Rural communities experienced the spirit of an effective, efficient, accountable and transparent public service that underpin Batho Pele during the North West Provincial Africa Public Service Day event that was held in Mokgalwaneng village near Northam on Friday.
Residents from Matlametlong, Disake, Kraalhoek, Modikela, Matsinyane and Mokgalwaneng received a range of services including identity document and passports applications, social grants applications and information on Housing.
Roberta Tselapedi of Mokgalwaneng who came to apply for a child support grant for her child had this to say: “At least they have saved us time and money for transport by bringing these kinds of services to us.”
Rona re siame, ba refile tsotlhe, re tswa le kwa ngakeng, ba refile dipilisi, re amogela le penshene – We are happy, we have been given everything, we have also been to the doctor [mobile clinic] and they have given us medication. We are also getting pension,” said 71-year old granny Segakweng Moeng.
Her friends Lehan Serudi, 79 and Velminah Kotsedi, 85, said that they were delighted that government dedicated the day by reaching out and celebrating with them. Fifty-four year old Abrahm Morua was also able to renew his passport on site. Over seventy ID applications and enquiries were processed on site.
One of the projects visited senior government officials during the event was the Makgalwaneng Information Centre.According to Moses Kotane Local Municipality Acting Mayor Councillor Caroline Motshabi, the Sun City Management had visited the centre as part of their Corporate Social Investment and plans are at an advanced stage to establish a bakery with modern equipment to empower the local community. Cooperatives are to be established among the locals to share and maximise benefits to be derived from the bakery project.
Residents also received information on small business development, the provincial bursary scheme, tertiary studies, employment opportunities and a host of other government services.Premier Thandi Modise had earlier said that the provincial outreach programme is aimed at strengthening citizen participation, enhancing integrity and access to information.
Modise has also said that the programme was intended at giving practical expression to the implementation of the Batho-Pele Revitalisation Strategies and giving due recognition to men and women within the public service who devote their lives to serving the people of Africa diligently and selflessly.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele,spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
