Sipho Tshabalala
Speaking at the State of the Province Address (SoPA) in Katlehong on Thursday, 15 August 2024, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi highlighted the urgency to accelerate infrastructure investments and the creation of much-needed job opportunities.  
 The Premier noted that “to upholding the position of Gauteng as the economic hub, we will accelerate our infrastructure investment”. He further said that “in less than two years, the Gauteng Government will invest R120 billion in the expansion of Gautrain to the following areas: Soweto via Fourways; Mamelodi; Atteridgeville; Lanseria; and Springs”.
 “This expansion is expected to create over 10 125 000 jobs during construction over a five-year period. The bid to construct these lines closes at the end of October this year”.
 A study on the socioeconomic impact of the Gautrain conducted by consulting engineering firm, Hatch, released in 2019, showed that the rapid-rail system adds R6.64-billion to the Gauteng economy’s gross domestic product (GDP) – or 0.56% ­– during a typical year of operation. It added that for every rand spent on Gautrain’s original construction, around R2.60 of economic benefit has been delivered to Gauteng over a ten-year period.
 It went on to indicate that an expanded Gautrain system should add R5-billion to Gauteng’s GDP during a typical year of construction, and R12.44-billion to GDP during a typical year of operations.
 On improvement of logistics infrastructure, the Premier indicated that “the Ukuvuselela Project, a High-Capacity Freight Rail project between Tshwane and Port Elizabeth, will be launched. Its goal is to modernise an existing railway line and turn it into a high-volume, sustainably operated freight rail logistics system that serves the South African automotive industry”.
 This, the Premier said the “economy will solidify and maintain its leading position in the manufacturing and automobile industries. It is envisaged that Project Ukuvuselela will result in nearly 4000 construction jobs and just over 1000 permanent operations jobs”.
On the Limpopo-Gauteng speed train plans, Premier Lesufi said the project has “now entered the feasibility study phase and will accelerate our desire to work with our counterparts in Limpopo”. He added that “this is expected to create over 18000 jobs during the construction period”.