Premier

MEC

Traditional Leadership of the Vhavenda

Members of the media

This day is an exceptional one as it brings about an exceptional opportunity. This meeting has great significance to us who are here today, the people of Vhembe District in Limpopo and the entire country that has been watching events that were unfolding since the shutdown commenced in Vuwani with concern.

2016 marks the 20th year since our constitution was signed into law by the father of our democracy, the late former President Nelson Mandela. Since that time when this important document was adopted, it guided our resolve as a nation to build a better South Africa that will provide for its people and this vision was also emphasised by the National Development Plan.

As such as a nation we are moving towards attaining this important objective which can only be possible through unity because our strength as a country has since been in coming together and settling our differences through dialogue. This is how we ensured a peaceful settlement that led to the formation of our democratic government some 22 years ago.

It is important that we recognised that no lasting solution to the deep divisions in this community can happen without open dialogue and hard work between different parties to find a workable solution. Such efforts were needed to ensure the commitment and spirit of a winning attitude which so well defines South Africans who have a rich history of conflict resolution.

Guided by the principles, the letter and spirit of our constitution, we are delighted that as stakeholders we have reached an amicable agreement. To this effect today we present to you an agreement which is a product of a sustained dialogue between government and all the stakeholders’ representing the communities in Vhembe.

The agreement is based on trust amongst all the stakeholders and the commitment to engage further even beyond the elections. The signing today is therefore just a symbolic gesture by the stakeholders to let the country know that we have committed to continue working together to resolve any issues.

This agreement today is the result of the commitment of Government and all the stakeholders across the Vhembe District committing to working and leaving no stone unturned to find a lasting solution to the challenges raised by communities.

I must say that this commitment and the resolve to bring the situation to normalcy is commendable and speak volumes about upholding the values enshrined in our constitution which is the highest symbol of our unity.

To this effect, let me take this opportunity to also congratulate all of you, especially the communities who pushed us to ensure that we ultimately arrive at this negotiated settlement

We utter these congratulations with a sense of confidence, knowing the background and the context of the challenges requiring a solution. We are also encouraged that all the stakeholders in Vhembe district have chosen to:

Normalise the situation in Vhembe and ultimately the whole country.

This signing today will bring a totally different atmosphere in Vuwani and the entire Vhembe district. We are therefore declaring as the late former President Nelson Mandela did in 1994, that “Never, Never and never again shall we subject our communities, especially our children to such an injustice.

We are therefore encouraged by the commitment of all stakeholders and the tenacity with which they dealt with the issues in Vuwani and surrounding areas arising from the demarcation decision.

Let me thank all the stakeholders who resolved that enough is enough, life in Vuwani should be normal again. This key millstone in the journey we have travelled together thus far is a stepping stone towards more robust discussions even beyond the elections.

In terms of the impasse affecting Vuwani areas, there are number of legislative options currently under consideration, hence our commitment as government to continuing discussions until we arrive at the decision that is acceptable to all of us. This important agreement, should not be the end of our partnership with stakeholders and communities in Vhembe to ensure the development of this area and its people.

It is in this context that government calls on communities in Vuwani and surrounding areas to come together as united people to defeat any challenges and the urge to destroy their own properties and infrastructure all in the name of being angry. This types of violence sets our development back and denies our citizens and learners an opportunity to improve their lives. As such, I urge you to stand together to build a South Africa we envisaged in the NDP.

As government we urge all role-players to ensure that without delay, teaching and learning resume and abut 52 000 learners rekindle their chance to making it in the education year. We are therefore appealing to all the role-players, especially communities, traditional leaders, educators, school governing bodies and learners to ensure that we bring normalcy in the education sector.

Our leaners have lost a lot of valuable time already and this cannot be correct because we are destroying our future leaders. It is important to remember that a nation that does not groom and educate its youth will not have a brighter future.

We commend the matured and insightful leadership demonstrated by all stakeholders under the leadership and guidance of his excellency President Jacob Zuma, his excellency Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Hourable Premier Mathabathe and his majesty King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana. In addition let me also commend the work done by the IMC’s both national and provincial and all other key stakeholders in trying to address the issues in Vuwani.

With just 6 days left before the 2016 Local Government Elections, I would like to urge all communities, especially in Vuwani and the entire district of Vhembe not to disenfranchise themselves. The right to vote is indeed a precious right as the victory over apartheid and the fruition of achieving “one man, one vote” was never an easy achievement.

We urge all registered voters to go all in our numbers to cast our ballots and strengthen our democracy whilst also moving our country forward. Political parties and candidates have crisscrossed the country canvassing for the support of communities. On 3 August 2016, it will be time for “YOU” the over 26 million registered voters to have your say.

As government we continue to recognise and thank all stakeholders who are committed to ensuring we are able to deliver another successful municipal election that further strengthens our democracy.

The adherence to the rule of law in the elections period and beyond is important to ensure that there is a conducive environment for an election to take place. Government calls on all stakeholders to work together to ensure that all people act within the framework of the law. As government we are confident that we will have a peaceful local government elections that will allow communities to make their choice in a peaceful environment.

South Africa is a democratic country and the right of freedom of movement is enshrined in the Constitution of our country. We remind all South Africans that in South Africa we don’t have “no-go” areas – voting will happen everywhere in the country without fear or intimidation.

Citizens are encouraged to report any incidents of intimidation at their nearest police station or by calling 10111. From here on, as we move closer to the elections, it is important to reiterate that any form of violence or the destruction of property remain condemned in the strongest terms possible.

Firm action will be taken against anyone who breaks the law or who protests outside the norms of responsible, democratic protest. The security (Police) will remain highly visible, to ensure that no one is prevented from exercising their hard-worn democratic right of voting or participating in any political process leading to the elections.

In conclusion, we urge all stakeholders in the country to join hands and support this process that we have started in Vhembe to move South Africa forward. We noted that for the first time in our history, this election will see 200 political parties and over 61 000 candidates participating, which reflects the maturity of our democracy that continues to reflect the will of the people.

We urge all this political parties and candidates to also assist in this efforts to encourage stability in Vhembe. All our collective actions speaks to the maturity of our democracy which is also reflected in a form of a conducive environment that is created not only by government, but by all stakeholders including candidates, political parties and communities in general.

It is important to remember that local government is in your hands and your actions or inactions can affect the future actions in Vuwani.

Source: South African Government.