By Simon Nare
President Cyril Ramaphosa has spelt out the Gauteng government’s problems as governance failures, financial mismanagement, crumbling infrastructure, crime and lawlessness, and unreliable service delivery.
Addressing Gauteng government officials in a national and provincial government interaction, Ramaphosa pointed out that these were recurring problems across the province that needed to be dealt with so that it could move forward.
Deciding to take the direct approach, he also chastised the province for some of the G20 meetings it has held so far, saying they were not up to scratch.
The president said other challenges in Gauteng were unemployment and poverty, but these were issues across the country.
He said that these problems would be discussed in a meeting with the provincial government that would look at charting a forward.
“Gauteng’s unique position in the national landscape is both an opportunity and a challenge. While it may be the smallest province in terms of land size, it is a giant in many other respects.
“Gauteng contributes the largest share of any province to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. It is the single most critical economic hub in the country, serving as a powerhouse of finance, governance, industry and innovation,” said the president.
He said the economic success of Gauteng was integral to the economic success of South Africa and agreed with premier Panyaza Lesufi in his State of the Province Address that the region’s economic growth surpassed that of the national government.
The president added that Gauteng’s plans as laid out by Lesufi in the address to accelerate and strengthen township economic development, agro-processing and SMME development could boost economic growth and create thousands of jobs.
The government eagerly anticipated the forthcoming presentation from the province, which would provide valuable insights into the key priorities, challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
“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.
“Within this dynamic province are among South Africa’s largest and most influential cities – Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni – each playing an important role in shaping our national and continental economic trajectory,” he said.
Johannesburg was the financial capital of Africa, Tshwane the administrative city, while Ekurhuleni was the industrial and manufacturing powerhouse, driving logistics, production and trade that sustained not only the province but the entire country, he said.
He added that it was in Gauteng where government policies, plans and commitments must translate into action.
Ramaphosa said he welcomed the commitment made by Lesufi that Gauteng was fully aligned to the strategic priorities of the Medium-Term Development Plan.
These were driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical and developmental state.
He said the meeting with Gauteng government was the fourth one and the national government intended to meet all the nine provinces.
They were crucial in strengthening intergovernmental cooperation, collaboration and consultation, and ensuring better alignment of provincial priorities with the priorities of the Government of National Unity.
“Cooperative governance is a constitutional principle. It requires that as different spheres of government we must cooperate with one another in mutual trust and good faith,” he said.
Ramaphosa said Gauteng was going to be the main host of the G20 meetings and this was planned deliberately to showcase the province to the world. He urged it to come to the party in this regard because all eyes of the world were on the province.
He said the G20 gave Gauteng, particularly Johannesburg, an opportunity to make history because the declarations that would be adopted at the end of the G20 Summit would contain its name.
“So, this is a historic moment for us, and I would like us to play the part. I should say because sometimes it’s good to be direct and to tell it as it is. I should say that one or two meetings of the G20 that I attended here was not very pleasing.
“The environment that one observed was not a pleasing environment. I say this so that we can improve dramatically. As South Africans we are proud people and let that pride lift us up,” he said.
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