Pledge to tackle poverty, joblessness
‘We’re willing to reinvent ourselves’
The Limpopo government has pledged to tackle poverty, unemployment and inequality over the next five years.
“This provincial plan will be focusing on economic development and transformation, infrastructure development, building a developmental state as well as fostering social cohesion and transformation,” said economic development, environment and tourism MEC Seaparo Sekoati
“This plan represents a policy framework that articulates issues that relate to both economic growth and social development of our communi ties. It represents strategic choices made with the aim of achieving the development objectives as outlined in the national development plan.”
Polokwane executive mayor Thembi Nkadimeng said the city was prepared to re-invent itself in order to be able to produce tangible and measurable results.
Sekoati said the province would focus on mining, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and SMMEs (small, medium and micro enterprises) and cooperatives.
“With regards to infrastructure development, we have accepted the responsibility to prioritise the development and maintenance of water. We are also upgrading our social infrastructure to support quality education and health-care services in this beautiful province,” Sekoati said.
In his overview of the plan at the Meropa Casino in Polokwane last week, Sekoati added that it represents the province’s localised steps in an ongoing journey to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality.
“It is through this provincial plan that we aim to express the province’s shared vision towards the future.
In developing the provincial plan, the provincial government has borrowed from lessons of previous strategies and plans.”
Sekoati said the provincial government had to ensure continuity and the institutionalisation of lessons learned both in terms of weaknesses and points of strength.
The province aims to achieve sustainable economic development and transformation, social development and other supporting transformative plans.
It plans to achieve economic growth, create 40 029 jobs and increase access to basic water and other facilities.
The province also plans to increase the geographic domestic product contribution to the national gross domestic product from 7.15% in 2014 to 9%. It also wants to reduce unemployment from 16% in 2014 to 14%.
Sports, arts and culture MEC Onicca Moloi added that every department has got a programme to deal with youth issues.