SOPA charts a way forward for Mpumalanga residents

Opening his speech on a personal note, Ndlovu paid tribute to his grandmother and the women of her generation for the contribution in building and guiding society.

He congratulated the class of 2025 matriculants for achieving an overall pass rate of 86.55%, an improvement from 84.99% achieved in 2024.

He acknowledged the challenges of access to tertiary education and assured the residents of Mpumalanga that the provincial government is working towards expanding post-school education and training opportunities.

The Premier also extended his condolences to families that lost their loved ones during the 2025 December floods that claimed 20 lives, with over 2500 homes damaged.

He also mourned the passing of former Mpumalanga Premier and South African Deputy President, David “DD” Mabuza, as well as struggle icon, Mosioua Terror Lekota, who passed away this week.

 The Economy 

– Growth 1% 2025 1.28 million employed (record), unemployment 32.3% (4th-lowest provincially)
– Investment of R238 billion pledged, R25 billion signed off, led by green economy
– Jobs push: 200 real-estate learnerships, R5 million for 50 bursaries, 27 doctors placed across Mpumalanga clinics

“ This is our story, this is our song worth sharing with the people of Mpumalanga. Does this mean all is perfect? Can we say, all is well? No! Not at all. We have not yet reached the promised land. It means we must roll up our sleeves, put our shoulders to the wheel, and work harder than before,” said Ndlovu.

He acknowledged the successful hosting of several G20 events in Mpumalanga during South Africa’s Presidency, boosting tourism prospects.

Premier’s Advisory Panel and Nkomazi SEZ (Special Economic Zone) (R1.2 billion) top of the agenda; GBVF (Gender-Based Violence and Femicide) brigades (554 youth) will be rolled out. For floods, officials flagged a R5.9 billion shortfall as “build back better” work continues.

He mentioned that the private sector committed itself to investing in water and sanitation projects in the province, development of water and sanitation technology and sharing it with municipalities and, promotion of the inclusion of women, youth and persons with disability in issues related to water and sanitation.

“The challenges facing our people remain their lived experiences, unemployment, poverty, flood damages, drought, water shortages and many others. The statistics I have presented to you today show that these challenges are being attended to and there is serious progress.

“These challenges must not lead us to despair; they should inspire us to work even harder and employ collaborative approach that will produce tangible positive results. Our work of building a better Mpumalanga remains unfinished. This will only be accomplished if all of us can one day look back with pride and satisfaction and declare that in Mpumalanga,” said Ndlovu.

Other highlights of the SOPA include the centenary celebrations of the Kruger National Park through a series of campaigns, the Premier’s Youth Development Fund benefiting over two hundred and 280 youth-owned enterprises to the tune of R358 million, the EPWP(Expanded Public Works Programmes) providing much-needed income and work experience, agricultural initiatives targeting youth and women, the Youth Employment Service, building a Sports arena in Mbombela to promote indoor sports and better conferencing facilities, MTDP(Mid-Term Development Plan)target of at least 60,000 new jobs per year, increase the number of hospitals that have reached an ideal hospital standard and building more clinics, additional classrooms, and new schools particularly in areas experiencing rapid population growth, to mention but a few.