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17 April 2009

Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni officially opens a second Thusong Service Centre in a space of four weeks in the province. The launch of Nophoyi Thusong Service Centre in deep rural Mount Frere, is set to bring closer government services and information to more than 3 000 people who have been travelling about 80 kilometres to access government services in the town of Mount Frere.

Premier Sogoni said: “I mentioned in the State of the Province Address that we will be opening these centres so that our people, who have been marginalised for decades, do not have to travel long distances to access government services. These centres are an integral part of government’s agenda to empower our people with knowledge so that they can develop themselves.”

The Thusong Service Centres programme was initiated by government in 1999 to provide government information and services in an integrated manner, closer to where communities live. Government’s goal is to ensure that each local municipality has one Thusong Service Centre by 2014.

The focus of these One-Stop Government Services and Information Centres is on rural and under serviced communities, with the aim of addressing the historical factors limiting citizens to access government services and information. Currently there are 13 operating Thusong Service Centres in the Eastern Cape.

People who visit the centres can get an abundance of various government services in one place. Various government departments including Home Affairs, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Social Development, Post Office and the South African Police Service (SAPS) will be on hand to assist people with their needs at the Nophoyi Thusong Service Centre.

For further information contact:
Chief of Staff Office of the Premier
Xolisa Jakuja
Tel: 040 609 6458
Cell: 082 839 8156

Media Liaison
Hlanga Mafani
Tel: 040 609 6050
Cell: 082 440 7949

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
20 April 2009
Source: Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)