The National Minister of Public Works, Mr Geoff Doidge, MP, today (Monday, 19 October 2009), engaged in a day long developmental intervention discussion with various stakeholders in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape.
Addressing the opening of the session, Minister Doidge reminded the gathering of the visit by President Jacob Zuma in the area where various stakeholders shared with the President, the developmental and service delivery needs in the area.
“The President on his visit to Matatiele expressed his unhappiness at the level of service delivery in the area. This session today is aimed at ensuring that we identify all developmental challenges in Matatiele and surrounding areas and collectively decide on how these challenges will be addressed.”
Presentations were made by representatives of the various stakeholders where a number of issues were raised including but not limited to: budget challenges by the local municipality, lack of electrification of areas, an aged sanitation system, limited water supply, poor conditions of roads, access to social grants, as well as the need for improved coordination between government and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
As a follow up to inputs by local stakeholders, various government departments and agencies officials shared information on opportunities through various programmes and initiatives including: small business development and economic development programmes in the private and state sector, infrastructure initiatives, and youth development programmes.
Responding to inputs by both local stakeholders and government departments, Minister Doidge encouraged the need for improved relations between NGOs in the area and government departments.
“Judging by the engagements this morning, there are synergies that can be found through interaction between certain sectors. As an example, the needs raised by NGOs can easily be address through interaction with the Department of Social Development and the South African Social Security Services (SASSA).”
“The identification and training of home based care givers will not only create work opportunities, but also form part of the local municipality’s contribution to the work opportunity targets raised by the President through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).”
At the conclusion of the deliberations, Minister Doidge emphasised on the discussions being base on the facilitation of talks between the non-state sector and government in ways to encourage coordination and to capacitate the local municipality in delivering service to the community.
“We are not here to make pronouncements or promises but rather to create a platform for stakeholders and government to engage with each other. The challenges in Matatiele are vast but not insurmountable. What we need are synergies and corporation through networking, for effective collaboration in implementing programmes that would be beneficial to the community of Matatiele and surrounding areas.
“The responsibility with regards to moving forward rests with this collective advancing from where we left off today, with the intention of bringing service delivery to the people of Matatiele. If we are not working with or talking to each other we won’t meet the expectations of our people.”
For more information:
Koketso Sachane
Cell: 082 728 8836
Issued by: Department of Public Works
19 October 2009
