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24 August 2008

President Thabo Mbeki today, 24 August 2008, concluded his two-day Imbizo in the Bojanala District Municipality in the North West province with a community Imbizo at Mogwase in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality. The President was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers, North West Premier and the Executive Mayor of the Bojanala District Municipality.

After interactions with the leadership of the province and the municipalities over the past two days, the President expressed satisfaction with the performance and progress of the government in providing services.

Responding to the state of the province report during the intergovernmental relations meeting, the President acknowledged the challenges that face the municipality while at the same time noting progress made in addressing these challenges.

The municipalities, both at the district and the local level, have had stability in the political and administrative leadership level, and this was noted as the reason for the significant progress in the provision of services in the area and the smooth running of the municipalities.

Significantly, President Mbeki identified local economic development as a key feature to government's overall strategy to addressing socio economic challenges. During the interactions with the community at the Imbizo, the President encouraged the people of Bojanala District to take initiative by initiating projects which government, the private sector as well as civil society, can complement.

On the first day of the Imbizo the President received a detailed report from the municipality on the state of readiness with regard to 2010. In spite of the challenges, such as funding and beneficiation for all the municipalities in the district. to mention but a few, the municipality was never the less confident to meet the deadline.

At the community Imbizo, President Mbeki noted the challenges raised by the community and said that government will respond practically. He also implored the community to take charge of their own lives to better make use of government effort at improving the lives of all South Africans.

Issued by: The Presidency
24 August 2008