By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address during the second phase of the Welisizwe Rural Bridges Handover at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga.
The president embarked on a multifaceted two-day visit to Mpumalanga. On Tuesday, the President met with the Mpumalanga Provincial Executive Committee. Today, he undertook the second phase of the Welisizwe Rural Bridges handover.
Ramaphosa has commended the cooperation between the government departments that ensured the successful completion of the bridges.
“[Welisizwe] is a ground-breaking method to construct bridges that are sturdy, that last, and are safe for communities. We have been working with speed to deploy the bridges where they are needed most — in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, the North West, Eastern Cape and the Free State.
“We were all extremely impressed by the quality of the structures we visited [today].”
The President said there are plans to expand the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) for people to gain critical skills, which can be used in projects such as Welisizwe.
“With the skills gained, people can go and look for employment or start their own businesses,” Ramaphosa said.
Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said the President’s visit to Mpumalanga was not just to mark the completion of critical infrastructure, but to celebrate the progress that is being made in restoring dignity to people through the transformative Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme.
“This initiative is a shining example of what can be achieved when we work together across all spheres of government and sectors of society,” Macpherson said.
Macpherson said the Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme embodies the work the department has done to ensure that there is infrastructure to bring dignity to communities that were previously isolated.
“These bridges are not just about crossing rivers: they are about ensuring that children can safely walk to school, patients can reach clinics in time, and families can access markets and workplaces that sustain their livelihoods.
“Mpumalanga is known as the ‘province of the rising sun’, and today’s ceremony is a testament to how infrastructure investment is bringing new hope and opportunities to our rural communities. It is also a testament to the tireless collaboration that has made this progress possible.
Highlighting Mpumalanga’s potential, Ramaphosa noted the province’s dual role as South Africa’s energy powerhouse, fuelled by its abundant coal reserves, and a hub for agriculture and tourism.
However, he also acknowledged the significant challenges the province faces, including an unemployment rate above the national average and widespread poverty.
“For Mpumalanga, inclusive economic growth and job creation must therefore be at the forefront of the efforts of government and all social partners. Like other provinces, Mpumalanga needs to grow faster, and the benefits of growth need to reach more of its people.
“Fortunately, this province has many advantages that it can use to drive growth and development. Mpumalanga is literally South Africa’s powerhouse,” the President said.