By SIKHO NTSHOBANE
National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete has described South Africa as a work in progress, saying all sectors of society needed to play a role in building a better country.
She was addressing an event organised by the Progressive Business and Professionals Forum in partnership with members of the ANC at Dan’s Lodge outside Mthatha yesterday.
The event was also used to celebrate the 61st anniversary of the launch of the Freedom Charter.
The forum’s provincial convenor Bongile Nkola said they had invited Mbete, who is also the ANC national chairwoman, because they were not happy with events in parliament and needed an explanation.
“Also the budget for the Eastern Cape is spent outside the province. We are now saying government must look after black businesses here.
“We know that about 10% is meant for SMMEs but they are not getting it.
“Even schools are built by companies from outside. School furniture is delivered by companies from KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.”
ANC regional chairman in O R Tambo, Xolile Nkompela, told Mbete the region was engulfed in poverty and entirely dependent on agriculture.
“Our main worry, as we indicated to President Zuma is that although we have been piloted for rural development, it is very slow.”
He also told the speaker that they were hoping the Presidential Intervention Programme in King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality could be extended to other areas, particularly projects that dealt with bulk water services.
“It is a crisis here,” said Nkompela, adding that although government was planning to develop along the coastal belt on the Wild Coast, local businesses had been shunned.
He also highlighted the Bedlane Water Scheme, which had been launched by Zuma to augment water supply in the whole district but had never gotten off the ground.
“We have taps adorning residential areas but no water. That creates a perception that that we don’t take them seriously. We want to see those budgeted projects that were announced kick off,” he added.
Mbete said she would try and engage with provincial government leaders to check why there were still such challenges experienced. But she warned that it was not only the government’s responsibility.
“There is a mentality existing of everyone queueing with a plate in hand. Government must fork out money. Goverment must create jobs. We all need to identify our rightful place and identify something to do to help build South Africa.”
Earlier in her address, Mbete also lashed out at the media for reporting that she had breezed into the Eastern Cape in April to launch her campaign to become Zuma’s successor as ANC president.
She said the succession debate was not yet on the table and as she was chairing the party’s NEC meetings, she had to be the first one to honour such decisions. —
Mbete calls for united effort to build up SA
National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete has described South Africa as a work in progress, saying all sectors of society needed to play a role in building a better country.
She was addressing an event organised by the Progressive Business and Professionals Forum in partnership with members of the ANC at Dan’s Lodge outside Mthatha yesterday.
The event was also used to celebrate the 61st anniversary of the launch of the Freedom Charter.
The forum’s provincial convenor Bongile Nkola said they had invited Mbete, who is also the ANC national chairwoman, because they were not happy with events in parliament and needed an explanation.
“Also the budget for the Eastern Cape is spent outside the province. We are now saying government must look after black businesses here.
“We know that about 10% is meant for SMMEs but they are not getting it.
“Even schools are built by companies from outside. School furniture is delivered by companies from KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.”
ANC regional chairman in O R Tambo, Xolile Nkompela, told Mbete the region was engulfed in poverty and entirely dependent on agriculture.
“Our main worry, as we indicated to President Zuma is that although we have been piloted for rural development, it is very slow.”
He also told the speaker that they were hoping the Presidential Intervention Programme in King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality could be extended to other areas, particularly projects that dealt with bulk water services.
“It is a crisis here,” said Nkompela, adding that although government was planning to develop along the coastal belt on the Wild Coast, local businesses had been shunned.
He also highlighted the Bedlane Water Scheme, which had been launched by Zuma to augment water supply in the whole district but had never gotten off the ground.
“We have taps adorning residential areas but no water. That creates a perception that that we don’t take them seriously. We want to see those budgeted projects that were announced kick off,” he added.
Mbete said she would try and engage with provincial government leaders to check why there were still such challenges experienced. But she warned that it was not only the government’s responsibility.
“There is a mentality existing of everyone queueing with a plate in hand. Government must fork out money. Goverment must create jobs. We all need to identify our rightful place and identify something to do to help build South Africa.”
Earlier in her address, Mbete also lashed out at the media for reporting that she had breezed into the Eastern Cape in April to launch her campaign to become Zuma’s successor as ANC president.
She said the succession debate was not yet on the table and as she was chairing the party’s NEC meetings, she had to be the first one to honour such decisions. —
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