Executive Summary of Premier’s speech at debate on President’s Address

Media Release: Executive Summary of Premier’s speech at debate on President’s Address at the opening Parliament

Today, 19 July 2024, Premier Alan Winde had the privilege of participating in the debate on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address at the opening of the national Parliament for the 7th Administration, held on Thursday, 18 July 2024.

Below is a summary of the Premier’s speech:

Mr President, the weavers and builders of the Western Cape are ready to play their part in building a better South Africa and supporting the Government of National Unity (GNU).

We will not only support the GNU, but we will also make sure that the Western Cape plays its part in building a better future.

We have a lot of work to do.

We will also hold the GNU to account for the people of the Western Cape.

That means that at times there will be robust debate.

I am committed to ensuring that on behalf of the residents of our great province, we do the very best we can to build a better region and South Africa.

We need to give everyone in this province and country a fair chance.

We need to make sure we all get our fair share.

This province currently has the fastest-growing population in the country; nationally we have the third highest population, yet we only get the fifth largest budgetary allocation.

I will fight for our fair share of the budget for our residents.

I will also work with Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal because they also deserve their fair share of funding.

We all have rapidly growing populations, and it is critical services such as health and education that feel the brunt of severe budget cuts.

During disasters, our province needs to receive adequate funding for our disaster management response and to build back for the future.

We have had more than a week of solid rain damaging or destroying around 44 000 structures, affecting 200 000 people in this province.

I commend Minister of Cooperative Governance Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa and his team for their speedy response in declaring a provincial disaster.

There is clearly a new feeling behind this GNU to build a new and better country.

But Mr President we will still fight for more power over critical functions, such as policing.

I will still work with Minister of Police Mr Senzo Mchunu, but I am going to fight for more devolution of policing powers.

I believe this is the right thing to do for our residents who feel the horrific impact of crime and violence.

Together we will come up with solutions that will make this province safer for our residents.

Mr President, I will support you on infrastructure development in any way I can.

Let us not squander this key moment in our country’s history.

Let us work together, with renewed purpose and dedication in the service of the people of our beautiful province and country.