Day: August 23, 2024

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced that an e-indigent register – which will assist to register those who are in need and qualify for free government services – will be launched in municipalities in the province.

He was speaking at the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo that is being led by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Tsakani Stadium in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

‘There are many people who are unemployed, but they can’t get the benefits of free electricity and water because they are not properly registered so that they can be [classified as] indigent. We have now agreed with all executive mayors in our last lekgotla, we are introducing an e-register from October,’ he said on Friday.

The Premier said the register will link up with all of government’s databases and retail stores.

‘This is so that whoever is employed, whoever that is hiding their employment, must not benefit for free benefits that are due to our people. In Ekurhuleni in particular…they have introduced a new thresho
ld which does not exclude those who are getting social grants and does not exclude those who are unemployed.

‘What it means is that if you are poor and we have registered you, we have checked the database, you will receive all free services without being asked who you are in all municipalities in our province,’ he said.

READ | District Development Model ensures government works as a team

Lesufi also announced that the provincial government has committed to bringing free WiFi connections to at least 26 townships in Gauteng.

‘We are bringing something so important, especially to young people in our province. We have identified 26 townships…to make the townships access reliable, dependable free WiFi, so that all our people are in a position to connect.

‘Children of the poor have a right to do their homework at home using free WiFi so they can access these services. The future is no longer about water and electricity only. The future is about data so that those who are unemployed can send their CVs utilising
free WiFi,’ he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The District Development Model (DDM) is a demonstration of the three spheres of government’s focus on resolving service delivery challenges facing communities in South Africa, says Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa.

The Minister was speaking to SAnews on the sidelines of the District Development Model Presidential Imbizo, currently underway at Tsakane Stadium in Ekurhuleni in Gauteng. It is the first Presidential Imbizo of the seventh administration.

‘The District Development Model is a system where at a district level, you work as a team. In most cases, districts are formed by a number of municipalities and in almost most districts, municipalities face similar problems.

‘For instance, in Ekurhuleni, the major problem is water, followed by crime. But water is the major one.

“Now, the District Development Model says if you have a common problem cutting across [the board], bring all spheres of government to work together, and develop one plan to deal with that
problem.

“If the problems are two or three but cutting across municipalities, come together, have one plan, pool all resources together, focus on the problem you have [and] you can solve the problems one by one,’ Hlabisa said.

A platform for the people

The Presidential Imbizo is where leaders from all three spheres of government interact with residents on service delivery challenges, which communities have brought to government’s attention, as well as plans for the development of this district.

Hlabisa explained government’s position on the hosting of the DDM Imbizos, saying it presents a platform for South Africans to have their voices heard.

‘The advantage of hosting an event of this magnitude, you will have the President of the country, who many people have never got an opportunity to engage with. You will have all Ministers… the Premier, the Mayor and all representatives in government, face-to-face with the people.

‘There is nothing as important as meeting your government face-to-face. [It’s] not
just greeting and going, but conveying your challenges and engaging them. You might get an answer on the spot because when these problems are being raised during the Imbizo, Ministers will respond according to their departments.

‘That is an opportunity people will rarely get. The DDM Presidential Imbizo brings the government to the people where they are,’ Hlabisa said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

An intellectual, revolutionary and patriot, who dedicated his life to building the intelligentsia in South Africa and also a loving husband, father and grandfather, who was passionate about education and his community.

These are the words used to describe the late Professor Muxe Nkondo, who was laid to rest today after his passing on Sunday morning at the age of 83.

Delivering the eulogy, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said Nkondo was a well-known name in local politics, Southern Africa and the continent.

He reminded mourners that Nkondo produced great intellectuals, academics, Ministers and public servants, who are today serving the country with distinction.

‘I am equally pleased that we are sending him off [from] a place that he passionately supported and equally loved. It is at this place that we took the decision that we put to rest those who have served our nation with distinction. It is here that we have agreed that we spend quality time with those who have left us,’ said Mashatile at the Special
Provincial Funeral of renowned academic and social policy specialist.

The funeral service was held at the Freedom Park Heritage and Museum in Pretoria.

The late academic occupied senior roles as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of the North and Vice-Chancellor of Venda University.

‘It is the wisdom of Prof Nkondo and many that today we do not have an identity crisis and because of them we can proudly say we are Africans, and ours is to build a nation that is a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, united and prosperous society.’

The Deputy President also told mourners that he was also part of the Nkondo family and grew up under the late Curtis Nkondo, who was the Professor’s brother, who served in the African National Congress (ANC).

‘By being a member of this family, I also had the opportunity to have Prof Nkondo deliver a speech and bless our union during my wedding celebration,’ he recalled.

As a novice in the arts, creative and heritage sector, during his tenure as the Deputy Minister, and lat
er as Minister of Arts and Culture, the Deputy President said he leaned on the wisdom of eminent individuals, including Nkondo.

‘As we have gathered here today to lay to rest Professor Muxe Nkondo, I am pleased to have worked closely with this exceptional individual, a defender of human rights and an extraordinary advocate for social cohesion and unity.’

Mashatile called on mourners to persist in combating all manifestations of discrimination, as the Professor ‘staunchly’ advocated during his lifetime.

‘We have always known that no political democracy can survive and flourish if the masses of our people remain in poverty, without land, without tangible prospects for a better life. Hence, attacking poverty and deprivation has remained high on the agenda of… government.’

The Deputy President said Nkondo’s legacy should inspire future generations to continue the struggle for a more just and equitable society.

‘This is also the objective of the Government of National Unity (GNU). I am confident that Prof N
kondo would have concurred with my assertion that the establishment of GNU is a significant development in our democracy in that it brought different political parties to work together to build the country of our dreams.’

