Today, 7 October 2013 marks the beginning of the second national Imbizo Focus. The focus week provides a platform for National, Provincial and Local Government executives to engage with the public; and also for citizens to interact face-to-face with them. The Imbizo will also celebrate successes and to address challenges on implementation of government programmes.
The focus week which is taking place until 13 October will be held under the theme: South Africa is much of a better place than it was in 1994. Government representatives will take part in a host of activities that include: door-to-door household profiling, walkabout or project visits, stakeholder dialogues and community engagements.
Today, the week will start with an Imbizo by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training in Balfour, Mpumalanga; to discuss the opening of a new FET college. On Wednesday, 9 October, the Minister of Police will meet with the community in Kwa Maphumulo, KwaZulu-Natal and on Saturday, 12 October, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will be in Victor Khanyile, Mpumalanga.
GCIS, DCEO Harold Maloka says, “Izimbizo have served as pre-eminent communication platforms allowing political principals an opportunity to be at the coal face of service delivery while interacting with communities.”
Government expects that these Izimbizo will mobilize all role players and forge partnerships in the build-up towards celebrating the 20 Years of Freedom. Since the reintroduction of the National Imbizo Focus Week in June 2013, solid progress has been made in strengthening Izimbizo.
Under the first Imbizo Focus Week theme, Working Together For Youth Development and a Drug Free South Africa, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa, visited partial care facilities in Tsakane, Gauteng. The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Thizwilondi Mabudafhasi, led a clean-up with youth in Port St. Johns, Eastern Cape; observing World Oceans Day and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Jeff Radebe; hosted an Imbizo on Justice Services relating to youth.
“It is our collective responsibility to actively participate in building our country towards reaching its Vision 2030 as set out in the National Development Plan (NDP),” says Maloka.
On a daily basis, the Imbizo Focus Week programme will be updated on www.gov.za.
For more information please contact:
Mr Michael Currin
Cell: 082 462 7896
Mr Moferefere Moloi
Cell: 083 423 0284
Enquiries:
Harold Maloka
Deputy Chief Executive Officer: Processing and Dissemination
Cell: 082 847 9799
E-mail: Harold@gcis.gov.za
