Presidential visit signals renewed focus on provincial development
Efforts to resolve persistent service delivery shortfalls in the Free State are beginning to yield results, according to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who acknowledged that significant work still lies ahead for the province.
Speaking on Friday following President Cyril Ramaphosa's engagement with the Free State provincial government, Ntshavheni indicated that tangible improvements are becoming evident on the ground.
"Now we are starting to see some progress in terms of implementation and development, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done."
The presidential visit forms part of Ramaphosa's broader drive to strengthen cooperation between national government and provincial as well as local authorities in addressing gaps in public services. The engagement provided an opportunity to assess the province's development trajectory and identify areas requiring additional national support.
Ntshavheni also underscored the critical role of embedding the District Development Model (DDM) throughout the country's governance structures. She noted that the initiative, which was first introduced during the sixth administration, continues to be a central pillar of the current seventh administration's approach to coordinated governance.
District Development Model reshaping resource allocation
Since its inception in 2019, the DDM has fundamentally altered how government approaches planning at a local level. The model is designed to break down silos by deliberately integrating planning, budgeting and implementation across all tiers of government. It enables national and provincial authorities to direct resources strategically towards districts and metropolitan areas where institutional capacity is lacking, with the aim of promoting greater spatial equity across the country.
Regarding the Free State specifically, Ntshavheni confirmed that provincial leaders had presented a detailed programme of action to the national executive.
"The province has provided us with a programme of action plan, we are going to consolidate it and see what the progress is on these matters, and see where the Presidency's intervention is required to ensure that we unlock the support that is required."
During his discussions with provincial officials, President Ramaphosa urged the Free State to share successful strategies with other provinces so that effective approaches could be adopted more widely. He singled out the province's agricultural programmes as a model worth replicating.
"For example, the Free State is leading the way in providing comprehensive agricultural support to emerging farmers and in implementing food security initiatives in vulnerable communities."
The visit reinforced the national government's commitment to working hand in hand with provinces to accelerate delivery and close the gaps that continue to affect communities across the country.
The renewed national attention on Free State service delivery could signal improved access to basic services for residents who have long faced infrastructure and governance shortfalls. For local businesses and emerging farmers, the emphasis on agricultural support and the District Development Model may unlock resources and streamline planning across government tiers. Whether these commitments translate into sustained, measurable improvements will depend on consistent follow-through and effective coordination between national, provincial, and local authorities in the months ahead.
