These meetings, held on 11 and 12 December, centred around the inefficiencies at the Port of Cape Town and the significant funding shortfall faced by the provincial government.
On Monday, 11 December, Premier Winde led a delegation to meet with Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan and officials from Transnet.
The delegation was informed of a national turnaround plan in the works. The Western Cape Government (WCG) Cabinet resolved to monitor these efforts closely and continues to press for urgent enhancements to the port’s infrastructure. Winde emphasised the importance of this for boosting exports and economic growth, particularly in the agricultural sector.
The following day, Premier Winde headed another delegation to Gauteng for a meeting with Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana and other officials. The central government’s unaffordable public sector wage increase agreement was the focus of this discussion’s Intergovernmental Dispute (IGD), which the WCG declared over the sizeable funding gap.
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The Cabinet is adamant about addressing this issue with the urgency it deserves, viewing it as a precedent-setting case for future public service wage negotiations and vital for ensuring the delivery of essential services like education, healthcare and road maintenance.
At the Cabinet meeting, Premier Winde reflected on the challenges of the past year, including severe floods, record-breaking load shedding, the disruptive minibus taxi strike, revelations from Census 2022, logistics sector failures and the rising cost of living and inflation.
Despite these hurdles, he reiterated the government’s commitment to the well-being of its citizens.
The meeting also served as a platform for Winde to extend wishes for a safe festive season to both residents and visitors. He underscored the importance of safety and responsibility, particularly on the roads during this busy period.
‘We’re moving into the festive season. This weekend, it starts, and I need to make sure that everybody does so safely,’ he said. ‘We’re going to be on our roads; please travel safely, be responsible for yourself and your fellow citizens, and be kind to your fellow citizens.’
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