N Cape Premier says new administration will modernise province, grow economy

Show Voice Options Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, says the seventh administration remains committed to modernising the province, boosting the economy and ensuring its success. “This will be done with much greater speed and underpinned by the six priority areas of the 2024 ANC election manifesto,” Saul said on Monday. These priority areas, he said, include creating jobs, building industries for an inclusive economy, tackling the high cost of living, investing in people, defending democracy and advancing freedom, and building a better Africa. The Premier was delivering his inauguration speech in the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature in Kimberley. The address follows the first sitting of the Provincial Legislature on 14 June 2024, where Saul was sworn in as the seventh democratically elected Premier of the Northern Cape. He outlined his vision and plans for this seventh administration in his speech. Progress Saul believes government has made significant progress in delivering basic services to the poor. “Before 1994, many communities were deprived of basic services, which included clean running water, electricity, housing and education. Since the dawn of our democracy, we have reduced the backlog of basic services and have improved living conditions for many citizens.” In addition, he said the total number of households in the Northern Cape with access to flush toilets increased to 73% in 2022. “This indicates a huge improvement in the provision of basic services. We have indeed improved the quality of public education and all indicators attest to that.” Meanwhile, he said, in his province, the proportion of people aged between five and 24 who attend an education institution increased from 64.2% to 70.3% in 2022. “This represents the largest increase in attendance observed in all provinces. The percentage of persons aged 20 years and older without schooling in the Northern Cape declined from 22.7% to 6.7% in 2022.” Saul said he was glad that the country had surpassed three months with no load shedding, which he believes is a clear indication power cuts will become a thing of the past. Unity He acknowledged that the sixth administration was riddled with challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of State Capture. “As a party and government, we have learnt from our mistakes and want to assure the people of the Northern Cape that we will do anything possible to close the trust deficit. We will do things differently – it won’t be business as usual.” The next five years, he said, will require intensive engagement with political parties, civil society, the private sector, academia, and all spheres of government. “The seventh administration will work tirelessly to bring all stakeholders together towards the realisation of the Northern Cape Provincial Growth and Development Plan Vision 2040 for the realisation of a modern, growing, and successful province. This plan outlines a bold and ambitious path to transform our province into one that provides opportunities for all.” He also touched on the youth, who comprised about 60% of the population. “They are crucial to the current and future development of our country, particularly this province. We should actively involve young people in the development initiatives of the province as co-creators. We should continue to give special attention to addressing the challenging circumstances our young people face.” Last month, he said the province introduced the Labour Activation Programme through the Unemployment Insurance Fund of the Department of Labour. This programme will offer skills development opportunities valued at over R545 million to benefit 23 000 unemployed young people in the province. Government of national unity The Premier believes that the government of national unity (GNU) marks a new era where diverse parties cooperate to improve the citizens' lives and foster national solidarity. “We are entering uncharted waters, with a capable captain, His Excellency President Ramaphosa, to take the country through this murky situation,” he told the attendees. As the Premier, he committed to lead with honesty, empathy, and hard work. “Following the national goals that the President has set forth, we will work together to give economic growth, job creation, social welfare, infrastructure development, and good governance priority.” He pleaded for support and vowed to work with the provincial administration to create a better future for the people of the Northern Cape. Saul also outlined improved outcomes in education and health as key priorities. “Let us continuously collaborate, motivated by the spirit of progress and solidarity that characterises our country at this critical moment.” – SAnews.gov.za