The newly elected Speaker of the Provincial Legislature, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya and her deputy, Jerry Ndou are expected to preside over a sitting of the official opening of the Legislature scheduled for 5 July in the Legislative chamber in Lebowakgomo during which Premier Stan Mathabatha would deliver the State of the Province Address (Sopa) in the sixth legislature term.
He is anticipated to officially outline programmes that government departments will be undertaking in the current financial year. In his previous Sopa in February, he emphasised commitments to create more jobs and sustainable livelihoods for inclusive growth, to embark on a programme of rural development, land reform and food security, to improve the quality of the education and its outcomes, to improve the health of the population and expand access to quality public health, and above all, to fight crime and corruption.
Initially Mathabatha pointed out tourism as a major job creator as he highlighted that Limpopo has since 2014 received over 27,5 million domestic travellers. During the same period, the province was able to attract 7,8 million international tourists, he stated and added that they intend to build on these figures as they position the tourism sector to become a major job creator in the province. With youth unemployment having been identified as a national crisis, Mathabatha is expected to table ways the provincial government plans to use tackle this huge elephant.
Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
