Premier in the last 10 years.
Ramathlodi, North West Premier Popo Molefe and Manne Dipico of the Northern Cape are concluding their second terms as premiers.
Mr. Cassel Mathale
Provincial Secretary
Contact details: 082 379 1312 OR
Mr. Joe Maswanganyi
Spokesperson ANC
Contact details: 083 627 2552
Comment by Limpopo's First Lady Me Ramokone Moloto on the upcoming launch of SAWID
By Eva Pebetsi Ratau
31 March 2004
Limpopo is the home of Mapungubwe, the home of civilization. I find it fitting that we launch this project in the province the gateway to Africa. Our president Thabo Mbeki has in his recent article on the ANC website re-emphasized the need for Africa's women emancipation and empowerment. One of the main reasons we as a province are to launch this project is because we believe in this project. We should all be part of this project as women of Limpopo, Africa and the world at the laucn on 2nd and 3rd April.
The project is a brainchild of the first lady of the country Me Zanele Mbeki. It's themed South African women in Dialogue, an ambitious programme to get women on the continent to talk to one another, to share experiences away from the faces and the pressures of families and work. Away from it all!
Our vision and mission is clear; that as South African women we have fought the legacy of apartheid and won it. However the majority of women in the continent are still fighting the mark that this system has left. I am confident though that it's a battle we will win. Were actually half there.
Our provincial economy is one of the fastest growing on the country. A lot of challenges still remain, most especially for women. Our country's constitution and policy sets the record straight that women have as much right as everybody. Its this rights that South African Women in Dialogue seeks to champion and its through ure support as the citizens of Limpopo, the media and sponsors that this dream will come to reality.
Eva Pebetsi Ratau
Spokesperson for SAWID
and
Lucky Mogale Nchabeleng
Spokesperson for Me Moloto
ANC relies on Limpopo for support
Issued by Limpopo ANC Headquarters
30 March 2004
THE ANC in Limpopo has expressed confidence that it will get a high percentage of votes, given the high turnout of jubilant supporters who attended the rallies and listened to its messages, particularly during President Thabo Mbeki’s visit over the weekend.
“This is a clear sign that the majority of the people have confidence in our leadership, and still believes in the movement to solve their problems”, says ANC Chairperson, Ngoako Ramathlodi.
As it happened in the two previous elections, the party continues to draw its strength from the people of Limpopo.
ANC supporters came out in large numbers to welcome the President, assuring him that they hoped for 100% victory in the April elections. The ANC obtained 92% of the votes in the 1994 elections, topping all the nine provinces. Former President Nelson Mandela, as a sign of appreciation, had to come to the province in May 1994 specifically “to thank you all for the high element of confidence you have in our leadership”. The party scored 88, 7% in the 1999 elections.
“I now want 100% of the votes from Limpopo,” Mbeki joked during his recent election campaign to the Limpopo communities.
While acknowledging the critical issues confronting people, Mbeki made it clear that no other party will be able to solve the problems of the country rather than the ANC. No other party knows and understands the challenges of our people better than the ANC.
All the 32 municipalities in Limpopo, including the six district municipalities, are in control of the ANC, and this makes it simple for people to understand how service delivery works and to access services easier.
Building on the confidence is the fact that people have been taken out of poverty and underdevelopment through the ANC-led provincial government.
Amongst these positive developments are the provision of descent shelter, and provision of basic services such as water and sanitation and electricity.
As ANC chairperson Ramatlhodi normally puts its: “Where we have not arrived with the delivery of services to the best satisfaction of our people, we are still on our way”.
Echoing the statement is the President himself who says that people have hope in the ANC, and are sure that under the ANC-Government tomorrow would be better than yesterday.
As for Limpopo the trend has been set in the last 10 years of democracy that the ANC is the greatest movement and survived many challenges.
From the days of the Northern Transvaal, Northern Province and Limpopo, the ANC has always been there to provide unquestionable leadership and intervened in times of need.
NB: The ANC will be hosting its provincial Siyanqoba Rally at Oscar Mpeta stadium at the University of the North on 03rd April 2004.
Mr Joe Maswanganyi
Spokesperson ANC
Contact details: 083 627 2552
Mr Cassel Mathale
Provincial Secretary
Contact details: 082 379 1312
To make arrangements for interviews please contact Mr Maswanganyi at 083 627 2552.
President Thabo Mbeki visited Limpopo from 27-28 March 2004
Our constitution reflects the values of the people. The ANC seeks no fundamental changes to the Constitution, because our basic law reflects the value system espoused for decades by the masses and the struggle it led and leads.
If we work together, we can halve poverty in ten years.By working together, South Africans can indeed achieve the target of halving poverty by 2014.
A prison all the same.
The barrier Israel is constructing to enclose the West Bank not only separates, impoverishes and imprisons people but annexes huge tracts of territory. read more ..
ANC President joined millions of ZCC members in Moria
PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki joined join millions of Zion Christian Church (ZCC) members at the church´s headquarters in Moria for an annual Easter church service on Sunday.
President Mbeki was invited in his capacity as the leader of the African National Congress (ANC) along with the leaders of other political parties to pray for peace to reign during the elections and beyond.
Millions of worshippers converged at the church´s headquarters for an annual Easter Church Service which began on Sunday (April 11). President Mbeki and other leaders prayed for peace and stability in the country and the continent in the next decade.
