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In Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s State of the Province Address (SOPA), he claimed his government has created a booming township bakery industry. But the reality is that while the bakeries could indeed bake the 22 000 loaves a day Lesufi claimed, they cannot access the market and not a single loaf of bread is being sold. This is a half-baked project and yet another example of a Premier that gives false hope. Some would say that he has misled the people, others would say he has lied.

During a recent stakeholder engagement, the bakery owners involved in the scheme indicated that despite having equipment and skills, they have not yet produced a single loaf of bread. They do not have access to the market, and they are not receiving any support with becoming compliant.
This is unacceptable. Why do some hospitals in the province procure groceries from suppliers in the Free State while we have capable bakeries who can supply all government institutions with bread?

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands that Premier Lesufi and the MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, immediately intervene to assist the bakeries in becoming fully compliant so that they supply bread to Gauteng Provincial Government departments, such as the hospitals and those schools that have a government-led feeding scheme.

The DA Gauteng has already submitted questions to MEC Maile, and taken other steps to ensure support is given to the 20 bakeries.

A DA Gauteng led provincial government would ensure that any project undertaken by government will be seen through to the end. In this case, 22 000 loaves a day would be a reality and not an empty promise. Furthermore, we will ensure that they can access the market and be compliant so that they can create more business and job opportunities in the community where they trade and across the province.

Issued by Nazley Sharif MPL - DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Economic Development