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31 May 2008

Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has commended the leadership and the people of the community of Masiphumelele in the Western Cape province and said that "the story of Masiphumelele needs to be told to the rest of the country – so that others can learn and do the same."

Community Members and leaders in this area collected stolen goods and spread the message of reintegration after the areas was affected by violence on people from other countries. The Deputy President received a report that a Rapid Response Committee was formed to quickly deal with the situation of attacks on people from other countries in this area.

The Deputy President was accompanied by the Ministers of Public Works and of Arts and Culture, the Premier of the Western Cape and some of his MECs, Cape Town Mayor, senior government officials and community leaders as they visited three areas in the province on Friday, 30 May 2008, namely Du Noon, Masiphumelele and Khayelitsha, to assess the situation on the ground, speak to all stakeholders and talk to government's interventions on the ground.

The visit to these areas resonated with the message of reintegration of people from other countries. The Deputy President thanked the community, volunteers, Churches, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the police and all who took time of their busy schedules to land a helping hand to people affected.

She called on the community to assist in uprooting the criminal elements who perpetrates the acts of violence against people from other countries.

For more information contact:
Denzil Taylor
Spokesperson to the Deputy President
Cell: 082 561 3772

Issued by: The Presidency
31 May 2008