David Makhura, the Gauteng Premier, revealed government’s plans for the West Rand as well as the province during the State of the Province Address held at the Greenhills Stadium in Randfontein on Monday, 19 February.
Makhura has recently come under fire after the deaths of more than 100 psychiatric patients in Gauteng, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) claiming he had extensive knowledge of the situation. Subsequently, members of the DA demonstrated outside the stadium, carrying flags with the words, “Remember the Esidimeni 100+” on them, with the previous number (94) crossed out.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were not as subtle in their approach to the matter and directly after the opening of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), they raised three points of privilege on the Esidimeni matter. The EFF requested Makhura to address the Esidimeni matter before continuing with his address, but the request was denied three times by the Speaker.
However, when it came time for Mahkura to address the province, the Esidimeni saga was the first point in his speech. He took no responsibility for the matter, but put forward ways in which to rebuild the Gauteng Department of Health’s reputation and remedy the situation.
Other notable parts of his address included township economies, on which he put great emphasis. He focused on township enterprises and black-owned business and how government’s plan is to work with industry leaders to ensure the growth and sustainability of said businesses by exposing them to wider market opportunities.
On the subject of land, Makhura came closer to home, stating that both Mogale City and the Rand West municipality will have mega settlements within two decades. This also applies to the greater Gauteng, due to the rapid growth of the province’s population. Makhura assured listeners that he was taking the need for socio-economic development into consideration.
Makhura went on to say that the e-toll matter was a failure, and that nothing will go ahead without full public consultation.
As far as education was concerned, Makhura congratulated the West Rand for taking centre stage by achieving the top spot in the province for 2016, and for the area’s consistent academic success. Makhura then announced that higher education funding will be upped to R1 billion annually by 2019.
He also announced that the sale of the premier’s residence in 2016 had yielded R16 million, which will be pumped back into education. He said the money would be used to fund the further education of 40 township students at higher learning institutions.
Makhura continued, saying that the West Rand area is one of five economic development doorways which he will be working with. He promised housing for various areas within the West Rand and reported that the N14 upgrades have been completed. Furthermore, repairs to other roads are high priority. He then announced that a bicycle assembly factory would soon be built in Mohakeng.
In addition to this, he announced the success of two AgriParks in the region, and mentioned that others still needed to be completed. Lastly, Makhura announced that 178 farmers on smallholdings are currently being supported by provincial government, with more expected in future.
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Also read:
Chaos in Randfontein during Gauteng Premier’s visit
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