High expectations for State of the Province Address

By Ofentse Mokae
19 February 2010

Expectations are high in the Western Cape ahead of the State of the Province Address expected to be delivered by Premier Helen Zille in the provincial parliament this morning.

Zille who is also National leader of the Democratic Alliance is faced with the mammoth task of pleasing the business, organized labour and civil society when she outlines her government’s plans for the year.

The address, which follows exactly a week after President Jacob’s State of the Nation Address, last Thursday, is the platform in which the premier will unpack strategies as well as interventions to address some of the pressing challenges facing the province.

These challenges include amongst others, the high rates of drug abuse and crime in the province, as well as mounting poverty and unemployment levels.

In a statement Congress of South African Trade Unions says it looks forward to the address.

The union federation says the DA track record on delivery and planning has been less than impressive in the province.

“Working people have seen a DA obsession with pointing out supposed flaws in other parties, but very little delivery.

“The government of the province must be reminded that it is not an Ombudsman for Governance, its primary focus should be service delivery to the people of the Western Cape,” Cosatu said.

It accuses the provincial government of favouring the wealthy to defend the status quo which only benefits the “old white guard”.

Zille has been having her hands full by juggling her time over the Community Safety portfolio, the premiership position and her work in her party after granting MEC Lennit Max leave following allegations of his extra marital affairs.