By David Ndodana 
On Friday, 24 February 2023, Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, engaged the community of Tembisa to unpack commitments made by Premier Panyaza Lesufi during the State of the Province Address (SOPA). This was to provide information on developmental plans relating to five corridors in the province. 
Delivering the 2023 SOPA, Premier Lesufi shared plans to tackle crime, improve living conditions in Townships, Informal Settlement and Hostels (TISH) and accelerate economic recovery. The plans also refer to strengthening capacity of the state, to deliver quality services, improve health and wellness of communities. MEC Diale-Tlabela started the programme with an engagement with stakeholders at Tembisa West Library. 
Accompanied by senior managers, she met with Cllr Mabekenyane Thamahane, MMC for Roads and Transport in City of Ekurhuleni, councilors, hostel izinduna and community leaders. During the public imbizo, MEC highlighted Gauteng Provincial Government's (GPG) service delivery plans for the year ahead. 
"In October 2022, we took an oath that development will go to the people in Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostels" reiterated the MEC. "We committed that Growing Gauteng Together (GGT 2030) will be supported with the following elevated commitments: to accelerate Gauteng's economic recovery and reconstruction; to declare crime, corruption, lawlessness and vandalism as the enemy that must be mercilessly defeated; to drastically change living conditions of our people in the 26 townships and over 700 informal settlements and six provincially owned hostels; committed to strengthen the capacity of the state to deliver quality services to residents and to further improve and capacitate government communications so we can communicate better", MEC Diale-Tlabela added.
Calling on the community to protect and support transport infrastructure developments, she indicated "PRASA wants to revive Oakmoor Station, but cannot do it if some members of the community are stopping the project". 
MEC further indicated that the Department will assist with improving state of roads in and around the township including pothole patching, amongst others. 
Earlier in the day, Department's Road maintenance teams had conducted pothole patching, grass cutting, litter picking as well as installing markings along streets in Vusumuzi section and Ehlanzeni hostel. Furthermore, after noting issues raised, the MEC indicated that "we will refer them to the relevant Departments for handling and report back".