Rosebank councillors weigh in on SONA’s medium-term development plan
During the State of the Nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined a medium-term development plan aimed at creating jobs, reducing poverty, and building a developmental state.
Rosebank ward councillors shared their mixed views about the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa on February 6.
The president outlined that a medium-term development plan was adopted recently, to set out a clear and ambitious programme for the next five years.
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The actions contained in the medium-term development plan will advance three strategic priorities:
• Firstly, to drive inclusive growth and job creation,
• Secondly, to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living, and
• Thirdly, to build a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
“Our most urgent task is to grow our economy so that we can create jobs, reduce poverty, and improve the lives of all South Africans. To undertake this task we need a government that works for the people,” noted Ramaphosa.
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He added that in many cities and towns across the country, roads were not maintained, water and electricity supplies were often disrupted, refuse was not collected, and sewage ran in the streets.
Providing a solution, Ramaphosa said: “Starting this year, we will work with our municipalities to establish professionally managed, ring-fenced utilities for water and electricity services to ensure adequate investment and maintenance. We will review the funding model for municipalities, as many do not have a viable and sustainable revenue base.”
Ward 74 councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku found the SONA interesting. “The Electricity Amendment Act will affect local government, which will see more competitiveness in electricity supply, which could possibly assist with lengthy outages and affordability.”
Kayser-Echeozonjoku added that the president mentioned the funding model of local government, which is where there was an over-reliance on loans, which resulted in Johannesburg approving a budget, while the loans in the funding must be approved by the council. “If the actual loan is not approved, it remains unfunded, causing delays with Capex projects, which we have seen in some projects in our ward. The fact that this is a concern, and possible solutions are being looked at, is encouraging.”
Ramaphosa highlighted that a virtuous cycle of investment, growth, and jobs needed to be created, and economic growth needed to increase above 3%. “We are engaging local and international financial institutions and investors to unlock R100b in infrastructure financing. Government will spend more than R940b on infrastructure over the next three years. This includes R375b in spending by state-owned companies.”
Ward 73 councillor Eleanor Huggett concluded that although there were promises of economic growth, she only hoped the promises come to fruition. “Much of the speech was a rehash of past speeches. What we want is action, and promises fulfilled. South Africa deserves positive action.”
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