It is an honour and great pleasure for me to welcome you to ActionSA’s NW first Annual Gala Dinner.
Thank you all for being here, and allow me, President Herman Mashaba, to express my gratitude to you, and to the Leaders of ActionSA in and beyond our province, for gracing this event. Thank you very much.
The location of our gala dinner is not only impressive, but also symbolic, as it is held just few kilometres away from the seat of the North West Provincial Government. We are also just a couple of days away before the election day on the 29 May 2024 to democratically unseat the ruling party currently in government.
Looking around this room, I am filled with inspiration and hope. Yes, we have faced daunting economic hardships and social ills never seen before in our country, But with you as allies I have no doubt that we are embarking on an era of unprecedented progress in fixing the North West Province to create an inclusive and prosperous society for posterity.
Tonight’s gathering brings together an amazing and diverse mix of leaders. We come from all walks of life and all corners of our beautiful country.
Despite our myriad occupations, there is something that unites us. It is my belief that what unites us is a yearning and desire to reclaim, restore, and reposition the North WestProvince.
I believe that fixing our Province is a crucial part of making our country and the world a better place for our children and grandchildren.
In the quest for a reformed South Africa, one that embraces inclusive economic prosperity, upholds the principles of law and order, and nurtures a thriving democracy, the time for change has come. I believe that our communities deserve to receive excellent provincial and local government services.
At this point, I wish to share my vison as ActionSA’s North West Premier Candidate with you.
This is a practical and implementable plan based on our national and provincial manifestos focusing on the following enabling pathways:
– Law and Order;
– Job Creation and Entrepreneurship Development;
– Infrastructure Development;
– Tourism;
– Education;
– Agriculture and Rural Development;
– The Restoration of the Institution of Traditional Leaders, and
– Strengthening and capacitating the local government sphere which is at the coalface of service delivery.
In this province in particular, municipalities can only function well in collaboration with our traditional leaders.
Allow me to dwell a little bit on the matter of the restoration of the institution of traditional leaders.
The great pity is that most people do not know the significant role traditional leaders played in the liberation struggle. The liberation movement became a success as a result of people like Kgosi Moroka, Kgosi Albert Luthuli and many others I do not have the time to name.
Sadly, for last 30 years, traditional leaders cannot add any value or influence in the governance of their own people.
Our province is endowed with minerals, yet most Dikgosi on whose land these mines are located, do not get any royalties on their own land without political intervention.
In our manifesto, as ActionSA, we seek to support and transform the institution traditional leadership in accordance with constitutional imperatives and restore the integrity and legitimacy of traditional leadership in line with the African indigenous law and customs.
On assuming office as your Premier (wearing three hats), the first as Kgosi, the second as a Military trained Professional, the third as your Premier, I will immediately conduct a series of community outreach consultations focusing on law and order, traditional leadership role in local government sphere, tourism, farming, digital education, agriculture and rural economic development in as many villages to ensure that traditional leaders are no longer excluded from the governance of their people.
I am honoured that the highest decision-making body of my party, the ActionSA Senate, has also assigned me to carry out this role nationally.
In terms of our constitution, government has the mandate to provide services to all our communities, yet traditional leaders have no voting powers in local municipality councils or any sphere of government.
It is therefore a thorny issue, that the Ingonyama Trust is granted space to provide basic services to their people with 5 budget allocations from the provincial government for the Zulu King, a privilege that and no other Kgosi has.
The following, are some of my key priorities to fix the North West Province:
Service Delivery
For Service delivery to occur in a seamless and efficient way, there is great need for the three spheres of government to work together co-operatively and in line with the prescripts of our Constitution.
For example, the provincial government plays its role in supporting and mentoring municipalities in terms of Section 154, including measures to restore stability, sound financial management, integrated development planning, and service delivery in line with established norms and standards.
In my first term of office, I will pay special attention to human resource management in municipalities, particularly recruitment, selection, appointment, promotion, remuneration, and disciplinary procedures to ensure they are in line with the constitution, the law, and the IDP development priorities of the municipality.
As ActionSA government, we will ensure that meritocracy is the order of the day and no person will be appointed to any position in government simply because they belong to a political party, including ActionSA members.
There will be no ActionSA cadre deployment.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am alive to the fact that proper service delivery cannot occur where infrastructure is dilapidated or non-existent, equally, business cannot thrive or create sustainable jobs where infrastructure is non-existent. Above all there can never be peace and prosperity in any society where there is no law and order. Therefore, I want to avoid making populist policy statements just to get votes because our people have been lied to too many times over the last 30 years.
