By Nomaxabiso Maqanda

19 February 2010, Premier Noxolo Kiviet gave her State of the Province speech detailing the progress that the province is making on a number of issues pertaining to its development and how the province is tackling its numerous challenges. Her address was centered on the eight priorities that had been identified in the previous year’s address—the implementation of the Provincial Strategic Framework.  Essentially, the premier delivered a report on the progress made, challenges faced and achievements regarding these priorities.

It has been confirmed that South Africa is showing signs of recovery from the effects of recent recession. This was confirmed by the South African Reserve Bank governor, Gill Marcus, when she addressed a parliamentary committee last month. The premier, however, cautioned that the recovery would not be a speedy one, but “slow and painful.”

The report regarding the first priority—speeding up growth and transforming the economy to create decent work and sustainable livelihoods—was encouraging. It highlighted positive interventions made by government and government’s plans to prioritise growth of the primary sector through provision of investment incentives, trade assistance, access to finance and state investment.

The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) was of particular importance when it came to tackling the issue of high unemployment and poverty in the province. Through this programme more than 18 800 of the 60 000 target for job-creation was reached and the jobs created benefited mainly women-headed households. The vast amount of reach that this programme has had is both impressive and encouraging. However, although the EPWP might have created job opportunities for many, it is only a short-term intervention that doesn’t allow one to create a sustainable livelihood.

Long-term strategies capable of creating decent work and sustainable livelihoods will do a much better job at addressing underdevelopment, high unemployment and poverty levels that presently characterise the province. Appropriately, the premier acknowledged this short-coming in her address and has cited a number of strategies that are aimed at dealing with this matter. These include the implementation of the Provincial Co-operatives Strategy, which is aimed at diversifying the manufacturing sector, establishing the Co-operative Development Fund and launching housing and agricultural co-operatives, amongst its other objectives.

The premier also announced that procurement policies would be reviewed in order to promote co-operatives and SMMEs, and mechanisms would be put in place to deal with corruption in procurement processes. This is a progressive step as it will ensure that up and coming businesses have a fighting and fair chance at economic growth, and the alignment of Local and Regional Economic Development initiatives with government programmes further supports the development of SMMEs by offering them an enabling environment.

In a province where a relatively large segment of the population resides in the rural areas, it becomes crucial to prioritise issues of rural development, land, agrarian reform and food security. Accordingly, the premier mentioned the adoption of a Rural Development Strategy which would—if successfully implemented—result in the transfer and redirection of resources by all sectors towards the rural poor, which will in turn uplift the rural economy. A comprehensive land audit will be embarked on in order to identify available land for agricultural production and land redistribution. The teaching of Maths and Science in rural areas, to be provided through the American Embassy, will be a great resource for the children who are in rural areas where there is often lack of skill and equipment for these subjects.

Good governance is important as it ensures quality services delivery, while also restoring people’s confidence in government. The provincial government acknowledges the importance of this as it is implementing a “Clean Audits by 2014” Campaign, which will also help in restricting corrupt practices by government officials. It is encouraging to note that municipalities will not be left behind in this process. The provincial government is working together with municipalities in strengthening and instilling good financial governance. This is especially pleasing since local government is the key vehicle for service delivery.

The State of the Province Address highlighted a number of strategies already undertaken by government, and some yet to be embarked on. Tthe successful implementation of these strategies is something to be anticipated with a hint of caution as it has become almost an established practice of government to have sound strategies that are not properly executed.

Although the address was consistent in that it reported on the eight priorities that were mentioned in the previous year’s address, maintaining this structure did not leave room for some of the challenges faced by the province to be tackled, such as the issue of climate change and its implications on our province, and whether the strategies to be employed by government will be environmentally friendly and promote and emphasise sustainability. When carrying out some of these strategies especially those concerning agriculture, it might also be useful to make use of indigenous knowledge as this is likely to have less dire consequences on the environment. Some parts of the province are plagued with water shortages.  The Nelson Mandel Bay Municipality is facing a water crisis and the dams are said to be 38.5 percent full in total combined capacity.

These are some of the critical issues that should have been addressed. Whether the strategies highlighted in the State of the Province Address will effectively deal with the challenges of underdevelopment, unemployment and poverty remain to be seen.

• http://www.polity.org.za/article/sa-exiting-recession-fast-sarb-2010-02-23

• http://myza.co.za/portelizabeth/port-elizabeth-dams-down-to-38-5-full/2010/03/10/