By Political stability in any economy is essential in attracting investors to invest and create jobs. By far, the Free State Premier Ms MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and her MECs have shown a united front in turning the province around and stabilising its economy.
The politics of care are at the centre of society, a society that feels neglected, either by not delivering services, job creation and an enabling environment for entrepreneurs and for businesses to thrive, will only result into unending protests and unstable environment.
Letsoha-Mathae,who enjoys support from her political party and society in general; in one of her first acts as Premier, hitting the ground running, made unannounced site visits to hospitals, for inspections, at some she was satisfied and to some she was not happy.
Community members have been complaining about the treatment they get from the hospitals and the conditions there of; the Premier has been frequenting the hospitals to ensure that they are up to standard.
As the leader of the province, MaQueen Lotsoha-Mathae set the tone of her term, with her no nonsense approach and little to none tolerance for mediocre. Her MECs have been up and about with consultative meetings, inductions; site visits; showing a common goal to improve the Free State.
Lately, the Free State experienced veld-fires that destroyed thousands of hectors on farms, which is a blow to the economy of the province and farmers themselves. The MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development and Environmental Affairs Ms Elizabeth Rockman was swift to visit the devastated farmers to inspect the extend of the damage and see what intervention is need from the government.
Such promptness creates confidence in the leadership of the province and shines hope to its citizens and investors.
One of the critical issues in the Free State are its municipalities that are badly administered; with some under administration and having been downgraded by rating agencies. Some like Maluti-A-Phofung (MAP) with great economic potential not being economically viable. They do not have reliable power and water supply, bad roads, which are not unique to the municipality but plague the whole province.
MAP has the potential of being the textile and manufacturing hub of the Free State, but due to mal-administration, its potential cannot be realised.
The MEC for CoGTA and Human Settlement Mr Teboho Mokoena, from his appointment as MEC, has hit the ground running visiting the various municipalities including Mangaung Metro, to find out what the challenges are and that remedial recommendations by the AG are implemented and that municipalities are in a healthy state.
He has met with SALGA and all the relevant stakeholders in municipalities across the Free State. The enthusiasm and vigour of the Premier and her MECs is a good start, which maintained will lead to a better Free State, a better economy, a better investment destination, a greener posture for skilled individuals to pursue their ambitions in and a low unemployment rate.
