Amid the many plans presented by President Cyril Ramaphosa, three commitments stood out for Premier Alan Winde: ending power outages in the next two years, fixing the Central railway line in Cape Town and bolstering law enforcement resources to fight crime and corruption.

“Simply getting the basics right- the provision of energy, a functioning public transport system, and taking decisive action against criminal elements in our communities and in government, will have a significant impact on this country, and the Western Cape’s ability to recover post-Covid.

While Covid-19 and the lockdown have had a significant impact on our economy, the reality is that load shedding, the failures of state-owned entities like PRASA and crime and corruption have been major economic stumbling blocks for a number of years.

For years, the Western Cape’s railway systems have been allowed to crumble in the hands of the national government. We therefore welcome their commitment to fixing the central line. An efficient railway system forms the backbone of any economy and should connect people to economic and educational opportunities safely and affordably. The central line is the busiest in Cape Town, and I look forward to more details being shared on how this will happen, and what alternative measures will be put in place while this vital work continues.”