Gauteng’s first 100 days: Lesufi’s multi-party government has failed township entrepreneurs
31 October 2021
As Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi marks the 100th day of his multi-party government, Build One South Africa (BOSA) has noted with grave concern the Gauteng government’s failure to protect, develop and empower township business owners. There are at least five instances in which the government has missed the mark:
ONE - Despite the existence of the Township Economic Development Act (TEDA) and the Township Economy Partnership Fund, small business owners in Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus continue to cry foul after they were swindled by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) and its implementing partner Family Tree Holdings, in a botched empowerment initiative. This injustice was swept under the carpet until BOSA raised it at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and the Economic Development Committee. The matter is also before the Public Protector for further investigatio
TWO - GDED’s negligence enabled Pick n Pay to take advantage of former Mini Market store owners. Despite an agreement between GDED and Pick n Pay, the department turned a blind eye as the retailer exposed the township store owners to reckless lending and unfair business practices. It was at the behest of BOSA that GDED convened a Task Team to try and resolve the impasse between the stakeholders
THREE - On his election campaign trial, Lesufi promised that the Gauteng government in partnership with City Power and Eskom would roll out a transformer replacement programme to communities in need. While electricity is not directly controlled by the province, Lesufi committed to supporting communities by installing and replacing transformers.However, the Premier has not kept his promise to business owners in parts of Dobsonville Soweto, where businesses have been in a perpetual blackout since June
FOUR - Business owners and would-be entrepreneurs in Emfuleni are buckling under the pressure of poor waste management, a lack of water and sanitation, as well as incessant water and power cuts; all of which have hampered the growth and development of township enterprises.BOSA has called for the Emfuleni Local Municipality to be placed under provincial administration with immediate effect and an election rerun to be affected, in order to salvage what is left of the municipality
FIVE - The absorption of the safety and security portfolio into the office of the Premier (with the political principal being the already overburdened Lesufi himself, assisted by an equally overstretched MEC for COGTA & Infrastructure Development Jacob Mamabolo) shows disdain towards the thousands of business owners whose enterprises are victims of a crime infested province.BOSA is calling for a reconfiguration of the province - without increasing the number of MECs - to allow for safety and security to have its own, separate and stand-alone MEC.
“Gauteng is South Africa’s economic hub; it cannot still be battling with projects and programmes aimed at stimulating the township economy. This is not a matter of resource constraints, it’s clearly a leadership issue. Jobs are at stake, we call on the Premier to take corrective action to remedy the situation now”, stated BOSA Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Ayanda Allie MPL.
Issued by Roger Solomons, BOSA Acting Spokesperson, 31 October 2024
