As Premier Panyaza Lesufi prepares to deliver the State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Monday, 24 February 2025, ActionSA calls for a comprehensive update on the critical interventions he previously promised to address Gauteng’s growing crises.
The people of Gauteng cannot afford another SOPA filled with empty promises and gimmicks-they need real, measurable progress. Premier Lesufi must provide clear updates, backed by data and timelines, on whether his administration’s interventions have made any impact.
ActionSA expects the Premier to report on five critical areas, outlining the current status, challenges, and measurable outcomes of his commitments.
1. Gauteng’s Water Crisis – Where Are the Promised Solutions?
Premier Lesufi previously announced several measures to address the province’s worsening water crisis, including:
– The formation of a specialised law enforcement team to crack down on illegal water connections.
– The implementation of Level 1 water restrictions across municipalities to manage demand.
– The launch of a water data hub to provide real-time information on water supply issues.
ActionSA calls for updates on the following:
– What impact has the law enforcement team had? How many illegal connections have been removed?
– Are the water restrictions effective? Have they improved supply, or are they just another failed policy?
– Is the water data hub operational and accessible? How has it improved public awareness and response?
Without real investment in infrastructure upgrades and proper maintenance, water shortages will persist, crippling businesses and daily life in Gauteng. The Premier must provide detailed progress reports on long-term solutions, not just temporary fixes.
2. The Healthcare Crisis – Have Patients Seen Any Improvement?
Gauteng’s public healthcare system remains in a state of collapse, with chronic staff shortages, failing infrastructure, and severely under-resourced hospitals and clinics. The Premier previously committed to:
– Expanding drug rehabilitation services to combat substance abuse.
– Providing skills development programmes to help people exit homelessness and reintegrate into society.
ActionSA calls for updates on the following:
– How many new rehab facilities are fully operational? What impact have they had on substance abuse rates?
– Have the skills programmes led to job placements and long-term support?
Beyond these limited interventions, Premier Lesufi must outline bold, systemic reforms to fix the healthcare crisis. The people of Gauteng deserve quality healthcare, not waiting lists and neglect.
3. Economic Growth and Job Creation – Where Are the Promised Jobs?
Gauteng’s economy should be the driver of South Africa’s growth, yet under this government, unemployment is at record levels. Premier Lesufi previously announced:
– R22 billion in investments secured from the 5th South African Investment Conference.
– Over R2 billion allocated to township businesses to drive economic inclusion.
ActionSA calls for updates on the following:
– How many jobs have actually been created from these investments?
– Has the township business funding reached entrepreneurs, or is it trapped in government inefficiencies?
The Premier must go beyond announcing investment figures and demonstrate how these commitments are changing lives and creating sustainable economic opportunities.
4. Infrastructure and Inner-City Development – Has Anything Changed?
Gauteng’s cities are deteriorating rapidly, with hijacked buildings, crumbling roads, and failing transport networks. Premier Lesufi pledged:
– A multi-stakeholder plan to revitalise Johannesburg’s CBD and restore order.
ActionSA calls for updates on the following:
– Has the inner-city revitalisation programme led to any real improvements?
– What specific steps have been taken to reclaim hijacked buildings and restore urban safety?
The government’s failure to enforce the rule of law and invest in infrastructure has turned oncethriving business hubs into crime zones. ActionSA wants to see a concrete plan with timelines, budget allocations and accountability mechanisms.
5. Community Safety and Law Enforcement – Has Crime Actually Decreased?
Johannesburg and Tshwane are ranked number one and two on the list of cities with the highest crime index, signitying the extent to which Gauteng residents live in fear daily, as crime spirals out of control and law enforcement remains underfunded and compromised by corruption.
Premier Lesufi increased the budget for the Department of Community Safety from
R750 million to R2 billion, promising:
– More visible policing and crime-fighting resources.
ActionSA calls for updates on the following:
– Whilst crime has slightly gone down in Gauteng, the fact that Gauteng is the murder and highjacking capital of South Africa – contributing 25% and 48% to the national murder and highjacking statistics respectively – is extremely concerning?
What measures have been put in place to reduce these shocking numbers?
– Where has the additional R2 billion been spent? Has it led to better-equipped police stations and stronger crime-fighting units?
Without accountability and measurable progress, this budget increase means nothing.
Gauteng residents need to know that criminals are being arrested, prosecuted and removed from their communities.
Conclusion – Gauteng Deserves Real Progress, Not More Excuses ActionSA urges Premier Lesufi not to use SOPA as a PR exercise while residents continue to suffer. We call upon him to present clear updates, backed by facts and figures, on the commitments he has made.
Gauteng deserves a government that delivers, not one that simply makes announcements and disappears. The upcoming SOPA presents an opportunity for the Premier to demonstrate love and care for the well-being of South Africans, accountability and commitment to improving the lives of Gauteng’s residents.
