Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Enoch Godongwana
Published on 2024-02-21 13:10:10
of the Roadmap and broader reforms in the logistics sector. Water Lack of reliable access to water is a persistent problem for many of our citizens. The budget provides R1.5 billion in new funding for the implementation of water and sanitation projects to benefit communities in need. To improve efficiency and accountability, we are actively expanding the scope of the Water Boards Restructuring programme to include smaller and underperforming boards. With the increase in funding, we expect to meet our target to have 95% of households with access to safe and reliable water by 2024. Telecommunications We acknowledge that affordable and reliable broadband is crucial for the inclusion of businesses, schools and homes in the digital economy. The establishment of a public-private sector oversight board on infrastructure, will pave the way for the second phase of the National Broadband Plan. The oversight board will focus on identifying opportunities to draw private investment into the provision of broadband and lowering barriers to market entry. Visa Reforms Government has made good progress in reducing the regulatory barriers to skilled migration, while also preserving a rights-based and humane immigration system. We have concluded the Immigration White Paper and will publish an implementation plan shortly. The reforms will ease and simplify the process for holders of critical skills visas and for employers of skilled professionals. In addition, new visa categories are being created to attract critical workers and investors for priority sectors to help drive economic recovery. However, in response to the impact of atrocities and human rights abuses globally, we are cautious about the potential for future migration flows and are ready to respond to humanitarian demands. Madam Speaker, in conclusion, let me say that the battle against inequality and poverty remains the defining challenge of this period. We cannot stand by while 40% of our population live in poverty and a quarter are unemployed. The budgets we have before us aim to change this. We are bringing stability to our public finances, we are making the changes needed to address the challenges we are facing. The priority is to scale up our efforts to improve the lives of our citizens. All of us are here because we have a deep sense of duty to the people of South Africa. It is a privilege to fulfill that duty and present these documents to the House today. I thank you.
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