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The Western Cape Government's outreach programme to the people of the province targets the Central Cape region this week when the Premier, Mr Gerald Morkel, and his entire Cabinet visit 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 Cabinet Ministers in direct contact with the people of the Western Cape. The two day visit starting today and lasting through Friday, is the third of four Cabinet visits to various regions in the province.

The towns of De Doorns, Touwsriver, Laingsburg and Prince Albert are on the agenda. Tables manned by provincial ministers, 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 ministers to discuss problems on a one to one basis.

A highly successful programme was held in the Koue Bokkeveld 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, drug abuse, and 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 the Cabinet to the People exercise is all about," Mr Morkel said.

The Cabinet will be at De Doorns on Wednesday, 5 September from 2 to 4 on Wednesday afternoon and at Touwsriver from 5 to 7 in the evening. On Thursday the Cabinet moves to Laingsburg for a one on one session from 10 in the morning until lunchtime before moving on to Prince Albert where the Premier will plant a tree to commemorate Arbour Day and meet with the local council at 5.30pm followed by a public meeting in the town hall at 6.30pm.

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

Inquiries: Chris Koole at (082-7743462), Riana Geldenhuys at (082-3764709)

Issued by Office of the Premier, Western Cape

5 September 2001