Regional Focus - North West's R53,4 Billion Budget Plan

Budget Speech Aimed at Service Delivery

By Naledi Mokoena

The 2024 North West budget speech presented a transformative plan for the province's communities with a budget boasting over R53.4-billion for the 2024/2025 financial year. The MEC for finance in the North West, Motlapula Rosho delivered the annual budget on 7 March 2024 at the provincial legislature in Mahikeng. The overall budget summarised the provincial government’s role including its outcomes over the last 30 years.

During her address the MEC for Finance highlighted the contribution of the provincial government’s empowerment of disadvantaged communities, addressing unemployment, provision of basic services including the prevalence of poverty within lower income communities. In addition the provincial government detailed the progress made in an effort to support struggling municipalities.

A Budget Fit For A Province In Need

The Presidency is dedicated to implementing the District Development Model (DDM) aimed at improving municipal service delivery in the country. The DDM aims to address various challenges faced in communities by collaborating with local municipalities and the national government to achieve a common objective. Hon Rosho highlighted the efforts to alleviate challenges within the social cluster by allocating more than R42-billion within the Health, Education and Human Settlement departments.

The economic cluster including the Department of Public Works and roads was allocated more than R4-billion. In an effort to alleviate the results of climate change, incomplete agricultural projects worth millions and deteriorating road infrastructure in the province, R1.2-billion was allocated to the Agricultural and Rural development, while the Economic Development, Environment and Conservation and Tourism Department will receive over R 982-million.

"In this cluster, the Department of Education receives R 21.932 billion, Health is allocated R 16.522 billion, Human Settlements budget is R 1.826 billion, Social Development receives R 750 million," - Hon Rosho.

Official Launch For Service Delivery In The North West

Meanwhile Deputy President Paul Mashatile officiated the launch of phase three of the Accelerated Service Delivery Thuntsha Lerole Programme on 15 March 2024 in Tlhabane, Rustenburg. President Cyril Ramaphosa assigned Mashatile to assist in implementing the DDM through effective coordination of various areas in government.

The Thuntsha Lerole Programme is an initiative led by the North West provincial government in an effort to address pivotal challenges faced regarding service delivery, through strengthening partnerships with government, private and civil society organisations. Hon. Mashatile visited the Seeking community in the Taung Local Municipality, in September last year.

Newly built Seraleng Primary School in Paardekraal by the provincial government, includes a science laboratory, nutrition centre, 15 multipurpose classrooms, administration block and a computer room, all valued at R 26.5-million. The Presidency’s visit offered the opportunity for the Deputy President, "To engage with government departments, from local municipalities to national government, in an effort to accelerate service delivery in a more effective and coordinated manner," - Honourable Mashatile.

In addition he highlighted the symbolism of the newly built school’s contribution towards the government's efforts to create accessibility to basic education in order to encourage a culture of teaching, learning and service. The Deputy President will also visit the Tlhabane Community Health Centre to launch a state-of-theart-X-ray machine, to address some of the challenges faced by the local community's patients who at times travel from distant areas to access healthcare facilities.

Furthermore, as part of efforts to bring lasting solutions to the dire challenge of sewer blockages and leaks around the Boitekong area, outside Rustenburg, the Deputy President will witness the handover of the newly completed sewer network project.

The Tlhabane township will also benefit from a water and sewer project in collaboration with an appointed service provider. In 2021 the local municipality was dealing with burst pipes and sewer spilling into residents properties and blockage of domestic pipes. The Presidency highlights the importance of a feedback session for the Thuntsha Lerole Programme aimed at facilitating a platform for key leaders to address members of the community, regarding various government service delivery initiatives.

The North West Finance Department affirms that their key focus is on disadvantaged communities in order to create a cohesion of service delivery in the province. Despite their challenges, MEC Rosho says their province emerged victorious against the odds and reaffirms the government's commitment to continue its efforts of creating a better life for all.