Government is making substantial inroads and progress to restore Deelpan Village in the North West province and assisting victims who were negatively impacted by devastating inclement weather that damaged homes and infrastructure.
Deelpan Village previously experienced prolonged heavy rainfall between 2021 and 2022. The floods on 6 March 2022 were the worst, resulting in the village being submerged in water, houses being damaged and people being affected.
In May 2022, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Ms. Pinky Kekana; together with the Deputy Ministers of Health Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo; Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Obed Bapela (former); and Human Settlements Ms. Pam Tshwete, as well as the provincial and local leadership of the North West visited Deelpan located in Tswaing Local Municipality under Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.
Government subsequently formed a monitoring Technical Task Team chaired by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) working with sector departments to facilitate a quicker response to the disaster.
Through joint efforts and intervention, 5 hectares of land have been made available by traditional leaders, and a contractor has started the construction of 103 houses and 1 business site in Phase 1 of the project, which is scheduled to be completed by March 2024. Phase 2 is expected to consist of 377 sites (371 housing units, 3 business sites, 1 place of worship, 1 Early Childhood Development and a municipal facility), and is earmarked to commence in the 2024/2025 financial year. Geotechnical Studies and Environmental Impact Assessments have also been done to ensure the area is safe for occupation. Access to schools has also been restored, and a consultant has been appointed to design roads for ease of movement.
Public participation was also done under the leadership of political leaders of the municipalities with the communities to solicit their views and keep them abreast of developments. The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality has also commenced the drilling of boreholes, and testing the quality of water for human consumption will follow. To contribute towards poverty alleviation, 38 jobs have been created for residents at the construction site of the permanent houses while further socio-economic and agricultural interventions will be implemented.
The details of the progress were revealed during the frontline oversight monitoring that was conducted by the DPME between 12-13 December 2023 to engage key stakeholders and assess the restoration efforts in Deelpan.
The DPME team was led by Deputy Director General: Public Sector Monitoring and Capacity Development, Advocate Gugu Thimane, who also chaired a monitoring Task Team meeting encompassing officials from the Tswaing Local Municipality, North West Premier’s Office, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, North West Department of Public Works and Roads, Department of Social Development, Ngaka Modiri Molema (NMM) District Municipality, as well as Ward 1 Councillor Tshomarelo Januarie, to monitor and fast-track the refurbishment of Deelpan.
An on-site assessment of the roads and housing projects was also conducted by the monitoring team which also briefed traditional leadership led by Kgosi Molete and political leadership led by Tswaing Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Norah Mahlangu.
Advocate Thimane has expressed satisfaction regarding the progress made thus far. “As the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation working together with the monitoring Task Team and sector departments, we are content with the progress made towards the development of Deelpan village. We are also pleased that the contractor is currently on site, and jobs have also been created for the local communities. The DPME will continue to facilitate, influence, and support effective planning, monitoring and evaluation of government programmes aimed at improving service delivery, outcomes, and the impact on society,” she said.
The Deelpan monitoring Task Team, which has been meeting weekly since February 2023, will continue meeting regularly to restore the village and dignity of the affected families and ensure sustainable interventions for the Deelpan community. A follow up oversight monitoring to track progress will be conducted around February 2024 by the political leadership of the DPME and other sector departments.
Media enquiries:
Mr Lawrence Ngoveni
Cell: 082 824 3060
E-mail: Lawrence.Ngoveni@dpme.gov.za