ActionSA Calls for Premier Lesufi to Provide Progress Updates on Key Interventions in Upcoming State of The Province Address
As Premier Panyaza Lesufi prepares to deliver the State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Monday, 24 February 2025, ActionSA calls for a comprehensive update on the critical interventions he previously promised to address Gauteng’s growing crises.
The people of Gauteng cannot afford another SOPA filled with empty promises and gimmicks-they need real, measurable progress. Premier Lesufi must provide clear updates, backed by data and timelines, on whether his administration’s interventions have made any impact.
ActionSA expects the Premier to report on five critical areas, outlining the current status, challenges, and measurable outcomes of his commitments.
1. Gauteng’s Water Crisis – Where Are the Promised Solutions?
Premier Lesufi previously announced several measures to address the province’s worsening water crisis, including:
– The formation of a specialised law enforcement team to crack down on illegal water connections.
– The implementation of Level 1 water restrictions across municipalities to manage demand.
– The launch of a water data hub to provide real-time information on water supply issues.
ActionSA calls for updates on the following:
– What impact has the law enforcement team had? How many illegal connections have been removed?
– Are the water restrictions effective? Have they improved supply, or are they just another failed policy?
– Is the water data hub operational and accessible? How has it improved public awareness and response?
Without real investment in infrastructure upgrades and proper maintenance, water shortages will persist, crippling businesses and daily life in Gauteng. The Premier must provide detailed progress reports on long-term solutions, not just temporary fixes.
2. The Healthcare Crisis – Have Patients Seen Any Improvement?
Gauteng’s public healthcare system remains in a state of collapse, with chronic staff shortages, failing infrastructure, and severely under-resourced hospitals and clinics. The Premier previously committed to:
– Expanding drug rehabilitation services to combat substance abuse.
– Providing skills development programmes to help people exit homelessness and reintegrate into society.
ActionSA calls for updates on the following:
– How many new rehab facilities are fully operational? What impact have they had on substance abuse rates?
– Have the skills programmes led to job placements and long-term support?
Beyond these limited interventions, Premier Lesufi must outline bold, systemic reforms to fix the healthcare crisis. The people of Gauteng deserve quality healthcare, not waiting lists and neglect.
3. Economic Growth and Job Creation – Where Are the Promised Jobs?
Gauteng’s economy should be the driver of South Africa’s growth, yet under this government, unemployment is at record levels. Premier Lesufi previously announced:
– R22 billion in investments secured from the 5th South African Investment Conference.
– Over R2 billion allocated to township businesses to drive economic inclusion.
ActionSA calls for updates on the following:
– How many jobs have actually been created from these investments?
– Has the township business funding reached entrepreneurs, or is it trapped in government inefficiencies?
The Premier must go beyond announcing investment figures and demonstrate how these commitments are changing lives and creating sustainable economic opportunities.
4. Infrastructure and Inner-City Development – Has Anything Changed?
Gauteng’s cities are deteriorating rapidly, with hijacked buildings, crumbling roads, and failing transport networks. Premier Lesufi pledged:
– A multi-stakeholder plan to revitalise Johannesburg’s CBD and restore order.
ActionSA calls for updates on the following:
– Has the inner-city revitalisation programme led to any real improvements?
– What specific steps have been taken to reclaim hijacked buildings and restore urban safety?
The government’s failure to enforce the rule of law and invest in infrastructure has turned oncethriving business hubs into crime zones. ActionSA wants to see a concrete plan with timelines, budget allocations and accountability mechanisms.
5. Community Safety and Law Enforcement – Has Crime Actually Decreased?
Johannesburg and Tshwane are ranked number one and two on the list of cities with the highest crime index, signitying the extent to which Gauteng residents live in fear daily, as crime spirals out of control and law enforcement remains underfunded and compromised by corruption.
Premier Lesufi increased the budget for the Department of Community Safety from
R750 million to R2 billion, promising:
– More visible policing and crime-fighting resources.
ActionSA calls for updates on the following:
– Whilst crime has slightly gone down in Gauteng, the fact that Gauteng is the murder and highjacking capital of South Africa – contributing 25% and 48% to the national murder and highjacking statistics respectively – is extremely concerning?
What measures have been put in place to reduce these shocking numbers?
– Where has the additional R2 billion been spent? Has it led to better-equipped police stations and stronger crime-fighting units?
Without accountability and measurable progress, this budget increase means nothing.
Gauteng residents need to know that criminals are being arrested, prosecuted and removed from their communities.
Conclusion – Gauteng Deserves Real Progress, Not More Excuses ActionSA urges Premier Lesufi not to use SOPA as a PR exercise while residents continue to suffer. We call upon him to present clear updates, backed by facts and figures, on the commitments he has made.
Gauteng deserves a government that delivers, not one that simply makes announcements and disappears. The upcoming SOPA presents an opportunity for the Premier to demonstrate love and care for the well-being of South Africans, accountability and commitment to improving the lives of Gauteng’s residents.