The Gauteng Provincial Government’s newly tabled 2025/26 budget is shining a light on Region G, home to communities like Orange Farm, Ennerdale and Lenasia South.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s budget vote speech, delivered on 17 July at the Gauteng Legislature, outlined a series of bold commitments that promise to tackle long-standing challenges in the area. One of the most exciting developments is the expansion of the Nasi iSpani jobs initiative. The programme will now include practical, hands-on training at 113 technical schools and 8 TVET colleges. Local youth will be trained in trades such as plumbing, landscaping, welding, painting, and more. These new skills are aimed not just at building careers, but also at helping to restore damaged infrastructure in clinics, schools, roads, and parks.
A budget of R50 million has been set aside to kick-start this important work. Infrastructure development is also receiving focused attention. The Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency has been placed under the Infrastructure Development portfolio to speed up and improve project delivery. This restructuring is expected to improve the rollout of critical services in Region G, where service delivery backlogs have frustrated communities for years.
In a major win for the province, Gauteng secured R84 billion for the revitalisation of urban centres. While much of the funding will focus on major CBDs, the benefits are expected to trickle into underserved areas, including Region G. Local economic zones may receive a facelift, improving living conditions and attracting investment.
Premier Lesufi also announced that the Community Safety Department will now fall directly under his office. This shift aims to strengthen crime prevention strategies. With parts of Region G affected by high crime rates, this move could signal stronger, more coordinated policing efforts.
The budget is aligned with what the government calls the G13 priorities-core service delivery focus areas such as housing, employment, infrastructure, and safety. These priorities reflect the daily realities of Region G residents, and the funding is now being structured to directly respond to those needs.
On the education front, the province is investing in strengthening technical education in schools. Local institutions in Region G will become training hubs for youth, providing both convenience and practical learning close to home. This initiative is expected to boost job readiness and self-employment potential in the region.
Another administrative shift is the separation of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development into two standalone departments. This allows for more targeted development in both agriculture and environmental protection-two areas that are especially relevant for Region G’s semi-rural character.
The Premier emphasized that fixing infrastructure and creating jobs must go hand-in-hand. By training youth to repair public facilities, the province is addressing unemployment while also improving basic services. According to Lesufi, every broken ceiling or blocked drain is a missed job opportunity.
Fighting corruption and restoring public trust is another theme in this year’s budget. The Premier has committed to greater transparency and stronger action against unethical conduct. This includes the public release of forensic reports and tighter oversight on how government money is spent.
Finally, a recent partnership signed with China’s Hunan Province opens doors to future investment in Gauteng. The agreement includes collaboration in agriculture, infrastructure and crime-fighting technologies. While international in nature, these partnerships could have real impacts at the local level, especially in developing regions like Region G.
Premier Lesufi’s speech signals a serious attempt to reset Gauteng’s priorities and rebuild public services from the ground up. For residents of Region G, it offers a chance for long-awaited change-if promises made are turned into action.
Image cred: TimesLive
