Issued by: Ministry for Welfare and Population Development
The Minister of Welfare, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi is to accompany President Nelson Mandela on a special visit to marginalised areas in the Northern Cape on Friday, 28 August 1998. This follows an invitation extended by our President calling on all prominent business leaders to invest in the economic development and social upliftment of their communities. Influential role players and representatives such as Dr & Mrs Barnard of KWV, Mr van Vlanderen of UNIFRUCO, Mr Steyn and Mrs Stroebel of Stellenbosch Farmer Winery will also accompany the President and Minister. Premier of the Northern Cape; Manne Dipico, MEC for Welfare; Dr Modise Matlaopane and MEC for Education; Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson will lead the delegation to sites where various community based projects are being implemented. All projects conform to the National RDP guidelines in terms of job creation in preference of the local community.
The projects, targeted and under consideration, will deliver much social relief to many Northern Cape residents like the hundred and sixty learners from Reaipela Primary, a farm school in rural Magogong, Hartswater. This remote region is rife with unemployment due to its situation on the periphery of the Vaalharts Agricultural Scheme and lack of public transport. A total of 464 learners will benefit from the building of this new school catering for Grades one to nine. The chief of the village of Mogogong and the community of Hartswater will be present at this visit.
The aged community of Pabalello, Upington also has reason to celebrate the proposed construction of Thembelihle Service Centre for the Aged which will soon be underway. This small, previously disadvantaged community has in the past experienced increased poverty and a serious lack of welfare facilities and health care services for the approximately 1500 elderly people who are dependent on state grants as a means of income and survival. The main objective of this centre is to provide the aged with geriatric care, our-reach programmes, socialisation, recreation and pension pay out facilities to promote their independent living. The major and community of Upington will attend the visit of this project.
At Garies in Namaqualand, the proposed replacement of the presently inadequate Van Rooyen Hospital with a well-equipped, modern Community health Centre with in-patient bed facilities will greatly improve the quality of primary health care for this previously neglected community. The new centre will be accessible to all residents including those from the surrounding towns. The delegation will be welcomed by the major and community of Garies.
Ms Geraldine Raser-Moleketi has applauded the joint efforts of the Provincial Departments of Social Welfare, Health, Environemental Affairs and Public Works to alleviate poverty and is confident that the proposed projects will positively contribute towards cultivating a spirit of mutual support especially for the most vulnerable sectors of our society. "The lack of education, employment opportunities and access to social services and facilities has severely hampered the development of our communities and long deprived our people of their dignity, economic security and social rights. We all have a responsibility to commit to the well-being of fellow South Africans through promoting social development for self-reliant, healthy communities."
All media persons wishing to participate in this visit are to make their own transport arrangements. The President will be delivering short speeches at all the sites. Herewith a detailed itinerary of the President's visit to the Northern Cape, general enquiries: Priscilla Naidoo Tel. (021) 465-7300, Fax. (021) 464-2330.
HARTSWATER
09h10 Arrive at Ganspan airstrip & drive to Hartswater Arrive at Reaipela Farm School National Anthem 09h30 Welcome & Introduction of Project Ms T.M. Joemat-Pettersson 09h40 President's Address 10h25 Vote of Thanks Chief Saku of Mogogong 10h30 Departure
UPINGTON
11h30 Arrive at Upington Airport & drive to Pabaklello 11h45 Drive past proposed site for erection of new service centre 11h50 Arrival at Pabalello Community Centre National Anthem 11h55 Welcome & Introduction of Project Dr M.F. Matlaopane: MEC for Welfare Northern Cape 12h10 President's Address 12h55 Vote of Thanks Mr J Isaacs: Mayor of Upington 13h00 LUNCH at Le Must Restaurant 14h00 Depart from Upington Airport to Springbok
GARIES
15h00 Arrive at Garies National Anthem 15h00 Welcome & Introduction of Project Premier E.M. Dipico 15h20 President's Address 15h55 Vote of Thanks Mr K Maarman: Mayor of Garies 16h00 Departure
FROM: Portia Langa Public Relations Officer Ministry of Welfare (012) 312-7640/082-764-9674