Residents of Ward 32 in Marikana, near Rustenburg, say they are optimistic that long-standing service delivery challenges will finally receive attention after the provincial government brought the Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme to the local Braampie Sports Ground.
For many residents, the programme represents a rare opportunity to speak directly to government leaders about the daily struggles they face.
The aim of the programme is to fast-track service delivery and bring government services closer to the people.
It was led by Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, alongside MECs, mayors, and traditional leaders.
Some community members say the lack of basic services and limited access to government support programmes have made life increasingly difficult.
Others say they are unable to access some basic government services, including grants, because there are no Home Affairs offices nearby and they cannot afford to travel to town.
“We want the government to hear us and help bring change in our community,” said one resident who attended the programme.
Some residents also called on government to compel local mining companies to employ them, saying they were relocated to make way for mining operations.
Addressing residents, Mokgosi called on government departments and the municipality to work together to ensure that communities are not excluded from essential services.
He emphasised the need for outreach programmes to assist community members in obtaining identification documents and accessing services provided by departments such as Social Development.
As part of the day’s programme, the provincial government officially opened the Tshukudu Library in Ward 45 and handed over RDP houses to beneficiaries in Thekwane.
In addition, two houses were handed over to qualifying beneficiaries in Bokamoso.
As the Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccination campaign gets underway, government launched a targeted outreach programme in Middelkraal, where livestock vaccinations were administered alongside an information session for farmers at the MDA Agrihub.
Meanwhile, a total of 200 sanitary towels were handed over to learners at Areaganeng Secondary School, while school shoes were also distributed to learners from destitute families at Marikana Primary and Kroondal Primary Schools.
In addition, food parcels were delivered to vulnerable households in Wards 32 and 33 as part of the provincial government’s continued efforts to support indigent families and promote learner wellbeing.
