MEC Scott and HOD Magagula twin up to kick start budget roadshows and savings campains in townships
In a move that is meant to target households and mostly the youth, MEC for Finance, Belinda Scott and Head of Department, Simiso Magagula, have undertaken to fortify the campaign to visit households and individuals at homes and public spaces to encourage them to save money and to make their input ahead of the tabling of the 2017/18 Provincial Budget in March next year.
Yesterday, both the MEC and the HOD together with KZN Treasury staff were joined by various local stakeholders of Hammarsdale to comb areas such as KwaMcoyi Taxi Rank and shopping centre, households around Sizakala centre near Elangeni College as well as conduct a blitz at Hammarsdale Junction Mall. These stakeholders include traditional healers, religious leaders, councillors and other community structures.
“South Africa is one of the countries that is known for not saving enough compared to other countries including China. The weak state of the world economy demands that we watch how we spend our money. We also want communities to be part of the budget process by merely making their input to us as government,” said Scott.
Magagula said these outreach campaigns are a signal that government needs to get closer to the people. “We need to communicate vigorously what we do and invite the public to be part of us so that we can serve them better,” he said.
Magagula said the department will take these campaigns to other townships, public spaces and households in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal so that everyone can get the message.
Sizwe Ngcongo from Mophela area in Ward 5, Hammarsdale said the majority of the youth of Hammarsdale is unemployed.
“Jobs for the youth are scarce. We roam the street everyday doing nothing when we could be contributing to the economic growth of our communities. We are not even self-employed because we lack skills,” he said.
Other input revolved around the need for more clinics, low-cost houses and a hospital in Hammarsdale.
Enquiries:
Musa Cebisa
Cell: 071 6878 777
Sibonelo Msomi
Cell: 072 587 1947
