Earlier this week, the Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul tabled a R324.794 million budget for the Office of the Premier at the Galeshewe community hall.
Saul says in the 2026/27 financial year, the province will prioritise governance, service delivery, skills development and municipal support.
Focus on Sol Plaatje and Kimberley revival.
Saul highlighted progress in Sol Plaatje Local Municipality and said that the provincial government was working closely with the council to improve stability and service delivery within the municipality.
He said the municipality’s seven-year, R2.5 billion upgrade at the Riverton Water Treatment Works was making significant progress.
“Today we can proudly pronounce that daily and nightly water shutdowns are a thing of the past.
“Water quality has drastically improved, and water leakages have been considerably reduced.
“The project is expected to secure clean drinking water for the next 50 years, create 442 local jobs and support nearly 50 small businesses.
“The municipality is also at an advanced stage of securing funding to upgrade sanitation infrastructure to address sewer spills, he said.
Saul also said the government was repairing potholes, cleaning the city and rolling out youth skills programmes to restore Kimberley’s status as the provincial capital.
“The government remains committed to diversifying Kimberley’s economy by transforming it from a former mining town into a university town,” he said.
“As part of that push, events under the Diamonds and Dorings brand have been introduced, including the Jazz Festival, ABSA Wildeklawer Sports Tournament, Yonder Hartsfees, Kimberley Big Hole Marathon and Kimberley Diamond Cup.
“These events are aimed at positioning Kimberley as a major tourism and events destination of choice,” Saul said.
Governance and frontline monitoring
Saul said the Office of the Premier continues to coordinate provincial programmes and monitor implementation.
“Four priority areas were identified this year, and that is to improve healthcare, to accelerate agricultural and rural development, to speed up housing delivery, and to strengthen infrastructure.
“Monitoring teams have already inspected 40 health facilities province-wide and recommendations from those inspections are being implemented, said Saul.
He revealed that to strengthen healthcare, 31 support workers who include cleaners, food aides, laundry aides, porters and mortuary attendants have been appointed at 11 flagship facilities and said a second phase to fill 41 additional posts is underway, with appointments set for 1 August this year.
“The Department of Health has been instructed to finalise improvement plans for facilities, with progress tracked through the province’s integrated monitoring and evaluation system, he said.
Skills and budget cuts
“Despite a 26% budget cut compared to the previous year, the office of the premier will continue to deliver.
“We continue to employ innovative means to remain of service to the people of the Northern Cape.
“ Every rand appropriated must reflect value for money and produce measurable outcomes,” he said.
Through partnerships with SETAs, the says the province has supported 383 artisans, 2212 learnerships, 990 internships, more than 3,200 participants in skills programmes, 862 bursaries and 611 work-integrated learning opportunities.
“A new R137 million partnership with the Services SETA will benefit 1662 young people and provide internships for 1,000 unemployed graduates.
“The province also awarded R14.4 million in bursaries to 259 students for the 2026 academic year.
“Thirty-six beneficiaries graduated during autumn ceremonies, he said.
Institutional and gender priorities
Saul says his department has approved a revised organisational structure to strengthen governance and capacity and that priority will be given to filling strategic posts to improve policy coordination and performance management.
“All departments will be required to integrate gender-responsive planning and budgeting. The Provincial Women’s Economic Council will continue driving women’s economic empowerment, he said.
Saul reaffirmed his commitment to the Provincial Sanitary Dignity Programme and to combating gender-based violence through coordinated interventions.
“The province’s Operation Clean Audit initiative remains on track, with the government aiming for clean audits across all departments, added Saul.