It is common cause that our province is broken, our social fabric is in tatters, and I believe that before we can deliver all these promises contained in our election manifesto, we must first maintain law and order in our province.
Therefore, in my first 100 days in government I will ensure that there is law and order in this province because nothing of value can occur in the midst of chaos and lawlessness.
The second biggest priority is to fix our broken infrastructure, repurpose what is refurbishable and build new infrastructure in our first term of office.
To show you how serious I am about this issue, I have already approached local and international infrastructure development funders to assist our Province, through Public Private Partnerships to build world class infrastructure in our province.
Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow me to get into a bit of detail regarding the development pathways I referred to earlier.
Infrastructure Development
The infrastructure of the North West Province encompasses various aspects crucial for its economic development and societal well-being. Here are some key elements that I will focus on in my first term of office.
Transportation
Roads: The province is connected to the national road network, including major routes like the N4, N12, and N14, facilitating movement of goods and people. The N12 and N14 will be refurbished to allow smooth entry in and out of the province as these national roads will assist in attracting Tourism back into the province.
Railways
Railways play a vital role in transporting minerals and other goods from mining areas to ports and industrial centres. I will work closely with government entities in this area such as Transnet to ensure that the rail network system is fully restored for both goods and passengers. Passenger rail service, for example, is one of the most cost effective and environmentally safe options, as it not only reduces air pollution but also eases the burden of transportation cost on our people.
Airports
We all know that our province used to be served by airports such as the Pilanesberg International and Mmabatho International now known as Mahikeng Airports. Collectively these two provided efficient domestic and international air travel connections.
Today, these Airports are functioning far below par.
My vision is to revitalise the Mahikeng International Airport, which has the second longest runway in Africa, to service the Maize Triangle cargo, and other farming exports to the international community. It can also serve as an international airport for entry/exit into the country as it should be.
As for the Pilanesberg Airport, we will turn it into a Tourism Air Parking for private jets and helicopters thus making it a Tourism hub as well as an international Marvel for Air parking when international tourism makes entry into South Africa, as it is in Cape Town or Durban.
Energy Infrastructure
Loadshedding is now part of our vocabulary as South Africans, whereas a couple of years ago, many of you seated here would have struggled to define what the word means without first consulting a dictionary, today it is a daily lingo in many of households. The North West Province has a huge renewable energy potential, including solar energy potential, which can contribute to the energy mix.
There is ample land and ample sun and therefore through the right public private partnerships, we can attract Renewable Energy Companies both locally and abroad, to come and propose various types of energy mixes that will see the development of Electrification Infrastructure grow substantially to enable economic growth and sustainable job creation.
Water Supply and Sanitation
Water provision is yet another big priority for me. Water is life! Water is a basic human right.
I will restore water where politically connected tenderpreneurs have exploited the plight of our people by creating water scarcity where non-existed. I will ensure that we build water infrastructure and restore neglected water treatment plants in areas where they used to work and I will ensure that those appointed to build and maintain this infrastructure, do so accordingly and within agreed upon timelines.
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centres are essential for providing medical services to the population. This Province used to have world class health infrastructure. Primary health care was available to remotest of villages. Clinics were well staffed and resourced by passionate health workers who were as committed as Florence Nightingale. But, as we all know, this is no longer the case. I believe that with proper staffing, wellbeing of our human capital, and through infrastructure maintenance and proper management of our health facilities, we can achieve a 24-hour healthcare service in our local clinics.
Education Institutions
This province used to boasts the highest calibre of institutions of learning envied by many across the country such as the Mmabatho School, the International School, Agricultural colleges, Manpower centres, Mmabana Art Centres, just to mention a few.
Under my leadership, ActionSA government in the province will re-establish these institutions of learning destroyed by the governing party simply because they were established by the Bophutswana government and not for any apparent reason.
In particular, Manpower Training Centres, Taung Agricultural College in order to bring back much-needed technical skills and artisans such as plumbers, brick layer, electricians etc that are now taken over by illegal foreign nationals.
I will also immediately introduce digital education for the new skills required by the digital economy such as coding and digital literacy. To achieve this, I will ensure that we have digital educational curricula and digital centres in most schools across our provinces. School management is vital for a conducive learning environment in our education system.
