23 August 2006
Gauteng mayors together with Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, MECs, elected public
representatives and stakeholders will launch the strategy to build Gauteng as a
globally competitive city region, in the Gauteng legislature on 29 August.
The special sitting of the province's public representatives will be
addressed by the Premier and Ekurhuleni executive mayor Duma Nkosi, in his
capacity as provincial head of the South African Local Government Association
(SALGA). Members of political parties will also debate the strategy in the
house.
The sitting will be the first time that elected representatives from local
and provincial government sit together for a debate in the legislature.
The launch follows extensive consultation workshops with various civil
society stakeholders including business, labour, academics, higher education
institutions, faith-based organisations, people with disability, women,
professionals, youth and students over the past two months. Inputs by civil
society have helped to further refine the strategy. Following the launch,
organised civil society bodies have a further opportunity to contribute to the
strategy.
The perspective seeks to promote Gauteng's development agenda by positioning
the province as a globally competitive city region. The key objective is to
reduce unemployment and poverty through promoting economic growth, integrated
strategies and joint planning between the different spheres of government.
Among the key priorities are safety and an integrated transport network.
The Global City Region (GCR) strategy also seeks to address inequality and
uneven development in the province. Gauteng is already recognised as a global
city region with a population of over 9,5 million people, the fourth largest
economy in Africa and contributing over a third of South Africa's Gross
Domestic Product.
Details of the launch are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 29 August 2006
Time: 10h00
Venue: Gauteng Provincial Legislature, corner President and Loveday Street,
Johannesburg
Enquiries:
Annette Griessel
Tel: (011) 355 6859
Cell: 082 563 3614
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
23 August 2006
