Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu emphasised job creation, infrastructure recovery and youth development as key priorities during his State of the Province Address (Sopa) on Thursday.

Speaking at the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, Ndlovu said creating employment opportunities remains government’s ‘utmost priority.’

According to the premier, about 28 700 jobs were created in the province in 2025, bringing the total number of employed residents to about 1.28 million.

He said the provincial government aims to create around 60 000 jobs annually through economic development programmes.

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Mpumalanga’s unemployment rate currently stands at 32.3%, reflecting a slight improvement compared with previous years when the rate exceeded 34%.

Ndlovu also highlighted a memorandum of understanding between government and the University of Mpumalanga, which he said could support large-scale job creation initiatives in future.

A significant portion of his speech focused on the impact of recent floods across the province.
Ndlovu said flood-related damage is currently estimated at about R6b, although assessments are still ongoing as repair work continues.

The provincial government has set aside funding to repair damaged infrastructure, particularly roads, while also working with the national Department of Agriculture to support affected farmers.

“Government is also preparing for the upcoming winter fire season, which typically peaks between June and July,” he said during the press briefing.

Water supply challenges in several municipalities were also addressed.

Ndlovu said the province plans to increase investment in water infrastructure and is working with national entities on major water projects, including upgrades linked to Loskop Dam. However, he pointed to illegal water connections as a major contributor to supply problems, particularly in Bushbuckridge, saying these connections reduce water pressure in the system.

Ndlovu further indicated that plans are being developed for the construction of a new dam near Mbombela, with construction potentially starting around 2027.

The proposed Boschjeskop Dam has been discussed for years as part of long-term water security planning for the City of Mbombela. However, the project has appeared in multiple development plans over the past decade, yet construction has still not begun. Environmental approvals and funding remain key hurdles.

Opposition parties criticised the speech, arguing that key infrastructure challenges in the province remain unresolved.

According to Werner Weber of the FF Plus, the provincial government is not allocating sufficient funding towards infrastructure development. Weber said only about 2% of the provincial budget is currently spent on infrastructure, compared with about 6% in KwaZulu-Natal and 7% in the Western Cape.

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He argued that infrastructure investment is essential for economic growth and service delivery.
DA MPL Bosman Grobler said several major projects in the province remain incomplete despite government assurances that development programmes are progressing well.

Among the projects he highlighted were an unfinished hospital project in Middelburg and the Mkhondo Boarding School project, which has not been completed.

“Several agricultural agri-hubs have stalled as well,” he said.

The Middelburg Regional Hospital project has been plagued by contractor problems, cost overruns and years of delays.

Grobler said Ndlovu’s speech did not provide clear solutions for addressing these stalled developments. According to him, many projects in the province remain unfinished while communities continue to wait for improved services.

The premier also highlighted programmes aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs, saying youth development remains a priority for the provincial government. Funding initiatives are intended to assist youth-owned businesses and stimulate economic participation among young people.

This year’s address by Premier Ndlovu reflected a slightly more measured acknowledgement of provincial challenges than some of the more politically charged speeches of previous years, yet it still left many of the same questions unanswered regarding tangible solutions and timelines.