Citizens will have opportunity to question government

By Ilhaam Hoosain
1 April 2008

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

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

“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,” says Ebrahim Rasool.

He goes on to say that 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.

“The Premier and ministers of cabinet will be having an opportunity to speak to hundreds and hundreds of citizens of the Western Cape in the next week to discuss with them issues of service delivery and challenges to build partnerships,” says spokesperson for Western Cape MEC of Education, Gert Witbooi.

He added that the Premier uges people to attend these Imizos and speak about issues that affect the community.

“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,” says Rasool.

IMBIZO DATES AND VENUES:

Monday 07 April, 11am: Brooklyn/Milnerton (Brooklyn Chest Hospital), focusing on Health Monday 07 April, 7pm: Khayelitsha (OR Tambo Hall) Monday 07 April, 7pm: Leeu Gamka (Community Hall) Monday 07 April, 7pm: Worcester (Siyafuneka Primary School)

Tuesday 08 April, 7pm: Mitchells Plain (Westridge Civic Centre) Tuesday 08 April, 7pm: Van Rhynsdorp (Thusong Centre)

Wednesday 09 April, 11am: Cape Town (Good Hope Centre) focusing on Energy Wednesday 09 April, 7pm: Ravensmead (Community Hall) Wednesday 09 April, 7pm: Hawston / Hermanus (Thusong Centre)

Thursday 10 April, 7pm: Greater Athlone (Athlone Civic Centre) Thursday 10 April, 7pm: Atlantis (Thusong Centre)

Monday 14 April, 11am: Heidelberg (Duiwenshok Community Hall) Monday 14 April, 7pm: Mossel Bay (KwaNongqaba Sports Complex) Monday 14 April, 7pm: Vredenburg (Weston Secondary School)