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21 May 2006

"We are going to rush the bringing of more assistance to the disaster stricken areas of Bophirima in the North West province." This was the message of Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka addressing the Imbizo in the Bophirima District, North West province.

The Deputy President today, 20 May 2006, concluded her two-day Presidential Imbizo programme visiting the community of Qho Village outside Taung, one of the areas which suffered effects of the heavy floods early this year.

The Deputy President was accompanied by the North West Premier Edna Molewa, Ministers of Provincial and Local Government Sydney Mofumadi Mufamadi and Housing Lindiwe Sisulu, Deputy Ministers of Provincial and Local Government Nomatyala Hangana and Public Works Ntoplie Kganyago, members of the North West Executive Council and other senior government officials.

Mlambo-Ngcuka assured the people of Qho Village and the greater Taung area that the short-to-medium term plan to be implemented soon will include temporary housing structures.

She confirmed that work towards the rehabilitation of the infrastructure is underway. Engineers have been deployed in the area as part of the government-wide intervention programme "Project Consolidate", "a hands-on local government support and engagement programme to reinforce the efforts of service delivery.

Some of the concerns raised by the people were about lack of houses, poor roads, health care and insufficient schools.

The Deputy President also called on the community to take initiative on matters that affect them to ensure co-operation between them and government for faster and better service delivery and development, especially with regard to tourism.

"I am happy to announce that Taung will soon be named a World Heritage Site. We must therefore train as many young people as we can here to participate in this potential industry. Young people must be trained in such skills as tour guides and operators, crafters," said Mlambo-Ngcuka.

The Deputy President started the two-day programme by engaging with the local leadership of Bophirima District Municipality where the leadership presented a detailed State of the District report. The report highlighted challenges around capacity of the municipality to deliver, and land. The Deputy President assured the District leadership that National and Provincial government will intensify its support through sector departments and Project Consolidate.

She also met with stakeholders from business, NGOs, religious leaders and State Owned Enterprises, where she shared with them the government economic intervention strategy Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA).

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Issued by: The Presidency
21 May 2006