The Limpopo government pursues a new vision

LIMPOPO – THE premier, Stanley Mathabatha recently unveiled a new policy blueprint for the province. That policy blueprint is called the Provincial Development Plan (PDP). The PDP is a 10-point strategic plan which seeks to integrate policy planning and implementation in the province. It brings coherence, uniformity and dynamism into the provincial government’s service delivery commitments. The PDP aligns the development plans of municipalities with key priorities of the provincial government. This master plan (PDP) will help to eliminate institutional discrepancies between municipalities and the provincial government. The integrated developmental plans of municipalities should reflect the province’s service delivery priorities.

Between 1994 and 2013, the province’s development strategies have been implemented in an isolated and disjointed manner. The first premier, Ngoako Ramatlhodi, initiated and effected the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS). Ramatlhodi also crafted the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy (ISRDS). The two plans managed to improve “rural household income levels” and literacy rates in the province. The ISRDS brought electricity and drinkable running water into many villages across the province. A great weakness rooted in Ramatlhodi’s plans was that they lacked pragmatic coherence and uniformity.

The province’s second premier, Sello Moloto never allowed himself to be outsmarted by his predecessor, Ramatlhodi. Moloto identified macro-infrastural development and foreign direct investment as his foremost priorities. He initiated and rolled-out a five-year econmic plan known as the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS).

Under Moloto’s stewardship, the province’s economic growth averaged 5% and the private sector also expanded. Unfortunately, Moloto’s PGDS failed to improve and increase the rural household income levels. The PGDS’ s great shortfall was that it neglected the plight of the poor and the unemployed. Notwithstanding that, Moloto built a brilliant foundation for our macro-economy to grow and thrive.

Our third premier, Cassel Mathale crafted and implemented the Limpopo Employment, Growth and Development Strategy (LEGDS). It was a brilliant strategy that was supposed to propel our province to higher heights of economic prosperity. Unfortunately, the Mathale administration had no willingness to create a better life for all residents. The good intentions of LEGDS were severely compromised by rampant corruption, maladministration and nepotism. The Mathale administration reversed all the economic achievements recorded by Ramatlhodi and Moloto. In August 2013, the ANC swiftly dismissed Mathale as premier and was replaced by Mathabatha.

Mathabatha managed to restore the institutional reputation and brand image of the province. The Provincial Development Plan (PDP) should transform our villages and townships into resourceful suburbs. Limpopo should become a wonderful place of prosperity where dreams are realised and fulfilled. The PDP should succeed in its mission to eliminate poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and mediocrity in the province.

Elvis Masoga

Political analyst