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Inaugural speech of Premier Stofile
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EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

INAUGURAL SPEECH BY PREMIER MAKHENKESI STOFILE

HELD AT THE PROVINCICIAL LEGISLATURE IN BISHO

ON JUNE 18, 1999

Mr. Speaker
 Members of the provincial legislature
 Ladies and Gentlemen

Today we gather here to join millions of voices the world over that say the South African struggle for democracy is victorious. This 
victory is due to the sacrifice and protracted resolve by the South African people to rid themselves of an unjust society. People organised 
as workers, students, youth, women and residents both in urban and rural areas fought hard for this miracle. We pay tribute to these 
heroes.

We dare not fail to pay homage to the sterling and matured leadership provided by our martyrs like Albert Luthuli, Moses Mabhida, Lillian 
Ngoyi, Cissy Gool, Helene Joseph, Oliver Tambo, Chris Hani and Joe Slovo. Yesterday we bade farewell to President Nelson Mandela as he took 
a well-deserved rest from formal politics. Wednesday, June 16 was also about displaying gratitude to the generation of leaders who said 
that freedom will come in their lifetime, these include Cde Govern Mbeki, Wilton Mkwayi, Raymond Mhlaba, Ahmed Kathrada, Alias Motsoaledi 
and many others.

Our new President Cde Thabo Mbeki takes over from this generation of stalwarts. He has been well groomed in the traditions and legacy built 
by these great giants. We are confident that he is up to the task, for he personifies decades of the development of a peoples government. 
This peoples government will succeed and must succeed, more especially under his leadership. He is our own. A pedegree in the struggle for 
a democratic S.A.

We are here also to pay respect and show dignity to the historic march by our people on the 2nd of June. They gave no space to violence 
mongers and anti-democrats, hence the election was declared free and fair. The voice of the people said "You must govern and govern well 
because you are our hope". It is in full-filling the hopes and dreams of these millions that the value of todays gathering will be 
realised.

This event marks the official end of one Premiership and the beginning of another. The first five years of democracy presented a number of 
challenges to us, which related to the creation of a framework for fundamental change. The new Premiership will be about realising that 
fundamental change. Both phases warrant different styles of leadership and management. We cannot continue as if it is business as usual. A 
breath of fresh air must fill the corridors of power. This must be about efficient and effective governance. It must herald decisiveness 
and quick-witted leadership. Both administrators and politicians in this province have to adopt this new style. There is no room for 
careerists, populists, loafers and thieves. We require strategic thinkers, activists and above all humble servants of the people.

The Opposition has pledged to play a constructive role in the development of this province. We appreciate this because there shall be no 
benefit to anyone of us from cheap politics. I wish to welcome the new MPLs and congratulate returning ones with warm hands. Our 
collective task is to break the backbone of apartheid-colonialism as represented by poverty in our area. So fellow MPLs I call upon you to 
debate hard and to do constituency work harder. We must work amongst our people. These offices are administrative centres and we belong to 
the people. May this term be a term of hard work for all of us as public representatives.

To the yet to be announced Executive Council you must remember that to inflict pain and cause injury takes a second, but to heal and bring 
about just order takes much longer and cost a lot of human and material resources. Our government has to move with great speed to 
accelerate change. This requires a &#145;dream team who will work very hard, longer hours and more resolutely, to effect rapid qualitative 
delivery. We should have Executive Council meetings that are focussed on action and more action. Our policy support must be fine tuned to 
facilitate speedy and more informed decision-making. The departments we will head must be geared for this new challenge. This can only 
happen if we excersize strategic and decisive leadership. It is these challenges that will guide the process of putting together a new 
Executive Council.

To those outside of the formal state structures, this term will see the strengthening of partnerships with you. The non-governmental 
organisations, business the labour movement and traditional leaders will be engaged more in the reconstruction process. Together we must 
put up a big fight against poverty, abuse of women and children, HIV-AIDS and crime. We will work together for the realisation of a better 
life for people with disabilities. We must build partnerships that re-inforce the &#145;new patriotism and &#145;African Renaissance. As 
a province we cannot allow ourselves to go through what the Western Cape people are put through by the minory parties. We must unite behind 
the will of the people and not make mockery of democracy.

Let us travel together in the journey of nation building and reconstruction. We wish to call on our youth to be at the front of this 
battle. They must provide leadership in building new social relations that mark the consolidation of the non-racial and non-sexist society. 
We are on the right course. Let us soldier on shoulder to shoulder and enter the next millenium as a better nation. We dare not fail, for 
the souls of those who laid down their lives for this freedom will haunt us to death.

I thank you.

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