Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s State of the Province Address (SOPA) has drawn mixed reactions, with billions in promised investments and 250,000 potential jobs on the table.
While Rise Mzansi praised the focus on water and infrastructure, residents remain wary as evening water restrictions signal that service delivery challenges are far from over.
During his address, Lesufi acknowledged ongoing service delivery challenges and stressed that infrastructure failures, not water scarcity, are at the heart of the province’s water crisis.
He announced a R760 million upgrade to fix key systems in Johannesburg and vowed to expand delivery while improving roads, traffic signals, and basic services across the region.
Build One South Africa (BOSA) member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Ayanda Allie, did not hold back in her assessment of the SOPA, sharply criticising the handling of water and service delivery.
“I'm quite concerned. Right at the beginning, he began with an apology and then spoke about how the issues of water were top of his agenda. But if you remember, when it comes to issues of water, he then says there's something that's going to be called, you know, 'tightening' or a 'water restriction' in the evening.
"We should be very careful about such things. This is how we got to load shedding and how we got to load reduction. So, I'm unimpressed by all of that. And in fact, more than anything, I'm concerned.”
Allie also demanded answers on long‑standing promises, including the 180 drones, four helicopters, and CCTV cameras equipped with facial recognition announced nearly three years ago but never fully implemented.
“All of these wonderful grand ideas of the premier always die out in the inception stage or perhaps even the pilot stage. We do understand that there was a pilot stage that had happened, but very few people had access to it, and he never also spoke to issues of how you would communicate it far and wide and what then would happen when you press this panic button and whether there'll be boots on the ground to assist those who are in need of assistance. And so, we then look at that and say, another failed project,” she added.
While BOSA criticised the government’s track record, other political stakeholders highlighted areas of progress and the potential impact of Lesufi’s promised investments.
Rise Mzansi welcomed the premier's commitment to infrastructure, crime prevention, and service delivery.
The party noted progress in water systems, healthcare, education, and informal settlements. They also praised the coordinated response to the Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak, which has already seen over 280,000 cattle vaccinated, and lauded the R1.9‑billion investment from Heineken Global, which promises jobs for small-scale farmers.
“Residents want lasting solutions, not recurring emergencies,” the party said, stressing that sustainable progress requires continued engagement and accountability through the Government of Provincial Unity.
Freedom Front Plus acknowledged that Lesufi’s focus on attracting large-scale investments is a step in the right direction but warned that promises alone will not ensure economic growth.
The party said the province needs far more local and foreign investment to truly grow the economy.
“The premier devoted a larger portion of his speech to economic investments, which could solve numerous socio-economic problems. But these promises must deliver real results for residents,” while also urging that minority communities, Afrikaans schools, and welfare organisations receive fair support.
The Star
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