KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize today paid surprise visit to government service centres in Dundee before addressing young people attended the Youth Parliament sitting.
During the unannounced visits, the Dr Mkhize paid a visit to Dundee hospital and the local social development office.
“There are a number of things that we were looking at, starting from the way the institution looks. Is it clean, are staff members dressed appropriately, are they displaying courtesy to the clients coming in?” said Dr Mkhize.
He said he was very impressed with what he saw, especially since both institutions were not aware that he would be visiting.
Dr Mkhize said there were a number of other tangible service delivery gains, including that Dundee Hospital has not had a single maternal death in the past two years.
“I was very interested to see the progress in the treatment of HIV and AIDS and tuberculosis (TB), and I must say you can tell by looking at the patients that they are receiving all the support they need.
“The cure rate for TB patients is at an impressing 86% because the hospital has a program of ensuring follow ups with patients who default to ensure that they finish their treatment,” said Dr Mkhize.
Dr Mkhize said the integrated approach to government service delivery was evident at the Dundee Social Development office where a war room has been set up in line with Sukuma Sakhe program.
“The youth ambassadors go out to the community and they collect a whole range of information and input it into the systems. All government departments will then feed off that information to provide integrated services to the community,” said Dr Mkhize.
Dr Mkhize said he found a lot of professionalism at both the institutions with staff, and was met with a lot of enthusiasm by clients who were eager to receive copies of the Citizen’s Charter from Dr Mkhize.
In his address to the Youth Parliament, Dr Mkhize bemoaned the effects of alcohol and drugs in the lives of young people. Dr Mkhize said he was however very confident of the potential that can still see young people take centre stage in the creation of a normal society.
Dr Mkhize also spoke at length about the province’s five priority areas for service delivery, emphasising that young people should identify priorities for discussion with government.
“You are hereby invited to assist government to refine our strategies to give young people a greater involvement in the government’s program of action,” said Dr Mkhize.
Enquiries:
Regi Khumalo
Cell: 079 751 6108
E-mail: regi.khumalo@yahoo.com
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Cell: 082 3754742
E-mail: sibiyand@premier.kzntl.gov.za
