Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane officially opened the Mpumalanga Legislature on Friday February 25. In her State of the Province Address, she touched on various issues in the province.

While discussing matters of attracting and investing in the Mpumalanga economy, the premier said, “As part of our efforts to stimulate the provincial economy, we will host a trade and investments conference within the next three months, focusing on technology, agro-processing, mining, green economy and manufacturing.

“We have established a Just Transition and Climate Change Working Group that reports directly to the Office of the Premier on a quarterly basis. This will enable us to tap in the R131bn that has been promised by the industrialised countries to help South Africa implement a Just Transition to low carbon while addressing job security for the affected communities.

“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, which were interrupted by illicit forums extorting money and blocking the delivery of services.”

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Mtshweni-Tsipane also spoke about the plan of fighting crime and creating safe environment for all citizens. “This remains one of our top priorities.

It is our obligation to ensure that all citizens of this province and non-citizens feel safe and are protected.

We are committing ourselves to continue fighting crime and corruption using all available resources at our disposal. It is our desire that one day all our people will walk the streets at any time of the day, free and fearless.”

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This is a developing story. Read more in the next print edition of Mpumalanga News.