Zuma: “SA better than pre-1994”
President Jacob Zuma said government has done a lot since 1994 to improve the living conditions of people in undoing the legacy of exclusion and neglect at the Giyani Stadium during the Freedom Day celebrations on Wednesday.
Speaking at the Giyani Stadium, which was hosted for the first time outside of the Union Buildings in Pretoria since 1994, Zuma said millions now have access to basic services.
“Many communities and households were without electricity, water, roads,clinics providing quality health care or state of the art schools. The democratic government has since 1994 spent each year delivering such services.
“The community of Giyani, our hosts today, know too well the hardship of not having water, like many communities around the country where the democratic government is busy making a difference” he said.
The Giyani area was declared a disaster zone and adopted into the Presidential Siyahlola Programme by the fourth democratic administration led by President Zuma in 2009.
President Zuma said that some of the projects completed included the groundwater augmentation of 16 priority villages and that of Nkhensani Hospital. Also completed is the building of the Giyani Wastewater Treatment Works and the refurbishment of the Giyani Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“Some of the milestones in the project to date include the revitalising of 154 boreholes with package plants to ensure the water becomes fit for human consumption.Furthermore, there is the construction of a thirty five megalitres’ reservoir that will be completed in June 2017.
“Operations and maintenance support has also taken place to repair about 270 kilometres of existing lines, nine pump stations and 14 reservoirs.At the moment, all 55 villages here in Giyani have access to bulk water supply due to the interventions,” said Zuma.
President Zuma told the thousands that government will continue to implement black economic empowerment programmes as well as affirmative action programmes. “For freedom to be complete, the economy of our country must not be skewed along racial lines.
“We have introduced new programmes such as the promotion of black participation in the manufacturing sector actively as industrialists.In partnership with the private sector, government will continue to work towards economic transformation so that we can expand our economy and create much needed jobs.”
He said government has recorded significant gains in the provision of quality health care since 1994, saying “We are very happy that the life expectancy of South Africans has improved. People used to die at the average age of 53 years in this country. Now they live up to the average of 62 years of age and beyond.
This means South Africans are now living longer and are much healthier. Those living with HIV and AIDS now receive free medical care, and are living healthier lives.”
President Zuma also used the opportunity to condemn violet service delivery protests. “We must stop actions that undermine our hard won freedom such as engaging in violence. People should protest peacefully and with dignity, in the democratic South Africa. We should isolate all those who promote violence and anarchy.
“Schools, trains, libraries, clinics are all built to provide services and a better life. We must guard and protect these facilities in our communities. It is shocking that some people destroy these facilities so easily,” he said.
He urged the communities to save water, saying the dam levels are low. “We must continue to save water. We have no choice, the situation is serious and is affecting both households and our farming communities who are supposed to ensure food security in our country.”
“We are happy with the work of government and the initiative to bring Freedom Day celebrations to our area. The president loves this place. We are happy with his work. We used to have serious water problems in my ward, especially at Sifasonke and Thomo villages, but since the launch of the water project by President Zuma, we always have water. We can’t complain. We have every reason to celebrate,” said Xigono Mathonsi from Nkurhi village.
Agnes Machethe from Maphalle village in the Greater Letaba Municipality said it was important for her to be at the celebrations, not only to celebrate but also to show support to the president and his government that we are happy with the work they are doing. They should ignore the critics and continue to serve the people.
