PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA CONCLUDED YET ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL IMBIZO

President Cyril Ramaphosa led the 05th District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo in Upington, Northern Cape Province; the imbizo took place at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington.

The Northern Cape DDM Presidential Imbizo identified issues in the ZF Mgcawu District that hamper service delivery and economic opportunities. The consultative forum also highlighted successful projects and allowed government leaders to share information with residents.

The Imbizo was preceded by the President’s visit to the Redstone Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Thermal Plant in Postmasburg. The project forms part of the South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) which aims to bring additional megawatts onto the country’s electricity system through private sector investment in wind, biomass and small hydro, among others.

At a national level, the REIPPP comprises of 92 projects across the country with a collective generation capacity of 6 296MW to which the Northern Cape’s contributes 3 563MW with 3 249MW already operational.

The Redstone CSP Plant makes up 100 MW of the remaining 314 MW that is under construction.

The plant was presented at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSA) in 2020 and forms part of the gazetted Strategic Integrated Project (SIP 8) which deals with the escalation of regulatory approvals and the unblocking of development challenges in line with the Infrastructure Development Act 23 of 2014.

The community interactions in ZF Mgcawu District were led by the President, accompanied by the Premier of the Northern Cape, Ministers, MECs, Mayors and councillors. Other community engagements were undertaken by Ministers, MECs, Mayors and Councillors, engaging communities in and around ZF Mgcawu District to establish the challenges communities are facing, particularly in service delivery.

As customary all issues raised during the outreach programmes were documented for immediate attention and action.

Amongst the issues raised are the following;

· Drugs in several communities

· High unemployment rate

· Some police stations are alleged to be working in cahoots with drug lords

· Government requested to review the issue of those above 35 years not included in most job recruitments.

· Communities raised concerns that the growing small business sector which offers significant opportunities for economic participation is not being adequately supported.

· The issue of mining not benefitting immediate communities

Responses:

· Minister of Police made a commitment that they will visit some of the police stations that were mentioned, and that they will increase the number of vehicles and police members

· Minister of Labour and Employment encouraged the youths to take advantage of government programmes. He also mentioned the importance of local development of skills to mitigate against youths leaving the province.

· The issue of the above 35 years is more of a policy matter and government will consider it.

· Minister De Lille indicated that she has been tasked by Cabinet to look into a revision of the policy on EPWP, including the age threshold of entrants.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that no-one will be left behind as government works with all sectors of society to grow South Africa.

Enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by Government Communications (GCIS) on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa

22 October 2022