Polokwane: President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the importance of closer cooperation between national and provincial governments, urging ministers to engage more directly and consistently with their provincial counterparts. The President was addressing a meeting between the National Executive and the Limpopo Executive Council, led by Premier Phophi Ramathuba, at the Polokwane Municipality Council Chamber in Limpopo.

According to South African Government News Agency, the President described the meeting as significant, marking the start of a programme by the National Executive to visit all the provinces in the coming months and to engage directly with their leadership. The President outlined the significance of the meeting as the first high-level bilateral engagement between the National Executive and provinces under the 7th Administration and the Government of National Unity (GNU).

President Ramaphosa highlighted the necessity for such interactions to ensure that both spheres of government can effectivel
y coordinate their efforts and address local needs. He stressed the importance of alignment between the developmental priorities of national and provincial governments and urged ministers to engage more directly and regularly with their provincial counterparts.

The President reiterated the constitutional mandate for cooperation among different spheres of government, stressing that effective governance must be transparent, accountable, and coherent in serving the people of South Africa. He called for a focus on overcoming structural challenges that hinder investment and job creation in the provinces.

The GNU has identified a set of key priorities for its term, including driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental State. The President underscored the vital role provinces play in achieving these goals, particularly through the implementation of the Medium-Term Development Plan.

The discussion also highlighted the need for provinces to leverag
e their unique resources such as agriculture, minerals, and tourism to stimulate economic growth. President Ramaphosa noted the under-utilisation of arable land and the potential for improved tourism infrastructure as areas needing urgent attention.

Premier Ramathuba and the provincial leadership were urged to identify obstacles to growth and collaborate with ministers to formulate actionable strategies. President Ramaphosa pointed out that ongoing structural reforms in sectors such as electricity and water management are critical to unlocking provincial potential.

This engagement is intended to open channels of communication and foster a collaborative spirit, with the aim of ensuring that Limpopo and other provinces align their economic development plans with the national vision. President Ramaphosa stated that Limpopo is well-positioned to lead in key sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and mineral resources, and is set to play a major role in the green economy transition.

President Ramaphosa will n
ext visit KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces as part of the government’s plan to engage with each province over the course of one year. The focus remains on creating a capable and accessible governance framework that prioritises the needs of South Africans.