Office of the Premier of the Western Cape: Ebrahim Rasool

The citizens of the Western Cape will have an opportunity to interact with the Premier, Ebrahim Rasool and members of the provincial government during the Imbizo Focus Week next week from 7 to 14 April.

The Premier and provincial government, in partnership with local government and civil society formations, are hosting a series of meetings to give citizens an opportunity to make their voices heard and for government to assess whether its programmes are effective.

Said Premier Rasool: “We are mindful of the challenges we face in regards to violence, crime, housing backlogs, poverty, unemployment and drug abuse.

“But we are also proud of the huge progress we have made. By the end of 2007, economic growth stood at 5.7% and thousands of jobs were created, especially through the government’s Expanded Public Works Programmes.

“Ninety-one percent of the people in the province now receive free basic water, close to 100% of pensioners receive their pensions and more than 10,000 hectares of land are now in the hands of emerging farmers.

“In education, the parents of 345,000 or 45% of learners in 653 Western Cape schools do not have to pay fees and 200,000 learners at 988 schools receive daily meals.

“Police resources have been increased while violent crime is on a gradual downward dip. The police have shut down 61 tik and drug houses, drug lords are on the run and 8,000 police and 5,000 Bambanani volunteers are now part of the crime-busting team.

“High risk schools have full security upgrades and 730 volunteers are deployed at Metrorail stations. We have 14 Thusong Service Centres and numerous offices where grants and pensions are processed.

“In 2007, the housing budget was more than doubled from R540 million to R1.2 billion, laying the basis for better dealing with the 410,000 unit backlog. Child Support Grants are now going to 446,000 children and disability grants to 141,000 people.

“There have also been major advances in the areas of health care, construction, preparation for the 2010 World Cup, the eradication of the bucket toilet system and opportunities for previously marginalised businesses.

“We are determined to consolidate these advances while systematically tackling the serious challenges we still face. I urge the citizens of the province to make their voices heard at the Imbizos so that together we can make the Western Cape a Home for All.”

IMBIZO DATES AND VENUES:

* Venue and details for Imbizo on Safety to be confirmed at a later stage.

FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, CONTACT:

Jeremy Michaels, Chief Director: Communications: 082 772 1122

Mansoor Jaffer, Director: Communication Programmes: 084 661 5216

Shado Twala, Premier's Spokesperson: 083 640 6771

Gert Witbooi, Imbizo Communications Unit Coordinator: 082 550 3938

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi:  082 550 3938, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.

Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za

The Western Cape - A Home for All
INtshona Koloni - iKhaya loMntu wonke
Die Wes-Kaap - 'n Tuiste vir Almal