​On Wednesday, 22nd February 2023, the Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Mbali Hlophe flanked by Lesedi Local Municipality Mayor Mluleki Nkosi engaged community of Ratanda to unpack commitments made by Premier Panyaza Lesufi on his maiden State of the Province Address and to provide information of the developmental plans relating to five corridors in Gauteng. 
Delivering his 2023 SOPA on Monday, Premier shared the plans to tackle crime, change the living conditions of people in Townships, Informal Settlement and Hostels (TISH), accelerate economic recovery and strengthening the capacity of the state to deliver quality services and improve the health and wellness of communities in Gauteng. 

Addressing the members of the community Hlophe said their visit to the area is to enlighten the community about the commitments made by Premier and to explain to the community what to expect from government in the next five years.

The MEC reiterated the commitment by Gauteng Government to reposition the province in working together with communities. She said she understand that our communities are frustrated and tired with speeches, and people want action now. 

“Our focus is to change the living conditions of people particularly in townships, informal settlement and hostels. Governments recommits to accelerate the economic recovery and reconstruction of the province because we believe that our freedom cannot be a realized if our people are still suffering in poverty.

We know that our people are unemployed especially young people, we know that our people live in conditions that are inhabitable, we know that crime is out of control especially in our province, but as government, in this new administration, we are prepared to work hard in changing those living conditions of our people”. 

MEC said Gauteng Government commits to using 60% of the R34 billion for goods and services budget to support Township businesses initiatives. 

“We want our people in townships to work together, support each other’s business, and circulate the rand amongst ourselves so that our township economy can grow”, she added. 

Hlophe highlighted that the Township Economic Development Act urges people to work together if they want to succeed. 

She indicated that Gauteng Government has appointed 6000 newly recruit police officers to fight crime and drug dealers in the street of the province. 

“There is a commitment to fight crime and people who are selling drugs to our youth, but we want community members to work with us and report crime to our call centre”
The MEC further encouraged young people to venture into agriculture and start their own farming projects as food security will always be in demand and this can assist with job creation.

Community members also raised their challenges and among others included the high demand of land for farming, treatment for substance abuse being too short and people relapsing quickly, closed skills development centre, and young people who passed matric well but not getting bursaries.