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President Jacob Zuma has today, 30 September 2014, committed all spheres of government to hastily address service delivery and infrastructure challenges facing Umgungundlovu District Municipality community and surrounding areas.

President Zuma was responding to a series of concerns raised by the members of the community during the Presidential Imbizo held in Imbali Township in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal.

The community of uMgungundlovu District and surrounding areas presented various challenges particularly with regard to service delivery, infrastructure development, high levels of crime, social services, unemployment and substance abuse.

President Zuma assured the community that the national government, working together with provincial and local governments will, without delay, address all the challenges facing the community and will ensure that he receives a progress report as government was taking such challenges as matter of serious concern.

"We have noted all the concerns raised by the community and as government we are happy that the community came out to present their sufferings to the leaders that they elected.

"I have brought the Premier and his Provincial Cabinet, national ministers, mayors and councilors whom I have instructed to quickly address the challenges that have been raised during this Imbizo.

"We will waste no time in addressing your concerns and I have undertaken to monitor progress from time to time. We are very happy to visit Pietermaritzburg as the first Presidential Imbizo of this fifth administration after the elections,” President Zuma said.

Earlier President Zuma visited three families who had various challenges including child headed families who presented their plight to the President and the Premier Mr Senzo Mchunu. The President has instructed national, provincial and local governments to intervene and swiftly address the challenges faced by these families.

One of the families which is headed by the 21 year old, Thulebona Maphumulo, who is looking after his four young siblings told President Zuma that they were struggling to pay school fees and sometime they went to bed without food.

In response to the plight of Maphumulo family, President Zuma committed himself to educate the 21 year old, Thulebona Maphumulo through the Jacob Zuma Foundation. The President further directed the relevant provincial and local government departments to intervene to support the family through necessary government services.

President Jacob Zuma was accompanied by Premier Mchunu and his Provincial MECs, Cabinet Ministers, Mayors, Deputy Ministers and councilors who also held their own door-to-door engagements and visits to service delivery points in Umsunduzi Municipality and surrounding areas.

Issued by Government Communications (GCIS) on behalf of The Presidency