Premier of Mpumalanga shares plans for the province in Sopa

In her speech, she discussed the province’s plans, challenges and achievements.

These issues ranged between job creation initiatives, investing in Mpumalanga economy, bulk water infrastructure, infrastructure development, strengthening the healthcare system post-pandemic, game-changing interventions and support for traditional leadership.

Job creation initiatives were one of the issues that have raised concern in the province, and the premier said the local government has a plan.

“The Mpumalanga Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan aims to place the provincial economy on a growth trajectory to create more job opportunities for the people of Mpumalanga. The provincial and local municipalities will intensify existing programmes, such as the Social Enterprise Development Programme, Government Nutrition Programme, Expanded Public Works Programme, Siyatentela Roads Maintenance Programme, National Youth Service, paving of township and municipal roads, Emerging Contractor Development Programme and skills development to create massive job opportunities. Forty-four applications were finally approved by the Mpumalanga Youth Development Fund for funding and sent to MEGA for disbursement.

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“Vodacom has announced that it will invest R450m into its network and power backup upgrades across the province.

“We launched the skywalk project at the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve along the Panorama Route in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality. The skywalk will turn God’s Window into a global must-see location and offer visitors a panoramic 360-degree view, with a 12-metre walkway suspended on the cliff. This will create more than 100 permanent jobs, and during construction, 300 job opportunities.

A recent study by the Goldman Sachs Investment Bank found that the cannabis industry will average 20% growth over the next decade. As a province, we are blessed with weather patterns that make the cultivation of cannabis a sustainable revenue stream for the provincial fiscus.”

The condition of the local infrastructure is also an issue that is highly discussed by community members.

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“We shall accelerate the completion of infrastructural projects, including but not limited to the parliamentary village, the Mpumalanga Fresh Produce Market, Tekwane South Bridge, Bethal Hospital, Mapulaneng Hospital and Mammethlake Hospital, as some of these had been interrupted by illicit forums extorting money and blocking the delivery of services.

“We have initiated new projects, including providing 176 schools with water and sanitation, and 183 schools are undergoing maintenance and refurbishment; 40 new classrooms in fast-growing towns will be built. We will deliver 2 453 housing units through the Rural Housing Programme, Military Veteran Housing Programme,

Finance-linked Individual Subsidy and other individual subsidies.

“Sanral, the national road agency, will invest R9bn on road infrastructure in the province.”

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