EFF and MK slam premier's plans

FOLLOWING a heated debate in the Free State Provincial Legislature last week, the EFF and MK party sharply criticised Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae in her recent State of the Province Address (Sopa).

Both EFF and MK accused the premier of repeating the mistakes of her predecessors by failing to address key fundamental economic issues like mining, industrialisation, agriculture, and employment execution plans.

EFF Provincial Chairman, Coach Diphoko, pointed out that the premier has neglected to address how vacant land across the province could be utilised to boost the economy and create jobs.

"The premier sounds very much clueless on how the government should boost the economy, especially in critical economic institutions including the mining sector, industrialisation, and agriculture," said Diphoko.

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"She doesn't shake the fundamental pillars of the economy. Those sectors are still under the ownership of the minority for profit purposes. That's why employment keeps growing because it was not by good faith and the premier preferred to continue on the same breath."

Diphoko highlighted that the premier won't change the current deteriorating state of the economy, which has the potential to reduce the skyrocketing rate of poverty and unemployment.

Meanwhile, MK leader in the legislature, Molefi Foko, raised concerns over the state of agriculture and underused industrial buildings.

"Our agriculture is struggling, which raises a threat to the country. The province emerged as the food-basket of the country. It's disappointing to hear that the government has no plans to intensify the transformation of agriculture.

"Furthermore, many industrial buildings in our towns remain empty, historical economic towns were abandoned. Why aren't these buildings used to create jobs?" he said.

Foko argued that unemployment has never been effectively tackled.

In response to criticism, provincial MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, Ketso Makume, expressed his support for the premier's state of the province speech, particularly the focus on boosting Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).

"It's crucial that SMMEs are supported, especially with the premier's plan to have local businesses produce school uniforms among other projects. This initiative will not only create jobs but also strengthen the provincial economy," he said.