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Deputy President Jacob Zuma and Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa will officiate at the opening of the Diepsloot Multi-purpose Community Centre (MPCC), north of Johannesburg, on Tuesday, 10 December 2002.

The launch of the sixth MPCC in Gauteng coincides with the celebration of International Human Rights Day as well as the government's 16 Days for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.

The 16-day campaign is aimed at raising awareness among South Africans on the importance of eradicating abuse of women and children.

The MPCC launch also signals the government's commitment to bring services closer to the people. Through the centre, the Diepsloot community will now be able to access various government services such as birth certificates, identity documents and social grants.

In an effort to speedily deal with cases relating to crimes against women and children, the Department of Justice will also have court facilities.

The MPCC will be housed in four containers and one rondavel, and will provide services from the several government departments. The four containers will be home to the departments of Social Development, Labour, Home Affairs and the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS). The rondavel will act as a police station until a fully functional police station is built for the community early next year.

There are about 30 MPCCs nationwide and Tuesday's launch aims to enhance the implementation of the Batho Pele (People First) principle with a view to accelerate government delivery and help improve the quality of life of South Africans, especially the poorest of the poor.

Government believes that it is through centres such as the Diepsloot MPCC that the campaign of the 16 Days Campaign for No Violence against Women and Children could be sustained and put into long lasting action - even days after the actual 16 days are over.

Details of the launch are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2002
Venue: Diepsloot MPCC, Diepsloot Taxi Rank, north of Johannesburg
Time: 1pm

For more information contact Israel Mogale on 082 955 0772 and Mongezi Mnyani on 082 909 3390.

Issued by Gauteng Provincial Government

9 December 2002