The Deputy President vowed that the ANC-led GNU will succeed in the implementation of the three strategic priorities, including inclusive economic growth and job creation, maintaining and optimising the social wage, and building a capable, ethical and developmental State.

‘We had hoped to include Professor Nkondo’s insights as we prepare to hold the National Dialogue, which former President [Thabo] Mbeki raised here in Freedom Park and after that President Cyril Ramaphosa announced during his inaugural address that indeed, the country would hold a national dialogue.’

The Deputy President said government will not deviate from its mission to enhance and transform the lives of communities in rural and marginalised regions, which Nkondo also lived for.

‘I can confidently state that Professor
Nkondo has run a good race through his significant contributions to the political and intellectual landscape.’

His wife, Professor Olga Nkondo, also paid tribute to her late husband and said he was a father who loved all his children.

‘His happiest moments were the birth of his grandchildren. He appreciated all the conversations with all of you and phone calls he received from all who were away,’ she said to her children.

She said the Professor encouraged her to pursue her academic ambitions and supported her.

‘You were able to welcome everyone at home, a home of love, a home of care and togetherness. When I asked you how you’re able to welcome everyone to care and share with everyone, you said those were your parent’s teachers.

‘You were compassionate, you cared so deeply for your family and everyone. But what I appreciated most about you as a father, was that you never raised your hand to your children. You were a loving father and provided us with a home,’ she added of her late husband. – SAnews.gov.z
a

Source: South African Government News Agency

From water challenges to seeking better opportunities at making a living, residents of Tsakane, in the East Rand of Gauteng, on Friday gathered to make sure their voices get counted among those heard by the country’s First Citizen.

As the first Presidential Imbizo of the 7th Administration got underway earlier, many community members told SAnews they were hopeful government will bring change to their communities.

Sylas Mazibuko, from Duduza, said he wants President Ramaphosa to ensure that there is water in Duduza and more job opportunities are created.

‘We are struggling with water and to make matters worse, there is a high unemployment rate in our area. I just want the President to hear our concerns and intervene,’ Mazibuko said.

Mazibuko said government must also deal with the crime rate.

‘Crime is getting out of control. We are even afraid of starting our own businesses because of crime. Criminals are targeting businesses in the township. We no longer walk freely in our streets,’ Mazibuko said.

Ech
oing the same sentiments was Willy Nkanyane, who said they are experiencing water shortages in Tsakane.

‘We don’t have water. We walk long distances to get water and we spend most of the times without electricity,’ Nkanyane said.

Nkanyane’s wish is for their concerns to be attended to, and for more job opportunities.

Grace Mabale, from KwaThema, also wants to see reduced crime rates

“We are even afraid to send our children to the shops because of these criminals. I also want [government] to provide us with proper houses,’ Mabale said.

The issues of water, electricity, houses and unemployment were shared by many at the Imbizo.

Some of the commitments of the new administration include further entrenching accountable and transparent governance, evidence-based policy and decision-making, the professionalisation of the public service, integrity and good governance.

The Presidential District Development Model (DDM) Izimbizo are a priority for the seventh administration, as President Cyril Ramaphosa has ident
ified local government as a priority focus area of the Government of National Unity.

The DDM aims to improve the coherence and impact of government service delivery with focus on 44 Districts and 8 Metros around the country as development spaces that can be used as centres of service delivery and economic development, including job creation.

Under the DDM, all three spheres of government coordinate and integrate development plans and budgets and mobilise the capacity and resources of government and civil society, including business, labour and community, in pursuit of inclusive growth and job creation.

President Ramaphosa is accompanied at the Imbizo by ministers, deputy ministers and senior government officials.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Efficient and strong municipalities are key to ensuring that South Africa’s economy grows and jobs are created, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The President addressed the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo at Tsakane Stadium in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, on Friday.

The Presidential Imbizo is a platform for communities to interact with government leaders from all three spheres of government on service delivery challenges, and for the executive to respond to the community on what they are doing to resolve those issues.

‘We have said as the Government of National Unity, our key priority is to grow the economy, and to create jobs and fight poverty. But to do this, we need strong municipalities. It is municipalities that are the engine room of development because they provide the services to our people but they also are economic engine rooms.

‘We want our municipalities to work efficiently. To our councillors, we should not be continuously hearing that our people don’t even know their councillors
. That must come to an end. Councillors have been elected to serve the people and they must show themselves in the community. They must hold meetings with our communities. We must not wait for an Imbizo to come and listen to our people raising their concerns,’ the President said.

Turning to the City of Ekurhuleni municipality, President Ramaphosa said it is one of South Africa’s most important hubs.

‘The Ekurhuleni Municipality is well positioned as an economic driver of job creation. Ekurhuleni is a major transportation hub. But apart from that… it is the manufacturing capital of our country. Ekurhuleni plays a very important role in the life of our province, and in the life of our country and our economy.

‘It is home to Africa’s largest and busiest airport… OR Tambo International Airport. It’s also a major centre for freight corridors in our country. This makes the metro a substantial economic player because manufacturing is one of the key contributors to the GDP,’ he said.

President Ramaphosa acknowle
dged, however, that service delivery in the area must be improved. He assured the community gathered at the imbizo that government has heard their cries.

‘We want to improve the services that are delivered to our people. We know that service delivery is one of the key challenges and particularly water and electricity.

‘We are going to be giving more focus on water…building new reservoirs, increasing our bulk water delivery. We are also going to be focusing on housing. Housing shortage is one of challenges many of our people face and we will address that,’ he said.

Another area of concern raised by community members is crime and the President said Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is focusing ‘on how we can deal with extortion, the construction mafia and gender based violence’.

‘Those men who play football with the women of our country must stop and we are going to be focusing on that. Gender based violence is a pandemic and our people are working in a very focused manner on that,’ he said. – SAnews.gov.za

So
urce: South African Government News Agency