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26 July 2006

Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will embark on her second Presidential Imbizo in the Mpumalanga Province from Friday to Saturday, 4 to 5 August 2006. Her first Imbizo in the province was held in the Nkangala District late last year.

This time the Deputy President will visit the Ehlanzeni District Municipality. In the tradition of the government's unmediated communication with the people, the Deputy President will interact directly with the people of the District and stakeholders such as business, non-governmental organisations and other sectors of civil society.

The Presidential Imbizo, in particular her interaction with councillors, municipal officials and ward committees, will create opportunities for the Deputy President to identify and lend a hand in addressing the challenges impeding service delivery.

The Deputy President is also scheduled to visit a number of community projects and embark on a walk about. She will be accompanied by Cabinet Ministers, the Premier of Mpumalanga Province, Mr Thabang Makwetla, and members of his Executive Council.

The eHlanzeni District is made up of five (5) local municipalities, all identified under Project Consolidate as municipalities needing support namely: Thaba Chweu, Mbombela, Umjindi, Nkomazi and Bushbuckridge.

Project Consolidate is a hands-on engagement and support programme for local government addressing main challenges, by focusing on capacity building and support to priority municipalities.

The Imbizo programme is a forum for enhancing dialogue and interaction between government and the people. It also provides an opportunity for government to communicate its Programme of Action (http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/poa/index.html) and the progress made in its implementation. It also promotes participation of the public in the programmes intended to improve people's lives.

Media interested in covering the event are requested to submit their names and ID/Passport numbers to:
Matome Sebelebele
E-mail: Matome@gcis.gov.za
Cell: 072 710 1814
Terrence Manase
E-mail: terrence@po.gov.za
Cell: 082 338 6707.

All media should ensure that their details are submitted by Thursday, 4 July 2006, for accreditation purposes.

Confirmations/Enquiries to:
Terrence Manase
Cell: 082 338 6707
Matome Sebelebele
Cell: 072 710 1814
Luzuko Koti
Cell: 083 391 0073

Issued by: The Presidency, Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and the Department of Provincial and Local Government (the dplg)
26 July 2006
Source: SAPA