Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced a major shift in provincial governance, pledging to stop outsourcing critical government work through the tender system. He stated this move is aimed at ending corruption and ensuring public funds benefit citizens directly, not politically connected intermediaries.
The plan involves using government teams to perform functions currently handled by private contractors. Lesufi said this will create permanent jobs and equip people with new skills, declaring, “We are going to equip our people with the skills and tools to do the work themselves.”
This new approach will expand the existing “Nasi Ispani” program, which has already hired thousands of young people for basic jobs. It will now train them for more technical roles in infrastructure and maintenance, taking over projects that were previously put out to tender.
The announcement addresses long-standing public anger over corruption, overspending, and allegations that tender awards are used to reward political allies. While some hail the move as a bold step toward transparency, policy experts warn it must be implemented carefully to comply with procurement laws and maintain service quality.
Lesufi remained firm, stating, “The government will not be going on a tender anymore… No one will stop me,” framing the decision as essential to restoring public trust in a system he says has failed the people of Gauteng.