Lesufi’s SOPA address filled with spark, but will it catch fire?

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi delivered an incredible maiden speech at the State of the Province Address on Monday evening. Despite falling support for the ANC generally, the plans on paper at least show a party that hopes to deliver improved services across the board to its citizens.

Yet, even Lesufi acknowledged their poor record by opening the address with this quote, “If I had a choice, I would not deliver this State of the Province Address (SOPA), as our people have lost confidence in what we say. They think we talk too much and do too little. Let me assure you, we will talk less and do more. We are getting Gauteng back to work!”

Beverly Jacobs Ward 98 councillor said in reaction to the speech, “After the promises made at the last SOPA by David Makhura, I have seen none of the benefits described then. Listening to last night’s promises, it feels like deja vu. I have very limited faith that the grand gestures will be materially realised this time around considering the daily requests I get for employment opportunities and effective policing for my residents. I am not holding my breath as these promises are made year, in and year out.”

Johnny Matisonn, analyst and author who is in Northcliff this week said, “Lesufi has made extraordinarily ambitious promises. If he can pull them off, he would arrest the ANC’s decline in Gauteng. But first, he has to show he can implement them more effectively than the ANC has been able to do so far. For example, the police, who do not fall under him, will have to act much more effectively than they ever have. If he can’t achieve these things, this will lead to more disillusionment.”

Comment from role players that the paper spoke to:

Solly Msimanga, DA Gauteng Leader

“Tonight, we won’t get the true state of the problems in our province. We will get more pipe dreams and more wishy-washy commitments that are not going to translate into anything concrete. We will get more promises as the ANC becomes more and more desperate before the 2024 elections. They will make grand announcements about a state bank, township rejuvenation, and so on but nothing will take shape. For example, they have already passed the Township Economic Development Bill which has not translated into anything.

“In terms of implementation, we have already heard about how spaza shops are going to be renovated with taxpayers’ money which is not going to assist the real economy of our townships. What we need to hear is how we are going to deal with the energy crisis in Gauteng. How are they going to resource the police so they can do the job that they need to do on the ground? We are told about panic buttons that are going to be distributed. We will give people panic buttons but when they are pressed which police will come? The police already have stations that do not have electricity, who will respond when someone calls 10111?”

EFF provincial chairperson for Gauteng Nkululeko Dunga

“The EFF has just come from a caucus to process our attitude towards this legislature sitting. We are extremely dissatisfied with governance, especially in Gauteng, and the state of mismanagement of finances in the province. However, before we can criticise and go hullabaloo and take such extreme positions as to disrupt proceedings, we would have internally tried to correct. So, we try to internally correct governance, and trying to correct via disruptions should be the last resort. We are known to be anarchists which we are not. We are one of the most disciplined organisations in the country and the EFF is here to just come and listen.”

“The premier is obviously going to speak about unemployment, but he is equally going to speak of how great his government has been doing. In everything that is wrong with this country, they will try to narrate a picture of a government that works, which is everything but the truth. So, we are expecting a lot of lies about a picture that does not exist.”

ANC Chief Whip and Gauteng ANC spokesperson Lesego Makhubela

“We are here to celebrate the triumph of the South African human spirit which was able to conquer the pandemic and other challenges like massive blackouts. The premier will not just pontificate over problems but will show how the ANC-led provincial government will respond within the context that the president has announced. We will do everything in our power to harness the sun, power our homes and industries, and turn the economic tide and create jobs.”

ANC Deputy Chief Whip Thoko Magagula

“I know they will criticise the premier’s speech by saying it’s the same song since 2014 or 1994. As for how our citizens are struggling, we are struggling too. I am from that background. When they struggle, I am struggling too. What they are not getting, neither am I. If there is no water or electricity I don’t have too, but one day soon, things will be ok.”

