Govt on KZN Imbizo programme
Chris Khumalo
23 November 2004
A high-level government delegation, led by Deputy President Jacob Zuma, will visit far-flung rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal this week to interact with the people as part of the government's Imbizo public participation programme.
Zuma, who will be accompanied by KwaZulu-Natal Premier S'bu Ndebele and several national Cabinet ministers, will be in Ixopo and Eshowe as part of the Imbizo.
His delegation will include Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, and Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Buyelwa Sonjica.
Launched by President Thabo Mbeki in 2001, the programme has proved to be a popular platform for communities to engage with government leaders. They are interactive gatherings that offer communities an opportunity to interact with government leaders to discuss issues of development and express their views about the delivery of services.
"Previous Izimbizo have displayed and
underscored the programme's value as a monitoring and evaluation tool, assisting government to respond "quickly" to resolve delivery blockages in various communities," said the Presidency in a statement.
Zuma will start this week's programme in Ixopo, on the South Coast on Wednesday, where he will meet traditional leaders, visit Expanded Public Works Programmes in Jolivet, and later meet members of the community to discuss issues relevant to that community.
The Jolivet Cluster Project, which consists of a community centre, market, sports facilities, and a taxi rank, aims to promote economic development in the area.
The second day of imbizo on Thursday, will take Zuma and Cabinet members to Inkandla.
This day also marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, and, together with Ndebele he will launch the campaign in the province.
He will also meet amakhosi in Eshowe, launch a Multi Purpose Community
Centre in the Nxamalala area and visit water, electricity and roads upgrading projects.
Later Zuma will interact with members of the public at the Mamba Combined Primary School.
Source: BuaNews
| 
