Hon Speaker, the design of state and government institutions is guided by our desire to build a nonracial, non- sexist, democratic and prosperous society. To accomplish this task, we will have to deracialise the society, fight inequality, unemployment and poverty, as well as create economic opportunities for all South Africans, regardless of race, gender or geographical location. We have committed ourselves to building a developmental state, which must have the capability to execute its task.
As we forge ahead, we adjust the institutions that are there to meet the new challenges and better respond to the priorities of the time.
A developmental state can only be built when the state would be prepared to use its resources to participate in the economy and provide a possibility for our people to enjoy the wealth of our nation alongside private initiatives and investments.
The Department of Public Enterprises manages state-owned enterprises on behalf of the state as a shareholder. Government has also conducted a review of these state assets in order to manage them better. The recommendations are being processed within government.
The state is also the owner of the largest portfolio of property in the country.
The Department of Public Works has the responsibility to manage these assets and to support government departments so that they are able to focus on their core responsibilities. Government has to provide security for its citizens and guard the sovereignty of our state. We have the Constitution and the laws, which set parameters of how these should be done. There is no nation in the world that does not perform such duties. There is nowhere such a task could be performed without the Department of State Security being one of the key players.
The legacy of apartheid included the extreme oppression and marginalisation of women. That is why a nonsexist society is a critical part of what we are seeking to achieve. Government also has to pay special attention to the development and protection of children. Our interactions with persons with disabilities have indicated, each time, that we must improve our services to them. For example, at the imbizo on disability in Mpumalanga on 4 December last year, and in our interactions with the organisation Disabled People SA, persons with disabilities have convinced us that we must do more.
It remains our collective effort to ensure that we work towards having an effective system of governance that will deliver good services to all our people. I thank you.