Limpopo summit to discuss development plan

Monday, December 8, 2014

Pretoria - The Limpopo Development Plan (LDP), which is aimed at bringing qualitative changes in the province’s economy, will take centre stage at the provincial summit to be held in Polokwane on Tuesday.

Premier Chupu Mathabatha has previously stressed the aim of growing the economy of the province by 5% in 2019.

Provincial government spokesperson, Phuthi Seloba, said one of the key focus areas of LDP is to create sustainable economic development, reduce unemployment and eradicate poverty.

“The purpose of the LDP is to serve as a single reference point for policy-makers in government, private sector, civil society and donors with regard to developmental priorities for Limpopo, bearing in mind that development are about people.

“The LDP is the overarching strategy for Limpopo Province for the next five years, from 2014/2015 - 2019/2020 financial years,” he said.

Seloba further described the plan as an overarching operational medium-term strategy for the province, focused towards achieving the provincial vision.

“The main thrust of the LDP is to reduce poverty, unemployment levels and inequality through sustainable economic development and transformation, social development and transformation, as a means of growing the economy.

“The LDP also intends to curb the triple challenges that have adversely affected the province and the country at large which are: poverty, inequality and unemployment,” he said.

According to Seloba the revised LDP needs to enhance industrialisation and sustainable economic development in the province.

This was identified by the Premier when he said: “We have identified infrastructure development, industrialisation and manufacturing as new game changers. This will be in addition to mining, agriculture and tourism.”

The Limpopo Development Plan’s objectives are to:

  • Create decent employment through inclusive economic growth and sustainable livelihoods;
  • Improve the quality of life of citizens;
  • Prioritise social protection and social investment;
  • Promote vibrant and equitable sustainable urban and  rural communities;
  • Raise the effectiveness and efficiency of a developmental public service; and
  • Ensure sustainable development (Economic, Social and Environmental aspects).

The inception of LDP is to augment the matric pass rate, electricity supply, sanitation, gross domestic products from 2014 to 2020.

The matric pass rate was accentuated by the Premier in the State of the Province Address that the targeted pass rate for this academic year is 80%.

According to the Plan, sanitation and electricity supply as basic amenities will increase from 43% to 50 and from 83% to 90% respectively. The provision of water will increase from 83% in 2014 to 90% by 2020. - SAnews.gov.za