REMARKS BY THE MINISTER OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MS. , DELIVERED AT THE WOMAN THE BRANDS AWARDS 2015

DURBAN (17 MAY 2015)

Master of Ceremonies, Her Excellency Chairperson of the African Union, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma, Honourable Premier of KwaZulu Natal, Mr. , MEC KwaZulu-Natal Arts and Culture, Ms. Ntombikayise Sibhidla- Saphetha, MEC KwaZulu-Natal Social Development, Ms. Weziwe Gcotyewa Thusi, MEC KwaZulu-Natal Education, Ms. Neliswa , Deputy Mayor, of eThekwini Municipality, Ms Nomvuzo Shabalala, Ms. Ipeleng Mkhari, CEO of Motseng Investments, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Speaking at this momentous occasion is, for me, an extraordinary honour and a special privilege. It is not very often that one gets the opportunity to be in the midst of so many of ’s most

1 influential black businesswomen, entrepreneurs and political leaders under one roof! It is a rare privilege, indeed!

This is an evening of achievers! It is the night of the stars! The Woman the Brands Awards Ceremony is a display of success and achievement. To all these outstanding South Africans, we must say: Well done!! The stars, whose achievements we are celebrating tonight, could have chosen to wallow is self-pity given the immensity of the obstacles placed in their way. Instead, they chose to pull themselves up to create a better life for themselves and their fellow citizens.

As we honour the exceptional women, let us bow our heads and pay our respects to our struggle veteran and leader of our people, Dr Ruth Mompati, who passed away this week. She has left a huge legacy which is displayed by the women we are recognising this evening.

We have in our midst another outstanding leader of the people of our country and continent, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Programme Director, allow me to honour this extra-ordinary patriot and heroine of our struggle, who consciously chose to be a selfless servant of the masses of our people.

Our mother and leader, we remain inspired by your appointment as Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). You brought to your new office a wealth of considerable experience acquired over many years of serving in our democratic government and our national liberation movement. Through your own practical action and exemplary conduct, you taught many of us to serve our people selflessly, without seeking any personal glory or material reward.

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You remain an inspiration to women all over the world. You could have chosen to be successful medical practitioner in private practice and made money. But you chose a path that took you away from the comfort of your family, friends and familiar surroundings in order to respond to a higher calling. There is no better demonstration of one’s commitment to the entire continent and solidarity with its people than this!

We have no doubt that your tenure will be a period that will see women empowerment and gender equality elevated higher and higher on the Continent’s agenda. On this occasion, we must make a solemn commitment that, individually and collectively, we will spare neither strength nor effort, in our endeavour to ensure that our continent is rid of the scourges of wars, instability and poverty that has ravaged the lives of women and children. We have confidence that you are equal to the task of laying the basis for permanent peace and stability in Africa.

As former Minister of Foreign Affairs, you did a lot to promote governance on the continent. You were instrumental in setting up the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) which were meant to promote good governance and transparency. We are confident that you will continue to bring a renewed impetus and sense of urgency in championing the renewal of Africa and the aspirations of the most vulnerable sectors on our Continent. Increasingly, the people of our continent are being convinced that indeed the future looks qualitatively better than the past and present.

I speak without any fear of contradiction when I say: As South Africans, we still reap the benefits of your vision as a Minister in various portfolios

3 in which you served our people. As we celebrate the decline in the number of smokers in our country, many of us recall your relentless battle against smoking during your tenure as Minister of Health.

You were criticised, derided and crucified by your detractors, especially the tobacco industry and their lobbyists. We recall the savage personalised attacks, which at times transcended the bounds of decency and constructive criticism. Yet, you maintained a dignified silence in the face of all these negative and unwarranted attacks. You stood firm and resolute as you pursued the vision of creating a healthy nation. With relentless determination, you taught many of us that the health of our nation cannot be sacrificed at the altar of profits.

As women, we are also encouraged by the statistics that shows the decline in the maternal mortality rates, among other positive developments. We are all grateful for the solid foundation you laid during those years by focusing the attention of the entire nation on primary health care at a time when it was not fashionable to do so. Today, women and children and people with disabilities are now reaping the healthy fruits of the seeds you planted many years ago. Indeed, as women, we are pleased that the health policies and programmes you pioneered during the first term of our democratic government continue to improve the quality of our people’s lives.

As women and the people of South Africa, we must continue to applaud the current Minister of Health, Dr , under whose stewardship we are witnessing continuity with regard to the policies you initiated almost 21 years ago. Our collective challenge is to sustain this momentum. This will be the best tribute we can pay to this heroine of our

4 struggle, our dear sister, comrade and leader of our Continent, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

We are keenly aware that many challenges still lie ahead. However, we find comfort in the fact that you had faced similar challenges before and passed them with flying colours. Predictably, those who do not want to see you succeed will be waiting in the wings, ready to strike at every conceivable turn. The advice from the women of our country is that you should not be distracted from your mandate, but rather to stay focused and serve your continent and its people with every available ounce of your energy.

We are proud of the achievers of today and are moved by their dedication and resilience. On this special day, we want to salute these special individuals, organisations and corporate citizens who continue to occupy the front trenches in the struggle to ensure that all our people can say with confidence that our country belongs to them too.

My department stands ready to support women entrepreneurs who have the potential to make a difference. We have financial and non-financial support programmes that are meant to benefit our people who have historically been excluded from the economic mainstream. On Wednesday I will be delivering the department’s Budget Speech where important announcements will be made on how we will take the small business and co-operative sector forward.

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In conclusion, let us recall the words of Charlotte Maxeke. She could have been speaking to you when she said the following: “This work is not for yourselves – kill that spirit of self, and do not live above your people, but live with them. If you can rise, bring someone with you”.

I thank you

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