Premier delivers State of the Province Address
MBOMBELA - The Mpumalanga provincial government has introduced coding and robotics in 128 schools, as part of its pilot programme.
This was announced by the Mpumalanga premier, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, during her State of the Province Address last Friday, March 1.
“That pilot is progressing well and 128 schools, from grades R to three, and Grade Seven, are currently doing coding and robotics,” said Mtshweni-Tsipane. > Photo: Bridget Mpande has been secured in eMalahleni Local Municipality.
“Once the school is completed, the
250 deaf learners currently studying at Bukhosibetfu Full Service School and the 200 in other special schools will be relocated to the new school.”
Mtshweni-Tsipane said by the end of January 2024, a total of 63 478 jobs had been created through the 21 identified programmes, including the Siyatentela Road Maintenance Programme, the
Government Nutrition Programme, the School Handymen and the Tourism Safety Monitors.
“Since 2021 and through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, we have trained and created a total of 65 296 job opportunities for unemployed youth in various schools. Since its inception in 2019, the Premier’s Youth Development Fund has disbursed R258m to fund 182 youth-owned enterprises. The funded beneficiaries have created more than 630 jobs in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, as well as film and production,” she said.
As part of ongoing efforts to attract tourists to Mpumalanga, the provincial government has upgraded tourism facilities in four nature reserves with accommodation facilities. These include SongimveloKromdraai Camp, Andover, SS Skhosana and Manyeleti.
“Phase two of the fence installations is in progress in order to minimise human-wildlife conflict in Songimvelo, Mthethomusha and Mdala reserves. It’s important for us to implement these projects efficiently, economically and effectively in order to increase the number of visitors to our province.
“We are pleased with the intention to support the provincial efforts in this regard, expressed by the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development,” she said.
“As early as February 2024, we entered into a strategic partnership with the Aspinall Foundation to elevate the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve to a Big 5 game reserve. We have also concluded a collaboration with Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation to fight poaching in Manyeleti,” she said.