Gautrain is coming to Springs

The atmosphere was thick with excitement as hopeful residents waited for the Cabinet to address them.

The Ekurhuleni Presidential Imbizo at Tsakani Stadium on Friday was the first of such a gathering in the seventh administration.

“I have taken note of everything that has been said. So have all the ministers and deputy ministers,” said president Cyril Ramaphosa.

The president stated he was pleased with the ministers of the Government of National Unity (GNU) and how they have worked well together, though they come from different political parties.

The president then called up ministers, and other relevant officials, to address the concerns raised by residents.

“We are expanding the Gautrain to Springs. Building that infrastructure will create 75 000 permanent jobs,” announced Gauteng premier, Panyaza Lesufi.

Lesufi added that Gauteng in partnership with MTN, Huawei and Into IT, will ensure that 20 more townships will receive reliable free Wi-Fi.

“As indicated, people are desperate for support for small businesses. We are running a programme called the Shared Economic Infrastructure Facility. That is where we build offices and workshops for residents in a municipality.

“We have built one such building in Springs, that will be opened in September,” explained Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Minister of Small Business Development.

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Ndabeni-Abrahams encouraged business owners to explore all available systems to develop their businesses, including training.

This was in response to one resident who expressed concern about illegal businesses suffocating small businesses in the area.

He said some businesses are failing because they have to compete with people operating illegally and who do not even pay taxes to the state.

“There has to be a way to regulate all businesses and to ensure those running the businesses are in the country legally,” he said.