Staff Reporter
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday highlighted the importance of integrating the work of national, provincial, and local governments in order to deliver services to the people.
Ramaphosa was speaking at a meeting between the National Executive and the Mpumalanga Provincial Executive Council in Nkangala District Council Chambers, Middleburg, on Tuesday.
“Our experience over the last 30 years of democracy shows that economic and social development require greater coordination. That’s why we launched the District Development Model in 2019,” said Ramaphosa.
“Our efforts must be coordinated and integrated,” he urged, stressing the need for provinces to leverage their unique resources and capabilities to complement national objectives.
He further said that inclusive economic growth and job creation must remain at the forefront of efforts by the government and social partners.
“We come to Mpumalanga excited by the great potential that exists in this province. We know that the province faces many challenges,” he said.
“The unemployment rate in Mpumalanga is higher the national average. And we know that nearly a half of all young people are unemployed. More than half the population live below the lower bound poverty line.”
The meeting with the Mpumalanga Provincial Executive is part of a series of engagements between Ramaphosa and provincial governments.
The meetings are aimed at enhancing intergovernmental coordination and improve service delivery in line with the priorities of the 7th Administration.
Ramaphosa met with Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu and members of the provincial executive council during the engagement.
He was accompanied by Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and senior government officials.
The president explained that the district development model aims to bring decision-making closer to communities.
“We no longer wanted programmes and projects to be conceptualized far from the realities on the ground. We needed to plan, budget, and implement together.”
Ramaphosa underscored the constitutional obligation for cooperative governance, saying, “All spheres of government must cooperate, collaborate, and consult on matters of common interest.”
He described Mpumalanga as South Africa’s “powerhouse,” noting its abundant coal reserves, which fuel most of the nation’s electricity.
The province, he added, will be pivotal in the transition to a low-carbon economy, a shift that presents both challenges and opportunities.
“We must ensure that this transition does not harm livelihoods in the province,” he stressed.
The president also commended Mpumalanga’s commitment to infrastructure development, which he deemed critical for economic growth and improving citizens’ daily lives.
“Mpumalanga will continue to play a vital role in the social and economic development of South Africa for many years to come,” he said.
“We are encouraged by the determination of the province to invest in infrastructure. This infrastructure is necessary for economic development and improving the daily lives of the citizens of the province.”
Ramaphosa called for ambitious provincial plans that align with national goals.
“I would like our provinces to carry great ambitions that we can mesh with our ambitions at a national level. The GNU exists to advances the livelihoods of our people,” he said.
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