President Cyril Ramaphosa has underscored the necessity of collaboration across various levels of government to enhance the provision of basic services, particularly in the crucial province of Gauteng. Addressing the Gauteng Legislature in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa outlined his commitment to addressing pressing issues such as poor infrastructure, job creation, and the revitalisation of struggling municipalities. This address comes ahead of a series of strategic meetings with provincial government leaders aimed at bolstering governance and service delivery.
Accompanied by a cadre of ministers and their deputies, President Ramaphosa emphasised that a lack of effective engagement and cooperation has been detrimental to service delivery in the region. “These engagements are crucial in strengthening intergovernmental cooperation, collaboration and consultation, and are vital for ensuring better alignment of provincial priorities with the priorities of the Government of National Unity (GNU),” he stated.
Highlighting the economic significance of Gauteng, Ramaphosa referred to the province as the backbone of South Africa’s economy. “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,” he asserted. With the province showing economic growth outpacing the national average, the President commended Gauteng’s future growth strategies.
“We welcome Gauteng’s plans to build on the success of the South Africa Investment Conference and host the inaugural Gauteng Investment Conference in April 2025,” he remarked. Ramaphosa expressed optimism about the province’s initiatives to accelerate township economic development, agro-processing, and the support of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), all of which are critical to catalysing economic growth and job creation.