Date: 24/02/2006
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
Title: Mapisa-Nqakula: Launch of Orange Farm MPCC

Notes by Minister of Home Affairs, N Mapisa-Nqakula at the Orange Farm Multi Purpose Community Centre (MPCC) launch

Introduction In the past 11 years the Gauteng Provincial Government has been interacting with local communities and various stakeholders in the province with the aim of listening to their concerns and reporting back to them - through the Gauteng Imbizo programme.

Through our interaction with ordinary citizens and other stakeholders in Gauteng, the need to provide services in an integrated manner emerged as a priority.

In responding to people’s needs the Gauteng Provincial Government committed itself to ensure that all citizens of Gauteng access government information and services in an integrated manner through the establishment of MPCCs in the province.

MPCCs brings together government departments at national, provincial and local levels to provide services to communities in an integrated way. Our government has so far established 20 MPCCs in all the six regions of Gauteng. The Orange Farm MPCC is the 21st MPCC to be established by this government.

Gone are those days when ordinary citizens and our elders have to travel long distances to access government services. The Orange Farm MPCC will bring together different spheres of government in one area. People will able to walk five minutes from their home to access services that will be provided by the Department of Home Affairs, Social Services and the Department of Labour. People will also be able to pay for their municipal services such water and electricity at the MPCC.

The Orange Farm MPCC will serve as a platform for all citizens of Orange Farm and surrounding areas to access government information and services. It should be noted that not only government will provide services. Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) will also provide services within the centre. These include Siyophumelela Simunye Association for the physically disabled and NISSA institute for women’s development.

It is also encouraging that the services in the Orange Farm MPCC have not simply been determined by government. But that the people of Orange Farm also identified services they wanted and needed.

The establishment of the MPCC is through the collaboration of national government through Government Communications (GCIS), the Gauteng Provincial Government and the City of Joburg Metropolitan Municipality.

This reflects the spirit of co-operative governance as it is enshrined in the constitution of our country, that all spheres of government should foster friendly relations and assist and support one another in ensuring service delivery takes place in partnership with local people.

Today the government is proud to provide services in an integrated manner, where the communities of Orange Farm and the surrounding areas will able to:
* apply for Identity Documents (IDs) with the Department of Home Affairs,
* gain information in a library,
* get information about other government services from GCIS,
* get information about labour issues from the Department of Labour,
* people who needs grants can also be assisted here by the Department of Social Service

All these services will be provided in the centre. Because these services belong to the people and service delivery is informed by the principle of Batho Pele, “people first”!

Together, creating jobs, fighting poverty, for a better life for all.

I thank you.

Issued by: Ministry of Home Affairs
24 February 2006