The provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo recently had their State of the Province Addresses which both highlighted the expansion of infrastructure, more investments and public-private partnerships.

The Mpumalanga Provincial Government has set aside billions of Rand to invest in key human settlement projects, including those that are currently being implemented across the province.

Billions in housing investment

Delivering his State of the Province Address, Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza said: “We set aside more than R5.8 billion for integrated human settlements projects in the Gert Sibande.”

These include:

• 4,000 units in Standerton Ext. 8
• 3,500 units in Balfour Ridge
• 626 units in Wesselton Ext. 7
• 5,465 units in Emzinoni

In Nkangala, R2.47 billion is being invested to build 11,450 units in Siyanqoba, 1,500 units at Duvha Park, 3,300 units in Siyathuthuka, and 2,200 units in Rockdale Ext.

Mabuza said the roll-out of these projects has created more than 3,000 job opportunities.

More than R1 billion has been invested in projects in Ehlanzeni. Mabuza said this will result in the completion of a total of 6,652 housing units in Mashishing, Sabie, Tekwane North and South, Mjindini and Malelane.

“Our work has evolved away from merely providing much needed housing units to the people towards a holistic approach that considers the broader basket of socio-economic needs and this is evident in our settlements,” Mabuza said.

“We have taken our cue from the United Nations Habitat approach, and our planning and investment now considers a range of cross cutting issues including social inclusion, local economic development, urban prosperity and environmental stability,” he added.

Water and wastewater infrastructure

Over the last two and half years, many key municipal infrastructure projects have been rolled out. These projects were introduced with the aim to improve the quality  of service delivery.

The provincial government said it has successfully finished 327 water infrastructure projects benefiting 350,259 households, 165 sanitation projects benefitting 285,065 households and 85 electrification projects benefiting 48,140 households.

Other projects that have been completed included 17 solid waste disposal and treatment projects benefiting 146,835 households, 250 kilometres of road and storm water constructed across various municipalities, as well as the drilling of 582 boreholes across several municipalities.

“Although limited resources remain a major obstacle to infrastructure delivery, a total of R1.9 billion capital investment has been set aside to continue the construction and completion of the various road upgrade, flood damage and rehabilitation projects,” Mabuza said.

Healthcare infrastructure

He added that the construction of eight new community health centres has been completed, as well as the revitalisation of five hospitals, the rehabilitation, renovation, refurbishment and maintenance of 61 health facilities, and the replacement of life support equipment across the province.

Education infrastructure

Regarding education infrastructure, the province reported the completion of five boarding schools, replaced 28 unsafe schools, completed basic services and sanitation projects in 222 schools since 2015, constructed 24 Grade R facilities and constructed six new secondary schools.

“We have finished the construction of nine new libraries,” Mabuza said.

“As part of our infrastructure portfolio, we are pleased to report that the construction of the state-of-the-art Mpumalanga Traffic College has been completed,” he added.

Limpopo gets R44bn in investments

Limpopo, just north of Mpumalanga, is focusing on the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZ). These zones will be developed in Makhado and Tubatse and are pegged to attract about R44 billion in investments to the province.

This was announced by Limpopo Premier Chupu Mathabatha at his State of the Province Address on Friday.

Unemployment

Limpopo has one of the highest unemployment rates in South Africa. Mathabatha said he hopes the development of SEZ will decrease these figures.

“The Musina SEZ is projected to create about 20,800 direct jobs, whilst the Tubatse SEZ is expected to create approximately 2,000 permanent jobs for the people of the province,” Mathabatha said.

He added that partnerships with the private sector were also playing a major role in increasing economic growth and development.

“Together with the private sector, we have identified 10 major projects for investment worth no less than R46 billion. This will obviously go a long way towards helping us to expand the productive capacity of our economy,” he said.

Broadband expansion

The province is also undertaking a massive broadband connectivity programme spearheaded by Limpopo Connexion, a subsidiary of the Limpopo Economic Development Agency.

The broadband rollout, which will be conducted in two phases, will begin in the second quarter of the 2017/18 financial year with a rollout of broadband infrastructure in Polokwane.