14 November 2007
Service delivery, jobs and the need to work with communities have been the
main theme of the retreat Imbizo, attended by more than 600 residents in the
local community hall last night.
The Imbizo, Zulu word for community gathering, was hosted by the Western
Cape Provincial Government and was part of seventeen gatherings held during
this month in 15 priority areas identified by Premier Ebrahim Rasool as part of
its main strategy against unemployment, poverty, crime and drug abuse.
The iZimbizo are an important part of government's communication programme
with its citizens, and serves as a barometer for service delivery. The Imbizo
process has improved in quality with held desks, improved recording of
information, better follow up of issues, greater focus and growing partnerships
with communities.
In opening last night's meeting, the chairperson of Environment, Planning
and Economic Development, MEC Tasneem Essop said the government had on a
previous occasion hear the various complaints of the community, and was now
coming back to report on progress.
She said whilst the government was going to listen to the people again, it
has learnt from the experiences of communities like Khayelitsha and Manenberg,
where those communities have taken control over their lives.
MEC Essop said Manenberg serves as an example of a community who did not
wait for government, and government needs to replicate the efforts of this
community to others in the province.
Education MEC Cameron Dugmore, who has been deployed as "chief political
champion" for the area, reminded communities that at the previous Imbizo in
Muizenberg, they complained about:
* youth wandering the streets
* absenteeism of Masiphumelele School principal
* the need for schools in Westlake and Vrygrond
* the need for career information; and
* the need for economic development.
In response, MEC Dugmore reported that through the education department, the
provincial government has earmarked Cafda Primary School, which has 14 vacant
classrooms, for a school of skills to give young people training opportunities
and take them off the streets.
The post of the principal at Masiphumelele School, who has absconded, has
been advertised and will be filled soon. The building of a new school in
Westlake will start from next year, and Vrygrond will also be prioritised.
Although violent crimes and burglaries have come down, MEC Dugmore
registered the government's concern with the increase in sexual assault and
rape cases.
The provincial government is fighting social pathologies through local
partnerships, by providing financial and other assistance to community and
non-governmental organisations like Oasis, Spades, Think Twice and others in
the area.
Some of the new demands and complaints from the community included:
* government support for a children Christmas function
* making jamborees (service delivery days) more accessible
* a boxing hall and sport facilities
* school principals withholding reports to be taken to task
* support for local cultural and creative arts initiatives; and
* more skills and job opportunities.
In reply to above, MEC Dugmore said the community, through the Task Team,
must put forward a written proposal for support for a children Christmas
function; holding jamborees on a weekend will be looked at; a school hall
possibly be used as boxing facilities; and that a workshop for artisan and
skills training at Cafda be installed next April.
Support officials have taken the details of members of the audience who have
health, language and art skills, with a view to work with them in future
projects.
In response to a plea from a member of the audience that the provincial
government must work with Mayor Helen Zille, MEC Dugmore said the provincial
government is willing to work with anyone who works within the existing
legitimate and legal structures and framework of the law, and that no one
should undermine it.
He has promised to discipline any principal who withholds school reports
from learners in arrears with school fees. At the same time, he has urged
parents to make arrangements or to apply for exemption.
MEC Dugmore once again committed the Western Cape Provincial Government to
work in partnership with the communities and said he personally was looking
forward to work with the Social Transformation Task Team since he could sense
their energy.
MEC Dugmore will officiate over the last official Imbizo in this series
tonight in Ladysmith, from 19h00.
Enquiries:
Mansoor Jaffer
Cell: 084 661 5216
Gert Witbooi
Cell: 082 550 3938
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
14 November 2007
