Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has reaffirmed that the province’s Nasi iSpani employment initiative is exclusively for South African citizens residing in Gauteng, firmly dismissing speculation that foreign nationals could benefit. Speaking during the latest intake announcement, Lesufi stressed that the programme was designed to confront the province’s high unemployment rate and restore dignity to its residents.
“These opportunities are for people of Gauteng only. No foreigners will benefit from this programme,” he declared. “Our priority is to restore the dignity of our people by giving them work and hope. Gauteng residents must come first.”
His comments come against a backdrop of heated public debate over the participation of foreign nationals in South Africa’s job market. Civic groups have often accused government initiatives of overlooking locals, while human rights organisations caution that rhetoric excluding foreigners must be carefully managed to prevent xenophobic tensions.
Lesufi emphasised that the policy is not discriminatory but rather a constitutional obligation to citizens. Since its inception, Nasi iSpani has provided thousands of unemployed youth with entry-level opportunities in provincial departments, municipalities, and state-owned entities. The programme has won praise for opening doors into the labour market, though critics argue that many of the roles are temporary and fail to address long-term unemployment.
[WATCH] "These opportunities are for people of Gauteng only… No foreigners will benefit from this programme (Nasi iSpani)." – Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/gYwVQ6X34x
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 11, 2025
Community leaders welcomed the clarification, saying it reassured struggling job seekers that they are the priority. A Soweto organiser noted that too many young people remain idle without income and need opportunities like Nasi iSpani to break into the economy.
Lesufi also revealed plans to expand the initiative into critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and public safety, broadening its impact in the months ahead. For many unemployed Gauteng residents, the programme represents a much-needed lifeline, and Lesufi’s stance made clear that its focus remains firmly on locals.