UASA Media Release: 7 March 2025
Image Source: www.sacsis.org.za
Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:
UASA is disappointed with Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa’s uproar and call-out on the deteriorating state of Gauteng ahead of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November.
During a meeting between the Cabinet and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s executive committee in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa expressed dissatisfaction with recurring problems across the province, including governance failures, financial mismanagement, crumbling infrastructure, crime and lawlessness, and unreliable service delivery.
UASA would like to point out that the Gauteng metropolitan area is not the only one declining. Most provinces are in despair and disrepair, and South Africans face the same challenges everywhere.
While crafting a plan to improve service delivery is essential to ensuring the success of the G20 Summit in November, we cannot neglect other provinces that are not hosting significant international summits.
Cosmetically covering up the absolute chaos in South Africa’s municipalities for visiting dignitaries must end. The lack of maintenance is real. We must address the underlying causes that brought us to the current state of our provinces.
UASA has repeatedly called on Ramaphosa to address the mismanagement issue and root out the rotten and persistent corruption nationwide.
Hosting summits and high-level conferences in well-maintained cities will not solve the crisis elsewhere. We urge Ramaphosa to intervene so that some real work and maintenance will be done in the municipalities.
The G20 is a historic moment for our country. However, actual maintenance to keep our provinces at a high efficiency level would be a much more significant achievement in a country that is falling apart thanks to lazy, corrupt, and unsuitable officials.
Taxpayers’ money must work for the people of South Africa. We are sick and tired of the chaos we must endure while our pockets are emptied to run and maintain the country.
For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview, contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.