Hon Chairperson of the NCOP, Mr Mahlangu; hon Premier of the Free State, Mr Ace Magashule, and other premiers who are present here from other provinces; hon Speaker and members of the provincial executive; executive mayor of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, Councillor Mopeli; mayor of Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality, Dr B E Mzangwa; provincial chairperson of Salga, hon Councillor Mr J Ramokhoase; hon Adv M Mopeli, Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, and esteemed traditional leaders among us here today, esteemed councillors, distinguished invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, dumelang, molweni!
Let me begin by expressing my gratitude to the people of Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality, Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality and the people of the Free State province, as a whole, for the warm welcome you have extended to us. I am particularly pleased that the National Council of Provinces has decided to hold this important meeting in this region.
We are standing in the shadows of the majestic Maluti mountains. In this region is some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the whole of South Africa. Bushman paintings on some of the rocks here bear testimony to the creativity and ingenuity of our people. The Free State province is also known for more than the beauty of its valleys and the majesty of its mountains. This province has witnessed some of the major events in the history of our nation.
Almost a hundred years ago, a few dozen black South Africans from all corners of this land, and beyond, answered the call of freedom and came to this province to reaffirm a simple principle: that this country belongs to all who live in it. Therefore, whenever I come here, I am always reminded of the historical fact that Africa's oldest liberation movement, the ANC, was born here. [Applause.]
This birthplace of our movement, a movement that was established by all the people of this country, also reminds us of our continuing responsibility to improve the lives of our people, a task which this historic movement was established to achieve. Like the parable of the mustard seed told by Jesus Christ, the seed of freedom planted in Bloemfontein in January 1912 has grown into the biggest tree of freedom that we all enjoy today, regardless of political affiliation, colour or creed.
The National Council of Provinces has called us here today to reaffirm another fundamental principle that lies at the heart of our democratic republic. That principle is that institutions of governance and authority should derive their legitimacy from the will of the people. The essence of this principle is reflected in the wisdom of our people when they say, "Inkosi Inkosi ngabantu", and "Morena ke Morena ka batho" [A king is king because of people].
This programme of Taking Parliament to the People is a living example of public representatives who know that their power comes from the people. That means that they should be in constant touch with the people, visit them where they live, and interact with them, so that they can know what their concerns and aspirations are. Interaction with the people will enable public representatives to better understand and better conduct oversight over government as it carries out its duties.
We are pleased to visit this region during this phase of the administration, when we have completed the planning and reconfiguration, and have shaped government in a manner that we think can make it best deliver services. In the past year and a half, we have taken important steps in changing the way government works. Initially, at the beginning of this administration, we reorganised government departments in order to facilitate the speedy delivery of services to the people. We created some new departments and split up others to enable them to focus on the priorities of government.
I have completed the process of signing performance agreements with Ministers, who, in turn, have signed delivery agreements with their counterparts in the provinces and municipalities. The reason we have taken this approach is to ensure that everybody, from the highest levels of government to the lowest, should be accountable for the work they are responsible for.
Last month, we made changes to the national executive. We created four new Deputy Ministries in portfolios that we felt needed more pronounced attention, such as Higher Education and Training, Energy, Mineral Resources, and Monitoring and Evaluation. Having completed the technical reshaping of government, we now have to emphasise service delivery and also the manner in which those services are delivered.
We have said government should work with speed to address the needs of the people. We have said that government officials should treat citizens with respect. We have said it should not take a long time to get an ID document when you apply for it. Changing the way government works also means that public servants should not abuse the power that has been entrusted to them. A grandmother should not have to bribe a government official in order to get her old age pension. A young man who wants to get a driving licence should not have to pay somebody in order to get a driving licence.
Those who are employed and get paid to do a job must do it. Teachers must be in class, on time, teaching for seven hours a day. Police officers should respond with speed when citizens call for them. Nurses should treat patients with the compassion that our common decency and humanity demand should be extended to the sick and the vulnerable. These are simple values that we are seeking to entrench in government. Fortunately, some government departments are responding speedily to this new ethos. However, many still lag behind, making the experience of government not a pleasant one for most people.
Some people's experience of government is that of an institution far removed from them. They think government officials do not care about their concerns. They think government takes far too long to solve simple problems. They think government officials spend public resources on things they should not spend them on. This is how some people look at us, as government. What an unfortunate situation!
We have to change these perceptions through changing the way we work as government. That is why I have ongoing discussions with directors-general in the Public Service, nationally and provincially, so that they can ensure that they build the type of Public Service we envisage.
Most of the problems that confront our people exist at a local level. The challenges that exist in this region mirror those experienced in many different parts of the country. As we are all aware, the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality is under a section 139 intervention. This means that provincial and national government departments are making interventions to alleviate the grave challenges faced by the people here. Maluti-A-Phofung was also chosen as one of the presidential nodal points because of the scale of the challenges and backlogs prevailing here, particularly with regard to unemployment and poor service delivery.
On this note, I commend the provincial leadership for the interventions made through the premier's Operation Hlasela programme, which gave momentum to various projects. [Applause.] We acknowledge the work of the local municipality here for developments which the mayor indicated this week, particularly regarding basic services such as potable water, sanitation, houses, access roads, clinics and sporting facilities. I also understand that a significant number of jobs were created through the Expanded Public Works Programme and the incentive grant, but these are not enough. I learnt, among other things, that some agricultural projects related to the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Programme, ISRDP, here have faltered. These must receive attention and be revived. In the same manner, the considerable backlogs regarding human settlements in Maluti-A-Phofung should also receive attention. I would like to emphasise that all deserving people should receive these houses, particularly our senior citizens.
Everybody who qualifies should get a house when these become available, not only ANC members, as some residents have alleged. [Applause.] There has been an allegation that these houses are received by ANC members only, which is why I am emphasising the point. Government is for the citizens of this country - all of them. We all know that we should not go against the grain of our Constitution. It is not how government works.
Social facilities and amenities which are not working should be made fully functional. The challenges encountered in the schools regarding nutrition, water and clean facilities, among others, should also be addressed. So should the necessary infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, which enable children to have access to schools, even during rainy weather.
Primary health care should be provided with all the infrastructure and communication. These include vehicles for mobile services, telephones, and the proper supply of medication and relevant health personnel.
That Member of Parliament is complaining! [Laughter.] [Applause.] Please attend to the member! But it also indicates that this is the Parliament of the people.
HON MEMBERS: Yes!