Date: 18/11/2002
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Northern Cape Imbizo: Launch of Colesberg MPCC


ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA AT THE LAUNCH OF A MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY CENTRE, Colesberg, Northern Cape Province, 18 November 2002

The Premier of the Northern Cape Province,
The Minister for Minerals and Energy, MECs and representatives of local government,
Representatives of Guinness UDV,
Members of the community of Colesberg,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is indeed a happy occasion for all of us as we gather today, during this Imbizo in the Northern Cape, to celebrate the fruits of partnership between government, the community and the business sector.

The launch of this Multipurpose Community Centre is another example of the growing public-private partnerships, as well as government-community partnerships. We are particularly pleased to have representatives of Guinness UDV, which funded the development of this Centre, in our midst.

Ladies and gentlemen, the character and form of the post-1994 government has been to make government accessible to the public. That is why we are here today, to show that government is not a "big white man with a beard who lives in Pretoria", as our grandmothers used to tell us many decades ago.

The launch of this Centre is another practical example of bringing government to the people, by ensuring that all citizens are able to access services without having to travel long distances.

Government has, through the Government Communications and Information System, (GCIS), established Multi-Purpose Community Centres across South Africa, a programme that first began at Tombo in the Eastern Cape in December 1999.

Since then, a successful rollout of MPCCs has occurred nationwide with twenty-eight MPCCs now existing in all provinces, with the Colesberg MPCC being the 29th.

The MPCC is already operational with the departments of Labour, Education, Economic Affairs, GCIS, Social Services and the Municipality providing services that affect their portfolios. Departments have appointed staff members to ensure effective implementation and provision of the government services in the area.

The Centre will enable the community to access the following services:

* The application for social security grants, identity documents, birth certificates, death certificates, passports
* Assistance with the development of Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) and how to access funding for SMMEs
* Access to Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)
* Skills Development and Training.

Through the MPCC initiative more than 200 government services from national, provincial and local government as well as parastatals and NGOs have been taken to areas where they were never available before.

In addition, these services are brought so close to the public that the public is able to make the public servants who provide them accountable, and the citizens can expect and demand excellent client service in line with Batho Pele principles.

The government plans to have sixty MPCCs, at least one in every District and Metropolitan Municipality in the country by the end of December 2003.

The difference that MPCCs make in the lives of our people is visible indeed. In the past, members of the Colesberg community had to travel 200 kilometres to De Aar in order to access government services such as applying for identity documents, birth certificates and death certificates. There is no public transport, and as such people had to resort to private transport that costs approximately R300 for each trip.

Ladies and gentlemen, I must emphasise how much we value partnerships with the private sector. In this regard, let me extend our heartfelt gratitude to Guinness UDV, for their funding of this Centre.

I must also once again acknowledge this company's investment in adult basic education, through sponsoring literacy projects which open a whole new world and opportunities to many South Africans.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me use this opportunity to remind you of our campaign for the registration of children for child grants.

Last year, the number of grants paid out by government increased from 3,3 million to 3,8 million, the greatest increase being in child grants. Already this year, over 300 000 new child beneficiaries have been registered for grants.

Access to social grants helps children and their parents to fight poverty. We call on all communities and individuals to lend a hand by joining this effort to ensure that all children who are eligible for grants are registered.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me also, to plead with you to join in the campaign against violence towards women and children.

Tomorrow, the National Pledge Programme against this scourge will be launched throughout the country.

This programme is part of the build up of the intensive campaign of 16 Days of Activism For No Violence Against Women and Children, which will begin on the 25th of November, and end on the Day Commitments on 10 December, the International Human Rights Day, when all of us will have to commit to fighting this scourge.

If we join hands, we can defeat this scourge and put all perpetrators behind bars where they belong.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am sure you all join me in congratulating all those who have worked so hard to make this project a reality. It will certainly make a notable difference in the lives of many people in this community.

I thank you all.

Issued by The Presidency
18 November 2002