President Cyril Ramaphosa held a successful engagement with the community of the JB Marks Local Municipality under Dr Kenneth Kaunda District in the North West Province on Friday, 20 October 2023. This was a return visit to the North West under District Development Model Presidential Imbizo.
The engagement follows the initial District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo visit to the province, in Mafikeng, in March 2022.
The purpose of the engagement was to assess progress on the government interventions since the previous visit to the Province.
Preceding the Imbizo were build-up outreach activities that were led by Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MECs and Mayors across the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality and across the North West Province.
Before engaging the community at Ikageng Sports complex, President Cyril Ramaphosa conducted an oversight visit to the construction site of the 25 ML Ikageng Reservoir, accompanied by Minister of Water and sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, Acting Premier of the North West Province, Nono Maloyi, Executive Mayor of Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, Mayor of JB Marks Local Municipality and other senior government officials.
The construction of the reservoir is funded through the Department’s Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) with the municipality appointed as the implementing agent through its Water Services Authority.
Work commenced in January this year and is expected to be completed by July 2024, creating more than 100 job opportunities for the local community.
Approximately 22 000 households and a population of 94 201 will be provided with water at the completion of the reservoir.
The reservoir and the new bulk distribution (gravity) pipeline will supply water to communities in Ikageng Proper, Ikageng Ext. 1,4,5 9, 12, Potchindustria, Mohadin as well as the Northern portion of Ikageng Ext. 7.
The President proceeded to Ikageng Sports Complex to engage with the community members in a well attended Imbizo. Amongst the issues raised were challenges of water and sanitation, lack of electricity supply, housing, and unemployment, particularly amongst the youth.
In responding to the issues raised, the president afforded various ministers, and the Acting Premier, an opportunity to respond to the community.
The President issued a total of 2000 title deeds as part of expanding land ownership and to foster economic development. The title deeds were given to organisations and individuals.
On the issue of crime, it was announced that more 6000 zama zamas (illegal miners) have been arrested in the North West province. There are six (6) people arrested linked to the construction mafia. The President indicated that there are clear plans of dealing with crime in the Province and more interventions are underway.
Despite few service delivery challenges that still exist in the province, a lot of progress has been registered in addressing service delivery back logs in particular through the interventions made by the first DDM Presidential Imbizo visit in the province.
The President concluded the engagement by thanking all the community members who attended and raised issues with government. He also acknowledged the progress made in improving service delivery since the last visit to the province. The President referred to the recently released report by Statistics South Africa, which showed progress in service provision to an increasing population.
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za
