GP wants more money

[Creag]

Penwell Dlamini | 13 July, 2015

The Gauteng government is preparing to ask for its share of the budget allocation to be increased in line with the growth in the size of its population.

Gauteng has experienced a surge in population numbers as more people come from other provinces to find greener pastures.

Last year's mid-year statistics showed that Gauteng became home to 21.3% of the national population.

Gauteng legislature Speaker Ntombi Mekgwe told The Times that the public service provided by the provincial government was feeling the pressure of the influx.

"The discussion in the corridors is, because of that situation, we need to increase the size of the legislature. We have not started a formal discussion, individuals are raising the issue."

Professor Ann McLennan of the Wits University School of Governance said: "The request for a larger share of the budget is fair given the migration patterns into Gauteng.

"There is considerable stress on the school and health infrastructures. It seems just to assist the province to meet these needs."

But McLennan warned that an increase in the number of members of the legislature would mean a heftier salary budget.

If Gauteng received a bigger share of the budget, other provinces would receive less, she said.

Treasury spokes man Phumza Macanda said a review was possible in the future .

"Legislatures may approach the National Council of Provinces on this matter," she said.

Source: Times Lives | http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2015/07/13/GP-wants-more-money

 

[Ockie]

The government needs to put initiatives in place to attract people to other parts less populated areas of the country.

 

[Sonic2k]

The government needs to put initiatives in place to attract people to other parts less populated areas of the country.

They do this overseas... unfortunately in this country, nothing like that will ever fly...

 

[Ockie]

They do this overseas... unfortunately in this country, nothing like that will ever fly...

Well, I dont see why they cant. Create development zones in small towns and cities. Give companies tax initiatives and union free zones. See what the response is. This could work well in cities like Kimberley for example I would say. There has got to be a way to get the population to spread out a bit more.

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

Well, I dont see why they cant. Create development zones in small towns and cities. Give companies tax initiatives and union free zones. See what the response is. This could work well in cities like Kimberley for example I would say. There has got to be a way to get the population to spread out a bit more.

Swaziland had something like this ...... they would give you a factory, rent free for a time, 12 month tax holiday, but you had to employ Swazis.
The Swazi workers paid tax ..... and thats where it went South ... the King blew the cash.

But yes.

If we had to forget about BBBEE and AA, encourage FDI .... create free and fair trade zones ..... well wouldnt that be just peachy.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Well, I dont see why they cant. Create development zones in small towns and cities. Give companies tax initiatives and union free zones. See what the response is. This could work well in cities like Kimberley for example I would say. There has got to be a way to get the population to spread out a bit more.

Excellent response.

I wouldn't mind working in Pofadder (or some distant place) with less pollution and traffic...

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

Excellent response.

I wouldn't mind working in Pofadder (or some distant place) with less pollution and traffic...

Bring the FTP ............. fibre to Pofadder

 

[daveza]

Gauteng has experienced a surge in population numbers as more people come from other provinces to find greener pastures.

So has the Western Cape.

So if you give the WC more money as well, the least performing provinces will get even less.

 

[Sonic2k]

I also don't mind moving to a rural place... but I am not willing to move to a place like that where there is no hope of any internet access... This is what is different overseas, you can be far away from a major centre, and still enjoy a fast internet connection.

 

[ShiiZZo]

Well, I dont see why they cant. Create development zones in small towns and cities. Give companies tax initiatives and union free zones. See what the response is. This could work well in cities like Kimberley for example I would say. There has got to be a way to get the population to spread out a bit more.

This was done in Atlantis in the WC, but with subsidies from the government. Once the subsidies were taken away, almost all the companies packed up and left...

 

[MrR]

So has the Western Cape.

So if you give the WC more money as well, the least performing provinces will get even less.

Didn't the Western Cape government (Zille or de lille) argue this point a year or so ago and national government told them no? Can't recall with 100% certainty, but I think it was in the context of the influx of eastern Cape folk to the Western Cape and the need for more infrastructure, particularly schools.

 

[Ockie]

This was done in Atlantis in the WC, but with subsidies from the government. Once the subsidies were taken away, almost all the companies packed up and left...

Well, it is not good enough to just give subsidies. Government still needs to take a active role. Provide infrastructure, make sure that you have plans in the pipeline to provide schooling, healthcare etc etc. You can just say right, there is a area, if you set up shop you get a subsidy or tax breaks and non union workers. You need to make sure that you put services in place for the employees that then moves there for the newly created employment. If you dont then it will fail and you will only have yourself to blame for a good opportunity missed.

 

[Ockie]

This was done in Atlantis in the WC, but with subsidies from the government. Once the subsidies were taken away, almost all the companies packed up and left...

Well, it is not good enough to just give subsidies. Government still needs to take a active role. Provide infrastructure, make sure that you have plans in the pipeline to provide schooling, healthcare etc etc. You can just say right, there is a area, if you set up shop you get a subsidy or tax breaks and non union workers. You need to make sure that you put services in place for the employees that then moves there for the newly created employment. If you dont then it will fail and you will only have yourself to blame for a good opportunity missed.

 

[Voicy]

Swaziland had something like this ...... they would give you a factory, rent free for a time, 12 month tax holiday, but you had to employ Swazis.
The Swazi workers paid tax ..... and thats where it went South ... the King blew the cash.

But yes.

If we had to forget about BBBEE and AA, encourage FDI .... create free and fair trade zones ..... well wouldnt that be just peachy.

Erm, exactly this took place in SA. The Dimbaza Industrial zone outside KWT is jam packed with factories of all shapes and sizes. IIRC there are only 2 still in operation. This is an entire industry park, right next to the railway and N2. Everything standing empty.

 

[Jladan]

Seeing as the govt is all about user pays now gp should just keep the vast amount of our tax money that goes to the rest of the country