Therefore, I will, among others, re-introduce regular performance management reviews of principals in all levels of our basic education schooling system to ensure that our schools are properly managed. In addition, I will enforce strict compliance with minimum requirements for principals and teachers, including completion of school management training programs and remove the dominant role currently played by trade unions in our schools. I will also bring school inspectors back into our school management system.
Telecommunications
Access to telecommunications infrastructure, including mobile networks and internet services, is vital for connectivity and economic development. My government will make sure that efforts are made to expand telecommunications coverage in both urban and rural areas of the province.
In my first term of office, I will ensure that there are free WIFI hotspots and in most regions in our province to enable access to internet facilities especially for our youths.
Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Growth
Small Business Development: An ActionSA-led government will support business innovators and potential job creators, and not needlessly restrict them. We will invest in business funding by allocating 30% of all income generated by the Opportunity Fund towards this initiative.
SMME Funding
We will enhance investment into SMMEs by introducing targeted investment vehicles that have reduced capital gains tax rates. Empowering the informal economy: We will invest in economic infrastructure and increase community safety to improve the informal business environment. We will enforce increased police presence in informal settlements to prevent crime and maintain safe environments for businesses and their customers.
Affordable Business Spaces: An ActionSA government will transform North West Province’s cities into inclusive economic centres by reclaiming unused factories such as those in Montshiwa, Mogwase, Ga-Rankuwa and Babelegi and also provide affordable renting opportunities for small businesses.
Special Economic Zones
South Africa became the first among the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) countries to become part of the African continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA). My government will establish various Special Economic Zones within the province, especially involving the previous Border Economic Zones such as Ga-Rankuwa, Babelegi, Mogwase as Gateways into the African continent, including taking advantage of the free trade agreement.
Special Economic Zones (SEZs), are geographically designated areas set aside for specifically targeted economic activities, supported through special arrangements (that may include laws) and systems that are often different from those that apply in the rest of the country.
Our province can take full advantage this to create sustainable jobs and to grow our economy substantially.
Tourism Infrastructure
The province boasts natural attractions such as the Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City resorts, these require proper infrastructure such as accommodation, roads, and visitor facilities to support tourism activities. Developing and maintaining proper infrastructure is essential for enhancing the competitiveness, productivity, and quality of life in the North West Province. It requires collaboration between government, private sector stakeholders, and communities to address infrastructure gaps and ensure sustainable economic development for the people of our province.
Tourism, with its immense potential for economic growth and job creation, stands as a vital component of our plan. As your Premier I will implement a comprehensive program aimed at maximizing the tourism potential of the North West Province.
Our focus will be on reviving and developing iconic tourist destinations such as the Pilanesberg complex, the Madikwe game reserve, the Mafikeng game reserve, Dikololo, Baberspan, Boskop Dam, and Borakalalo Dam.
Furthermore, we will pay special attention to supporting and nurturing regional and local tourism associations, ensuring that hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and related tourism operations can thrive and flourish. This includes, promoting our municipalities as tourism destinations.
We will provide them with marketing services, including websites, tradeshows, and events, to attract visitors from far and wide.
Agriculture and Rural Economic Development.
I will make sure that Agriculture, as one of the main economic sectors of our province is revitalized. For example, the Taung Irrigation Project, Lebatla Citrus farm, and Vryburg Beef Processing,
We will transfer unused arable land owned by the state to emerging farmers. Farmers will be presented with long-term leases that permit them to buy the land after five years of successfully operating their farms.
In my view the proper role of government is that of partnering with the farmer, never to be his master. By every means possible we must develop and promote that partnership, to ensure that, agriculture may continue to be a sound, enduring foundation for our economy and that farm living may once again be a profitable and satisfying experience.
Comprehensive Job Creation Plan
The Northwest Province has the second highest unemployment rate in the country, currently sitting at 53% above national average. In my first term of office, I will work with the private sector to create real jobs as follows: In the 2025 Financial Year, ActionSA will pass its first provincial budget, reprioritising government spending to strategic infrastructure and improved service delivery.
This is expected to result in a 4% growth in job creation. By 2026, the economic impact of regulatory and fiscal reforms, the pace of infrastructure developments and increased business confidence that improves South Africa’s trade balance sheet, are expected to result in a 5% growth in year-on-year job creation.
Job growth should peak in 2027 at 6%, as South Africa’s re-establishes itself as a leading developing economy, attracting significant FDI that boosts local companies.
