Municipalities have to improve basic service delivery as this will improve investment and the functioning of local businesses.
This was the message from Department of Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Ronald Lamola, at the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) economic development and investment summit held in Komani on Wednesday, July 13.
He said the country’s economy was projected to grow by less than 2% in the next two years. “This means unemployment will remain the same. This summit is positioned to provide a positive future,” Lamola said.
He added that although the district was rural, it could still help lift the economy of the province.
Agriculture had a potential, Lamola said, to provide the much needed jobs. “Agro processing provides potential economic advantage for this district. Under utilised land can contribute to food security if put to proper use,” he said.
The district development model should be used to unlock local opportunities to deal with challenges.
“Unemployment is very high in Chris Hani. We know that once there is high unemployment and poverty, there will be violent crimes. The summit will not only respond to economic growth but also to fighting crime,” the minister said.
Speaking on the purpose of the summit, CHDM executive mayor Wongama Gela said the gathering was to find workable solutions to challenges facing people of the district.
He said the district population was at 872 000 in 2020, 516 000 working age group with 46% of them unemployed, with 27.4% of the youth unemployed, while 74.9% of the people lived below poverty lines.
“This is a reality we must confront collectively and overcome together. There are risks facing our economy with rising fuel, food and energy prices. We must rise above our differences with common purpose to reclaim, renew and rebuild our society. As political leadership we will spare no effort in building consensus among stakeholders,” Gela said.
Municipalities needed to improve service delivery challenges for the citizenry by ensuring budgets were spent on planned project. Government had to fight corruption so as to ensure the public of the government’s commitment to restoring integrity and accountability.
“Let us put together our investments and expertise,” he said.
