President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke out against recurring problems pertaining to governance failures, financial mismanagement, crumbling infrastructure, crime and unreliable service delivery during his oversight visit to SA’s economic and financial hub on Thursday.
He led a national executive delegation which met the Gauteng provincial executive as part of efforts aimed at ramping up service delivery in the province, which contributes nearly 40% to GDP but continues to be dogged by high unemployment, violent crime, vandalism of infrastructure, poor roads, electricity and water networks, corruption, and poor service delivery.
The meeting at the Johannesburg council chambers on Thursday was the fourth engagement between the national executive and provincial government, following recent interaction between Ramaphosa and the provincial governments of Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.
The presidency said the engagements, which will take place across all nine provinces, seeks to enhance “intergovernmental co-ordination and improve service delivery in line with the priorities of the seventh administration and the integration and partnership called for by the District Development Model”.
In his opening remarks, Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi, who is expected to make a presentation to the national executive during a closed session, said: “We look forward to this engagement to reposition our province to serve our community better as we grow Gauteng together ... this visit will assist us to enhance our priorities: to drive inclusive growth and job creation, reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living, and build a capable, ethical and developmental state.”
He reiterated the need to address Gauteng’s 13 problems pertaining to crime, unemployment, and vandalism, among others, which he highlighted during the recent state of the province address in Pretoria.
In his address, Ramaphosa said the engagements were crucial in strengthening intergovernmental co-operation, collaboration and consultation. “They are important for ensuring better alignment of provincial priorities with the priorities of the government of national unity (GNU),” he said.
“We therefore welcome the commitment made by premier Lesufi, during the state of the province address, that Gauteng is fully aligned to the strategic priorities of the medium-term development plan: first, driving inclusive growth and job creation; second, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living; and, third, building a capable, ethical and developmental state.”
Ramaphosa said co-operative governance is a constitutional principle. “It requires that, as different spheres of government, we must co-operate with one another in mutual trust and good faith. We must assist and support each other, and co-ordinate our actions.”
He said the district development model, which was introduced in the previous administration, “remains our guiding framework for co-operative governance and service delivery”. The model identifies 44 districts and eight metros around the country that will be used to speed up service delivery and economic development, including job creation.
“This model has fundamentally reshaped how we operate, fostering greater co-ordination, integration and efficiency across all spheres of government,” the president said.
Ramaphosa noted there were recurring problems across Gauteng and “some of these include governance failures, financial mismanagement, crumbling infrastructure, crime and lawlessness and unreliable service delivery”.
“Our greatest challenges — in Gauteng and across the country — are unemployment and poverty. These are the challenges we all must face head on.”
Gauteng’s economic success was integral to the economic success of SA.
Gauteng’s unique position in the national landscape is both an opportunity and a challenge. “It is here in Gauteng where our policies, plans and commitments must translate into action. The Gauteng economy has grown at a faster rate than the national economy ... this is indicative of the economic strength and resilience of the province,” Ramaphosa said.
“What emerges from this meeting must not remain as just plans on paper. The outcomes of this meeting must be transformed into practical, measurable interventions that directly benefit the people of Gauteng.”
He said through a collaborative and solutions-orientated approach, “we will drive sustainable development, improve service delivery and enhance the quality of life for all who call this province home”.
Ramaphosa and the national executive are expected to meet the Johannesburg metro council on Friday.
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