Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has dismissed criticism by opposition parties that his sudden acceleration of service delivery and mass job creation programme were meant to sway voter sentiment to aid a struggling African National Congress ahead of next year’s general elections.
The EFF has led the charge in questioning the “siya transformer” programme and has vowed to reverse all appointments made under the “nasi spane initiative” should it win elections in Gauteng next year.
“We are deploying you to ensure that those who want to register to vote are identified, are encouraged and are registered to vote for the party of their choice. We will not use this for that purpose.when we leave here to go to communities we will be proud to wear our black,green and gold and lobby where we believe we need to lobby. No one should close us out but we’re not going to use government resources for that, respect us. We will use it when the right moment arrives. At this present moment we are the government of Gauteng and we’ll never fold arms when our people are unemployed. We will never fold our arms when our people starve. We will never fold our arms when our people are queuing for 350,” he said.
Lesufi called on beneficiaries of the so-called “nasi spane” jobs programme to “defend” the employment opportunities extended to them by his administration. “ We are coming to you to declare that please don’t disappoint us, don’t make those that are opposing what we are doing for you an excuse. When we give you a job, do it. When we give you an opportunity, take advantage of it and show them that this is the opportunity you appreciate and this is an opportunity you will defend,” he said.
Lesufi also questioned perceptions that it’s the private sector that should lead job creation. “We are proud as this government that I have the honour to lead that as this government if the private sector is not ready to create jobs we will not fold our arms, every cent that we have we will make it available so that people can get jobs and work for their own families,” said the Premier of the private sector’s ability to create employment.
Beneficiaries pledged support to Lesufi and vowed to vote the ANC back into power come next year.
“Meshack Kgwete, a beneficiary from Tshwane asked the premier to continue for another ten to ten years and to prioritise EPWP recruits when filling positions in the provincial government.
“Isaac Ngcengwa from Ekurhuleni addressed the packed church hall and told fellow beneficiaries that only the ANC could improve their lives. He also sang the Premier’s praises.
“Mr Premier and your cabinet you’ve done is to prove people wrong about Gauteng. You’re putting food on the table for all of us. We know this is not just an election campaign but you have been doing well from education. My vote is not a secret, I’ll be voting for the ANC,” he said.