By 2028 and 2029, the economic reforms, infrastructure investments, skills development programmes, industry support mechanisms and improved market access reforms mature, resulting in year-on-year job growth stabilising at approximately 5%.
In total, 4.8 million new, sustainable jobs will be added to the South African economy, resulting in a record-low unemployment rate of 17.5%.
Now you may be wondering whether I can deliver on these lofty promises. Let me give you a practical example of what we have managed to do in Motswedi. Through a partnership with the National Skills Fund, we managed to secure a grant for 200 learnerships, to the tune of R2 500 per learner, per month.
These learners have completed their theory training and are now doing their practicals for brick making, brick laying, roof tiling and road paving. These learners have managed to transform their families. In some households, this is the only income that provides livelihood for families, Universal Basic Income Stimulus (UBIS)
ActionSA acknowledges that seeking employment or building a business costs money. For this reason, we will introduce a Universal Basic Income Stimulus (UBIS) grant to alleviate poverty and support citizens participation in the economy.
The Universal Basic Income Stimulus Grant will be provided to all adult South Africans and permanent residents who register as UBIS recipients.
The UBIS, which is linked to poverty bands, will initially be paid for a period of three years through monthly cash transfers consisting of R790 in the first year, R1101 in the second year, and R1622 in the third year.
This will increase the growth of South Africa’s economy by at least 2 additional percentage points measured against the projected GDP growth and create an additional 1.6 million jobs across the country.
In conclusion, I believe that real change requires moving beyond articulating principles.
To achieve our mission of a fixed South Africa, which promotes inclusive economic prosperity for all, law and order, and a thriving democracy, we must work together with civil society, experts, traditional leaders, faith-based organizations, and business decision-makers in our province to win this fight.
Thus, our decision to host this dinner tonight. It is my fervent hope that all of you here tonight will embrace the challenge of partnering with us to fix our beloved Province.
My vision goes beyond articulation of principles because I understand that the people of our province no longer need to read manifestos or lists of failures. They experience the results of a self-serving government every single day of their lives. It is this lived reality that fuels my resolve as your Premier candidate to bring about genuine transformation and to deliver excellent local and provincial government services to our communities.
Together, let us embark on this journey towards a brighter tomorrow. Let us embrace the power of action and work hand in hand to realize the dreams and
aspirations of the people of our Province. With dedication, collaboration, and a shared vision, we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead and build a province that we can all be proud of.
Our hard-earned freedom is threatened as much by our own indifference as it is by the most unscrupulous office seeker or by the most powerful governing party. The future of this Province is in the hands of the Provincial voter, including, all of you sitting here tonight.
Let us take actions that will motivate people to be prosperous in their own right. Let us take actions that will motivate people to take pride in themselves. Let us take actions that will give the people of the Northwest hope. This is the time to provide service to all our people, irrespective of creed, colour, race, religion or political affiliation.
Tonight, I invite you to join me in committing to building an economically inclusive, prosperous, safe and secure province. This Nation is thirsty for action, and that thirst should be quenched now, we must act as one and act quickly.
I am a proud Motswana man, born and bred in the beautiful village of Motswedi. I am therefore guided and informed by my culture. Rain holds a significant place in the lives of Batswana.
When I was a little boy, we used sing and dance to a beautiful rain song. Whenever it rained, we would run outside and jump up and down in the rain singing, “pula, pula nkgodise ke tla gola leng” directly translated it means ‘rain, rain make me grow, when will I grow up’.
There are different types of rains in Setswana: “Tsheola, pula ya maebana, pula ya medupe, pula ya matlakadibe, le kgogolamoko”.
My focus is on the rain Kgogolammoko, as it my theme for tonight. Kgogolammoko is the first rain that falls around Autumn just after harvesting, Kgogolamoko ke pula e e nang morago ga thobo ya temo.
These early rains cause the seeds to germinate and nurture their early growth. I consider ActionSA as Kgogolammoko. Embedded in ActionSA’s establishment and existence is the notion of growth, the notion of nurturing, and the resolve to fix.
Tla ke tlhalose boleng jwa pula ya Kgogolammoko Bagaetsho.
And yes, there are many obstacles to completely cleanse ourselves of “mmoko” of 30 years of misrule, crime, corruption, and unpatriotic leadership.
Only ACTION WILL FIX South Africa
And it is do-able.
I thank You.
Ke a Leboga Bagaetsho. Ka PULA!!!
