David Makhura delivered his last SOPA speech as premier at the Alberton Civic Centre. In the past five years of Makhura’s administration in the provincial legislature, Gauteng has attracted R199billion in foreign direct investment into the economy which has created over 30,000 jobs.
Makhura said he was confident that the province has done well in terms of service delivery, jobs creation and uplifting the economy, regardless of the population growing rapidly from 7.8m in 1996 to 14.7m currently.
According to Makhura, Gauteng has become the best performing province with grade 12 results. He highlighted that 8 out of the 10 best performing districts in the country are in Gauteng. Makhura stated his support for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s early childhood development (ECD) project mentioned in the State of the Nation Address.
“The built environment of Gauteng has changed profoundly as a result of huge investments in social and economic infrastructure. We built new schools, new houses, new libraries, new hospitals and clinics, new social amenities, new police stations, new roads and many other public transport infrastructure that didn’t exist in 1994.”
The premier has emphasised the revitalisation of the economy in townships. He said the majority of people in the province lived in townships and they must also play a part in growing the country’s economy.
Makhura has also used his Sopa to assure citizens that government is committed to cracking down on corruption and holding those responsible for the Life Esidimeni tragedy accountable.
The premier announced a process to review all government contracts with Bosasa following shocking revelations of corruption at the Zondo commission.
“The allegations coming from the Zondo commission of inquiry are too serious to be ignored.” Said the Premier.
Makhura has also assured the families of the victims of the Life Esidimeni tragedy that they will all be compensated, adding that implicated officials will be dealt with.
“I call on all the voters of our province to come out on the 8th May to exercise their hard-won right to vote and vote for a party of their choice,” Makhura concluded.
