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All spheres of government, clusters and sectors will prioritise relevant economic interventions towards increased prosperity and equality for all the people of Mpumalanga. – Mpumalanga premier, Mandla Ndlovu.

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Sizwe sama Yende

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 Mpumalanga premier, Mandla Ndlovu, delivered the State of the Province Address on February 28.

This is what the residents of this province can expect during Ndlovu’s first term and in the 2025/2026 financial year:

 Economic growth

“Over the next five years, we will target economic growth that creates approximately 300 000 additional and sustainable work opportunities,” Ndlovu said.

·  The province targets an economic growth of 3% and more to create at least 60 000 jobs and more per annum;

·  Attracting R50 billion in domestic and foreign investment;

·  Reducing poverty to less than 35% and the 50% youth unemployment;

·  Improve on the unemployment rate of 34.7%

·  Create 156 jobs at the Mpumalanga Fresh Produce Market to be launched in April and also a market for 150 000 subsistence farmers;

·   Create an additional 105 000 jobs at a farm level.

“We are prioritising Township and Rural Economy. A study will be conducted that will hasten the implementation of the township and

rural economy including the resuscitation of the Industrial parks.”

Proposed projects to create jobs

·  Bid and request for proposals for the fourth casino licence in the province;

·  Acceleration of the God’s Window Skywalk Public-Private Partnership Project;

·   Invitation of private sector partner to build the Barberton Makhonjwa World Heritage Site;

·  Conceptualisation of the water-based entertainment theme park (water waves).

·  Fast-tracking the  funding model and public private sector partnership in implementing the International Conference Centre (ICC).

Health 

“287 out of 292 clinics have achieved ideal clinic status, meeting the National Health care standards,” Ndlovu said.

In the health sector, the Mpumalanga government will be:

• Constructing th Linah Malatjie hospital to enhance tertiary health services in collaboration with Infrastructure South Africa;

•  Constructing Rob Ferreira Radiation Oncology Centre which will enable the province to completely treat cancer patients than relying in Gauteng;

• Constructing the Mpumalanga Mental Health hospital to provide mental health services;

• Constructing a rehabilitation facility at Barberton TB Hospital to provide nephrology services;

• Modernising the delivery of health care services and maximum utilisation of available resources through implementation of tele-medicine;

• Build of the following clinics in 2025/2026: Siyabuswa CHC, Lebahang Clinic, Alexander Clinic, Langkloof Clinic, (upgrading) Lefisoane Clinic, Kinross and Barberton Clinic.

Education

·  Construction of a school for learners living with disabilities will start in 2025/26;

·  Prioritising the eradication of 53 old schools which were built by communities and the re-roofing of 81 asbestos schools.

Roads

“The length of our road is 13 387km, of which 40% is surface and 60% gravel. Our goal is to have at least 75% of our road network attaining a minimum classification of ‘good’ by 2031.”

Water

 “Our government deserves recognition for improving access to clean water, 87% of thepopulation now has access to reliable water,” Ndlovu said.

These are major projects in Mpumalanga to address water shortages:

·  The construction of the R2 billion Loskop Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme is underway, to supply bulk water to villages in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.  This project will be completed in the 2025/26 financial year;

·   The construction of the R550 million Amsterdam and Sheepmore Bulk Water Supply Scheme at Mkhondo Local Municipality, are progressing well at above 40% to completion. The project will be completed in June 2026;

·   Driekoppies Bulk Water Supply Scheme phase, which was halted will resume construction works and be completed during the 2025/26 financial year;

·    The feasibility studies on the proposed construction of the Mbombela Dam at Mountain View is at an advanced stage.

“Through the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the province is currently developing a Provincial Bulk Water and Sanitation Master Plan to assist with planning and implementation of bulk water and sanitation,” the premier said.