Brown’s address, which was delivered in Gariep on Tuesday, 9 March, was quipped as nothing more than a “business as usual” speech by DA Chief Whip in the Free State Legislature, David van Vuuren.

The DA Chief Whip emphasises the importance of sound basic service delivery and road infrastructure in making the Free State attractive to investors which leads to job creation. Van Vuuren, as a result, welcomes the R13 billion dedicated to infrastructure in the province over the medium-term period.

Despite the concerns raised by the opposition, Brown did in her address acknowledge that the state of the Free State’s municipalities is problematic and thus allocated R416 million to the Free State Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department (Cogta) to assist struggling municipalities.

Chief amongst Cogta’s priorities are the improvement of audit outcomes, the establishment of water laboratories in municipalities, as well as making provision for the House of Traditional Leaders.

Van Vuuren also took a jab at the R662,68 million allocated to the Office of the Free State Premier, Sisi Ntombela, calling it “bloated, considering that it does not deliver frontline services”.

The office is wholly responsible for the awarding of bursaries for Free State youth to study abroad – a reason for the budget.

Van Vuuren echoed the sentiments of Karabo Khakhau in the State of the Province (Sopa) debates last week on the tangible returns on investment of sending students abroad to further their studies.

It has been alleged that some of the students have found themselves at varying stages going without their allowances and then struggling to get immediate employment upon graduation due to the foreign qualifications not being accredited in South Africa.

OFM News