By OBAKENG MAJE
11 November 2024- The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in North West said there is nothing to celebrate as the situation continues to deteriorate. This comes after the 7th administration of the North West Provincial Government (NWPG), marked 100 days in office last week.
SANCO provincial spokesperson, Mzukisi Jam painted a grim picture regarding poor service delivery, inaccessible roads and high rate of unemployment. Jam said since the 7th administration took over, there is nothing to write home about.
“We appreciate the fact that the ANC-led government has been in office for 100 days. However, from the service delivery point of view and improvement in terms of people’s lives, there is nothing to celebrate. North West province is still leading in terms of high rate of unemployment and the 7th administration was aware of this during ascendancy to the office.
“However, there is no sign or attempt to address this matter, which to us is serious. The high rate of unemployment should be described as a state of emergency because you cannot have a province as rich as North West in terms of minerals, tourism and agriculture, but have a high rate of unemployment,” he said.
Jam further said people of the province have embarked on protests over lack of provision of water, and these are the issues the 7th administration entered into the office knowing. He added that as SANCO, they brought all these to the attention of the ANC during electioneering.
“We have promised the people that the ANC-led government will address those challenges. We also promised them to hold the ANC accountable. So, it is disconcerting to tell you today that the people of the North West are still struggling with provision of water.
“We have mayors in various municipalities using the allocated funds for provision of water for different projects. So, we are still trailing way behind and the entire province is still struggling with accessibility of water, which is a fundamental human right,” said Jam.
He said there is nothing to celebrate and they see no improvement. Jam said in actual fact, the province is moving backwards.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) provincial spokesperson, Fanon Moema shared the same sentiments. Moema said there is nothing tangible that one can point at in regard to the 7th administration achievement.
“Again, there is no concrete plan in place to address the high rate of unemployment in the province as North West is sitting at 54%. Currently, most municipalities are failing dismally to pay their employees. For example, it has been three months since EPWP employees received their salaries.
“The same goes to the employees of Ditsobotla Local Municipality. As we speak, they have received a memorandum that informed them that they might receive their payments late,” he said.
Moema said the government is failing to rescue municipalities and create job opportunities. He said also, crime statistics are increasing.
Meanwhile, COSATU provincial secretary, Kopano Konopi said: “Truly speaking, 100 days is quite a short period to seek what we call due diligence. We are expecting that the 7th administration has used these 100 days to set the system in place.
‘So, we will observe in the next 100 days, if the system is there or not. We believe that they are still acclimatising themselves. Whatever that they have achieved now, it will be the inheritance of the 6th administration.”
Konopi said the 7th administration plans will start to hatch in the next fiscal year. He said they should focus on economic growth, curbing the high rate of unemployment and addressing dysfunctional municipalities,” he said.
The Guardian 