Kgosi Kwena Mangope’s plans to Fix the North West Province
It is an honour and great pleasure for me to welcome you to ActionSA’s NW first Annual Gala Dinner.
Thank you all for being here, and allow me, President Herman Mashaba, to express my gratitude to you, and to the Leaders of ActionSA in and beyond our province, for gracing this event. Thank you very much.
The location of our gala dinner is not only impressive, but also symbolic, as it is held just few kilometres away from the seat of the North West Provincial Government. We are also just a couple of days away before the election day on the 29 May 2024 to democratically unseat the ruling party currently in government.
Looking around this room, I am filled with inspiration and hope. Yes, we have faced daunting economic hardships and social ills never seen before in our country, But with you as allies I have no doubt that we are embarking on an era of unprecedented progress in fixing the North West Province to create an inclusive and prosperous society for posterity.
Tonight’s gathering brings together an amazing and diverse mix of leaders. We come from all walks of life and all corners of our beautiful country.
Despite our myriad occupations, there is something that unites us. It is my belief that what unites us is a yearning and desire to reclaim, restore, and reposition the North WestProvince.
I believe that fixing our Province is a crucial part of making our country and the world a better place for our children and grandchildren.
In the quest for a reformed South Africa, one that embraces inclusive economic prosperity, upholds the principles of law and order, and nurtures a thriving democracy, the time for change has come. I believe that our communities deserve to receive excellent provincial and local government services.
At this point, I wish to share my vison as ActionSA’s North West Premier Candidate with you.
This is a practical and implementable plan based on our national and provincial manifestos focusing on the following enabling pathways:
– Law and Order;
– Job Creation and Entrepreneurship Development;
– Infrastructure Development;
– Tourism;
– Education;
– Agriculture and Rural Development;
– The Restoration of the Institution of Traditional Leaders, and
– Strengthening and capacitating the local government sphere which is at the coalface of service delivery.
In this province in particular, municipalities can only function well in collaboration with our traditional leaders.
Allow me to dwell a little bit on the matter of the restoration of the institution of traditional leaders.
The great pity is that most people do not know the significant role traditional leaders played in the liberation struggle. The liberation movement became a success as a result of people like Kgosi Moroka, Kgosi Albert Luthuli and many others I do not have the time to name.
Sadly, for last 30 years, traditional leaders cannot add any value or influence in the governance of their own people.
Our province is endowed with minerals, yet most Dikgosi on whose land these mines are located, do not get any royalties on their own land without political intervention.
In our manifesto, as ActionSA, we seek to support and transform the institution traditional leadership in accordance with constitutional imperatives and restore the integrity and legitimacy of traditional leadership in line with the African indigenous law and customs.
On assuming office as your Premier (wearing three hats), the first as Kgosi, the second as a Military trained Professional, the third as your Premier, I will immediately conduct a series of community outreach consultations focusing on law and order, traditional leadership role in local government sphere, tourism, farming, digital education, agriculture and rural economic development in as many villages to ensure that traditional leaders are no longer excluded from the governance of their people.
I am honoured that the highest decision-making body of my party, the ActionSA Senate, has also assigned me to carry out this role nationally.
In terms of our constitution, government has the mandate to provide services to all our communities, yet traditional leaders have no voting powers in local municipality councils or any sphere of government.
It is therefore a thorny issue, that the Ingonyama Trust is granted space to provide basic services to their people with 5 budget allocations from the provincial government for the Zulu King, a privilege that and no other Kgosi has.
The following, are some of my key priorities to fix the North West Province:
Service Delivery
For Service delivery to occur in a seamless and efficient way, there is great need for the three spheres of government to work together co-operatively and in line with the prescripts of our Constitution.
For example, the provincial government plays its role in supporting and mentoring municipalities in terms of Section 154, including measures to restore stability, sound financial management, integrated development planning, and service delivery in line with established norms and standards.
In my first term of office, I will pay special attention to human resource management in municipalities, particularly recruitment, selection, appointment, promotion, remuneration, and disciplinary procedures to ensure they are in line with the constitution, the law, and the IDP development priorities of the municipality.
As ActionSA government, we will ensure that meritocracy is the order of the day and no person will be appointed to any position in government simply because they belong to a political party, including ActionSA members.
There will be no ActionSA cadre deployment.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am alive to the fact that proper service delivery cannot occur where infrastructure is dilapidated or non-existent, equally, business cannot thrive or create sustainable jobs where infrastructure is non-existent. Above all there can never be peace and prosperity in any society where there is no law and order. Therefore, I want to avoid making populist policy statements just to get votes because our people have been lied to too many times over the last 30 years.
