By Staff Reporter
Picture: Sourced
President Cyril Ramaphosa led the 5th District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo in Upington. The Imbizo took place at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium.
The Northern Cape DDM Presidential Imbizo identified issues in the ZF Mgcawu District that hamper service delivery and economic opportunities. The consultative forum highlighted successful projects and allowed government leaders to share information with residents.
The President’s visit to the Redstone Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Thermal Plant in Postmansburg preceded the Imbizo. The project forms part of 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 92 projects across the country with a collective generation capacity of 6 296MW, of which the Northern Cape contributes 3 563MW with 3 249MW already operational.
The Redstone CSP Plant comprises 100 MW of the remaining 314 MW 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 President led community interactions in ZF Mgcawu District, with the Northern Cape’s Premier, Ministers, MECs, Mayors and councilors. Ministers undertook other community engagements, MECs, Mayors and Councillors, engaging communities in and around ZF Mgcawu District to establish the challenges communities face, particularly in service delivery.
As customary, all issues raised during the outreach programs 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 recruitment.
· Communities raised concerns that the growing small business sector that offers significant economic participation opportunities is not adequately supported.
· The issue of mining not benefiting immediate communities
Responses:
· Minister of Police committed to visit some of the mentioned police stations and to increase the number of vehicles and police members.
· Minister of Labour and Employment encouraged the youths to take advantage of government programs. He also mentioned the importance of local skills development to mitigate youths leaving the province.
· The issue of the above 35 years is more of a policy matter and the government will consider it.
· Minister De Lille indicated that Cabinet had tasked her 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.
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