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President Mbeki will participate in an Imbizo in the North West Province from 25 - 27 April 2003

This sequel to the recent Imbizo Focus Week will be the President's fifth provincial Imbizo in the last two years following Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng.

While in the North West Province, the President will, among other projects, visit the young farmers' project in Litchtenburg, Mokgola Rural Housing Project in Zeerust, Mailakgang Primary School in Mafikeng, Madibogo Clinic and Ratlou Community Health Centre in Setlagole. These project visits will enable the President to view progress in the delivery of basic services to our people, and the impact that government programmes are having on the lives of our people.

For instance, the young farmers' project, initiated by the National Youth Commission in conjunction with the Department of Land Affairs and Agriculture and the Land Bank, is aimed at maximising the involvement of the youth in commercial farming and the mainstream agricultural sector.

As a result of the partnership between the government and the people of Mokgola village, a total amount of R105 6000.00 was made available for housing reconstruction following the destruction of houses due to torrential rainfalls that left a number of families without homes in 2001.

The projects that the President will be visiting also give concrete expression to the notion of community-government partnership.

One of the key objectives of the presidential visit is to see for himself some of the challenges that people are grappling with, including the conditions under which ordinary people live. In addition, the President will also participate in the door-to-door social security registration campaign in Motlhabeng village in Mafikeng.

The first Imbizo will take place at Montshioa Stadium from 14:00 to 17:00. The President, Premier and MECs will listen to the people of Mafikeng and respond to the issues they will be raising. On Saturday, the President will be in Ganyesa for another Imbizo with the community of the surrounding villages. In the same afternoon, there will be an Imbizo-on-Air phone-in programme, which will be live on Motsweding FM, BOP-TV, Radio Sunshine, Radio Bop and community radio stations in the North West. The President and Premier will respond to questions from callers between 18:00 - 19:30. The toll free number to call is: 0800 314 446.

Imbizo helps build a people's contract for a better South Africa, in which all citizens are active participants in changing their lives for the better. It reflects the emphasis government places on the need to work together to sustain and speed up implementation of the programme to build a better life for all.

The Imbizo will culminate in the National Freedom Day celebrations on the 27th of April at the James Motlatsi Stadium in Orkney. The proceedings will start at 10:00.

Enquiries: Cornelius Monama, 082 578 4063 /(018) 387-3753

Issued by the North West Provincial Government, 24 April 2003