MPUMALANGA – Delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA), Premier Mandla Ndlovu boasted about a number of projects completed as promises of the past and current administration on Friday, February 28.
Ndlovu reported on the number of completed projects promised by former Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane during the 2024 SOPA and commitments made by him during the Opening of the Legislature Address (OLA) on July 31, 2024.
“We have completed almost all projects that we promised to complete,” said Ndlovu.
The Premier went on to say that these commitments include programmes aimed at improving the quality of life for the most vulnerable sectors of society, regardless of race, class, or creed.
“We have expanded access to basic services, housing, education and skills, health, food security, safety and security, social and economic infrastructure, and economic growth,” he said.
On housing, the Premier said his administration had delivered a total of 575 houses in Nkangala from the previous financial year to the current.
He explained that 205 houses were built in eMakhazeni municipality, formerly Belfast, in Madala, Saelee, and Gugulethu.
In the Steve Tshwete municipality, the Premier accounted for 370 houses, of which 285 were delivered at Kwazamokuhle Extensions 1 and 9, while 88 houses were built in Rondebosh in Middelburg.
Some of the completed projects the Premier announced include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Upgrading of the Phumula Outfall Sewer pipeline, benefiting 32,224 households in the Gert Sibande District Municipality
• Refurbishment of the Elukwatini Sewer Pump Station, benefiting 14,751 households
• Refurbishment and upgrading of Phase 2 of the Waste Water Treatment Works in Delmas, benefiting 100,802 households
• Replacement of asbestos bulk supply lines in Ga-Phahla and Siyabuswa
• Replacement of asbestos water pipes to reduce non-revenue water in Botleng, Delmas
• Construction of the Klarinet and Siyangoba Phase 2 link and bulk water supply, benefiting 30,382 households
• Construction of the Matheysensloop to Kwaggafontein Booster Pump Station and drilling of boreholes in Marapyane in Dr JS Moroka to benefit 11,364 households
• Construction of the sewer reticulation network in Amsterdam to benefit 1,009 households
“We make commitments and deliver. We promise less and do more, for we are captains of our souls,” Premier Ndlovu concluded.
“Failure is not an option. We must meet these commitments and deliver a better life for all.”
Responding to the speech, uMkhonto WeSizwe Mpumalanga leader, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, criticised the premier for failing to account for promises made in 2024 and for not reporting back on commitments.
“For me, this was a repetition of the promises he made in 2024. He promised us 17 bridges, but today he is not telling us how many of those 17 bridges have been built,” Mkhwebane said.
She further urged the premier to ensure accountability whenever he makes promises, while also expressing doubt about the feasibility of achieving the 3% economic growth target mentioned by the premier.
Mkhwebane concluded by outlining MK’s plan, as the opposition, to establish and deploy a team across the province to expose unfulfilled promises and inform citizens.
HC archive: Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu says he completed almost all projects left by his predecessor, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, and is beginning to fulfil his promises.
