President Jacob Zuma: Opening of Bushbuckridge Siyahlola monitoring visit

06 Nov 2015

Opening remarks by President Zuma during the Bushbuckridge Siyahlola Monitoring Visit, Thulamahashe Stadium, Bushbuckridge

Ministers and Deputy Ministers, 
Acting Mpumalanga Premier ,
MECS, 
Executive Mayor and Mayors ,
Senior Government Officials ,
Municipal Government Officials ,
Councillors ,
Traditional leaders,
 Ladies and gentlemen,

Tamaneng, Yinhlekani, Sanibonani, Bekunene, Dumelang, Gooie aand, Good afternoon!

Siyajabula ukuba nani mphakathi wase Bushbuckridge namaphethelo. Ngonyaka odlule safika la, sikhankasela ukhetho. Sathi sizozilungisa izinkinga enibhekene nazo.

Ngibuyile namhlanje njengengxenye yohlelo lukamongameli olubizwa ngeSiyahlola.

Ngizobheka nokuthi bayawenza yini umsebenzi wabo abaholi emazingeni kahulumeni wonke.

I have returned today, as part of the Siyahlola programme, accompanied by several Ministers and Deputy Ministers. I am here to investigate progress and also ascertain what else we need to do to improve living conditions.

This visit is a culmination of various initiatives which have been undertaken by various spheres of government to ensure service delivery improvement in this area.

While a lot has been done, there is still a long way to go as we improve the quality of life in Bushbuckridge and surroundings.

Namhlanje esizokubheka kakhulu amanzi, ngoba ayivelakancane kulendawo kanye nezindawo eziningi ezweni, okuyinto esibhekene nayo ngqo.

Siyazi futhi ziningi ezinye izidingo enisazilindile ngale kwamanzi.

I will go through some of the issues that the community has raised that government needs to look into.

You have informed us that water supply and connection to the households is not sufficient.

Bushbuckridge is a water scarce area. At least 70% of the communities here are without bulk water supply. Almost 60% are without tap water and at least 75% without yard water connection.

The majority of the communities still rely on water from the boreholes.

While the situation remains difficult, there is an improvement through interventions by government through the Department of Water and Sanitation, working through its utility Rand Water and also with the Mpumalanga provincial government.

More than twenty thousand yard connections have been made in the first two phases of reticulation in about 38 villages in this area.

I will speak further on this when I give the final report back at the end of this session. The Minister of Water and Sanitation will also give a report on what her department has done.

Other issues are the following;

a) There is a high level of poverty due to unemployment.
b) Shortage of libraries.
c) Drug abuse is rife.
d) Closer management of the SASSA officials is required as applications for grants take long to be processed.
e) Families receiving foster care grants are not taking care of orphans as required.
f) Food parcels should be given out more regularly, particularly to households with children.
g) The government should build shelter for pay points to protect community from sun and rain.
h) Government must train officials on sign language so that they can be able to assist people with disability when they visit their offices for services. This is important to note as November is Disability Awareness Month.

Complaints have also been raised about roads and transport. Nikhala nangemigwaqo kulendawo.

You say that the R40 road from Hazyview is congested and the secondary roads are poorly maintained which increases the risk of accidents. The roads are also full of potholes.

Ngizwile ukuthi lomgwaqo i-R40 niwubiza ngeBermuda ngoba mfishane awupheli usuwakhiwe iminyaka! The Deputy Minister of Transport will respond.

You also say Government must provide proper fencing to prevent animals from crossing roads. On Human Settlements, issues raised include that some contractors have left incomplete RDP houses and that some houses are already cracking due to poor shoddy work.

The Deputy Minister of Human Settlements will respond.

On Community Safety Security and Liaison, you said:

a) Crime is high due to youth unemployment.
b) There is poor service from Marite SAPS Satellite Station. The police do not respond to community requests citing that transport is not available and that they are afraid to go out at night and assist residents.

(i) The South African flag is torn at Marite police station.
(ii) There is no telephone line.
(iii) Some lights in the station are not working.
(iv) There is a shortage of police vehicles to attend to crime incidents.
(v) There is no fax and photocopier machines available in the station to support police administration.
(vi) Doors are broken without repairs.
(vii) Toilets are broken without repairs.
(viii) Public toilets at the nearby community hall do not have a roof.

The Minister of Police and Public Works will look into the issues.

On energy, since 2012, more than nine thousand households have been connected to the electricity grid in Bushbuckridge.

It is anticipated that electrification would be complete within the next two financial years.

The Minister of Energy and the Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises will elaborate further.

On communications, among issues raised is the call for ICASA to look at allocating broadcast frequency for improved TV reception.

There is also a request for sign language interpreters and braille to be used to afford people with disability opportunity to enjoy TV programs and publications.

The Minister of Communications will respond to these issues.

This area is also known for its beautiful landmarks and facilities which attract scores of visitors from around the world.

I was at Skukuza last week, and launched a rhino protection and anti-poaching programme and Joint Operational Centre.

We want tourism facilities here to create jobs and to provide skills development opportunities for our people. The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs will elaborate further.

We have received complaints from the community as well about corruption. Sinizwile nithi aniyifuni inkohlakalo nokukhwabanisa kuhulumeni. Nohulumeni angeke ayibekezelele inkohlakalo abakwenzayo lokho baphula umthetho, kufanele bajeziswe.

Government will never tolerate corruption those responsible for that will face the law.

There are many other issues that Ministers and Deputy Ministers will respond to today, including challenges facing the municipality at a governance level.

I will now invite Ministers to come and respond to these and many other issues they encountered during their door to door and community visits.

Minister respond