It is common cause that our province is broken, our social fabric is in tatters, and I believe that before we can deliver all these promises contained in our election manifesto, we must first maintain law and order in our province.
Therefore, in my first 100 days in government I will ensure that there is law and order in this province because nothing of value can occur in the midst of chaos and lawlessness.
The second biggest priority is to fix our broken infrastructure, repurpose what is refurbishable and build new infrastructure in our first term of office.
To show you how serious I am about this issue, I have already approached local and international infrastructure development funders to assist our Province, through Public Private Partnerships to build world class infrastructure in our province.
Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow me to get into a bit of detail regarding the development pathways I referred to earlier.
Infrastructure Development
The infrastructure of the North West Province encompasses various aspects crucial for its economic development and societal well-being. Here are some key elements that I will focus on in my first term of office.
Transportation
Roads: The province is connected to the national road network, including major routes like the N4, N12, and N14, facilitating movement of goods and people. The N12 and N14 will be refurbished to allow smooth entry in and out of the province as these national roads will assist in attracting Tourism back into the province.
Railways
Railways play a vital role in transporting minerals and other goods from mining areas to ports and industrial centres. I will work closely with government entities in this area such as Transnet to ensure that the rail network system is fully restored for both goods and passengers. Passenger rail service, for example, is one of the most cost effective and environmentally safe options, as it not only reduces air pollution but also eases the burden of transportation cost on our people.
Airports
We all know that our province used to be served by airports such as the Pilanesberg International and Mmabatho International now known as Mahikeng Airports. Collectively these two provided efficient domestic and international air travel connections.
Today, these Airports are functioning far below par.
My vision is to revitalise the Mahikeng International Airport, which has the second longest runway in Africa, to service the Maize Triangle cargo, and other farming exports to the international community. It can also serve as an international airport for entry/exit into the country as it should be.
As for the Pilanesberg Airport, we will turn it into a Tourism Air Parking for private jets and helicopters thus making it a Tourism hub as well as an international Marvel for Air parking when international tourism makes entry into South Africa, as it is in Cape Town or Durban.
Energy Infrastructure
Loadshedding is now part of our vocabulary as South Africans, whereas a couple of years ago, many of you seated here would have struggled to define what the word means without first consulting a dictionary, today it is a daily lingo in many of households. The North West Province has a huge renewable energy potential, including solar energy potential, which can contribute to the energy mix.
There is ample land and ample sun and therefore through the right public private partnerships, we can attract Renewable Energy Companies both locally and abroad, to come and propose various types of energy mixes that will see the development of Electrification Infrastructure grow substantially to enable economic growth and sustainable job creation.
Water Supply and Sanitation
Water provision is yet another big priority for me. Water is life! Water is a basic human right.
I will restore water where politically connected tenderpreneurs have exploited the plight of our people by creating water scarcity where non-existed. I will ensure that we build water infrastructure and restore neglected water treatment plants in areas where they used to work and I will ensure that those appointed to build and maintain this infrastructure, do so accordingly and within agreed upon timelines.
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centres are essential for providing medical services to the population. This Province used to have world class health infrastructure. Primary health care was available to remotest of villages. Clinics were well staffed and resourced by passionate health workers who were as committed as Florence Nightingale. But, as we all know, this is no longer the case. I believe that with proper staffing, wellbeing of our human capital, and through infrastructure maintenance and proper management of our health facilities, we can achieve a 24-hour healthcare service in our local clinics.
Education Institutions
This province used to boasts the highest calibre of institutions of learning envied by many across the country such as the Mmabatho School, the International School, Agricultural colleges, Manpower centres, Mmabana Art Centres, just to mention a few.
Under my leadership, ActionSA government in the province will re-establish these institutions of learning destroyed by the governing party simply because they were established by the Bophutswana government and not for any apparent reason.
In particular, Manpower Training Centres, Taung Agricultural College in order to bring back much-needed technical skills and artisans such as plumbers, brick layer, electricians etc that are now taken over by illegal foreign nationals.
I will also immediately introduce digital education for the new skills required by the digital economy such as coding and digital literacy. To achieve this, I will ensure that we have digital educational curricula and digital centres in most schools across our provinces. School management is vital for a conducive learning environment in our education system.
