Breakdown of the state of province, critical issues

PREMIER Stanley Mathabatha delivered his state of the province address on Thursday.

Here is what he said on some of the main issues:

Education

Over 96% of learners in Limpopo are benefitting from the no-fee school policy. No less than 96% of learners in quintile 1, 2 and 3 and special schools are beneficiaries of the school feeding scheme. Some 20 500 learners will benefit from scholar transport in 2014. Additional resources committed to support the early childhood development programme.

Universal access to primary healthcare

Government has pledged to ensure a comprehensive health service that promotes good health, prevents illness, provide care and rehabilitative services to the ill and people with disabilities. A turn-around strategy which is aimed at addressing issues relating to long queues, shortage of medicines and health professionals. Halting the spread of HIV/aids and TB, reducing maternal and child mortality, reducing high levels of non-communicable diseases and addressing management challenges in our healthcare facilities. R20 million set aside to finance potential young people to study medicine in Cuba.

An increase in the number of patients on antiretroviral treatment (ARV) from 26 650 in 2009 to almost 50 000 during this financial year. This is attributed to, among others: an increase in the number of ART service points, improved counselling services, effective awareness campaigns and the lowering of CD4 count threshold. The implementation of the national health insurance scheme in the province.

Economic development and job creation

Mining houses should adopt programmes in FET colleges or adopting the colleges themselves. Mining houses must appreciate their responsibility to invest in improving the living conditions of communities around mining areas. There is a need for a provincial mining summit to deal with critical issues.

Tourism has been identified as one of the strategic economic growth drivers. Limpopo has shown an increase of 35% in international tourism since 2004 and a steady growth in domestic tourism in the previous year. The province recorded the highest growth in 2011 with 3,3 million tourist arrivals. Tourism development product has improved since 2004. This is attributed to private sector and government investment in tourism infrastructure to the tune of R1,6 billion. To date this investment has resulted in no less than 23 000 sustainable jobs created in the sector.

Local government and access to basic services

Develope a local government turnaround strategy (LGTAS) as a strategic guide to support and enhance capacity at local government level.

Strategies have been developed by provincial treasury and the department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs in assisting municipalities to address shortage of skills.

Increase the number of people with access to water from 78% in 2001 to 86% in 2011. Increase the provision of electricity to people from 62,9% in 2001 to 87,3% in 2011. Investe resources in the construction, upgrading and rehabilitation of water sources.

De Hoop Dam in Sekhukhune District is almost complete and the bulk distribution pipelines are in various stages of implementation. Construction of this dam will be completed by the end of next month. The Mokolo Crocodile Water Augmentation Project in Lephalale is expected to be completed in September 2014. This R2,1 billion worth project will provide raw bulk water to massive development in Lephalale and surrounding areas. The Nandoni Dam in Vhembe has since been completed, and is on the verge of benefiting not only much-needed drinking water to our communities, but also the development of the economy.

The Eskom investment of no less than R120 billion into the world’s biggest dry-cooled power station in Lephalale will go a long way in addressing our electricity challenges.

The provision of sanitation services has increased from 26% in 2001 to 37,9% in 2011. Refuse removal services have increased from 15,6% in 2001 to 21,8% in 2011.

Government has built over 250 000 houses for poor families, benefitting about one million people and 12 000 housing units through the enhanced extended discount benefit scheme have been given out.

Rural development and agrarian reform

Government has implemented various food security interventions for the benefit of subsistence farmers and poor households in the form of infrastructure development and production inputs.

Since 2009, a total of 104 micro enterprises were funded for infrastructure development at a cost of about R50 million

A total of 1 776 emerging farmers projects were assisted with seedlings, fertilisers, animal production stock, animal feeds and medication at a total cost of R116,4 million over the past 20 years.

A total of R614 million has been spent to assist 500 projects and 9 453 beneficiaries since 2009.

Fighting crime and corruption

Those found on the wrong side of the law must be made to pay for their misdeeds. Some 300 civil servants, including high ranking officials, have either been charged or face corruption related charges.

Government has come up with multi-faceted approach to crime, which includes the police, crime intelligent community, the defence force and the farming community.

Limpopo has turned its financial state around from an overdraft of R1,7 billion to a positive balance of R4,4 billion as of the end of January.