Gauteng Premier invites FF Plus to present the party’s economic recovery plan for the province to him

31 August 2021

During today’s a session of the Gauteng Legislature, the FF Plus received an invitation from the Premier, David Makhura, to submit the party's economic recovery plan – aimed at addressing the Covid-19 pandemic, the lockdown and recent riots – to him for consideration.

The FF Plus accepted the invitation and will submit its plan, which was compiled by expert economists, among others, to the Premier while also putting pressure on the provincial government to implement this practical and realistic plan.

The FF Plus is of the opinion that the plan will certainly help Gauteng's economy recover, ensure economic growth and promote job creation so as to alleviate poverty. The plan, furthermore, condemns the provision of any form of government aid based on racial discrimination.

The Premier's suggestion followed an oral question by the FF Plus about the ANC government's own recovery plan and how it aims to address and mitigate the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the lockdown and riots.

In his response, the Premier also described the extent of the damage Gauteng suffered. With regard to the riots, the Premier indicated that 80 out of 500 shopping centres in the province were looted.

Stock to the value of R3,5 billion was either damaged or destroyed; R1,5 billion of the damage was done to small and uninsured businesses. On average, small businesses suffered damages of between R30 000 and R500 000.

The Premier also offered a general explanation of the four pillars of the ANC government's economic recovery plan.

The FF Plus will submit its economic recovery plan to make sure that the economic relief packages offered by the government are not discriminatory, seeing as a large number of the small businesses in the province are owned by white, coloured and Indian individuals and collectively these businesses create many job opportunities for black people.

Issued by Anton Alberts, FF Plus national chairperson and MPL: Gauteng, 31 August 2021