Therefore, I will, among others, re-introduce regular performance management reviews of principals in all levels of our basic education schooling system to ensure that our schools are properly managed. In addition, I will enforce strict compliance with minimum requirements for principals and teachers, including completion of school management training programs and remove the dominant role currently played by trade unions in our schools. I will also bring school inspectors back into our school management system.
Telecommunications
Access to telecommunications infrastructure, including mobile networks and internet services, is vital for connectivity and economic development. My government will make sure that efforts are made to expand telecommunications coverage in both urban and rural areas of the province.
In my first term of office, I will ensure that there are free WIFI hotspots and in most regions in our province to enable access to internet facilities especially for our youths.
Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Growth
Small Business Development: An ActionSA-led government will support business innovators and potential job creators, and not needlessly restrict them. We will invest in business funding by allocating 30% of all income generated by the Opportunity Fund towards this initiative.
SMME Funding
We will enhance investment into SMMEs by introducing targeted investment vehicles that have reduced capital gains tax rates. Empowering the informal economy: We will invest in economic infrastructure and increase community safety to improve the informal business environment. We will enforce increased police presence in informal settlements to prevent crime and maintain safe environments for businesses and their customers.
Affordable Business Spaces: An ActionSA government will transform North West Province’s cities into inclusive economic centres by reclaiming unused factories such as those in Montshiwa, Mogwase, Ga-Rankuwa and Babelegi and also provide affordable renting opportunities for small businesses.
Special Economic Zones
South Africa became the first among the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) countries to become part of the African continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA). My government will establish various Special Economic Zones within the province, especially involving the previous Border Economic Zones such as Ga-Rankuwa, Babelegi, Mogwase as Gateways into the African continent, including taking advantage of the free trade agreement.
Special Economic Zones (SEZs), are geographically designated areas set aside for specifically targeted economic activities, supported through special arrangements (that may include laws) and systems that are often different from those that apply in the rest of the country.
Our province can take full advantage this to create sustainable jobs and to grow our economy substantially.
Tourism Infrastructure
The province boasts natural attractions such as the Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City resorts, these require proper infrastructure such as accommodation, roads, and visitor facilities to support tourism activities. Developing and maintaining proper infrastructure is essential for enhancing the competitiveness, productivity, and quality of life in the North West Province. It requires collaboration between government, private sector stakeholders, and communities to address infrastructure gaps and ensure sustainable economic development for the people of our province.
Tourism, with its immense potential for economic growth and job creation, stands as a vital component of our plan. As your Premier I will implement a comprehensive program aimed at maximizing the tourism potential of the North West Province.
Our focus will be on reviving and developing iconic tourist destinations such as the Pilanesberg complex, the Madikwe game reserve, the Mafikeng game reserve, Dikololo, Baberspan, Boskop Dam, and Borakalalo Dam.
Furthermore, we will pay special attention to supporting and nurturing regional and local tourism associations, ensuring that hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and related tourism operations can thrive and flourish. This includes, promoting our municipalities as tourism destinations.
We will provide them with marketing services, including websites, tradeshows, and events, to attract visitors from far and wide.
Agriculture and Rural Economic Development.
I will make sure that Agriculture, as one of the main economic sectors of our province is revitalized. For example, the Taung Irrigation Project, Lebatla Citrus farm, and Vryburg Beef Processing,
We will transfer unused arable land owned by the state to emerging farmers. Farmers will be presented with long-term leases that permit them to buy the land after five years of successfully operating their farms.
In my view the proper role of government is that of partnering with the farmer, never to be his master. By every means possible we must develop and promote that partnership, to ensure that, agriculture may continue to be a sound, enduring foundation for our economy and that farm living may once again be a profitable and satisfying experience.
Comprehensive Job Creation Plan
The Northwest Province has the second highest unemployment rate in the country, currently sitting at 53% above national average. In my first term of office, I will work with the private sector to create real jobs as follows: In the 2025 Financial Year, ActionSA will pass its first provincial budget, reprioritising government spending to strategic infrastructure and improved service delivery.
This is expected to result in a 4% growth in job creation. By 2026, the economic impact of regulatory and fiscal reforms, the pace of infrastructure developments and increased business confidence that improves South Africa’s trade balance sheet, are expected to result in a 5% growth in year-on-year job creation.
Job growth should peak in 2027 at 6%, as South Africa’s re-establishes itself as a leading developing economy, attracting significant FDI that boosts local companies.
