Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. (Geoffrey Abrahams/Netwerk24)
- Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi made transport infrastructure a priority in the GPU's first state of the province address.
- Lesufi also made other important announcements, including the establishment of a national bank and a pharmaceutical company.
- The event took place in Katlehong on Thursday evening.
The Gauteng provincial government has announced ambitious plans to expand the rapid rail system to new areas including Soweto, Fourways, Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, Lanseria and Springs.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, in his first state of the province address since being re-elected as premier in July, said the government plans to invest R120 billion in expanding the Gautrain network.
He said the expansion would also create more than 125,000 construction jobs over five years.
In addition, plans for a high-speed rail line linking Limpopo and Gauteng were in the feasibility study stage.
The SOPA took place in Katlehong on Thursday night, with Lesufi saying the move was aimed at “bringing government to the people”.
“We will accelerate infrastructure investment to maintain Gauteng's position as the economic hub,” he added.
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Lesufi said rebuilding Gauteng's economy required a rethinking of the province's traditional model of economic growth and development.
“South Africa is a unitary state. There is nothing to prevent each province from rethinking the contours of its provincial economy and where there is potential for mutual benefit. In this regard, we will work across provincial boundaries with neighbouring provinces where there is potential for mutual benefit.”
He said the aim was to strengthen economic ties with the province through capital investment projects across provincial boundaries.
Lesufi added:
Harrissmith has potential for e-commerce due to its proximity to Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. It is well located to become a transport and logistics hub for moving goods across provincial borders.
“Secondly, in Emfuleni we want to capitalise on the connections that come from Sasolburg’s proximity to Gauteng. This will create opportunities to build new roads and housing, create a tourism hub and also create a new economic hub by utilising the Vaal Dam and the Vaal River.”
The Chief Minister said that by working with the local government, the crisis around the Vaal Dam could be addressed.
“The third opportunity is to connect Gauteng and Rustenburg. There is an opportunity for enhanced inter-provincial transport and the development of new cities and towns, which will bring mutual benefits to the Gauteng and North West economies,” he said.
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“This will increase investment in the region and ensure economic growth in the Magaliesburg region with Rustenburg as its base. We are driving the development of Lanseria Smart City and linking it with the West Rand economy. We are also strengthening our international relations and business engagements.”
Lesufi added that the government has visited the UAE, Finland and China several times under its sixth term and will soon announce cooperation with these countries.
Other important announcements made during Mr Lesufi’s speech included:
- Establishment of state-owned banks and pharmaceutical companies.
- Conduct lifestyle audits of all department heads and CEOs of GPG agencies.
- Hold a provincial investment conference to further attract and expand private investment.
- It will provide retraining for around 500,000 unemployed people in Gauteng.
- Expansion of schools of specialized programs.
- 250 vehicles have been handed over to the South African Police Service to step up its efforts in the fight against crime.
- More than 400 high-visibility police vehicles have also been deployed to high-crime areas, along with three helicopters and drones.
- Exploring housing opportunities in Carlton Centre will revitalize the Central Business District (CBD) as a vibrant economic hub.
This is Lesufi's second SOPA this year, following the last one of his sixth administration.
At the time, his party, the ANC, held a huge majority in government.
But Mr Lesufi's situation has changed significantly since the May elections, with the ANC now embroiled in the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) along with several other parties, except the DA.
“This GPU is responsible for driving the transformation agenda and lifting the people of the state from want, poverty and destitution while promoting economic growth. I would like to thank eight of the 11 political parties that supported the budget. I would also like to thank one party that abstained and two parties that opposed it,” the Chief Minister said.
The prime minister reiterated that his government is “not a minority government, but a people's government.”
Lesufi said:
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the political parties who have set aside ideological differences and come together in response to the electoral mandate of the people of Gauteng. We have formed our Seventh Government to fully express this new reality.
“I am confident that all stakeholders will spare no effort in the name of GPU and with the determination to improve the quality of life of the people of the state in the next five years,” he said.
Lesufi added that the GPU must transcend the selfish considerations of its members and discharge its mandate in the overall interest of the state.
“The people of our province expect nothing less. At the same time, I would like to thank all political parties who have taken the conscious decision to withdraw from the GPU and I am pleased with their stated determination to continue working for a common vision for Gauteng from an opposition position,” he said.
“Just because they sit on the other side of this chamber does not mean that their contribution to the development agenda is any less meaningful. Ultimately, their selection is due to our shared commitment to improved, ethical, competent, responsive and effective governance.”
