By Matsobane Manaka & Nape Masemola
Minister Thoko Didiza promises farmers around Sekhukhune District that Agri-Park facility (which will serve as their market) in Jane Furse will be operational around September.
President Cyril Ramaphosa accompanied by his cabinet members had engaged face-to-face with the community of Sekhukhune District on issues affecting development. The interaction took place at Motodi Sports Complex, Ga-Motodi, Sekhukhune District on 14 July 2023.
The engagement sought to address their concerns and finding a win-win solutions. This also aimed at promoting working relations between government, community-based organisations, businesses, traditional leadership and wide-range of stakeholders.
Community members through their representatives took advantage of the presidential imbizo platform where multiple concerns were raised that hinder service delivery. Key challenges among them were lack of water, crime, building of clinics and the relocation of Sekhukhune District offices from Capricorn District.
The marquee tent erected at Motodi Sports Complex, Ga-Motodi full of community members and various stakeholders to engage face-to-face with the President of the Country, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Ministers responsible for those portfolios responded positvely to those issues. Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu assured that issue of water is underway with multi-million rand set aside to address that; Minister of Police, Bheki Cele has applauded the strong collaboration between community and businesses of working with police to fight crime; while Minister of Health, Joe Phaahla mentioned areas that are earmarked for building of clinics, which he said mobile clinics will always be there to give support and finally the President promised that the re-location of Sekhukhune District Office should continue as per the community’s wishes. He re-assure the communities that government programmes and initiatives are in place to address their needs and priorities.
Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy Dr Nobuhle Nkabane took it further by committing to conduct two-day workshop on processes and procedures for mining licences. The President called upon mining companies to work with government to build mining academy that will uplift young people with meaningfull skills.
Enerst Nkomu from Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality was one of the community representatives who urged to government leadership to develop Marblehall saying that it is an agricultural hub. He mentioned the two agricultural co-operatives - the cotton producers led by Maria Swele and Rahlagane Table Grape, that they are doing great by creating much needed jobs for the community. He urged the leadership to hand over government-owned land that is illegally occupied for community members to use for agricultural activities to address high unemployment.
Minister of Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) Thoko Didiza said she engaged with farmers and agreed that the Agri Park facility in Jane Furse will be operational around September that will assist farmers with market.
The President said government is keen to support people of Sekhukhune District on the road to development. He indicated that all the issues raised are always important and government is paying attention to, citing that some are already underway including the rolling out of road infrastructure in that area with similar standards to those in Gauteng.
He made assertion that some of the issues are based on District Development Model (DDM). “DDM says we all work together. We get rid of the decisions and the walls in government. And we get all of government to work together to make the lives of our people better. This is what the DDM is based on.
“It does not only talk about government actors, but also brings in role players that are outside government. It brings in business, trade union, taxi association, sporting association, youth movement, womens’ organisation and residents’ association, so we all work together”, said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In his conclusion, President said, “it is important for our own development that the interest of our people should be ahead of our sectional interest”.
From left: Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Thembi Nkadimeng, President of South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa and MEC of Limpopo Department of Treasury: Seaparo Sekoati listening to community concerns during presidential imbizo.
