Development Workers Conference, Mayibuye Centre, Galeshewe
8 November 2007
The Premier of the Northern Cape province, Ms Dipuo Peters, will deliver a
speech at the Community Development Workers (CDW) Provincial Conference on
Friday, 9 November 2007, at the Mayibuye Centre, Galeshewe at 09h00.
The CDW programme which was established in 2003 is co-ordinated by the
Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, in
collaboration with the Department of Provincial and Local Government.
The conference which started on the 8 November 2007 is attended by over 300
CDWs, provincial departments, municipalities, unions, churches and family
support organisations. Some of the significant issues are:
* strengthening the integration and co-ordination of the CDW programme
across government departments, agencies and different spheres of
government
* the role of the CDWs in local economic development and poverty alleviation
programmes.
This conference must assist in ensuring that the spheres of government
through the CDW programme, respond in an integrated way to the service delivery
needs of our people. The discussions of the conference are geared towards
further enhancing intergovernmental co-operation to ensure that government
services are brought closer to people in an accelerated way.
This conference is also an opportune moment to express our sincere gratitude
to those of Community Development Workers, who continue to be of service to our
people throughout the province.
Since the inception of the CDW programme, many challenges have been
addressed especially in relation to how CDWs continue to provide assistance to
members of the community with the registration of indigents, registration for
social grants and identity documents, linking communities with economic
opportunities by establishing co-operatives, deepening public participation by
mobilising communities around government programmes such as Local Economic
Development (LED) processes, TB campaigns, HIV and AIDS campaigns, anti-crime
campaigns and many other government driven initiatives.
Of particular significance is the role CDW played in taking the consultative
process of the African Peer Review Mechanism to communities. This contribution
has also been acknowledged as one best practice that needs to be emulated by
other African States.
As a public service echelon of multi-skilled community development workers
who maintain direct contact with people, CDWs have made an important
contribution in bringing government's social security and municipal services
nearer to our people. The frontline combatants in the fight against poverty
have worked with our communities to ensure a better life for all.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Northern Cape Provincial Government
8 November 2007
