Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has emphasised the need for tackling the G-13 challenges facing the province.
Image: Facebook/Gauteng Provincial Government
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has told President Cyril Ramaphosa that if the province’s G-13 challenges, including crime, corruption, fixing roads and creating jobs, are not tackled, their discussions would be meaningless.
Lesufi made these remarks on the first day of Ramaphosa’s visit as he engaged with the Gauteng provincial government over difficulties facing the province and its metros, including district municipalities.
The session is being held at the Johannesburg Metro Council Chambers.
These challenges have significantly impacted residents and have been ongoing for years.
Metro in the province, including the City of Joburg, City of Tshwane, and the Ekurhuleni have gained notoriety for their poor state, with many battling with corruption and poor service delivery.
Lesufi addressed Ramaphosa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) Cabinet, along with ministers and deputy ministers, provincial executive committee and municipal leadership.
Lesufi reiterated the urgent need to tackle the G13 problems, which he said needs serious attention.
Other G-13 challenges include water shortages, cable theft and vandalism, malfunctioning traffic lights, potholes, lawlessness, the mushrooming of informal settlements, electricity issues, particularly load shedding and load reduction, increase in gender-based violence and femicide, drug abuse, poor service at hospitals and clinics, lack of schools, failing infrastructure and CBDs, and the high unemployment rate.
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Lesufi stressed that if Ramaphosa’s meeting with the provincial government fails to introduce interventions and solutions, his visit would have failed to deliver on its promises.
“Mr. President, I just want to repeat what I said when we delivered our State of the Province last week. Whatever we do, whatever we say, if we don't resolve the following 13 problems, being here will mean nothing.:
Lesufi, who is expected to present a five-year programme aligned with the priorities of the 7th Administration, will discuss various approaches to service delivery issues, including interventions at the local government level.
“President, in our presentation and engagement with you, the programmes and plans that were put in to grow the economy of Gauteng as we understand the responsibilities that have been assigned to us to manage this important aspect,” he said.
With Gauteng being the host of G20, and facing these pressing issues, he stressed the need to address them.
“So, if we have to reverse the impact of this G20, if we have to work extraordinarily hard to ensure that these G-13 problems of Gauteng are resolved, we need each other,” Lesufi added.
Lesufi called for collaboration, urging all the parties to work together, plan together, and to execute solutions collectively.
“So, President, we are here to seek your counsel, we are here to seek your guidance, but most importantly, we are here to form a formidable partnership with you.
“There are areas that we think, if we agree at this level, will unlock the potential of our province, but most importantly, it will allow us to resolve the challenges that are faced by our people every day,” Lesufi added.
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