Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has issued a stark warning to President Cyril Ramaphosa, stating that if the provinceβs most pressing issuesβknown as the G-13 challengesβare not addressed, their discussions will be in vain.
Lesufi made these remarks on the first day of Ramaphosaβs visit as he engaged with the provincial government to confront the longstanding struggles facing Gauteng and its metros. The session took place at the Johannesburg Metro Council Chambers, where Lesufi emphasized the urgency of resolving these challenges.
Among the critical issues plaguing the province are rampant crime, corruption, poor road conditions, unemployment, and service delivery failures, which have left residents grappling with inadequate basic services. Metro areas like the City of Joburg, City of Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni have all come under fire for their lackluster service delivery, mired by corruption and lawlessness.
Lesufi made it clear that if these problems, including water shortages, cable theft, malfunctioning traffic lights, and increasing gender-based violence, are not tackled, the discussions between the provincial government and Ramaphosaβs Cabinet would fail to bring meaningful change.
βMr. President, I just want to repeat what I said when we delivered our State of the Province address last week. Whatever we do, whatever we say, if we donβt resolve the following 13 problems, being here will mean nothing,β Lesufi declared, stressing the urgency of the situation.
The G-13 list includes a wide array of issues impacting residentsβ daily lives, such as energy crises (load shedding and electricity cuts), failing infrastructure, the mushrooming of informal settlements, inadequate healthcare and education facilities, and the high unemployment rate. The Premierβs call for action highlights the provinceβs desperate need for swift, impactful interventions.
In his address, Lesufi also underscored the critical need for collaboration between national and provincial governments. With Gauteng playing host to the G20, he emphasized that addressing these challenges was imperative for the provinceβs future. “If we have to reverse the impact of this G20, if we have to work extraordinarily hard to ensure that these G-13 problems of Gauteng are resolved, we need each other,β he said.
Lesufiβs message was clear: the provincial government cannot resolve these issues alone. He called for a united effort between the government, private sector, and communities to find lasting solutions that would improve the quality of life for Gautengβs residents.
In conclusion, Lesufi reminded Ramaphosa that the success of his visit hinged on tangible outcomes. βWe are here to seek your counsel, we are here to seek your guidance, but most importantly, we are here to form a formidable partnership with you,β he stated.
As Gauteng continues to battle its G-13 challenges, the pressure on both Lesufi and Ramaphosa to deliver meaningful change is mounting.