By Levy Masiteng
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it expects Premier Lazarus Mokgosi’s State of the Province Address (SOPA) to set out clear, measurable steps to tackle unemployment, stabilise struggling municipalities, and revive economic growth in the North West.
Mokgosi is set to deliver the address on Thursday during the official opening of the North West Provincial Legislature.
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DA North West caucus leader Freddy Sonakile said the speech must be backed by practical interventions.
“After years of decline, mismanagement and broken promises, the people of North West need decisive action and measurable delivery,” Sonakile said.
The party called on the Premier to declare unemployment a provincial disaster, given that the North West has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.
“We are looking forward to a comprehensive jobs plan from the Premier to revitalise the economy,” Sonakile said.
“The DA has previously marched and called for unemployment to be declared a provincial disaster, which would unlock urgent interventions, targeted skills programmes, and economic recovery initiatives to restore dignity for our people.”
Sonakile added that many municipalities in the province remain dysfunctional and under administration, leaving them unable to deliver water, sanitation, and electricity.
“The Premier must commit to professional appointments, strict oversight, and consequences for financial misconduct.”
On provincial finances, the DA warned against diverting basic-services funding to plug holes created by poor governance.
“Through Provincial Treasury and constitutional oversight powers, the provincial government must ensure that funds meant for water, electricity, and roads are properly managed and not diverted to cover wasteful or irregular expenditure,” Sonakile said.
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The DA urged the provincial government to table a clear strategy to revive agriculture, mining, tourism and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) “by reducing bureaucratic obstacles, expediting delayed projects, and luring private investment,” Sonakile said.
At the same time, the DA called for urgent measures to support farmers and contain the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
“The people of the North West deserve leadership that puts service delivery and job creation ahead of political self-interest,” Sonakile said.