Makwassie: North West Premier, Maureen Modiselle, says the public sector in the province is a big employer and has tremendous influence in the shaping of society.
Speaking at the launch of the Public Service Week (PSW) on Monday, Premier Modiselle said government had to create a sufficiently independent private sector through its economic development initiatives.
“In this province, and probably most in rural provinces, the public service is a big employer and therefore has tremendous influence in the shaping of society.
“Until we have created a sufficiently independent private sector through our economic development initiatives, our people will continue to rely almost exclusively on government for their livelihood,” she explained.
Modiselle said that government had a historic mandate to ensure that its public service was efficient and effective.
She added: “Observing the pattern that our role is taking we may have to be the dominant industry in this part of our country, except of course, if we create through instruments such as procurement."
Under the theme 'Delivery of Quality Service for Sustainable Development', the PSW is an integral part of the ongoing Batho Pele Revitalisation strategy.
This strategy aims at rebuilding and instilling good ethics, morale and pride in public servants' endeavours to translate the people's contract into reality through the provision of quality services
The North West government has joined hands with the national government to coordinate the PSW initiative.
As part of the week’s observation, Premier Modiselle has handed over a tele-centre to the community of Makwassie, which will assist in bringing technology within reach of this community.
Premier said the centre had to and should be contextualised within the drive to recognise the inherent ability of the people to embrace any technology that directly addresses their need.
“The people who will be managing the centre will be measured primarily on the community utilisation rate of the centre as well as its social relevance to the obvious needs of the community it is intended to serve,” she said.
Modiselle will on Wednesday stage a mini jamboree at the Dr Segomotsi Ruth Mompati District, in Bray, in an endeavour to stretch the coverage of the PSW to other areas.
The service delivery jamboree is conceptualised to provide communities with the opportunity to access crucial government services.
The project is underpinned by the principle of Batho Pele, grounded within a Human Rights perspective and fortified by the principles of social capital.
Through this project, North West provincial government departments are brought together to a central and easily accessible venue in the community, to render services to that community.
Enquiries :
Cornelius Monama
Tel: 018 387-3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
E-mail: cmonama@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
30 June 2006
