Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. (Jeffrey Abrahams/Netwerk24)
- Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has prioritised transport infrastructure in the GPU’s first State of the Province Address.
- Lesufi made other key announcements, including the establishment of a state bank and pharmaceutical company.
- The event was held in Katlehong on Thursday evening.
The Gauteng government has announced an ambitious plan to extend its rapid rail system into new areas, including Soweto, Fourways, Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, Lanseria and Springs.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, while delivering his first State of the Province Address since being re-elected as premier in July, said the government planned to invest R120 billion in the expansion of the Gautrain network.
The expansion would also create more than 125 000 construction jobs over five years, he said.
In addition, the mooted Limpopo-Gauteng speed train had entered the feasibility study phase.
The SOPA was held in Katlehong on Thursday evening, a move Lesufi said was aimed at “bringing government to the people”.
“With a view to upholding the position of Gauteng as the economic hub, we will accelerate our infrastructure investment,” he added.
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Lesufi said rebuilding Gauteng’s economy demanded that they rethink the traditional models of provincial economic growth and development.
“South Africa is a unitary state. Nothing prevents our provinces from reimagining provincial economic contours and possibilities for mutual benefit. In this regard, we will be moving beyond the boundaries of our province to connect with neighbouring provinces where there is a potential for such mutual benefit.”
He said the aim was to move beyond provincial boundaries and strengthen economic linkages with provinces through capital investment projects.
Lesufi added:
Given the proximity of Harrismith to the provinces of Gauteng, KZN and Mpumalanga, it offers an e-commerce potential. It is well-positioned to become a transport and logistics hub for the movement of goods across provincial borders.
“Secondly, in Emfuleni, we want to take advantage of the link stemming from the close proximity of Sasolburg to Gauteng. This presents an opportunity to create a new economic hub through building new roads, houses and the creation of a tourism hub, as well as taking advantage of the Vaal Dam and Vaal River.”
The premier said that working with the municipality would address the crises around the Vaal Dam.
“The third opportunity is for Gauteng to be linked with Rustenburg. There is an opportunity for additional inter-provincial transport and the development of new cities and towns to mutually benefit both the economies of Gauteng and Northwest,” he said.
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“This will increase investment in this area and ensure that the area of Magaliesburg grows economically, using Rustenburg as an anchor. We will propel the development of the Lanseria Smart City and link it with the economy of the West Rand. “We are also strengthening our work on international relations and operations.”
Lesufi added that the government would also soon make announcements on collaborations with the UAE, Finland and China after several trips to the countries during the 6th administration.
Other key announcements made during Lesufi’s address include:
- Establishing a state bank and pharmaceutical company.
- Conducting lifestyle audits on all heads of departments and CEOs of the GPG agencies.
- Convening a provincial investment conference to attract further and expand private sector investments.
- Reskilling almost 500 000 unemployed residents of Gauteng.
- Expanding schools of specialisation programmes.
- 250 vehicles have been handed over to the SAPS to strengthen the fight against crime.
- Over 400 visible policing vehicles have also been deployed to high crime areas along with three helicopters and drones.
- Revitalising Central Business Districts (CBDs) into vibrant economic hubs by exploring housing opportunities at the Carlton Centre.
It was Lesufi’s second SOPA this year, after also delivering the 6th administration’s final one.
At the time, his party, the ANC, held an outright majority in government.
However, Lesufi’s situation has changed significantly since the May elections. The ANC is embroiled in a government of provincial unity (GPU) with several other parties, but excluding the DA.
“This GPU has been charged with the responsibility to drive the transformation agenda while igniting our economic growth to lift the people of our province from the condition of want, poverty and destitution. I want to thank eight of the 11 political parties which supported our budget while noting one party which abstained and the two parties which opposed it,” the premier said.
He reiterated that the government was “a people’s government, not a minority government”.
Lesufi said:
Let me express my sincere gratitude to all the parties which set aside ideological differences and came together in response to the electoral mandate of the people of Gauteng. We have configured the 7th administration to give full expression to this new reality.
“I am fully confident that, under the rubric of the GPU, all the parties will spare neither effort nor strength in our determination to translate the next five years into a qualitatively better living experience for the residents of our province.”
Lesufi added that the GPU needed to live up to its calling by transcending constituent members’ selfish considerations for the greater good of the province.
“The people of our province expect no less. At the same time, let me thank all the parties which took a conscious decision to opt out of the GPU. We are pleased with their stated commitment to continue to work for the common vision of Gauteng from the vantage point of the opposition benches,” he said.
“Their contribution to the developmental agenda will be no less meaningful because they are sitting on the other side of this chamber’s aisle. Ultimately, their choice is motivated by our shared determination for improved, ethical, capable, responsive and effective governance.”