By 2028 and 2029, the economic reforms, infrastructure investments, skills development programmes, industry support mechanisms and improved market access reforms mature, resulting in year-on-year job growth stabilising at approximately 5%.
In total, 4.8 million new, sustainable jobs will be added to the South African economy, resulting in a record-low unemployment rate of 17.5%.
Now you may be wondering whether I can deliver on these lofty promises. Let me give you a practical example of what we have managed to do in Motswedi. Through a partnership with the National Skills Fund, we managed to secure a grant for 200 learnerships, to the tune of R2 500 per learner, per month.
These learners have completed their theory training and are now doing their practicals for brick making, brick laying, roof tiling and road paving. These learners have managed to transform their families. In some households, this is the only income that provides livelihood for families, Universal Basic Income Stimulus (UBIS)
ActionSA acknowledges that seeking employment or building a business costs money. For this reason, we will introduce a Universal Basic Income Stimulus (UBIS) grant to alleviate poverty and support citizens participation in the economy.
The Universal Basic Income Stimulus Grant will be provided to all adult South Africans and permanent residents who register as UBIS recipients.
The UBIS, which is linked to poverty bands, will initially be paid for a period of three years through monthly cash transfers consisting of R790 in the first year, R1101 in the second year, and R1622 in the third year.
This will increase the growth of South Africa’s economy by at least 2 additional percentage points measured against the projected GDP growth and create an additional 1.6 million jobs across the country.
In conclusion, I believe that real change requires moving beyond articulating principles.
To achieve our mission of a fixed South Africa, which promotes inclusive economic prosperity for all, law and order, and a thriving democracy, we must work together with civil society, experts, traditional leaders, faith-based organizations, and business decision-makers in our province to win this fight.
Thus, our decision to host this dinner tonight. It is my fervent hope that all of you here tonight will embrace the challenge of partnering with us to fix our beloved Province.
My vision goes beyond articulation of principles because I understand that the people of our province no longer need to read manifestos or lists of failures. They experience the results of a self-serving government every single day of their lives. It is this lived reality that fuels my resolve as your Premier candidate to bring about genuine transformation and to deliver excellent local and provincial government services to our communities.
Together, let us embark on this journey towards a brighter tomorrow. Let us embrace the power of action and work hand in hand to realize the dreams and
aspirations of the people of our Province. With dedication, collaboration, and a shared vision, we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead and build a province that we can all be proud of.
Our hard-earned freedom is threatened as much by our own indifference as it is by the most unscrupulous office seeker or by the most powerful governing party. The future of this Province is in the hands of the Provincial voter, including, all of you sitting here tonight.
Let us take actions that will motivate people to be prosperous in their own right. Let us take actions that will motivate people to take pride in themselves. Let us take actions that will give the people of the Northwest hope. This is the time to provide service to all our people, irrespective of creed, colour, race, religion or political affiliation.
Tonight, I invite you to join me in committing to building an economically inclusive, prosperous, safe and secure province. This Nation is thirsty for action, and that thirst should be quenched now, we must act as one and act quickly.
I am a proud Motswana man, born and bred in the beautiful village of Motswedi. I am therefore guided and informed by my culture. Rain holds a significant place in the lives of Batswana.
When I was a little boy, we used sing and dance to a beautiful rain song. Whenever it rained, we would run outside and jump up and down in the rain singing, “pula, pula nkgodise ke tla gola leng” directly translated it means ‘rain, rain make me grow, when will I grow up’.
There are different types of rains in Setswana: “Tsheola, pula ya maebana, pula ya medupe, pula ya matlakadibe, le kgogolamoko”.
My focus is on the rain Kgogolammoko, as it my theme for tonight. Kgogolammoko is the first rain that falls around Autumn just after harvesting, Kgogolamoko ke pula e e nang morago ga thobo ya temo.
These early rains cause the seeds to germinate and nurture their early growth. I consider ActionSA as Kgogolammoko. Embedded in ActionSA’s establishment and existence is the notion of growth, the notion of nurturing, and the resolve to fix.
Tla ke tlhalose boleng jwa pula ya Kgogolammoko Bagaetsho.
And yes, there are many obstacles to completely cleanse ourselves of “mmoko” of 30 years of misrule, crime, corruption, and unpatriotic leadership.
Only ACTION WILL FIX South Africa
And it is do-able.
I thank You.
Ke a Leboga Bagaetsho. Ka PULA!!!