Nasi Ispani Continues in the 7th Administration
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has come out strongly against all the critics and detractors of the Nasi Ispani Programme. He vowed that the mass-employment programme would continue in the seventh administration.
Addressing the media in Midrand on Friday morning, August 9, Lesufi gave an update regarding the developments of the Nasi Ispani programme, including other pressing issues facing the provincial government.
The premier has assured citizens that despite this and some administrative setbacks, the government will continue recruiting job seekers, starting a few days after the State of the Province Address (SOPA).
There have also been reports of the Green Army workers having issues with their stipends. The Green Army is a division of Nasi Ispani, providing young people with jobs related to the Department of Environment (including street cleaning, greening and maintaining public spaces). Lesufi has noted the concerns of beneficiaries yet to get their stipends and has stated that the matter is being dealt with swiftly.
Recently, the programme has received a lot of criticism from political parties and the public.
According to Lesufi, the critics of the Nasi Ispani programme believe that the initiative to recruit thousands of people for job opportunities is an electioneering tactic by the African National Congress (ANC) as it was implemented a few months before the country went to the polls.
“I was elected 18 months before the elections and the Nasi Ispani programme was introduced long before that. The programme must not be seen as electioneering,” he said.
Lesufi also commended the political parties that have joined the Government of Provincial Unity, or GPU and has called on others to join his administration.
On August 15, the Premier is expected to deliver his first SOPA after the General Elections, where he will outline plans and promises by the Gauteng government to improve the lives of its residents. The address will take place at the Grace Bible Church in Katlehong.