POLOKWANE – The Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, delivered the 2026 State of the Province Address (Sopa) at the Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane last Thursday, outlining government’s priorities to tackle among others, water shortages, expand public infrastructure and strengthen the fight against HIV and tuberculosis.

The address forms part of the Limpopo Development Plan’s five-year vision, which aims to improve service delivery and socio-economic conditions across the province by 2030.

Water crisis

Ramathuba acknowledged the ongoing water crisis in the city, where residents and businesses have experienced days – and some months – without potable water. Some residents have also reported falling ill after consuming discoloured water.

She said she would meet with the Minister of Water and Sanitation to finalise a way forward and clarify responsibilities between institutions involved in water supply.

Bulk water supplier Lepelle Northern Water and the Polokwane Municipality have recently been at odds, each denying responsibility for the ongoing supply problems. “Let me be equally clear: Polokwane does not owe Lepelle Northern Water. But the reality remains that each institution must do its part, on time, and without excuses, because the people of Limpopo do not drink explanations,” Ramathuba said.

She also announced plans to establish a provincial water war room across water services authorities, coordinated by the Office of the Premier and supported by the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA).

“War rooms must be placed where problems are fixed, not discussed endlessly,” she said.

Progress in HIV and TB response

Ramathuba said Limpopo has recorded improved outcomes in the fight against HIV. Retention on antiretroviral therapy increased from 93.5% to above the national target of 95% in September 2025.

Children’s retention on treatment has also improved, while paediatric viral load suppression increased to above the national average.

She said prevention initiatives are showing progress, with HIV positivity among 14- and 15-year-olds declining. Partnerships with higher education institutions and community-based interventions, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for high-risk HIV-negative mothers, have supported these efforts.

Tuberculosis screening and treatment initiation have also intensified with minimal loss to follow-up.

Housing delivery

Ramathuba reported that during the 2025/26 financial year, the Department of CoGHSTA delivered 3 469 houses and completed 918 serviced sites. Annual targets were 2 923 houses and 1 962 serviced sites.

“These outcomes reflect both progress and areas requiring acceleration, particularly in bulk services and connections,” she said.

Opposition reactions

Opposition parties in the provincial legislature criticised aspects of the address. EFF provincial chairperson Lawrence Mapoulo said the premier failed to report on some commitments made in the 2025 address. He said that for a second consecutive financial year, funds allocated for the construction of the ZCC road had been returned to the National Treasury.

He also criticised the shift from the provincial slogan “Dilo di Tshentshitse” to the new approach of “one village at a time”.

DA leader in the provincial legislature Lindy Wilson said economic growth remains too slow to address unemployment and poverty. “If we are to meaningfully reduce unemployment, poverty and the cost of living, economic growth must accelerate.”

Wilson added that while the province recorded GDP growth of 0.9% and the official unemployment rate declined to 28.2% in the fourth quarter of 2025, the expanded unemployment rate remains at 46.1%.

“Nearly half of Limpopo’s working-age population is excluded from meaningful economic participation,” she said.

Members of the Limpopo Legislature are expected to respond to the address during a Sopa debate scheduled to take place at the Lebowakgomo Legislative Chambers.