A brief outline of plans for the province as laid out by the premier

• Crime

Gauteng is the home of heartless and merciless criminals who do as they wish. Fighting crime is our apex priority. Car and facial recognition CCTV cameras will be installed, and residents will be armed with e-panic buttons linked to law enforcement agencies.

Two new helicopters have been bought with another four within the 2023/4 budget cycle. The private security agencies have also pledged to add theirs to the pool of helicopters that will patrol our skies. 180 state-of-the-art drones to infiltrate areas that are difficult to police to monitor will be unveiled along with 400 new police vehicles and 6000 new members to monitor and police the province. Private security companies have also agreed to combine their resources with ours under a joint command structure to help fight crime together.

• GBV
  Gender-Based Violence is increasing and a fund has been allocated to respond to this by strengthening green door projects and working with Ikhaya Lethemba.
• Drugs and substance abuse

1 351 additional beds will be added to treatment facilities and existing venues improved to help those suffering from addiction.

• Townships and informal settlements
  The Township Economic Development Act was adopted recently to support township businesses and fund them. Funds will be made available for goods and services to support township economies which includes firing up local economies, employment, and internet services to residents in these communities.
• Transport

The Naledi-to-Park Station, Mabopane-and Saulsville-to-Pretoria train lines are back in operation. Work with PRASA is underway to speed up the opening of the additional lines, such as the Vereniging and the Germiston train lines. Talks are ongoing with the Limpopo Provincial Government to formally start a process to link Gauteng and Limpopo through a new faster and more efficient rail network.

• Taxi industry
  R20 million has been set aside for seed capital for taxi associations to raise money in the market. Taxi ranks will become future shopping stations with restaurants, petrol stations, banks, and small businesses.
• Informal settlements

Part of the plan to ensure informal settlements don’t escalate is the establishment of a 24-hour anti-land invasion tactical unit to prevent people from invading land illegally. Rather than have people wait for RDP housing, fully serviced stands with roads, water, and electricity are being released.

•  Homelessness

A draft policy to deal with the homeless is being finalised to enable the government to relocate and assist people sleeping rough. To mitigate urban hunger, R64 million has been set aside for food parcels, and R26 million for dignity packs (sanitary pads, soap, toothpaste et cetera).

• Health
  In the new financial year, the completion of six new clinics will bring much-needed services to the people of Hammanskraal, Daveyton, Soshanguve, and Sebokeng. A state-owned pharmaceutical company will be launched to ensure no hospital or clinic runs out of medication.
• Education

Gauteng is being benchmarked against international countries by participating in some international examinations like the Trends in Mathematics and Science Studies (TIMSS) where we ranked 11th with Singapore being number one worldwide.

Gauteng has budgeted R6 million to build new schools in high-pressure communities and to rebuild 18 old asbestos schools at a cost of R1.5 billion sourced from the national treasury.

• Youth
  By the end of this term, 152 000 young people will be employed by the provincial government: 100 000 for the government’s Expanded Public Works Programme, 40 000 for educational and general teacher assistance, and 6 000 for crime prevention wardens.
• Officers of state

The State Security Agency was authorised to conduct lifestyle audits on the premier and all members of the executive council (MECs) where no conflict of interest was found. New MECs will undergo a similar process. The same will happen for public servants and other officials.

• Energy
  Gauteng province’s electricity capacity deficit is at 4058 mega volt-amperes (MVA). The Gauteng provincial government is releasing R1.2 billion towards resolving the energy crisis. From next week, a call for proposals for alternative suppliers of energy that can contribute to the solution and for the reindustrialisation of Gauteng. From April 1, investment in roof-top solar panels in health facilities, schools, and libraries will roll out to ensure they have energy and can provide much-needed services to our communities.
• Gauteng Treasury

A new fully-fledged invoicing dispute resolutions unit will serve as an ombudsman for disputed invoices. This unit will be obliged to resolve disputed invoices within seven working days unless the matter is with other agencies of the state, or, it involves acts of corruption.

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