"We plan to have no fewer than sixty MPCCs in the country, one in every district and metropolitan municipality, by the end of 2004," he said at Villiers in the Free State.
"We also intend to have one MPCC per local municipality by the end of 2014. We are determined to continue bringing government to the people."
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana at the opening of the Qalabotjha centre, Zuma added that people had indicated a need for development and jobs.
The community centre at Qalabotjha would boost the economy of the area by providing access to micro-industries including agriculture, bakery production, dressmaking and candle making. It would also bring essential government services to the people of Villiers. Up to now they had to travel to Sasolburg 120 km away to apply for identity documents, child-care grants and pensions. The centre would also house a library and a computer centre.
Zuma said the youth living in poor communities, both rural and urban, lacked basic communication tools.
"We are all aware of how difficult it is still for young people in many townships and rural areas to be able to find a computer to type, fax or e-mail a CV when applying for jobs, or to prepare business plans when they when want to access capital to start small businesses.
"We therefore view the establishment of computer and telecentres as critical."
He said the new centre in Villiers would make a visible contribution to meeting the challenges of poverty there. – Sapa.
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