Empower black people unashamedly: Gauteng premier

Gauteng premier, David Makhura, says that the province can use procurement policy to achieve genuine black economic empowerment without bribery and corruption.
In delivering the State of the Province Address 2016, on Monday, Makhura said that the province is implementing an integrity management framework to deter such behaviour.
“The open tender system is one of the most important innovations of this ANC-led Fifth Administration in Gauteng. We are leading the country in ensuring that procurement decisions are taken above aboard.”
“We are now extending this transparent system of appointing service providers to all departments, especially those with big budgets,” the premier said.
He said that the local government must get rid of the perception that any black person who gets a tender has bribed their way into the corridors of power.
“Let us empower black people – contractors and construction companies; law firms, accounting and audit firms; engineering and consulting firms; emerging farmers and manufacturers of food products; industrialists and entrepreneurs – unashamedly, transparently and ethically,” Makhura said.
He said that economic interventions should seek to change ownership patterns to bring black people into the economic mainstream and create black industrialists.
“We are determined to ensure that the Gauteng economy grows in an inclusive, labour absorbing and ecologically sustainable manner. We are committed to ensuring that black people play an active role in the productive sector of the economy, not only as importers of foreign manufactured goods, but also as industrialists and local manufacturers.”
The premier noted that despite the tough global and national economic conditions, Gauteng has maintained its position as the economic powerhouse of South Africa, contributing 35% to the South African economy in 2015.
Racism and xenophobia
Makhura called for unity against racist and xenophobic behaviour.
“Those who call black people baboons are as wrong as those who threaten to drive white students out of university campuses. There must be no room for racists in the South Africa of our dreams.
“Let us unite to build a non-racial society where every citizen has the means to realise their dreams.
“Let us dismantle all the structural impediments that make it difficult for our people to live in peace and harmony, by pushing ahead with radical social and economic transformation,” he said.
In closing Makhura said of nation building: “We need to mobilise all the people of our province to come together and make sure that this province is truly a home for all – black and white, rich and poor, men and women, young and old.”
Read the full address here
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