By Marius Fransman, Minister for Public Works and Transport Western Cape
Presented by: Sid Lucket, Director Public Works and Transport Western Cape

Jonathan Dreyer Chair HBBOF

Sid Lucket, Director Public Works and Transport Western Cape

FOR a many years, Hout Bay has been described as a microcosm of South Africa.

But it is a microcosm that all of us who love our country and province should not be pleased about.

It paints a picture of people being squashed into apartheid-throwbacks, featuring shacks, backyard dwellings, bucket toilets and massive social problems … while, just around the corner it shows others living in houses like the one I saw advertised the other day: “Thatched roof Splendour” on almost 6,000 square metres for a little bit under R5-million.

Is this what we want people to describe as “typically South African”?

I don’t think so.

Breakfast function invite

This microcosm of South Africa that we see in Hout Bay – abject poverty existing cheek-by-jowl with glittering affluence – is a stark reminder of what we (as government and as civil society) still need to do to build the Western Cape into a province that offers a true home for all who live here.

We have won our political freedom – now we need to win the fight against homelessness … against poverty … and against unemployment.

Last week, I had the pleasure of launching the Western Cape Government’s Strategic Infrastructure Plan (SIP).

Let me tell you something about the SIP – because, I believe, that it has a number of components that you, as a business forum, might be interested in.

It is a multibillion-rand initiative that will seek to address the most glaring concerns of the population of the Western Cape – and especially the poor.

As a province, we have a lot of catching up to do….

SIP is a Department of Transport and Public Works initiative (due to run until 2014) that provides the foundation that the business environment needs to support quicker growth and job creation in certain key growth areas.

One of the anchor pillars of our Provincial Growth and Development Strategy, the SIP’s primary purpose is to guide infrastructure investment by both government and the private sector over the next 10 years – and to improve the management and the use of existing infrastructure assets.

It is a collaborative effort between provincial departments of our government, municipalities and the private sector.

The beauty of the SIP for me is that it has drawn a commitment from all the participants to work together for the greater good of the Western Cape; in a province where political rivalries can often be robust this is a highly significant development.

I am particularly pleased that aspects of the plan make allowance for the building of affordable houses for the poor close to the Central Business District of Cape Town.

And I would like to address this message to the residents of Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg, in particular….

The ANC government of the Western Cape strongly believes that the reintegration of black people into urban areas close to their places of work will result in truly integrated communities and proper spatial planning.

We recognize, too, that a modern, safe and well-run public transport system will play a crucial role in ensuring shared growth and integrated development.

I am also pleased to be able to announce that municipalities will be spending more than R12-billion over the next three years on infrastructure.

And again, I would like to address the following to the communities of Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg….

This infrastructure will include the maintenance of services for households, such as sewerage and waste water – and municipal roads.

We are determined to improve the quality of life of all the people living in the Western Cape – and contrary to what some people say about Hout Bay being a republic, it is a part of the Western Cape.

As MEC for Transport and Public Works, I have always encouraged the various departments in my portfolio, in whichever areas they may be working, to help in the creation of sustainable jobs for local people.

Our Roads Branch, particularly, has risen to the challenge – on a number of occasions.

It has proved to be an innovative initiator of socio-economic projects, which it normally runs parallel to its roadworks programmes.

Recently, while building a stretch of road from Bredasdorp to Elim at a cost of R85-million, it created direct employment for almost 200 local residents in positions ranging from sub-contractors, to labourers. The project also offered opportunities for local caterers and bed-and-breakfast proprietors, among others, to establish themselves.

And even more recently, it helped local entrepreneurs in the Overberg to win a contract to manufacture 5,000 working overalls.

I have always believed that life is never static. Business people – and entrepreneurs – have to be continually on the lookout for new opportunities. If not, they may well find their present activities overtaken by a host of new developments.

This is the message I have conveyed to the taxi industry as the process of taxi recapitalisation gathers momentum. Thus, while the recap initiative may lead to fewer taxis on particular routes, it may also lead to new opportunities in other areas – and here, I think particularly of opportunities in tourism, spares and tyres – coming to the fore.

What lessons do roadworks in the southern Cape, or the taxi recapitalization process hold for the entrepreneurs of Hout Bay?

To answer that question, let us begin by looking at Hout Bay harbour….

It is common knowledge that some residents of Hout Bay (and here I think particularly of people from Hangberg and Imizamo Yethu), are employed in the harbour, mainly in the fishing industry.

It is also common knowledge that the fishing industry has been shedding jobs. So where to now for those who find themselves unemployed?

In recent years, the harbour area has become a popular tourist spot – and, certainly, with 2010 approaching, this popularity is likely to increase even further.

I strongly believe that residents from the poor areas of Hout Bay must be provided with opportunities to become involved in the developing tourism industry.

Buy my advice is don’t wait for opportunities to come knocking. They never do. You have to go out and find them – and then run with them.

And here is a hint: I know that there is a growing demand by international visitors for a holistic tourism experience in the Western Cape.

They want to eat traditional food – and even participate in the preparation of it.

They want to walk down the streets that local people call home.

They want to listen to local music.

They want to drink a local beer with local people.

And here’s something worth remembering….

No one can provide as lekker a local experience as a local.

I know, I know … people will say to me: “It’s all very well speaking about starting a home restaurant … or starting a tour guide business, among others. But where is the money to start the business going to come from?”

The government of the Western Cape is calling on banks to come to the party. And the good news is that financial institutions are showing a lot of interest in helping small businesses, both financially, and in terms of advice as to how to run a business.

But even if you don’t get help from the banks, form partnerships, find other ways to raise cash.

A good, well-executed idea will always triumph.

Of course, government is committed to helping small businesses wherever it can – especially in the awarding of tenders.

As you know, we are committed to broad based black economic empowerment, for both services and the disposal of government property.

In fact, you’ve asked me to touch on the issue of property disposal, so let me reiterate….

As far back as 2004, the provincial cabinet of the Western Cape adopted a disposal policy whereby 40 percent of the total points that can be scored are awarded to empowerment, while only 60 percent of the points scored are awarded to price. Of the 40 percent that can be scored for empowerment, 25 percent can be claimed by previously disadvantaged individuals, 10 percent can be claimed by women and 5 percent by the disabled.

Through this mechanism, the provincial government of the Western Cape started to redress the imbalances of the past in the property market when disposing of provincial properties.

Earlier on in this address, I spoke about our Strategic Infrastructure Plan – and the promise it held for the future. But talk, as they say, is cheap.

Starting now, we are going to have to go out and prove our bona fides, not by making more promises than we have in the past – but by the content of our actions.

We want to succeed. We want to help grow communities – especially the poor communities in places such as Hout Bay.