The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the North West looks forward to the first State of the Province Address by honourable Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi on Thursday, 25 July 2024.
In his acceptance speech on the occasion of his election as Premier, Mokgosi undertook to grow the economy of the province. COSATU is curious about tangible plans along with confirmation of his commitment to convene a job and economic summit in the province.
In his Opening of Parliament, President Cyril Ramaphosa made the following commitments:
1. To recapitalise the manufacturing capacity of the country. In line with this we expect to hear how the North West province intends to contribute to industrialisation in the country, given that it is endowed with mineral deposits and therefore it is central to the halting of exports of rock, soil and dust in favour of beneficiation.
2. The President also asserted that the country should be turned into a construction site. In this regard, the Premier should outline the infrastructure projects that will unfold during the term office of the 7th administration.
3. To build the capacity of local government to deliver services to the people. It is no secret that the North West province has the most dysfunctional municipalities. COSATU in the province wishes for commitment from Premier Mokgosi that the 7th administration will turn the state of municipalities in the province around and make them functional.
The Federation expects the 7th administration to detail plans to revitalise provincial state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to enable them to contribute significantly to job creation and towards the growth of the economy in the province.
Solid working relationships with civil society organisations and traditional authorities are paramount. The state must outline strategies to build these relationships, including plans to partner and support trade unions in the province. Additionally, how working relationships with traditional leaders would be strengthened as the province is mostly rural, and many communities are still under traditional authority.
In conclusion, COSATU is specifically interested in the Premier’s programmes to combat the scourge of corruption and maladministration, including a commitment to fight crime and build safer communities.
Issued by COSATU North West
For more information, please feel free to contact:
Provincial Secretary COSATU North West, Kopano Konopi, 082 339 5836
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