PREMIER MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to driving inclusive growth and job creation in the Free State as she delivered her State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Bloemfontein on Friday.
She acknowledged the province’s economic challenges while expressing confidence in its recovery and long-term growth prospects.
“This year is about unleashing the economic potential of the Free State,” Letsoha-Mathae declared.
“Yes, we need inclusive growth, greater investment, higher income, better living standards, more jobs, less poverty and reduced inequality in turning a new page in our province’s economic journey.”
Despite global economic disruptions and local financial struggles, the premier highlighted what she described as a positive economic trajectory.
Unemployment in the Free State fell from 37.6 percent in the second quarter of 2024 to 36 percent in the third quarter, providing a glimmer of hope for job seekers.
However, recent figures showing a rise in unemployment to 37.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 have tempered optimism.
“These latest figures are concerning,” Letsoha-Mathae admitted.
“But signs of consistent and sustained economic growth are reassuring.
“Driven primarily by lower inflation, falling interest rates and sustained investment, our economic growth is projected to improve to 1.6 percent in 2025.”
A key pillar of the premier’s strategy for job creation is the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which has long served as a crucial employment intervention in the province.
According to Letsoha-Mathae, 30 115 employment opportunities have been earmarked under Phase Five of the EPWP, with 19 792 jobs already created in the 2024/25 financial year.
“Our relentless endeavours to create employment through public employment programmes have been nothing short of rewarding,” she stated.
“For years now, many jobs have been created through EPWP with women, youth and persons with disabilities as the main beneficiaries.”
Letsoha-Mathae further pledged that the EPWP would continue playing a vital role in poverty alleviation, skills development and improved service delivery in the next financial year.
While the premier’s SOPA address outlined a hopeful economic path forward, the province still faces structural economic challenges that require sustained policy interventions and private sector partnerships.
Observers will be keenly watching how her government translates its commitments into tangible benefits for the people of the Free State. – Staff Reporter