CAPE TOWN, Aug 13 (NNN-SANEWS) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured local communities in Tsomo in the Chris Hani District Municipality that providing water to communities is government’s priority.
“Izimbizo are meant for government to listen to communities, whether you have a complaint, you have an opportunity here,” he told residents at the ninth Presidential Imbizo held in Tsomo in the Chris Hani District Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
The Presidential Imbizo serves as a platform for face-to-face engagement between citizens and senior government leaders, holding the administration accountable and allowing government to consult and update communities on development and service delivery in the relevant areas.
Ramaphosa commended those people who did not only raise their concerns or grievances, but also commended what government is doing to improve people’s lives.
“There is a lot that government is doing to improve people’s lives, for all your grievances, there are answers,” he said.
He also commended the local communities for heeding the call to attend the Imbizo, noting “this is the biggest community Imbizo we have ever been to, I thank you all for coming.”
The local communities were given an opportunity to raise their concerns before President Ramaphosa and his Cabinet ministers.
Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu assured the locals that government is doing everything in its power to ensure that there is water in communities.
“We are working in ensuring that our communities get water. We have already started with some of the projects,” Mchunu said.
Mchunu told the locals that money has been allocated to the municipalities to speed up water projects.
Most raised concerns about water, poor road conditions, lack of job opportunities and other services.
This is the ninth Presidential Imbizo since government commenced with the District Development Model (DDM) programme in March 2022 in Mahikeng in the North West province.
The DDM is an integrated planning model for Cooperative Governance that seeks to ensure an integrated, district-based service delivery approach aimed at fast-tracking service delivery.
The President’s visit here in Tsomo brought hope to many people in the Chris Hani District Municipality.
Prior to engaging with the local communities, President Ramaphosa started the Imbizo by visiting the local Water Treatment Plant which is expected to help provide water in the area.
Upon his arrival, the President was briefed about the plant by the municipal officials.
He then conducted a walkabout at the plant and thereafter proceeded to the Imbizo venue where he was welcomed by the locals. — NNN-SANEWS
