Mpumalanga premier conducts last day of Taking Legislature to the People
Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane said it is her responsibility to give feedback to the people and to make sure the public participates.
“Taking legislature to the people is one of the cornerstones of our democratic process that is enshrined in our constitution,” said the Mpumalanga premier, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium during the last day of the five-day Taking the Legislature to the People programme on March 31.
She said for public participation to be successful and inclusive, it must meet all four requirements, which are informing, consulting with, involving and giving feedback to the public.
“Over the last couple of days, lawmakers have been gathering inputs from a wide spectrum of stakeholders and interest groups. They have listened to a wide range of views and concerns and they have provided fair treatment, meaningful involvement and social inclusion for all people who have participated in various excursions and community meetings.”
ALSO READ: ANC Ehlanzeni reflects back on first 365 days in office
Mtshweni-Tsipane said as the premier and head of the executive, it is her responsibility to give feedback. “Thembisile Hani Local Municipality has raised a number of issues ranging from our health sector to the state of our infrastructure, the lack of sports facilities, water challenges, housing shortages and inadequate basic service delivery in general.
“Sizimisele ngayo yoke indlela ukuthi sihlangabezane nani kizo zoke iindingo zenu [We are dedicated to meet all your needs].”
She said for the past decade, there has been a steady but significant decline in the number of learners in this municipality who passed matric. “In 2014, more than 77% learners passed matric in this area. That figure declined to 71.1% in 2021 and to 67.7% last year. Through the Department of Education’s Ayihlome Ifunde Campaign, we have started to send teams to all poor-performing schools in the area.
ALSO READ: All charges against four accused of Hillary Gardee’s murder provisionally withdrawn
“As part of our strategy to target basic service delivery, we have directed all our municipalities, including Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, to set aside at least 50% to 75% of their municipal infrastructure grant allocation to address water and sanitation infrastructure challenges.”
She addressed various other issues, such as the mud house that were affected by the recent heavy rains, the Premier’s Youth Development Fund, the shortage of medical staff and the Mpumalanga Youth Advisory and Advocacy Council.
