Opposition parties in the Limpopo legislature have described Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s State of the Province Address (SOPA) as misleading and not a reflection of the state of the province.
The parties were speaking during the SOPA debate of the provincial legislature in Lebowakgomo.
In a heated SOPA debate, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Provincial Legislature, Lawrence Mapoulo, has said Premier Ramathuba seems to have given up on the revival of the Zebediela Citrus Estate.
Ramathuba announced during the SOPA that they will request the national Department of Agriculture to intervene after efforts to revive the farm failed.
The once biggest citrus producer on the African continent, collapsed due to infighting amongst beneficiaries of a land claim.
Mapoulo says the Premier’s lack of decisive action is an indication that the provincial government has run out of ideas.
“The Zebediela citrus farm, which had potential to create more than 200 jobs, remains a shadow of its former glory. What was said during the Premier’s SOPA, it was clear that she is throwing her hands, giving up on such an important land project which could change the lives of our people. She has simply acknowledged that government’s intervention on this project did not work – therefore a waste on taxpayers money.”
Another opposition, Democratic Alliance (DA) says the provincial government cannot survive the withdrawal of funding by the United States of America to HIV/AIDS programs.
DA’s MPL Lindy Wilson says the provincial government needs to move with speed to ensure that ARVs continue to be provided to patients.
“We must act now as ARVs are vanishing, our medical facilities as it stands will not cope with the upcoming crisis.”
African National Congress (ANC) MPL and Economic Development MEC Tshitereke Matibe says they will remodel the business funding of agencies.
Matibe adds that the new model will enable young people to access funds from business agencies.
“We are seriously reevaluating the criteria of SMMES support fund as you have directed honourable Premier, to ensure that it recognises the potential of small businesses that were previously marginalised. So that we can support and mentor them in a way that will ensure inclusivity and redress. In addition, we are driving forward youth inclusion through what we call the township support programme,” explains Matibe.
The MK Party has criticised the provincial government of failing to curb youth unemployment.
Its MPL Velile Jack says government failed to create employment for residents in the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone.
“They promised about 22,000 jobs to the people of Musina-Makhado. It seems even in the next eight years, we will still be talking about Musina-Makhado as a failed project. Limpopo is bleeding, young people are dying as they are failing to endure being a Mahlalela [unemployed] with qualifications.”
“Graduate programs, internships and EPWP are not jobs. The rise in the number of suicides and depression mostly amongst the youth is mostly due to unemployment,” adds Jack.
Premier Ramathuba is expected to respond to the debate at the Lebowakgowa legislature on Thursday.
