Ndlovu advocates for an ‘unusual business’ approach. Is he envisioning the impossible?
MPUMALANGA – The Premier of Mpumalanga, Mandla Ndlovu, has urged his subordinates to embrace a “business unusual” strategy to realize his vision.
“In order to actualise this vision, it is imperative for individuals to acknowledge that the status quo cannot be maintained, but rather, a departure from traditional practices is necessary,” the Premier articulated during the opening of the Mpumalanga provincial legislature on July 31, 2024.
Premier Ndlovu, inaugurated on June 18, 2024, expressed his aspiration for the province to achieve its 2030 objectives, encompassing an average economic growth rate of 5%, a 5% unemployment rate, employment for 2.1 million individuals, a 0% unemployment rate for young graduates, and a complete eradication of poverty.
He emphasised that failing the people of Mpumalanga would be inexcusable and a huge disappointment to the masses.
“The sole path to prevent disappointing our citizens is for all of us to embrace the ‘unusual business’ approach,” he emphasised.
He proceeded to invite “all individuals” to labour diligently and safeguard the dream. “Yes, to defend our dream,” he affirmed. “I understand that my dream is your dream. Let us protect it.”
In addition to economic, unemployment, and poverty targets, the Premier disclosed his aspirations for universal access to fundamental amenities for all households, shelter provision, enforcement of laws without fear, and the cultivation of a technologically adept generation across the province.
He also articulated his desire for every girl from rural areas to have access to sanitary provisions, boys to have dignity kits, and girls to attend school without fear and return home safely.
“The four Jet-patcher teams must diligently maintain our roads on a daily basis, reducing ambulance response times, ensuring that community health care centres are operational 24/7, and eradicating pit latrines in all schools,” he conveyed.
However, dreams remain intangible until concrete actions are taken, marking the commencement of their actualisation.
As a recently appointed Premier, he is tasked with completing projects initiated by his predecessor, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, now appointed to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) as chairperson, before embarking on the realisation of his aspirations.
Projects such as the Mkhuhlu and Mkhondo Agrihubs, and the Loskop Regional Water Scheme, are anticipated to be finalised in the 2024/25 fiscal year.
On Friday, 2 August 2024, the public works department handed over the long-awaited Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM), which commenced construction in 2018, to the department of agriculture, rural development, land, and environmental affairs. The MIFPM, valued at R1.7 billion, will serve as a trading platform for local, national, and international export, enabling Mpumalanga farmers to expand their enterprises.
These are some of the projects Ndlovu must conclude before pursuing his dream:
- Finalise and operationalise the recently constructed Middleburg Hospital in Steve Tshwete municipality
- Ensure the full functionality of the Mmametlhake Hospital in Dr JS Moroka municipality
- Continue the construction of Mapulaneng Hospital in Bushbuckridge municipality
- Advance the planning and designs for the Linah Malatjie Tertiary Hospital in Emalahleni municipality
- Enhance tertiary hospital services (Oncology unit) at Rob Ferreira Hospital in Mbombela municipality
Regarding infrastructure, he committed to:
- Rehabilitate the Luphisi Road (D1723) between roads D636 and P258/1 in Mbombela
- Reconstruct the Driekoppies Bridge in Nkomazi municipality, and construct the road over rail bridge in Emalahleni
- Upgrade road D3954 and D3958 between Casteel and Zoeknog in Bushbuckridge
- Reseal road D2943 between Langeloop and KaMhlushwa (Driekoppies Road) in Nkomazi
- Upgrade road D2950 from D797 to Dhludluma including Ring Road in Nkomazi
