Address by Mpumalanga MEC for Local Government and Housing Candith Mashego-Dlamini at graduation ceremony of Community Development Workers in Mpumalanga, Graceland Secunda

Programme Director
Members of the Executive
Members of the Provincial Legislature
The Executive Mayor of Sibande District, Councillor Andries Gamede
Executive Mayors
Councillors
Senior government officials
Community Development Workers from the province
Distinguished guests
Graduants
Ladies and gentlemen

Today marks a very important day in the life of the Community Development Worker programme. This programme was started in 2003 and it has grown from strength to strength. The growth of this programme can be attributed to the good work that has been undertaken by our Community Development Workers (CDWs) through out the province, and the country at large.

The CDWs programme has indeed ushered in a new era in as far as government services reaching our people is concerned in the province. As we celebrate the graduation of additional CDWs and welcome them to our fold. We need to evaluate the progress that we have made. We must ask ourselves how far we have gone towards improving service delivery for the people, facilitating community development and working towards sustainable economic and social upliftment.

When we first introduced the CDWs programme, their focus was on bringing government closer to the people. As the foot soldiers of government and service delivery theirs was to make sure that these services reached all our people especially the marginalised, aged and most rural. As a new cadre of public servants, whose work cut across the spheres of government and departments, over the past few years the work of the CDWs has truly brought government to the people and improved the lives of thousands of vulnerable citizens. Through this programme we have seen many of our most marginalised and vulnerable citizens receiving government services and being brought into the social security system. The CDWs have really given meaning to the principles of Batho Pele and we can learn a lot from them in terms of really realising the slogan 'Putting People First.'

As we enter a new phase of the CDWs programme, we need to identify and explore opportunities of economic development for our communities. We must initiate programmes that will respond to economic challenges, that will promote the growth of Local Economic Development, that will improve skills development, and critically that will ensure that as we implement government programmes we do so in a manner that will impact positively on the targeted citizens both in terms of receiving the services whilst also making sure that they receive economic opportunities.

The new phase of the CDW programme must also be looked at within the context of governments targets of provision of proper sanitation by 2007,access to clean water and decent sanitation by 2010,all houses will have access to electricity by 2012, eradication of informal settlements by 2014 and the Millennium Development Goals. As we seek to meet all these targets that we have set for ourselves we must clearly define the roles that must be played by the CDWs in assisting us reach these targets. If l may ask, are any of you familiar with these targets? The phase we are entering means that we must take the role of the CDWs to a more strategic level. On top of being government's foot soldiers and assisting in social security and assistance programmes they must now become agents of economic development. This however also places a huge responsibility on the CDWs to begin to access more government information to enhance them selves.

We must acknowledge that despite the great progress we have made as government since 1994, we are still faced with challenges of finding practical, effective and efficient ways of providing quality services particularly in rural areas, where transformation has been slow. Through the CDW programme we have made some inroads to ensure that poor people access vital information and services from government. However there is still a lot of work ahead.

I must also indicate that some of our CDWs have been performing very excellently in their different areas, whilst others have not. I have been informed that in some cases some of you have not even been reporting to work. In the past we have tended to rely on the municipalities to assist us in monitoring of the CDWs. As part of strengthening our monitoring capacity, we have begun a process of appointing District Co-ordinators for this programme. Interviews have already been held and we will be appointing them shortly. Once again let me state that we need all CDWs to submit their monthly itineraries and reports to the department so that we can know what you are doing in your respective areas.

Our gathering here today is one that will give our people hope. They will have hope that the CDWs will bring about an improvement in their lives. We are confident that as CDWs you will not disappoint our people and the trust that we and the people have in you. As CDWs you are products a thorough selection process, which was in line with identifying cadres who belong to the respective communities and who will truly implement the principles of Batho Pele. CDWs have been trained to strengthen government service delivery initiatives by interfacing directly with the communities. Amongst some of the functions and programmes we expect CDWs to perform the following:

* Conduct door to door visits so as to be able to identify key service delivery backlogs such as communities being unable to access social grants, identity documents, health services
* Facilitate and promote the participation of communities in government development programmes and project
* Assist in determining the needs of communities and communicate these to the relevant government structures
* Develop the profiles of their respective communities through maintaining a database of frequently asked questions and answers
* Assist communities in awareness and advocacy work
* Keep the community up to date with regard to all services rendered by government and the process and mechanism to access the services
* CDWs should form close relations with government structures and government agencies in order to understand the funding opportunities available for the people in the communities.

One of the biggest challenges that we are still faced with is that of creating an understanding amongst all our structures of the key role that CDWs play. They must not just be seen as another structure or individuals who are there just to form part of the bureaucratic tap that stifles people from accessing government services or even Government Leaders. It's important that we create an understanding to our communities that CDWs are multi skilled workers who can provide a variety of services and assist all the three spheres of government provide their services. It's important that we remember that these CDWs come from the very communities that they will serve. As a department we will not allow any CDW to be placed in a ward from which he or she does not come from. We will make sure that every CDW is in the ward from which they come from, because they know the community well and the community knows them well, they will be able to point out the needs of the community and act accordingly to address them.

As government we must clearly define the relationship between CDWs, traditional leaders and local government leaders. We must do away with the myth where CDWs are seen as competition instead of being seen as supplementary to the existing structures. This misguided myth must not be allowed to spread. We must also clearly define and clarify the roles between CDWs, councillors and ward committee members.

Communities and must take ownership of these CDW's programme. Ward committees must also embrace and work with CDWs. Together CDWs and Ward Committees must play a constructive role in strengthening local organs. This relationship must lead to better development opportunities for our communities.

There are still some challenges that we need to deal with to ensure that the operations of CDWs are able to work effectively. Through the izimbizo programmes we have been made aware of some of the problems they are faced with such as the misunderstanding with councillors, the lack of necessary working tools such as computers, furniture equipment, telephones and budget, and in some instances not being supported adequately by some municipalities. Not withstanding these challenges we must make sure that all municipalities have CDWs deployed to them.

As the new group of CDWs graduate today, l want to appeal to you learn from those who are already in the field. You are in a more advantageous situation as you already have people that you can learn from.

Today 59 CDWs are graduating in our province. This number will be added to the existing 326 CDWs. The 59 CDWs graduating today will be deployed as follows amongst the district councils:

* Gert Sibande: District nine
* Nkangala: 11
* Ehlanzeni: 13
* Marble Hall, Groblersdal and Greater Tubatse: 26

The group from Marble Hall, Groblersdal and Greater Tubatse have been transferred to Limpopo as their areas now fall under that province. We have begun a process of recruiting an additional 160 CDWs, through out the province.

We would also like to thank the University of South Africa (Unisa) and the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) for providing quality training to our CDWs.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our new graduates. We hope that you shall keep the banner of CDWs flying high wherever you shall be deployed in your respective municipalities. From today you will be bound by the Public Service Act and your actions need to be in line with this Act. As you will be operating in your respective wards, please remember that you are an official of government and not a councillor.

I would like to urge all of you to hit the ground running as you return to your communities to continue working. Let us get down and work.

I thank you

Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
25 September 2007