Hundreds of residents of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality in the North West, have raised service delivery concerns, during the Presidential Imbizo in Ikageng, Potchefstroom.
This is the President’s second visit to the province to assess progress made on commitments the government undertook during the previous District Development Model Presidential Imbizo.
According to the Presidency, the public participation engagement provides the opportunity for the community to address various service delivery challenges and for the national, provincial, and local leadership to respond.
Most of the concerns raised by the residents include lack of water, electricity, housing, and unemployment among others.
“There’s a big dam that is being built by the WBHO. But they’re not hiring locals, and only those connected are hired.
Our houses are also cracking because of old mining that was done in the area, and the people hired to fix our houses are not doing proper work,” said Khandisa Nantu, from Khuma.
The youth also complain about lack of employment opportunities and being excluded from some of the local projects.
“We’re requesting that you interact with the National Youth Development Agency to open the doors for us.
Every time we approach them, they’re not willing to hear or help us.
Our youth are now on drugs because of lack of opportunities, and we don’t have rehabilitation centres in the area to help them,” said Nomhle Matebele from Kanana.
Acting Premier Nono Maloyi, acknowledged most of the concerns raised by the residents, adding that the situation has however improved since it was removed from section 100.
Nine municipalities are currently under administration, and government has doubled its efforts to intervene to improve the people’s lives.
“The situation in the province has improved since it was removed from section 100.
It was known as a failed province thus it was placed under administration,” said Maloyi.
He said they have launched Operation Bulela Metsi and Operation Thuntsha Lerole, to help improve service delivery in the province.
The Premier highlighted that they held a dinner with investors locally and internationally, where R134 billion pledges were made.
He added that about 80% of the complaints raised during the last Presidential Imbizo in the province, have been met.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa assured residents that his office will ensure that the concerns raised by the residents are addressed.
“This is a government at work. We are working day in day out, to address all the challenges that our people are facing, in all works of life.
I’m glad that 80% of the previous challenges have been solved.
We have 27 water projects underway in the province, and we will ensure that water will be delivered to the residents,” said Ramaphosa.
He applauded the province for helping turnaround the situation at various municipalities.
“The audits by departments and municipalities are improving.
Municipalities in the province were some of the worst performing in the country, but I’m glad that there’s some improvements,” added Ramaphosa.
The unemployment rate in the province is 53%.
