concludes her two daysâ imbizo in the Northern Cape
20 August 2006
Britstown -- Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka concluded her two-day
Presidential imbizo to the Pixley Ka Seme district municipality, Northern Cape,
with a public gathering at the Mziwabantu Sport Arena yesterday (Saturday, 19
August 2006) where she was met with challenges of basic service provision,
unemployment rate, a declining local economy and alarming number of complaints
of nepotism which concerned her a lot.
"I am concerned about the alarming number of complains of nepotism coming
out of this community and I want to call on the Premier and MECs to investigate
this matter," said Mlambo-Ngcuka.
The Deputy President was accompanied by Northern Cape Premier, Ms Dipuo
Peters and members of the Executive Council, Deputy Minister of Trade and
Industry Elizabeth Thabethe and of Provincial and Local Government Ms Nomatyala
Hangana.
The first day of the programme, 18 August 2006, began with a detailed
presentation of the state of the district report and a meeting with various
stakeholders, mainly from the hospitality industry and the agriculture sector
at the De Aar City Hall.
While acknowledging the inroads government has made in provision of health
facilities, the eradication of the bucket system, provision of social grants,
there are still challenges in relation to unemployment and the rejuvenation of
the local economy. Stakeholders however voiced concerns over the lack of
co-operation between the De Aar district municipality, provincial and the
national governments which tend to "confuse" potential investors to the
District.
Amongst other concerns were the absence of a Cultural Centre, which
residents argued, would further entrench the area as a tourist and cultural hub
in the region, unhappiness at the absence of South African Football Association
(SAFA) talent scouts, lack of business opportunities, poor workmanship in the
building of government subsidised houses, absence of professionals, influx of
migrant workers and over-reliance on social grants.
However Mlambo-Ngcuka warned against discrimination against experienced
migrant workers saying "it was absolutely unacceptable to complain about the
influx of skilled labour when government was attempting to attract foreign
expertise to enhance service delivery in line with the Accelerated and Shared
Growth Initiative forf South Africa (AsgiSA)."
Foremost on the residents' concerns list was the rejuvenation of the De Aar
Train station, which at one time was the economic lifeline of the town,
employing a significant number of the locals. Due to downscaling of the
Spoornet staff, poverty and joblessness have reached unacceptable levels.
However the executive Mayor reported that the municipality was finalising a
strategy to breathe fresh air into the station.
During her walk-about, The Deputy President met poverty-stricken families
including a disabled pensioner Mr Mama who is staying alone and cared for by
neighbours. She urged the province to establish safety homes for the elderly
and the physically challenged especially those uncared for.
The Deputy President called on the municipality and business community to
regroup and come up with a comprehensive report on the status, outlining their
problems as well as solutions.
Both the Premier and the Deputy President urged the business community to be
part of the forthcoming district growth development summit.
Mlambo-Ngcuka was also concerned about the degree of dependency on
government social grants.
In her concluding remarks the Deputy President informed the gathering that
government was meeting with the people of the Northern Cape, De Aar to again
strengthen the contract with them.
"We have a contract with the people of South Africa especially the poor. Our
main exclusive reason to exist," she said.
Enquiries:
Terrence Manase
Cell: 082 338 6707
Thabang Chiloane
Cell: 082 8888 783
Matome Sebelebele
Cell: 072 710 1814
Issued by: The Presidency
20 August 2006
Source: SAPA
