Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba.
Commander in Chief of Limpopo provincial government Dr Phophi Ramathuba looking elegant.
Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba has committed to President Cyril Ramaphosa that her administration has embarked on good governance, transparency, accountability, combating corruption and maladministration
and curbing gender-based violence to create a society equitable and inclusive for all.
Ramathuba said this on Friday as one of the speakers of the ANC Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) debate team following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s first speech as a leader of the 7th administration Government of National Unity (GNU) at the National Assembly on Friday.
“I am reminded of the words of Desmond Tutu: "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness" and indeed the people of Africa’s Eden Limpopo see light in your speech despite the darkness Our journey towards a prosperous and sustainable future for Limpopo is ongoing, and we are determined to overcome challenges and scale new heights in the years to come. We dare not fail the people of Africa’s Eden,” said the first Limpopo female Premier.
She highlighted that her administration will also focus on enhancing road infrastructure in Limpopo which will be piloted by Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC and ANCYL Provincial Chairperson Tonny Ernest Rachoene who orchestrated the Dikgerekgere service delivery program which was officially launched on Wednesday at Ga-Mongalo Village in Lephalale Local Municipality, Waterberg District on roads D3112 and D3126.
Ramathuba’s administration said this program aims to revitalize the province's road infrastructure because most roads in Limpopo are gravel and therefore these kinds of interventions are imperative, potent and essential to ensure that the roads remain in good condition, free from potholes, and safe for all road users.
“Road infrastructure is another key enabler of inclusive economic growth especially for our local rural economy therefore road maintain is not only key for locals to access services such as schools, healthcare facilities, police stations, graveyards, and traditional councils amongst others, but it is for them to move their goods from one area to another as they are already small farmers in their own right.Out of a total 20 015 km roads that we have across our province, 13 400km are neither tarred or paved hence we agree with you Mr President, yellow fleets which in one of our local language, we call them Dikgeregere must reach these 13,400km while plans to tar them continue and we hope to work with DPWI and the Department of Defence on the Welisizwe bridges programme to build bridges to ensure no learner or worker has to swim across a river stream to access education, work or means of livelihood,” Limpopo Premier told President Ramaphosa.
“Our Dikgeregere Wednesday program is aimed at restoring our public works roads and infrastructure department back to its former glory of building and maintaining all infrastructure. This is one program that is fully insourced. As we advance our agenda for economic growth and development, we remain steadfast in our commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability. We will continue to combat corruption, maladministration, and gender-based violence to create a society that is just, equitable and inclusive for all.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa.
She also took a swipe at Chief Whip of MK Party Dr John Hlophe saying the people of Limpopo demonstrated their confidence in the ANC with 74% votes despite that desperately tried very hard along tribal lines using our traditional leaders to divide the people of Limpopo.
“The people of Limpopo that we rise on their behalf have consistently shown their support for the democratic system, as evidenced by their recent election of the ANC as the ruling party. Rejecting all those Honourable Hlophe who desperately tried very hard along tribal lines using our traditional leaders to divide our people hence you saw the 74%. Our province has seen remarkable improvements in the provision of essential services such as: electricity (from 36% in 1996 to 97% in 2024), access to piped water was at 33.5% in 1996, 84% in 2010 and dropped to 74.1% in 2020 and now stands at 69.1% in 2022), sanitation (from 27% in 1996 to 63,1% in 2022), roads (from 2500km in 1994 to 7000 km tarred roads in 2024). ). Despite many challenges, we have greatly enhanced the quality of life for our residents. Limpopo's economy has undergone significant transformation since 1994, despite facing challenges such as slow economic growth, unemployment, and inequality. The province boasts a wealth of mineral resources, fertile agricultural land, and tourist attractions that have contributed to its economic development,” Dr Ramathuba said.
The Limpopo Premier also committed to enhance the economy of the province through numerous resolutions.
“Our people have already demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that even without large tracts of farmland, they are farmers in their own right who can produce for their own livelihood. Recent statistics show that Limpopo is leading in food security, its people can cultivate food for their own survival. This fits well with your directive of prioritising rural development and together we must focus on supporting them to now use agriculture for commercial purposes. We have started engagements with business focusing on enhancing manufacturing capability, agro-processing of agricultural produce and establishing mineral beneficiation capacity in Limpopo with an aim of reducing the transportation of raw material that could easily be processed in our province and thus create jobs,” she said.
“Gone will be the days of exporting tomatoes raw as they are without allocating some towards tomato source, gone will be the days we export the entire timber and fail to manufacture even a toothpick. The mining sector which accounts for 26% of the province's GDP in 2023 has been a key driver of economic growth, creating employment opportunities and fostering sustainable development. We are committed to accelerating industrialisation of Limpopo by finalising the establishment and operationalisation of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Musina-Makhado and the Fetakgomo-Tubatse, these will drive economic growth, attract investment, and create sustainable enterprises. We are actively engaging with the national government to expedite the approval of the Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ proposal and upgrade the Gateway International Airport to serve as a vital cargo hub in the SADC region. Our other catalytic projects, including the revitalisation of industrial parks in Seshego, Lebowakgomo, Shayandima and Nkowankowa and the Polokwane logistics hub, aim to enhance economic opportunities and promote the development of local industries.”
Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba and Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC and ANCYL Provincial Chairperson Tonny Ernest Rachoene who orchestrated the Dikgerekgere service delivery program which was officially launched on Wednesday at Ga-Mongalo Village in Lephalale Local Municipality, Waterberg District on roads D3112 and D3126.
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