Festive season message from economic development, environment and tourism MEC Seaparo Sekoati

Now that the festive season is upon us, many of us will be taking a much-needed reprieve from our occupations and daily routines to spend quality time with family and friends.

As we break for these annual festivities I would like to take the opportunity to reaffirm the pledge we made during the year at our budget speech, that it remains our priority to intensify the campaign against poverty, unemployment and inequality with a special focus on youth empowerment programmes.

During the course of this year we succeeded in launching some of the youth empowerment programmes such as the expanded public works programme, the state owned reserve infrastructure programme which was launched in July, the adopt a youth campaign which was launched in August and the Limpopo youth franchise expo which took place in November.

As we celebrate let us not forget to pay special attention to the challenges that still face our economy by ensuring that we spend our hard-earned money sparingly, avoiding debt and saving as much as possible.

To those that will be going on holiday, we urge you to remember that charity begins at home by visiting any of the tourism products scattered throughout the province. Let us make sure that if and when we indulge in alcohol, we do so responsibly and avoid driving under the influence of alcohol. We also plead with our liquor traders to trade responsibly and refrain from selling alcohol to those that are under the age of 18 years.

We look forward to 2015 as the year for change and continuity and as a department we will continue with our efforts to accelerate with vigour the pace of economic growth while ensuring a sustainable environment and tourism development towards an improved quality of life for all.

I would like to wish you a pleasant and safe festive season and a new year full of great opportunities.