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20 August 2006

Britstown -- Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka concluded her two-day Presidential imbizo to the Pixley Ka Seme district municipality, Northern Cape, with a public gathering at the Mziwabantu Sport Arena yesterday (Saturday, 19 August 2006) where she was met with challenges of basic service provision, unemployment rate, a declining local economy and alarming number of complaints of nepotism which concerned her a lot.

"I am concerned about the alarming number of complains of nepotism coming out of this community and I want to call on the Premier and MECs to investigate this matter," said Mlambo-Ngcuka.

The Deputy President was accompanied by Northern Cape Premier, Ms Dipuo Peters and members of the Executive Council, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Elizabeth Thabethe and of Provincial and Local Government Ms Nomatyala Hangana.

The first day of the programme, 18 August 2006, began with a detailed presentation of the state of the district report and a meeting with various stakeholders, mainly from the hospitality industry and the agriculture sector at the De Aar City Hall.

While acknowledging the inroads government has made in provision of health facilities, the eradication of the bucket system, provision of social grants, there are still challenges in relation to unemployment and the rejuvenation of the local economy. Stakeholders however voiced concerns over the lack of co-operation between the De Aar district municipality, provincial and the national governments which tend to "confuse" potential investors to the District.

Amongst other concerns were the absence of a Cultural Centre, which residents argued, would further entrench the area as a tourist and cultural hub in the region, unhappiness at the absence of South African Football Association (SAFA) talent scouts, lack of business opportunities, poor workmanship in the building of government subsidised houses, absence of professionals, influx of migrant workers and over-reliance on social grants.

However Mlambo-Ngcuka warned against discrimination against experienced migrant workers saying "it was absolutely unacceptable to complain about the influx of skilled labour when government was attempting to attract foreign expertise to enhance service delivery in line with the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative forf South Africa (AsgiSA)."

Foremost on the residents' concerns list was the rejuvenation of the De Aar Train station, which at one time was the economic lifeline of the town, employing a significant number of the locals. Due to downscaling of the Spoornet staff, poverty and joblessness have reached unacceptable levels. However the executive Mayor reported that the municipality was finalising a strategy to breathe fresh air into the station.

During her walk-about, The Deputy President met poverty-stricken families including a disabled pensioner Mr Mama who is staying alone and cared for by neighbours. She urged the province to establish safety homes for the elderly and the physically challenged especially those uncared for.

The Deputy President called on the municipality and business community to regroup and come up with a comprehensive report on the status, outlining their problems as well as solutions.

Both the Premier and the Deputy President urged the business community to be part of the forthcoming district growth development summit.

Mlambo-Ngcuka was also concerned about the degree of dependency on government social grants.

In her concluding remarks the Deputy President informed the gathering that government was meeting with the people of the Northern Cape, De Aar to again strengthen the contract with them.

"We have a contract with the people of South Africa especially the poor. Our main exclusive reason to exist," she said.

Enquiries:
Terrence Manase
Cell: 082 338 6707

Thabang Chiloane
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Matome Sebelebele
Cell: 072 710 1814

Issued by: The Presidency
20 August 2006
Source: SAPA