NELSPRUIT – “We are at the beginning of a long journey to a truly united, democratic and prosperous South Africa,” said the premier Mr David Mabuza in his state of the province address (Sopa) on Friday.
In the last of these addresses of his current five-year term, he summarised the achievements and failures of the provincial government, whose five-year term ends with the general elections on May 7. He told the press afterwards that while he will remain chairman of the provincial ANC for at least another two years, he will serve the organisation in whatever capacity they want him.
He would not say whether or not he would serve another term as premier after the elections.
Basic services
Water provision increased to 94,9 per cent of households, access to sanitation increased to 89,8 per cent, and refuse removal services are accessed by 54 per cent after five years. Mabuza blamed service delivery disruptions on ageing infrastructure, illegal connections, a shortage of bulk infrastructure and poor operations and maintenance, with water topping the list of challenges.
Corruption
The provincial anti-corruption council has adopted a detailed policy to prevent government employees from working outside their employ. More than 545 officials accused of with doing business with the provincial government and municipalities have been dealt with by means of disciplinary measures and 67 have been charged with corruption over the five years.
Crime
Contact crimes like attempted murder, assault, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and robbery, have consistently decreased. Arson, malicious damage to property, stock theft, shoplifting and hijacking general declined. Sex crime decreased until last year but then it increased by five per cent. Intervention areas in the province include border management, stock theft, immigration and public participation. A total of 588 tourism safety monitors have been deployed to identified crime hotspots. There has also been an increase in death on Mpumalanga roads.
Education
A total of 1 646 no-fee schools are currently educating 863 690 pupils. The school nutrition programme feeds 874 600 per year. A maths, science and technology academy has been established and should open in August. According to the premier, 135 741 learners have been registered in early childhood development (ECD) centres. He noted that the qualification of ECD practitioners needed to improve and infrastructure in rural areas required accelerated provision. R2,9 billion was invested in infrastructure to build 25 new schools, 26 grade R facilities, three boarding schools and the rebuilding of 19 storm-damaged schools. The matric pass rate stood at 77,6 per cent in 2013, with passes in maths and science standing at 22 405, up from 15 575 in 2009. Mabuza said the continued poor performance in annual national assessments were of grave concern.
Housing
The premier said 10 906 houses had been delivered to people through the comprehensive rural development plan over the past five years.
Infrastructure
R12,2 billion was spent on improving road infrastructure as well as social and economic structures. “The fact of the matter is that the backlog is still enormous, with current demand outstripping our available resources.”
Initiations
Mabuza said the House of Traditional Leaders was committed to working closely with the department of health to develop stringent measures to avoid a repeat of the fatalities resulting from the ingoma last year.
Integrated human settlements
In all, 29 488 housing units had been built, of which 6 388 were still incomplete. Access to social housing increased to 14 436. Beneficiaries had been identified in all municipalities and an audit on housing delivery challenges had been completed. An additional 1 839 hectares of land been acquired for integrated human settlements.
Job creation
The province, with an unemployment rate that currently stands at 27,2 per cent,of which more than 70 per cent are the youth, failed in its target of creating 70 000 to 80 000 jobs annually. Instead, it notched up 97 000 over the past five years. This was largely due to the decline in growth of GDP which fell short of its targeted five per cent due to the global economic meltdown that started in 2008.
Land Reform
Mpumalanga’s performance was below par with only 38 000 hectares acquired instead of the 120 000 targeted. Only 30 farms of the total of 292, were recapitalised and developed. Mabuza cited the tardy land-claim process as well as infighting between farmers as the reasons for this.
Municipalities
Municipalities continued to struggle to be financially viable and to collect their revenue. Government departments settled a debt of R367 million to municipalities at the end of January. He said there was an improvement at a ward level, of collaboration between traditional leaders, councillors and ward committees.
Poverty
The share of income from the poorest 40 per cent of households improved to stand at 8,3 per cent in 2012, which Mabuza said was still inadequate as it should be 10 per cent to make a meaningful impact on the poor.
Private partnerships
The province made agreements with the private sector in assisting with development in the mining, tourism, agriculture and manufacturing sectors. No fewer than 998 bursaries from Sasol, BHP Billiton, Xstrata and Eskom had awarded to youths for scarce skills development. A total of 10 821 people were also accredited in technical skills in manufacture, engineering, construction and entrepreneurship, while 741 received accredited skills in hospitality and tourism.
Service delivery protests
Mabuza condemned violence during protests. “We need to send a clear message that some protestors are undermining these hard-earned fundamental rights of citizens, through their actions. “As government we will enforce the rule of law to protect innocent people and public assets.”
