Limpopo Premier delivers State of the Province Address
The Premier of Limpopo Province Dr. Phophi Ramathuba delivered the State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Thursday, 27 February 2025, at the Limpopo Legislature outside Lebowakgomo.
The SOPA outlined key developments, challenges and future for the province under the 7th Administration.
Amongst other key challenges set to be addressed, Premier Dr. Ramathuba expressed her discontent at a manner in which unemployment is rising in all sectors of the economy within the Limpopo borders despite the province’s increased contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), from 7,2% to 7,7%.
Limpopo’s unemployment rate is currently reported at approximately 31.9%. Ramathuba said the most burning issue about this gloomy picture was that the majority of those unemployed were youth and women.
While tackling the alarming rate of unemployment, Dr. Ramathuba said the abrupt task at hand is to grow Limpopo’s economy to reduce poverty by creating job opportunities and improving the lives of all residents.
Ramathuba said over R10billion in investment commitments will translate into thousands of job creations.
“In light of this, we commit ourselves to the pursuit of inclusive growth, job creation, reduction of poverty while tackling the high cost of living as we build a capable, ethical and developmental state. “We are proud to report to this house that our 4th Investment Conference was a resounding success, raising up to R120 billion in pledges, far surpassing the R50 billion we had targeted. I would like to commend the collective efforts towards the realization of this achievement.” Premier Ramathuba outlined
Water is one of the most important substances on Earth, and it plays a vital role in many aspects of our lives. Water plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems, as it helps to regulate the temperature and humidity of the environment. It also supports aquatic life and forms an important part of the food chain.
It has been widely reported that Limpopo Province has been experiencing a chronic water shortage with a population of over 35% with inadequate (water) supply but Dr. Ramathuba attributed this challenge to a growing population burdening the ailing water infrastructure across municipalities.
It is for these reasons that Ramathuba and Members of the Executive Council have declared war on inadequate access to water.
In her maiden SOPA last year, the government committed to ensuring that a functional provincial water task team co-ordinate the implementation of the Provincial Water Intervention Strategy be established.
“The team, with its technical working group, under the leadership of the Office of the Premier, has since been established. To date, a draft working document has been presented to the mayors for input. Follow-up district roadshows will be held with mayors and MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs,” Dr. Ramathuba highlighted.
Dr. Ramathuba also accentuated the need for innovative thinking and industrialization, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.
In her primary address last year, Ramathuba committed to implementing the integrated emerging farmers support Programme.
Amongst the dignitaries at SOPA 2025 was Ms. Wendy Moshakga, a mother who raised her children by selling vegetables from her backyard garden, as a special guest to the Premier. Moshakga is a testimony of government towards supporting emerging farmers.
Through the departmental support, Moshakga was operating from her backyard garden is now operating in a 20-hectare land. In six months’ time she has been able to expand and diversify her operations from vegetables only to include both poultry and livestock farming. She managed to create, as a start, four jobs.
This success story exemplifies what can be achieved through commitment, hard work and resilience without any sense of entitlement.
“We are saying this to showcase that we are not men and women of empty words, but of tangible commitments. We used her as an example that Limpopo remains the leading province in terms of people who can work the land
without the land.” Dr. Ramathuba said