Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul says addressing unemployment, corruption and lack of infrastructure development are amongst the provincial government’s top priorities. He says more needs to be done to grow the economy of the province. Saul delivered his fourth State of the Province Address in Upington.
“The issue of youth unemployment has reached crisis proportions now and that one of key focus areas for the provincial government. So we will have to work with an accelerated speed to ensure that we turn things around. There is massive work we’ve been doing from the government side, lots of investment in that front to make sure that we expose young people to work and also to ensure that they get the necessary skills to be absorbed in the labour market,” says Saul.
Opposition parties in the Northern Cape say the State of the Province Address was a repetition of empty promises he made in previous years. They say the state of municipalities and healthcare services remain poor. The Democratic Alliance’s Joe McGluwa and Economic Freedom Fighters’ Aubrey Baartman say Saul must start acting against corruption and deliver services.
“Year after year we hear the same old story. People are suffering without water. In Kakamas, there is no water. We see our criminal activities are escalating in the province. Looking at our roads, our potholes. So, we need to see what action is going to happen. What action will the premier take when it comes to corruption?” says McGluwa.
“Right now he is not giving us a clear date when these things will be implemented. It is not clear. So, that is why we are saying most of these things is a wish list,” says Baartman.
VIDEO: SOPA Northern Cape – Premier Dr Zamani Saul highlights the social and economic impact of COVID-19:
