“More services are still to come as planned, but what is crucial is for you to guard against vandalism and theft of the infrastructure provided, and ensure that the services provided by government reach the intended objective of improving your lives.”
This is what the North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Boitumelo Tshwene, told Moses Kotane Local municipality’s ward 29 communities on Friday, during a community, meeting that was aimed at addressing some of the concerns raised by the community in relation to the comprehensive rural development programme.
Addressing more than two hundred communities from Mokgalwaneng, Disake and Matlaametlong villages at the local community hall, MEC Tshwene confirmed that the construction of the much talked about two roads linking Mokgalwaneng with Northam and Dwaalboom, is about to begin since a contractor has already been appointed and on site.
“Equally, the water challenges you have experienced in the past will soon be a thing of the past, since the water reservoir is currently being put up. In the same way, we’ve addressed the issue about the installation of the high mast lights, in that the first phase of this project is currently being implemented,” stated MEC Tshwene.
MEC Tshwene told the meeting that he remains concerned about the ongoing tendency amongst the beneficiaries of the agricultural starter packs to fail to sustain the inputs provided in the quest for household food security.
“When I was told that the community vegetable garden we resuscitated last year is currently empty, I was disappointed. However, we will as a department come again to rework that piece of land so that vegetables are produced again, and I urge you to please take ownership of that garden and produce food for the larger community,” pleaded Tshwene.
Members of the community expressed their satisfaction and excitement about the MEC’s address, and begged him to further look into the programme’s strategy regarding the provision of health services, sports facilities as well as the much needed police station. Furthermore, the community committed themselves to ensuring that the already provided services are well taken care of and used optimally.
Ward 29 was identified by the provincial government as a pilot site for Comprehensive Rural Development programme in 2009, and five additional sites were identified in the province in 2010 for the roll out of this programme. The objective of this programme is to make available comprehensive support programmes to ensure sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor. Also critical to this programme is poverty alleviation, skills development and job creation.
Enquiries:
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: (018) 389 5719
Cell: 082 901 2435 / 018 389 5719
Email: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
Province
