[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

7 April 2008

Residents of the Greater Sekhukhune district municipality will hold their government leaders accountable this Saturday during an Imbizo led by the Minister in The Presidency, Dr Essop Pahad. Imbizo Week, which will run from Monday to Sunday under the theme: “All hands on deck for faster development”, will see close interaction between residents and government officials.

Municipal spokesperson Sizwe Sama Yende said feedback would be given regarding concerns that were raised when President Thabo Mbeki visited the district in 2005.

“This will be an opportunity for the residents to hold the three spheres of government accountable, and influence governance and service delivery,” said Mr Yende.

The imbizo will take place in the Tshehlwaneng village again. Residents are expected to raise new concerns and comment on the general quality and pace of service delivery in their communities since President Mbeki's visit three years ago.

Mr Yende said Dr Pahad would be accompanied by Limpopo Premier Sello Moloto, MECs and senior government officials. Minister Pahad will also visit some community projects to see if they have improved the lives of the project members.

“Through this visit, the minister expects that government leaders will gain first hand experience of the challenges faced by the community and identify solutions that could solve their problems,” said Mr Yende.

Ministers and their deputies, as well as provincial premiers and MECs, are this week touring the country to engage with South Africans on the implementation of government's programme of action for Imbizo week.

Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) reported that government representatives will be listening to and engaging communities around service delivery issues and profiling government's apex priorities. The main apex priorities include the further acceleration of economic growth and development; speeding up and building of infrastructure; and improving interventions directed at the second economy.

Also, apex priorities seek to enhance the impact of programmes targeting education and training, the acceleration of improving the health system, as well as revamping the Criminal Justice System (CJS).

Issued by: Limpopo Provincial Government
7 April 2008
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government, (http://www.limpopo.gov.za/home_page.asp)