21 May 2006
"We are going to rush the bringing of more assistance to the disaster
stricken areas of Bophirima in the North West province." This was the message
of Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka addressing the Imbizo in the
Bophirima District, North West province.
The Deputy President today, 20 May 2006, concluded her two-day Presidential
Imbizo programme visiting the community of Qho Village outside Taung, one of
the areas which suffered effects of the heavy floods early this year.
The Deputy President was accompanied by the North West Premier Edna Molewa,
Ministers of Provincial and Local Government Sydney Mofumadi Mufamadi and
Housing Lindiwe Sisulu, Deputy Ministers of Provincial and Local Government
Nomatyala Hangana and Public Works Ntoplie Kganyago, members of the North West
Executive Council and other senior government officials.
Mlambo-Ngcuka assured the people of Qho Village and the greater Taung area
that the short-to-medium term plan to be implemented soon will include
temporary housing structures.
She confirmed that work towards the rehabilitation of the infrastructure is
underway. Engineers have been deployed in the area as part of the
government-wide intervention programme "Project Consolidate", "a hands-on local
government support and engagement programme to reinforce the efforts of service
delivery.
Some of the concerns raised by the people were about lack of houses, poor
roads, health care and insufficient schools.
The Deputy President also called on the community to take initiative on
matters that affect them to ensure co-operation between them and government for
faster and better service delivery and development, especially with regard to
tourism.
"I am happy to announce that Taung will soon be named a World Heritage Site.
We must therefore train as many young people as we can here to participate in
this potential industry. Young people must be trained in such skills as tour
guides and operators, crafters," said Mlambo-Ngcuka.
The Deputy President started the two-day programme by engaging with the
local leadership of Bophirima District Municipality where the leadership
presented a detailed State of the District report. The report highlighted
challenges around capacity of the municipality to deliver, and land. The Deputy
President assured the District leadership that National and Provincial
government will intensify its support through sector departments and Project
Consolidate.
She also met with stakeholders from business, NGOs, religious leaders and
State Owned Enterprises, where she shared with them the government economic
intervention strategy Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa
(AsgiSA).
Enquiries:
Thabang Chiloane
Cell: 082 888 8783
Luzuko Koti
Cell: 083 391 0073
Issued by: The Presidency
21 May 2006
