Last week Thursday under the heat of the African sun, I and 300 members of my community had the privilege of witnessing a promise being realised at my stoep.
In our ‘newish’ democracy it is heartening to see promises being delivered and that is exactly what Premier Mokonyane, flanked by the Infrastructure MEC, did almost a year to date from her previous State of the Province Address, through the sod turning of the Magaliesburg Boarding School.
This R120 million facility will ease the hardship of learners in my rural community, where learners often have to travel long distances on foot in difficult weather conditions just to access an education.
Now 240 underprivileged children will be given a golden opportunity to reach for their dreams. This is proof that sometimes politicians do listen and act.
Even better was that the contract for the construction of this boarding school was given to a 100% black woman owned company. It seems that the Premier and the MEC for Infrastructure are intent on shovelling their way to a better Gauteng, “by promoting the economic empowerment of women, we will support women-owned companies and co-operatives through better access to government contracts and incubation[i]”.
Having listened to the President’s speech and now the Premier, who has said that our Province will “serve on the President’s Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee, I am filled with a sense that our Province is moving in a positive direction through this well timed investment in infrastructure[ii]”.
Well done Premier, I look forward to more promises being delivered on my stoep and in our Province!