S Moloto: Thusong Service Centre launch

29 November 2007

Programme director
MECs here present
Executive Mayor of Sekhukhune District Municipality
Mayor of Fetakgomo Local Municipality
Magoshi a rena le Mantona ka moka
MPs, MPLs, and councillors
Representatives of Anglo Platinum
Representatives of Eskom
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

We are highly pleased to gather here at Fetakgomo to launch this exciting
project of our democratic government. We equally wish to thank the Traditional
Authorities and the Fetakgomo Municipality who ensured that the launch of this
facility, does take place today as planned.

The launch of this Thusong Service Centre (TSC) facility fits perfectly with
our ongoing initiatives to prioritise the development of districts such as
Sekhukhune, which we regard as Presidential nodal points.

It is through infrastructural provisions such as these that our people can
become self-reliant, and be able to participate in the process of bringing
about a better life, where they live. As government we are compelled by the
Constitution of our country to discharge only the highest quality of services
to all our citizens irrespective of their gender, race, language, creed or
geographic location. This means that our government has got a legal duty to
extend public services to all its citizens in every community, village or
township, in whatever corner of our province and country. In so far as
government is concerned, we believe that, "No place should be too far or too
near for government to reach."

Programme director

Government established Thusong Service Centres with a purpose of extending
quality services to communities in accordance with Batho Pele principles. They
have become primary vehicles which help government to convey its key messages
and information to the people. TSCs have also been conceived as platforms where
communities can be able to communicate directly with government departments and
institutions.

In particular, the objective of the TSC programme is to address historical
factors which limit citizen's ability to access government information and
services, particularly in deprived and outlying areas like Fetakgomo.

TSCs should therefore be seen as one-stop centres or delivery hubs where
local, provincial and national government services, including private sector
services are made available to the communities. One major advantage for the
establishment of these centres is that you as community members have the
leverage to decide, which of the services you need, based on your actual
developmental goals.

Our overall target as government is to achieve at least one Thusong Service
Centre per Local Municipality by the year 2014. The province already has 16
TSCs which provide more than 700 essential services, ranging from application
and collection of birth certificates, Identity Documents (IDs) and marriage
certificates, getting tendering information, agricultural information, business
advice services, HIV and AIDS counselling, youth support services, South
African Police Service (SAPS) and many other services.

This particular TSC, which we are here to launch, is able to render services
such as: SAPS, affidavits and certification, Home Affairs registration of
births and identity documents, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) -
Child support grants, old age grants, foster care, and disability grants. The
department of Home Affairs visits the centre on Wednesdays whilst SAPS and
SASSA provide services on a daily basis. We also have a fully equipped
Telecentre in place, which will start running, as soon as the Telecentre
management has been appointed.

In addition to these services, we are also delighted to know that the
Fetakgomo municipality has finalised lease agreements for the following service
providers:

* Department of Agriculture
* Provincial Treasury
* A parliamentary office
* Anglo-Zimele, Business advisory centre for Anglo-platinum
* Services of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)

We hope that other departments will follow suit and bring their services to
this TSC, in order to make their services more accessible by communities.

* What this launch means for Fetakgomo in particular, is that, over 25 000
people within 10 kilometre radius will be able to get services nearer to their
homes. The centre will service five wards comprising of 22 villages in
Fetakgomo Municipality, including villages in Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality
such as Makgoba, Mathabatha and Mafefe.

Programme director

This means that we are gradually succeeding in cutting short the distance
and the time, which communities use to travel to bigger towns only for purposes
of getting services. There is no doubt that the establishment of this TSC will
bring significant economic spin-offs for the people of Fetakgomo and those from
surrounding communities. We also regard this facility as a strategic hub,
around which, local economic initiatives (LED) can be launched.

Our expectation is that traditional leaders, businesspeople and community
leaders should take keen interest in this facility which is now at their
doorstep. With no one using this centre, there is no doubt that it will become
a useless ivory tower, which adds no value to the community. We call on
community members to get involved in the management of the centre, so that
their needs are constantly looked upon, from time to time. Doing this will in
turn improve the standard of service provided in this centre and enhance the
quality of service delivery.

It is highly important for community members to take full ownership and
responsibility for this centre. Know that this centre belongs to you and nobody
else. At the end of the day, we should know that, if we allow this facility to
be run down, we will only have ourselves to blame as no one will be interested
in investing their resources in our communities. We therefore urge you to look
after this centre by ensuring that it is always maintained and not dilapidated
or damaged.

Finally, we wish to thank all the parties who were involved from the initial
stages of the project, up till today when we are celebrating the launch. Let
them know that, their contributions have not gone unnoticed. For the record, we
must single out the following contributors, who without them, this centre would
not have kicked-off: These will include Lebowa Platinum Mine, Anglo Platinum,
Eskom and Fetakgomo Municipality.

It is now our privilege to declare the centre officially opened.

I thank you.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
29 November 2007