All eyes will be on Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi when he delivers his State of the Province Address (Sopa) in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, on Thursday.
Katlehong recently was in the news when controversial “Panga” Pastor Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng, his son and bodyguard wielded a rifle and machetes, an act of violence that was condemned by political parties, civil society and more.
The exposure to danger left learners and teachers at Matsediso Primary School traumatised.
The following day, scores of schoolchildren protested and burnt down his church, also an act that was condemned by many.
The incident highlighted how unsafe some schools are in the province.
It led to concerned parent and former investigator Sammy Letona to call on Lesufi to post two or three PSiRA-registered security officers during school hours for the protection of learners and educators.
“I think the Gauteng premier’s office, and community safety, have to engage for the safety and security of all the schools in the province,” said Letona.
Lesufi is also expected to touch on the high unemployment rate issue.
Statistics SA on Wednesday stated that the official unemployment figure stood at 33.5% in South Africa in the second quarter of 2024, up from 32.9% in the first quarter, and about 2 756 000 Gauteng residents are not working.
Lesufi is also expected to give feedback about the Nasi iSpani programme meant to expose job opportunities to unemployed Gautengers.
The programme from its inception was criticised by a number of political parties, including the EFF, which accused Lesufi of giving jobs to ANC members. EFF leader Julius Malema even vowed that if given a chance to govern, the programme would be done away with.
However, Lesufi believes that it is yielding positive results.
The Nasi iSpani mass recruitment programme stems from the provincial government’s strong desire to create meaningful job opportunities.
Gauteng government spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga, speaking to The Star on Wednesday, said it’s all systems go for the much-anticipated address.
“The premier has done the dry run, all logistics are in place. The premier is putting last touch-ups in his speech after a dry run,” Mhaga said.
EFF Gauteng leader Nkululeko Dunga said they will have to wait and hear.
“The premier must tell us what happened to the millions of promises he made in the Sopa a few months back,” Dunga said.
The DA in Gauteng said it did not expect Lesufi to offer anything new to improve the lives of residents during his Sopa.
DA leader Solly Msimanga said if Lesufi truly cared about the residents of this province, he would take them into his confidence and admit that all the initiatives he announced earlier this year were only an electioneering campaign. “The recent termination of the teacher assistants, who were promised that their one-year contracts would be extended for another 12 months, is one example. Thirty-two thousand teacher assistants are now without income, and their families will struggle to survive,” said Msimanga.
“The crime prevention wardens (Amapanyaza) appointed under the Nasi iSpani programme have not made a dent in reducing crime in the province. Residents in areas riddled with gangsterism are still living in fear, although around 6 000 crime prevention wardens have been deployed.”
Msimanga said the economy of this province can only flourish if the current government creates the correct environment for the private sector to invest in the province.
“It is not the government’s responsibility to create jobs but to create a conducive environment for the economy to grow. For investor confidence to be boosted, crime should be curbed, and corruption must be rooted out. Furthermore, the water and electricity infrastructure should be fixed.
“Lesufi must outline a detailed plan regarding all departments, including those that have been given to smaller parties in the Gauteng provincial legislature (GPL), as well as departments that have now been merged with other departments and the Office of the Premier. Furthermore, the premier must tell us where his Nasi iSpani programme is getting its funding from,” he said.
Msimanga said that every year, Lesufi has told the residents that lifestyle audits are underway and will be completed soon. He said it was now time for action, not just talk. “Lifestyle audits need to be made available to the public as a matter of urgency.”
Msimanga further said every year they are told about plans to fight corruption in this province, yet there is nothing tangible to show for this.
“The Premier’s Office was meant to release one fraud detection report during the last financial year, but this has not been done. In addition, forensic reports are still not complete, which means no action can be taken,” Msimanga said.
He said asbestos schools are still not eradicated despite numerous promises by Lesufi that they will be a thing of the past.
Msimanga said that instead, millions of rand have been wasted, and no progress has been made to eradicate asbestos schools.
“Lesufi cannot expect to fix this province if he does not admit that there is a problem. If the election results are anything to go by, then it is clear that the majority of Gauteng residents have lost faith in Lesufi,” he said.
Msimanga added that a DA government will ensure that all job creation targets set out in the annual performance plans of the various departments are met.
“The DA will ensure that residents who do not have access to institutions of higher learning are taught practical skills.
“Instead of having elevated priorities, we will ensure the completion of all infrastructure projects and continued maintenance of various infrastructures including roads, schools and hostels,” he said.