[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

29 September 2008

After nine years as Gauteng premier, Mbhazima Shilowa, today, Monday 29 September 2008, announced his resignation from the Provincial Legislature and the Provincial Executive Council.

However, Shilowa stressed that he would ensure that his departure does not impact on the government's service delivery programme.

"I will later today meet with the Provincial Office Bearers of the ANC to agree on how to manage the transition to minimise any possible disruption to the government's programme of action," said Shilowa while addressing the media in Johannesburg.

Shilowa said he was still unclear on when he would officially be out of office as that would only be confirmed following Legislature processes of choosing a new premier for the province.

He added that while a lot still had to be done to improve the lives of the people; the foundation for a better Gauteng was firmly in place.

"The work done in government so far has begun to impact positively on reversing poverty and inequality, unemployment and underdevelopment and on improving the quality of life of the people of Gauteng," he said.

He further noted that the provincial economy continued to grow contributing immensely to the reduction of poverty and unemployment. He said many people who were previously unemployed, now had jobs.

According to Statistics South Africa, unemployment has decreased from 30,4% in September in 2001 to 19,5% in September 2007.

"Many people who were previously lived in poverty are now better off. The drop to 22,6% in the percentage of households living in informal settlements is evidence of this," he said.

Shilowa thanked the former president, Thabo Mbeki, for giving for giving him a chance to be the Gauteng premier even though he did not have experience in government.

"My gratitude also goes to the various MECs that I have worked with since 1999. Without them, we would not have achieved the many milestones on social and economic issues," he said.

He further thanked the people of Gauteng for embracing the government that he led, saying that without their support much of what had been achieved would have remained but lofty dreams.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
29 September 2008
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gpg.gov.za)