Ministers responsible for some of the key portfolios in the Government of National Unity (GNU) have welcomed the renewed focus on some crucial areas of service delivery, as the work that lies ahead for the seventh administration was brought into sharp focus on Thursday evening.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) at the Cape Town City Hall, where he provided the details of the programme of action for the new Executive.
The much-anticipated address followed the ushering in of the seventh administration after South Africans voted in the National and Provincial Elections in May. With no outright majority winner, 10 political parties formed a Government of National Unity (GNU), which enjoins all parties to work together for improved service delivery and advanced economic growth.
After the President’s address, some Ministers who spoke to SAnews in the Parliamentary Precinct in Cape Town, reiterated their support for the goals of this administration, which are articulated in the Statement of Intent agreed to by parties to the GNU.
Chief amongst these targets are the pursuit of rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth; the creation of a more just society by tackling poverty; safeguarding the rights of workers; stabilising government; building State capacity, and pursuing a foreign policy based on human rights, solidarity and peace.
President Ramaphosa highlighted a number of projects ranging from essential infrastructure to improved health care – all geared towards better outcomes for citizens and economic development.
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina told SAnews that the provision of water is an issue that requires urgent attention.
“We have mega water projects that we have unblocked, such as the Lesotho Highlands Phase 2, which will assist to provide water to Gauteng, North West, Free State, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape,” Majodina said.
She reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that projects of such nature become successful in delivering on their mandate, despite the hurdles that arise.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa welcomed the President’s call for the proper implementation, at local government level, of the indigent policy so that the old, the infirm and the poor get assistance with the payment of basic services.
“This is the outcome of our engagements and discussions, where we agreed on key priorities… to turn things around and pull together. We are also going to look [closely at] municipalities because if they are not stable, there won’t be economic growth,” Hlabisa said.
Improving health outcomes
On the provision of health services, President Ramaphosa once again reassured that through the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI), government will be able to bring stakeholders together, resolve differences and “clarify misunderstandings”, a sentiment echoed by Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
On 15 May 2024, President Ramaphosa signed the National Health Insurance Bill into law.
READ | President Ramaphosa signs NHI Bill into law
The NHI Bill seeks to provide universal access to health care services in the country, in accordance with the National Health Insurance White Paper and the Constitution of South Africa.
The Bill envisages the establishment of a National Health Insurance Fund and sets out its powers, functions and governance structures.
Motsoaledi said government intends to ensure that all are treated equally at health facilities.
“As government, we want people to be treated the same. This is what we are striving [for].”
The NHI Bill will also create mechanisms for the equitable, effective and efficient utilisation of the resources of the fund to meet the health needs of users and preclude or limit undesirable, unethical and unlawful practices in relation to the fund. It further seeks to address barriers to access.
The Bill was initially tabled in Parliament and introduced to the Portfolio Committee on Health on 8 August 2019 for processing.