Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi on Monday, 24 February outlined 13 critical major challenges faced by the province in his 2025 State of the Province Address (SOPA). The speech was delivered in Pretoria at the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ). In this, Lesufi detailed the government’s service delivery of the year ahead.
During his speech, Lesufi made an emphasis on the five-year Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) that the provincial government will itself align with. Job creation, inclusive growth, reduction of poverty and building a capable state were the key priorities which were also outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
As the economy of the province keeps thriving, Lesufi highlighted that the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone never existed in the last five years. According to the Premier, the multi-sectoral and intergovernmental partnerships at TASEZ have made a huge result of over R26 billion in investment and job creation of more than 8,000 which includes 3,300 permanent posts.
In this, Lesufi outlined the 13 concerning issues that continue to dabble the affairs of the province which include crime, electricity challenges, the over-arching state of cable theft, lack of schools, failing infrastructure, the ever-rising unemployment, gender-based violence and femicide, non-functionality of traffic lights, expansion of informal settlements, inadequate health services, drug abuse, the state of decline in central business districts (CBD’s) and water shortages in the province.
Lesufi apologised “wholeheartedly” to Gauteng residents for the ongoing struggle of water supply and assured them that the government is working tirelessly to ensure the situation comes to an end. “This is unacceptable. We must intervene decisively and call for accountability for those that are failing us. We can’t claim to be a smart province and still subject our people to this Stone Age Problem,” said Premier Lesufi.
Gauteng Premier said the provincial government has allocated funds to ensure that roads around the province get repaired and that he will place a dedicated team to carry out those tasks immediately.
In addition, Lesufi thanked everyone who continues to play their role in making sure that the state of Gauteng does not become a dire situation.
