28 June 2006

MEC Paul Mashatile, Gauteng Department of Finance and Economic Affairs

Honourable Executive Mayors

Mr. Kaizer Motaung, Chairman of Kaizer Chiefs Football Club

Mr. Herbett Theledi, Executive Chairman of Lefika Emerging Equity

Madam Speaker: Councilor Noluthando Mangole

Chief Whip of Council: Councilor Boyce Maneli

Honourable Members of the Mayoral Committee

Senior Managers from different government departments

Municipal Manager, Directors and senior management of Mogale City Local Municipality

Members of the media

People of Mogale City:

On this occasion of the launch of this, the Amakhosi Stadium, I am humbled and grateful that I have been asked to speak. I am grateful because today we are launching a life-changing development in the history of Mogale City, Gauteng and South Africa. More importantly, I am thankful to the people of Mogale City for having me as their Executive Mayor, for it is on their behalf that I am standing here today. I know that they deserve such a development because for too long the West Rand has been overlooked, and today, in our life-time, their prayers have been answered in spectacular fashion.

Mogale City has declared that it will be the most desirable place to live, invest and visit, where all enjoy a sustainable quality of life. All cities in South Africa owe it to their residents to set themselves an agenda that community-driven. This agenda must, as a matter of necessity, be about not compromising the cities' necessary, rapid development in a manner that positively impacts people's lives. Once this agenda has been set, these cities need to then aggressively pursue initiatives that accelerate the pace at which they achieve the stipulations contained therein. For Mogale City, this (and other initiatives) represent this desire to accelerate this pace. It is a serious attempt to place the people of Mogale City and their city on a path that will have a positive socio-economic impact for years to come.

Programme Director it is said that it is a silly fish that is caught twice with the same bait. We in Mogale City have previously lost a number of other investment opportunities for a number of reasons. When we were approached by Lefika Emerging Equity on this development, we knew that this is it. We knew that history will judge us very harshly if we were to lose this specific investment opportunity because such things come once in a lifetime. There was no way we were going to lose another investment opportunity, particularly an investment of this magnitude. We know that Mogale City and its people have been yearning for a massive opportunity of this kind. And so our approach to this was characterized by what we know the people of this city need. Being a responsible government founded on the values of transparency and accountability, we embarked upon an extensive stakeholder consultation process where the community was invited to make submissions so that we can confirm whether what we knew still held. As a confirmation, not one objection was submitted by the people of Mogale City to this development. They agreed with us that we must not be the fish that is caught twice with the same bait. Let me emphasise ladies and gentlemen, that as leadership, political and administrative, we could not preside over a municipality that will go down in history as having turned away a major socio-economic development opportunity. This initiative represents the biggest, most positive advancement for our city. We are therefore very pleased that throughout the consultative process everybody agreed with us.

Programme Director, the reason they agreed with us is because unlike what others had claimed, the people of this city are well aware of the benefits that would be brought about by such a development. They know that our city would undergo a serious and unprecedented socio-economic re-generation with approximately 1000 jobs would be created during construction and a further 500 permanent jobs would be created after construction. We are talking here of a minimum of 25 soccer games per annum being played in our city, and those who are familiar with the magnetic pulling power of Kaizer Chiefs well will know that economically, this means around R7million per game as cash inflow into the city. I have already said that Mogale City will be the most desirable place to visit. Well, this development means that over and above the current number of visitors, most of whom are attracted by places like the Craddle of Humankind, Maropeng, the Crocodile Ramble and other places, we will be receiving an additional 1.5million visitors per annum. The main beneficiaries of all these are the people of Mogale City and the West Rand. To this end, we have ensured that part of our commitment to this project is on the understanding that goods and services must be procured from Mogale City.

Programme Director, this Amakhosi Stadium launch coincides with two very important events in our history as Africans. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of June 16, 1976 as well as the 20th Anniversary of the death of visionary and inspirational revolutionary Samora Machel, leader of the Mozambican people. So as we launch this development, we dare not forget these and other significant events for it is thanks to those that sacrificed their lives that we are in a position to enjoy freedom in the way that we do. Indeed, this development is indicative of what freedom means. We will forever be thankful to all our matyrs.

To Kaizer Chiefs and Lefika, we think that our association is a match made in heaven. Never in the history of the West Rand have we ever seen such a match. I know that many other municipalities are already looking to see how they can establish such partnerships. In a couple of decades down the line, we will look back and be proud that we led the way in this arena.

In 1943, Winston Churchill said: "We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us." None of us can argue with that. This development, this structure that is to be built, has been shaped by our able architects. In the end, this development, this structure, will become an institution, and will most certainly shape us. It will shape the future of our city and its people forever.

And so in conclusion Programme Director, we would like to welcome Kaizer Chiefs Football Club to Mogale City. We look forward to the dazzling skills of the many talented players being displayed right here.

Love and Peace!

I thank you.