municipality, Western Cape
15 July 2006
The Deputy President was accompanied by Premier Ebrahim Rasool, some
National Ministers and deputy ministers as well as members of the provincial
executive committee, and councillors.
During her visit, the deputy president received a report on the State of the
District, presented title deeds to 19 beneficiaries, embarked on a door-to-door
visit to several households in Knysna, visited a local hospital in George and
interacted with the District's stakeholders comprising business, civil society,
and non governmental organisationsâ representatives.
After listening to public grievances raised during community meetings, she
made a call on local councillors to speed-up service delivery, fight racism and
tackle underdevelopment
âWe must focus on delivery, put aside petty political squabbles and ensure
that the communities receive services due to themâ, said the Deputy
President
She also launched a new Integrated Human Settlement Development in
Plettenberg Bay.
The Deputy President urged the community to gear themselves to deliver
services and goods such as memorabilia for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. She
encouraged the community to learn foreign languages and committed to send
thirty (30) people from this district to learn Chinese with the aim of
improving tourism services in the region.
At a community Imbizo in KwaNokuthula township, the community highlighted
unemployment, youth underdevelopment, housing, lack of skills, AIDS and HIV as
some of their challenges.
The community complained of impediments to service delivery in the district
including uncommitted councillors, discrimination on the basis of colour,
language, race and class.
"We have eleven official languages and no one should be denied access to
government services because of the language they speak, and if councillors do
not perform they will be removed. However, this must not be a vindictive
agenda. There must be proof of wrongdoing," said the Deputy President.
She however noted the existence of dual economies in the district and
encouraged the people in the second economy to uplift themselves by creating
jobs.
âMunicipalities will not be able to employ everyone. The solution is that
you should create your own jobs and in the process employ others.â
Enquiries:
Thabang Chiloane
Cell: 082 888 8783
Matome Sebelebele
Cell: 072 710 1814
Luzuko Koti
Cell: 083 391 0073
Issued by: The Presidency, GCIS and the Department of Provincial and Local
Government
15 July 2006
