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Johannesburg - Unemployment in Gauteng decreased by nearly 5% between 2011 and 2012, Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said on Monday.
It decreased from 28.2% in the first quarter of 2011 to 23.7% in the fourth quarter of 2012, she said presenting her office's budget in the provincial legislature.
Health services had improved.
"We have improved capacity, including the appointment of hospital CEOs and senior management, filling critical posts, intervened to restore the functioning of the medical supply depot... and stabilised the department's finances.
"This year, for the first time in a decade, Gauteng health has not overspent."
The Gauteng planning commission would focus on the province's long-term future, culminating in Gauteng Vision 2055, to be unveiled this year.
"Taking into account the imperatives of the National Development Plan, including the spatial, economic, and social reality, Gauteng Vision 2055 will provide an integrated plan for the future development of the city region."
Work was underway on the Gauteng integrated infrastructure master plan, which would account for all infrastructure projects and align related initiatives, such as the 25-year integrated transport master plan.
In dealing with urbanisation, Gauteng was working together with the co-operative governance and traditional affairs department to develop a national integrated urban development framework, she said.
Information gathered by community development workers would be included in efforts to address service delivery complaints. An easy-to-remember number for the premier's hotline would be introduced this year.
Following the visit by President Jacob Zuma to Eldorado Park, a comprehensive plan had been developed and would be implemented to fight substance abuse.
"The success of our fight against substance abuse is dependent on the willingness of our communities to speak out and confront the plague as the Eldorado community, mothers in particular, have done," she said.