Last year, President Mbeki joined the ZCC members in celebrating the church´s 93 years of existence. It is here that His Grace Bishop Dr Barnabas Lekganyane wished him well in his efforts to fight efforts to drive the African continent forward through the Nepad programmes.
President Mbeki thanked the church for its support and commitment to the cause of justice in the country.
Deputy President Zuma on the campaign trail
ANC Deputy President Mr Jacob Zuma took the election trail to Limpopo on 05 April where he visited Angincourt in Bushbuckridge. Mr Zuma was accompanied by Provincial ANC Chairperson Dr Ngoako Ramathlodi and members of the provincial Executive Committe. They then proceeded to Dingledale and he ended the trip at Kamkanati Violentbank.
The Deputy President carried the message that the people of Limpopo should go in numbers to vote in the upcoming elections.
Election Campaign of Ms. Joyce Mabudhafasi
Issued by Limpopo ANC Headquarters
12 March 2004
The township of Lebowakgomo in Limpopo was abuzz with activities as the Executive Council of the ANC in the company of Ms Joyce Mabudhafasi the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism visited the area. The visit which begun in earnest on Friday morning at the shopping complex in Zone A was greeted and welcomed by hundreds of ANC supporters.
Among some of the issues that Ms Mabudhafasi discussed with the crowd was that South Africa couldn´t be where it is today without the support of the people of Limpopo and the country as a whole.
Ms Mabudhafasi spoke at length about the policies that the ANC has been able to successfully put in place. She elaborated on the labor relations act which has become a sterling model of success that other countries are emulating. The Minister talked extensively about how the ANC had to formulate and put into place acts such as the labor relations and equity act. She said that 10 years ago domestic and agricultural workers didn´t have rights in this country.
“It would be a mistake not to mention and to highlight the fact that South Africa has institutions such as the CCMA which protects the rights of workers. Domestic and agricultural workers were exploited by the previous laws’ said Mabudhafasi.
The community praised the government for the achievements so far but raised concerns that are affecting them daily. Most of the locals requested the Minister to help in speeding the process of making sure that they have access to houses. In this regard the Minister assured the communities that the ANC is dedicated to working with every citizen, community and sector to build a better South Africa. The Minister said that for the next 5 years the ANC commits itself to working with all South Africans to building a people´s contract to achieve:
Better access to services, by speeding up provision of water and electricity, building more subsidized housing closer to places of work and providing serviced stands to those without houses in Limpopo. The minister informed the community that since 1994, the government has built more than 1.4 million houses.
Ms Mabudhafasi encouraged the community to play an active role in contributing towards the booming economy of the province. She said that growth like charity begins at home. The Minster challenged the people of Limpopo to start using opportunities that are available to them, like making use of funds that have been set aside by the government. More than R15 billion has been set aside by the government to assist SMME´s.
The next programme of the ANC campaign resumes from 27 March 2004 at Mokwakwaila in the Bolobedu area where President Thabo Mbeki will be in the province.
Mr Joe Maswanganyi
Spokesperson ANC
Contact details: 083 627 2552
Mr Cassel Mathale
Provincial Secretary
Contact details: 082 379 1312
For any enquiries please contact Mr. Joe Maswanganyi at 083 627 2552.
Coment on launch of South African Women in Dialogue in Limpopo
By Eva Pebetsi Ratau
10 March 2004
Women are we victims or victors? I choose the latter! Its women in Africa that are tilting the land, a source of life. Bearing the children, its us who are responsible for our children, we cannot sit back, waste time and see them starve. It's us today that are currently flexing our muscles in bringing peace and stability on our continent and beyond.
Its women like Dr Nkosazana Dhlamini Zuma who are working tirelessly to put South Africa's goals on the map in the ruthless international community. Its women like Me Mojanku Gumbi that are the brains and the oxygen that feeds life to the work of President Thabo Mbeki. Its women like Me Ramokone Moloto who cares about the welfare of women in Ga-Moletji, Ga-Malaka the deepest of our rural homes in the province. She cares about what they eat. If its enough or not.
Its women like Mrs Getrude Mongela the President of Pan African Parliament that are championing the cause of Africa that I admire because Africa is my home. I speak of the black experience, but I am referring to humanity, about what we can do, endure, dream, fail at and still survive. I speak passionately about Dr Wangari Muta Maathari the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. There's a shiver in my spine when I think of Ms Getrude Mongela, the fist President of Pan African Parliament.
You see I believe that African women are naturally gifted to care, support, heal, love and protect. I am not saying men are hopeless uncaring people. I actually believe the opposite. I was raised in a family of boys and men. They taught me life in the other world, their world. And I like it.
But I am a women not a men. I will always think that my mother is my mentor, my angel, my protector, my friend. She and other women I've mentioned above and the rest of other women in my little world are amazing. And as we celebrate the launch on Monday of the South Afreican Women in Dialogue project we as women in Limpopo should hold each other hands and walk this path together. Lets lift each other wherever we can because if you're going to hold someone down you're going to have to hold on by the other end of the chain, you will be confined by your own repression.
I cant end this article without sharing with you this quote from an author I adore.
"Woman's Heart, by Kahlil Gibran"
A woman's heart will not change with time or season; even if it dies eternally, it will neither perish. A woman's heart is like a field turned into a battleground; after the trees are uprooted and the grass is burned and the rocks are reddened with blood and the earth is planted with bones and skulls, it is calm and silent as if nothing has happened; for the spring and autumn come at their intervals and resume their work.