Preparations for the 11 Presidential Imbizo in the Free State are at an advanced stage
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Thembi Nkadimeng today, 05 December 2023, convened Ministers and the Provincial Leadership led by Premier Dukwana to reflect on the preparations for the upcoming 11th Presidential Imbizo of the 6th administration. This DDM Presidential Imbizo will be held in the Free State Province, Lejweleputswa District, under the theme - “Leave no one behind”.
The Presidential Imbizo is guided by the DDM principles as an intergovernmental vehicle for energizing the cooperative governance system which enables all spheres of government and social partners to work together to bring sustained development and growth in an integrated manner in communities.
The focus of the Lejweleputswa Presidential Imbizo will be about providing feedback and showcasing the work of government in response to the issues raised by communities during the April 2022 Imbizo and the subsequent ongoing engagements led by the Premier as well as Municipalities in keeping with the ethos of a participatory democracy.
The Province provided a comprehensive report on the implementation of the outcomes of the 09 April 2022 Presidential Imbizo and other key community engagements. This report highlighted key deliverables and issues that still require attention.
The meeting urged that the engagement should be developmental in line with the principles of a caring government that is responsive to the needs of communities. The work that has been undertaken by the DDM Champions collectively at National and Provincial levels also bears testament to a government committed to addressing the needs of communities.
Logistically, the Presidential Imbizo will be held at the Kopano Indoor Sports Centre in Thabong, Welkom. The necessary temporary infrastructure has been put together to accommodate the multitudes of communities that will be in attendance.
Leading-up to the DDM Presidential Imbizo, 28 build-up programmes and events are currently underway led by public representatives from the three spheres of government. This programme will see all spheres of government crisscrossing the District and the province engaging communities.
The meeting was also briefed that there will be 53 exhibitors and services on wheels providing services and information to the masses that will be in attendance. Communities will receive services from departments such as Home Affairs; Health; South African Social Security Agency; etc.
The meeting emphasised that communities are the main and important guests on the day of the Imbizo. As a caring and listening Government, communities will be provided answers and solutions on the spot on issues they raised (e.g, lasting solutions to socioeconomic challenges confronting them on a daily basis).
The meeting underscored the need to ensure that the DDM Presidential Imbizo indeed becomes a platform that reinforces the founding principles of our participatory democracy.
From the briefing given to Ministers, it is all systems go for the 11th Presidential Imbizo in Lejweleputswa District.
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Mr. Legadima Leso
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Mr. Tsekiso Machike
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