Aganang Municipality, LimpopoMonday, 29 March 2010Public Service and Administration Minister, Mr Richard Baloyi today led an engagement with members of the community of Ga-Phago Village in Moletsi, Limpopo as part of governments' participatory democracy programme.The forum attended by partners in the alliance, unions, religious groups, members of school governing bodies, community policing forums, traditional leaders and other interested civil society organisations served as a platform for information sharing with community members raising their concerns on local development issues.Outlining the purpose of the meeting, Member of Provincial Legislature, Mr Elias Nong indicated to members of the community that it was only through partnerships that an increased service delivery and local development can be realised.'The forum we are hosting today seeks to be part of our collective approach towards enhancing governance; where we seek to ensure regular reporting and consultation with the local community, and relevant local structures and membership on issues that affect development within the Aganang Municipality'. Our Constitution provides for participatory democracy and makes provision for civil society participation in both the national and provincial legislatures. The Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000) provides for community participation in government processes and projects which impact on local development. The Act creates the framework for community participation in the conceptualization, design and implementation and monitoring of the programmes at the local level. Speaking on the state of readiness for the province to host the 2010 World Cup, Mr Mathonsi, from the Office of the Premier in Limpopo shared with members of the community opportunities that they have been afforded as one of the host provinces.'The province is ready to host the World Cup. We have called interested community members to volunteer to assist in the World Cup and the response has been overwhelming. Over 1 600 community members have responded to our call. Our volunteers have been afforded various training opportunities.''In terms of our readiness to host the event, we have addressed the challenges we face at our borders and our border control is effective. Upgrades to the airport terminals are complete, we have generators as back-up at the stadium and Eskom has upgraded three powerstations in Polokwane. In terms of the capacity of our hospitals and the disaster management plan, the province is ready to host the World Cup' Mr Mathonsi added. Minister Baloyi during his key-note address called for an increased community participation in local development and an active construction and maintenance of progressive relations of cooperation, learning and sharing between municipalities, provincial and national government departments as well as establishing good partnerships with community forums.'The work that we do should be seen as a one stop nerve centre of activity and information sharing. We are providing a mechanism for members of the public to raise issues which concern them. Our work should be informed by the need for information sharing; practicing effective oversight responsibilities; monitoring, evaluation and initiation on projects in the municipality; networking as stakeholders; strengthening the democratic order; problem solving; and facilitation of public participation in these projects'.'This forum provides a mechanism for accountability, providing members of the community a platform to hold public servants and elected officials to their word. Our communities are the owners of power, political power and it is within this power that we need to provide feedback on the work done by our government.' 'Our priorities remain the extension of service delivery and infrastructure to the poor; the stimulation of social and economic development of the community; the eradication of gender discrimination within community projects; the empowerment of SMMEs, emerging contractors, NGOs and CBOs in regard to the consideration of different options for service delivery; the promotion of local economic development as a key component in the attack on poverty and inequality; and the application of the principles of cooperative government in regard to relations with national and provincial government departments and other municipalities' Minister Baloyi added. Members of the community were provided an opportunity to engage with the Minister, the Member of Provincial Legislature, Municipal leadership and other relevant stakeholders on contentious issues that needed urgent intervention. The forum provided a platform for issues raised to be followed upon ensuring that through partnerships and working together we can do more. Issued by the Ministry for Public Service and Administration For more information, contact:Dumisani NkwambaCell: 082 885 9448OrLebohang MafokosiCell: 082 312 4641