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The Western Cape Government's outreach programme to the people of the province targets the Central Cape region next week when the Premier, Gerald Morkel, and his entire Cabinet will be visiting a number of Karoo towns.

The Cabinet-to-the-People Project is part of the Provincial Government's "open door" policy aimed at improved service delivery by bringing MECs in direct contact with the people of the Western Cape. The two day visit on 5 and 6 September, is the third of four Cabinet visits to various regions in the province this year.

The towns of De Doorns, Touws River, Laingsburg and Prince Albert are on the agenda. Tables manned by Cabinet Members, will be set up at a central point in each of the towns affording residents the opportunity of meeting personally with the Premier and his MECs to discuss problems on a one-on-one basis.

A highly successful programme was held in the Witzenberg district earlier this year in July. "We were able to solve several problems. A need for a satellite police station and the training of police reservists was identified. We are now doing something about it. Several cases of non pension pay-outs were resolved; some unemployed people in desperate circumstances are being considered for our indigent programme; some housing problems were resolved; business opportunities were identified for several entrepreneurs; and we managed to solve some water and light service problems," said Mr Morkel.

Specific problems facing the Karoo region include unemployment, housing shortages, drug abuse and inadequate retirement accommodation. "We cannot resolve all problems on the spot, but we will be able to solve some and where we cannot come up with a solution, we will investigate and find a way. That is what Cabinet-to-the-People is all about," Mr Morkel said.

The Cabinet will be at De Doorns on Wednesday, 5 September, from 2 to 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and at Touws River from 5 to 7 o'clock in the evening. On Thursday, 6 September, the Cabinet moves to Laingsburg for a one-on-one table session from 10 in the morning to 12 o'clock, before departing for Prince Albert for a meeting with the local council at 5:30 in the afternoon, followed by a public meeting at 6:30 in the afternoon. At Prince Albert Premier Morkel and his Cabinet will also be planting six trees as part the Arbor Week 2001 celebrations taking place countrywide from 1 to 7 September.

The next Cabinet to the People project is scheduled for November and will target the West Coast.

Enquiries:
Chris Koole at 082 774 3462
Riana Geldenhuys at 082 376 4709

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape, 30 August 2001