In commemoration of Nelson Mandela month, the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Hon. Susan Dantjie spent the day bringing services to the impoverished community of Piet Plessis.
Part of the activities was donating clothes, office furniture, assets, soccer and netball sport kits and sporting equipment and marking lines for the soccer field shared by Reitshokile Combined School learners and community members.
This is also formed part of the legacy of the former Speaker of the Legislature and current Premier of the North West Province, Hon. Supra Mahumapelo who adopted the village and pledged to bring government services to the community including bursaries to 16 Matric learners of Reitshokile Combined School.
The village has a high rate of crime especially domestic violence; teenage pregnancy; high rate of unemployment and poverty; and large families where people are crowded in small households.
Most of the people are not registered with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) thus not appearing on the voters roll.
Since the intervention of the provincial government, 176 Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) houses have been built and 208 are currently under construction. Reitshokile Combined School is now housed in a new building to the value of R17 million; there is a chicken farm donated by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and a food garden from the Department of Arts and Culture. Hon. Mahumapelo also made a pledge that 16 matriculants living in extremely poor socio-economic conditions will be awarded tertiary bursaries for 2015.
The Public Relations Councillor, Mr. Chris Mothibi said he is happy with the developments and can see that the provincial government is bringing services to the people of Piet Plessis.
"Our problem is our road which makes it difficult to access the village for those who want to bring more services to the people of Piet Plessis.
"All we need is a school hostel so that our children can focus on their education and not on their socio-economic problems," said Mr. Mothibi.
Hon. Dantjie said the Mandela month is special because even though the former State President is no longer around, his legacy still leaves on.
"President Zuma said we must not just talk but we must roll our sleeves and start working to improve the lives of our people. We are also here as the Legislature to play our oversight role, checking whether the departments are delivering on the promises made to the people," said Hon. Dantjie.
Hon. Speaker requested the Cllr. Mothibi to intervene and write the names and ID numbers of those who do not appear on the voters roll and take them to IEC to make sure they are registered and are able to receive services that government provides.
She said the building of the school hostel is a matter that need urgent attention.
"We will engage the Department of Education, and the Department of Public Works and the Office of the Premier as building of the hostel requires budget and proper planning," said Hon. Dantjie.
The Office of the Speaker will intervene through the Portfolio Committees to make sure that government does deliver the services.
Department of Home Affairs managed to take four ID applications, eight late registration of birth and attended to 19 enquiries during the event.
For more information contact:
Namhla Luhabe
Cell: 079 527 0628
