The Executive Mayor of DRKKDM (Executive Mayor number 04) Honourable Nikiwe Num

Executive Mayor of Matlosana Municipality - Honourable James Tsolela

The Executive Mayor of JB Marks - Honourable Gaba

The Mayor of Mhills - Mr Mzwandile Feliti

Speakers of councils, single whips & whips

Members of the mayoral committees

Honourable Councillors and leaders of opposition parties

Employer organisations and various employers - I am told we are expecting 123 employers and about 20 pledges from various employers, we look forward to this with keen interest.

The DEL team led by the DDG PES - Mr Sam Morotoba

All DEL officials and officials from the district and local municipalities.

Members of the local media and mainstream media in our midst

Ladies and Gentlemen

Let me greet you all.

* Program director allow me to first of all express my gratitude for the warm welcome that we received from the Executive Mayor of the District and all Executive Mayors.

* It is always good to be home and having listened to the presentations, I have a good feeling that something great is about to happen in this district.

* Madam Executive Mayor, we are back again and this time around, we come to your District better than we came the last time. We were here in 2019, immediately after our appointment, and I want to believe that some, if not most of our attendees today were part of that meeting.

* I am sure you are aware that this program was supposed to be led by the Minister but due to other government commitments, the Minister and I agreed that this program must succeed.

* I must also mention Executive Mayor that we are encouraged by your drive and passion to take this district to greater heights and we want to assure you as Ministry and the DEL team, that we heard all your cries.

* We know what mining has done for this district and it's locals that has left them mining deprived today due to the decline in mining activities and we are saying the mining houses should also come to the party in terms of rebuilding our cities.

* We know the revenue base that this district was deprived of  due to the abolishing of the RSC levies.

* We also know the old struggle of the wrestle for powers and functions with the locals.

* So the DDM, based on cooperative governance and IGR is our landing spot for government support and integrated services and this explains why we are here today.

* Prior to this breakfast session, our team has been on the ground rolling out services to various communities throughout the district.

* We have received reports colleagues that there were attempts to disrupt government programs. Now this is really disappointing.

* The work of government has to continue and we must never be held at ransom by any attempts that seek to undermine our efforts to bring services to the people.

* We are in the business of serving the communities and taking services to their doorsteps and nothing should stop us from doing that.

* There are no rebels here as far as I know so there must never be anything such as “No-Go-Areas" for government programs. We can't be characterised by such things at this day and age when the communities cry for help.

* So this breakfast session with employers and employer organozation, is the information sharing platform between us DEL and all employers to understand our mandate and be partners in the execution of our mandate.

* We want you the employers to be our partners in the implementation of the National Minimum Wage, including many other labour legislations.

* You must be our partners in ensuring that we safeguard all employment laws such as the basic conditions of employment, the employment equity etc. So we should be friends and not enemies. The employers should not see us as scare cows.

* We are here to beg for your friendship and don't lead us to push you into a coerced friendship because we can also do that if we see any sign of resistance.

* I'm sure you know that when the workplaces are safer and the employees are happier, productivity is guaranteed.

As I conclude

* We are the entire DEL here today, with all our entities in attendance so there is nothing we can't do. If you experience challenges, feel free to ask us.

* Our Labour Activation Program is here for interventions where the need arises, Productivity SA will extend a hand to struggling companies, the CCMA is also here as part of the outreach, the UIF and CF are here for your claims.

* So we are a basket full of services and we are going to ask you one question - how can we help you?

* I thank you.​

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