STELLALANDER-VRYBURG: The African National Congress (ANC) Caucus in the North West Provincial Legislature has welcomed the measures announced by Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi in his 2025 State of the Province Address (SOPA), delivered on Thursday, February 27.
The Premier’s plans to stimulate rural economies through infrastructure development are seen as a critical step toward tackling unemployment and creating much-needed jobs. ANC Chief Whip Motlalepula Rosho, speaking on behalf of the Caucus, expressed optimism about the Premier’s commitment to revitalizing village and township economies, highlighting that these initiatives would empower young people burdened by joblessness. “The SOPA pronouncements give us hope that these efforts will translate into meaningful empowerment programs, ultimately helping to defuse the ticking time bomb of youth unemployment,” she stated. Rosho acknowledged Premier Mokgosi’s frank approach in addressing the challenges faced by communities while outlining a responsive Programme of Action (POA) to accelerate service delivery. She welcomed the collaboration between the provincial government and the private sector, emphasizing that leveraging expertise and investment in economic infrastructure, such as roads and water services, was essential for sustainable growth. The seventh administration’s commitment to restoring institutions, dismantling corruption, and driving economic recovery received strong support from the ANC Caucus. Rosho praised the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to rebuild and expand the economy, creating a cycle of investment, growth, and job opportunities. She reaffirmed the ANC’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding democratic gains while advancing a future of opportunity and equality in the North West province. On agriculture, Rosho noted that the development of historically marginalized farmers was vital for financial inclusion and economic growth in the sector. She also highlighted progress in negotiating water acquisition agreements with stakeholders, as well as plans to establish professionally managed, ring-fenced utilities to ensure the sufficient provision and maintenance of water services—a fundamental necessity for community survival. The ANC Caucus also applauded the provincial government’s commitment to education, particularly the expansion of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) to secondary schools.
This initiative, they said, plays a crucial role in restoring the dignity of learners, ensuring they can focus on their studies in an environment free from hunger and deprivation. Rosho concluded by reaffirming the ANC’s dedication to effective governance, stating that the SOPA had given ANC employees clear marching orders to tackle municipal challenges and guide the North West province toward prosperity—leaving no one behind. “As committees of the legislature, our responsibility is to exercise effective oversight and demand accountability. We must ensure that all allocated resources are optimally utilized, avoiding fruitless and wasteful expenditure while preventing underspending,” she emphasized.
