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The Deputy President Jacob Zuma, National Minister of Public Enterprises, Jeff Radebe and National Minister of Social Development will join the Executive Council (Exco) of the Eastern Cape on a massive campaign to register eligible children for support grants in various parts of the province next week.

The visit is part of the National Imbizo Focus Week, which starts from the 07 - 13 October 2002. This Imbizo Focus Week will be the third since the launch of Imbizo in November 2001. National, provincial and local governments will be participating in this programme as part of government's commitment to ensure ongoing and dynamic dialogue with the public around programmes that are aimed at improving their lives.

The climax of the Imbizo Focus Week in the Eastern Cape will be on 13 October where the Deputy President, Jacob Zuma, Premier Makhenkesi Stofile, Minister Zola Skweyiya and MEC Ncumisa Kondlo will partake in intensification of the massive child support grant intake and the fight against malnutrition and HIV/AIDS scourge in Mt Frere.

On Thursday, 10 October 2002, National Minister of Water Affairs Ronnie Kasrils will be signing an agreement for a grant with the Japanese Government for the construction of sustainable water supply and sanitation facilities to rural villages in the OR Tambo District Municipality. This is part of the region that makes up about 60% of the rural poor in the Eastern Cape.

Meanwhile, Minister Jeff Radebe will meet the management of Coega and will visit V M Kwinana High School, which is situated in Uitenhage in the Nelson Mandela Metro. This school was chosen to become part of the Eastern Cape Super centres because its staff and learners dedication to teaching and learning. Its location also played a role as the area has a high unemployment rate.

The Focus Week happens during the Social Development Month, with its emphasis on the registration for child grants and coincides with the Public Service Week. The integration of these programmes is reflected in the theme for the Imbizo Focus Week is: Lend a hand to protect children's rights.

At most of the events there will be temporary registration sites to register those who are eligible for child support grants. As part of the Public Service Week hundreds of public servants from many national departments and from provinces are expected to assist in this regard.

Enquiries: Phila Nqgumba on 082 4515 287

Issued by Communications Division - Office Of The Premier

Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government ((http://www.ecprov.gov.za)