Progress is being made to address service delivery challenges in the Free State, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said.
“Now we are starting to see some progress in terms of implementation and development, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done,” she said on Friday.
The Minister’s comments came following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s engagement with the provincial government. The Presidency said the visit was aligned with President Ramaphosa’s commitment to encourage closer collaboration with provinces and local spheres of government to tackle service delivery challenges.
Minister Ntshavheni also spoke of the importance of institutionalising the District Development Model (DDM) across the country.
“Remember, it started during the 6th Administration, and we are continuing with it in the 7th Administration,” Ntshavheni said.
Since its launch in 2019, the DDM has been a game-changer, breaking the pattern and focusing intentionally on integrating planning, budgeting, and implementation.
The DDM allows national and provincial governments to strategically channel resources into districts and metros where capacity is weaker, thereby improving local and national spatial equity.
In terms of the Free State, the Minister said that the province has provided the executive with a programme of action.
“The province has provided us with a programme of action plan, we are going to consolidate it and see what the progress is on these matters, and see where the Presidency’s intervention is required to ensure that we unlock the support that is required."
In his interaction with the provincial government, the President said the province should share the practices it is using to successfully address certain challenges, so they can be replicated elsewhere in the country.
“For example, the Free State is leading the way in providing comprehensive agricultural support to emerging farmers and in implementing food security initiatives in vulnerable communities,” he said.
During Friday's engagement, Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae outlined the work the provincial government is taking to propel and reposition the economy “towards sectors that can unlock inclusive growth and sustainable employment.”
These include:
• Artificial Intelligence and robotics.
• Renewable energy and green hydrogen.
• Natural gas development.
• Agro-processing and food production.
• The digital economy and e-commerce.
• Entrepreneurship and support for small enterprises.
READ | Free State plan to reposition economy as Premier tackles unemployment 'crisis'
President Ramaphosa has already held interactions with the provincial governments of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and the North West. – SAnews.gov.za
