Hopes and expectations are high as all eyes will be on the North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi who will deliver the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Mahikeng on Thursday.
The province’s high unemployment rate, slow economic growth, dilapidated and pothole riddled roads, infrastructure and lack of service delivery are some of the key concerns raised by ANC’s alliance partners COSATU and SANCO on You FM Newshour with Motlhaping Modise, on the eve of Mokgosi’s SOPA.
COSATU’s newly elected Provincial Secretary Kabelo Kgoro says workers are unequivocal on their needs and expectations from the Premier’s address.
“The Congress was very clear on the changes that workers want to witness in the province.
To that end, it mandated the newly elected provincial executive committee to inter alia, drive a program that will clearly communicate to the provincial government what their expectations are.
Hence, we are looking forward to the SOPA,” said Kgoro.
The congress has also called on the Premier to scrap the EPWP, adding that it has failed to provide permanent life changing skills for people of the North West especially the youth and women.
“We’re a province rich in minerals and agricultural produce yet our leading economic sectors are finance, insurance, real estate, business services, wholesale and retail trade, catering and accommodation, community and social services.
In contrast, our official unemployment statistics for the fourth quarter of 2024 sit at 41.3% with the expanded unemployment rate for the same period sitting at 52.8%.
This picture only serves to entrench poverty and inequality, deep rooted crime and corruption with struggling public and municipal services and an economy that is near stagnation,” explained Kgoro.
Despite this, COSATU acknowledged strides and advances made by the provincial government.
“As much as we applaud the historic achievements by our provincial government including advancing the transformation agenda, we equally call on the provincial government led by our capable ally, the African National Congress, not to rest whilst millions in our province are out of work and cannot find work, afford a decent home or fully care for the children,” appealed Kgoro.
Meanwhile, SANCO’s Provincial spokesperson Mzukisi Jam has called on the premier to update the province on several pronouncements made in the previous SOPA.
“We’re saying this because it can’t be that every year the only thing, we must get its pronouncements and promises made, because we have realised as SANCO that those are just wishes not necessarily promises or pronouncements to be implemented,” remarked Jam.
He accused the provincial government of failing to implement some of the pronouncements made in the previous SOPA.
“For example, how far are with the revamping of Pilanesberg airport in Bojanala Platinum District Municipality and Mahikeng airport which would have created several job opportunities.
What happened to the smart city and N14 development in Ventersdorp that were promised to the people of the North West.
What happened to the student accommodation which we were told would be massive in Mahikeng, etc,” asked Jam.
Mokgosi will deliver his SOPA at 10:00 on Thursday.
