Premier of Gauteng and ANC provincial chairperson Panyaza Lesufi.
Gauteng Premier and ANC provincial chairperson Panyaza Lesufi received applause after his debate speech for the 2025 State of the Nation Address in Cape Town on Wednesday.
The consummate leader, Lesufi thanked President Cyril Ramaphosa for positively responding to his prayers last year during SONA, by signing the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill of 2022 or BELA Bill.
“Like a true listening President that you are, you signed the Bill, thus ending years of discrimination against our children. Like a true listening President that you are, before you signed the Bill, you afforded those who were dissatisfied or unhappy with the version you signed the opportunity to provide you with alternatives,” Lesufi said.
“Like a true listening President that you are, before you signed the Bill, you afforded those who were dissatisfied or unhappy with the version you signed the opportunity to provide you with alternatives.”
He also lambasted Ramaphosa’s disparagers who failed to prevent him from signing the Bill. “Instead of providing you with alternatives they organized a racially charged march, clad in orange regalia. In the face of this hostility and unreasonable response you went ahead and signed the bill, convinced by its inherent justness and the impact it will have in contributing to the building of a united, democratic and just society. For that I want to say, ‘Thank you, Mr President’. They threatened you with legal action, but to date dololo! It is not possible to challenge the constitutionally enshrined principle of non-racialism in court,” said Lesufi.
He also thanked President Ramaphosa for also signing the the National Health Insurance Bill and Expropriation of Land Bill into law adding his voice to the chorus that South African government will not be bullied by US President Donald Trump administration because it refuses to dance to his hoodwinked tune.
“It was during your last State of the Nation Address, Mr. President, when you boldly declared that, whether one is young or old, whether one lives in a rural village or township, whether employed or unemployed, whether one is a security guard, a petrol attendant, a domestic worker or an executive of a company, when one is sick, they are entitled to quality health care,” Gauteng Premier.
“Mr. President, thank you for declaring once and for all that our people can’t be cramped in informal settlements forever. Thank you for unapologetically declaring that our people deserve decent housing. As Gauteng we’ve long started a process to release land for those who are security guards, domestic workers, petrol attendants, clerks and retail workers and those who have been on the housing waiting lists for years.”
He confirmed that in collaboration with the local government, the GPG has introduced a programme called ‘Ikageleng’, ‘Build for yourself’.
“Through this programme we identify land, we install bulk services like roads, sewerage, water and electricity and in turn our people build their own houses according to their pockets rather than be restricted to a single form of housing called RDP.These measures are about diversifying our housing initiatives. That is why we say, “Thank You Mr. President” for signing the Expropriation of Land Bill for us to release land to house our people,” Premier Lesufi.
Following Ramaphosa’s 2023 investment conference in Gauteng which is the economic pulse of South Africa, as a direct result, Gauteng secured R180 billion commitment in investment, accounting for 49.4% of the total R364.2 billion pledged across the country.
He confirmed that Gauteng province continues to attract a lion’s share of investment across key strategic sectors. Among others, these include the following:
· Manufacturing;
· BMW committed R4.2 billion to expand automotive production in Gauteng;
· Mpact pledged R2.5 billion to drive sustainable packaging solutions;
· The Housing Hub attracted R450 million to accelerate affordable housing initiatives;
· Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University secured R245 million for facility expansion.
Premier Lesufi also confirmed that to sustain this momentum his administration will host an investment conference on the 3rd and the 4th of April this year in support and alignment of the President’s Investment Conference.
He added however that this initiative aims to further unlock opportunities for economic transformation and sustainable development.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that Gauteng remains the country’s premier destination for business, investment, inclusive economic growth - continuously attracting high impact investment that will shape the future of South Africa. For that Mr. President, we want to say thank you, thank you Siyabulela! The Gauteng Government will facilitate the expansion of the Gautrain network to several areas, including Soweto via Fourways, Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, Lanseria, and Springs. The expansion project Is expected to create 125 000 construction jobs over a period of 5 years,” Premier Lesufi said.
“Currently, preliminary studies focusing on route alignment and environmental impact are underway. The findings of these studies will be compiled into a Preliminary Route Determination Report. Mr President, the Gauteng-Limpopo Rail Link project is gaining momentum. Following the announcement last year, it has been agreed that given the project’s magnitude and intricacy, it will be executed in multiple phases. The integrated Concept Document, endorsed by both Gauteng and Limpopo Premiers has been approved and will be ready for signing by both provinces in due course.”
Without mentioning the culprits, Premier Lesufi reprimanded the DA’s previous administration in Tshwane stressing that such misfortunes will never happen again. Premier Lesufi who also received standing ovation from Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema and his cronies said: “Mr. President, the capital city of our country, Tshwane is back from neglect and misrule. I was embarrassed Mr. President when you hosted your BRICS peers and the capital city was thrashed because those in charge then refused to listen to the cries of our workers.The City is moving away from qualified audits to better audits. Mr. President, thanks to the Minister of Water and Sanitation, the water challenges of the people of Tshwane are coming to an end. Those who thought our people don’t deserve clean water are out of power.”
“The city is back, better and bolder. The city is ready to roll out the red carpet for your G20 peers with fresh air. With the new proposed form of local government funding, we remain confident that our municipalities will recover and sparkle again. We are ready to reclaim our iGoli, Mjipa, Johannesburg Mr. President. A new Johannesburg is rising. Thanks to the investment of Anglo American and Wits University, a new tourist attraction in Johannesburg is the new, beautiful and the best planetarium in the Southern Hemisphere in Johannesburg. Mr. President, if you and your family want to delight in an exciting moment of stargazing, feel free to come to this new state of the art planetarium.”
In conclusion, Premier Lesufi confirmed that his administration reclaimed more than 11 hijacked buildings in Johannesburg and more will follow. “We have attracted more than twenty companies that are coming to invest in the CBD. A new better and bolder concert venue capable of hosting international stars was unveiled two days ago Mr. President, inside the FNB stadium, Johannesburg, Maboneng. This new venue can host international events with ease. With the assistance of other partners, the old Carlton Hotel will be converted into beautiful apartments to house our people. Next week, together with our partners we are hosting ‘A new Johannesburg CDB Action Workshop’ to reclaim our city once and for all. For that we want to thank you Mr. President, for your support and guidance,” concluded Premier Lesufi.
“Rise Jozi, Rise Mjipa, Rise Johannesburg! Thank you, Mr. President, the e-Tolls are gone, gone, gone, gone! Thanks to you, the Transport Ministry, National Treasury and organs of civil society. Our road infrastructure expansion and maintenance is in full swing. We are ready to roll out new modern infrastructure in our province. Once more Mr. President, thank you, Siyabulela , Re a leboga.”
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