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21 September 2004

The SIXTH National Imbizo Focus Week will take place from 24-30 September 2004. Twenty-two Ministers together with Premiers and provincial executives, mayors and councillors will participate in more than four hundred (400) events across the country. This period will be used to profile government commitments as outlined in the Programme of Action.

The Imbizo communication campaign continues to extend a platform for intensified interaction with the people. The Imbizo gives people an opportunity to make their concerns heard and for government to listen; it is an opportunity for communities to demonstrate practical partnerships with government in the quest for a better life.

The theme for the Imbizo Focus Week is "Imbizo: Building a People's Contract to build a Better South Africa and a Better World!"

The Focus Week falls within Heritage Month, and will start with a number of Heritage Day events across the country aimed at the preservation, promotion and protection of our cultural heritage and value systems. The major event will be held in Kimberley in the Northern Cape.

Amongst other activities, in the Eastern Cape the provincial executive will embark on a door-to-door mass mobilisation, which will culminate in public meetings across the province. The Executive will also celebrate Heritage Day led by Premier N Balindlela at Magandla Great Palace in the Eastern Cape.

The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, will launch a National Park in Mapungubwe in Limpopo and interact with traditional leaders from surrounding areas.

The Imbizo Focus Week will be followed by a Presidential Imbizo in Mpumalanga province from 30 September - 2 October led by President Thabo Mbeki accompanied by Premier Thabang Makwetla and his Executive Council. This will be the eighth presidential Imbizo following similar visits in Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

The Imbizo Focus Week program is available on the government website: http//www.gov.za or call 0800 142 446

Enquiries: Teboho Montse
Cell: 082 777 8752

Issued by: Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
21 September 2004