Public Service and Administration Minister, Ms Noxolo Kiviet, has declared the District Development Model (DDM) as the most effective instrument for driving faster development and improving service delivery for both citizens and the government.
As the DDM champion of Frances Baard District Municipality, Minister Kiviet conducted an oversight visit on Tuesday, 04/10/2023, to assess the progress of the construction and upgrading of the Magareng Water Treatment Plant in the town of Warrenton, located outside Kimberley in the Northern Cape.
“The DDM is truly a tool that empowers both citizens and the government to ensure development. It aligns with the targets of the National Development Plan (NDP) that we are collectively working towards. Even in the face of challenges, the DDM enables the three spheres of government to convene under one roof to find solutions,” Minister Kiviet stated.
She emphasized that the DDM facilitates swift resolutions to community challenges and encourages all development stakeholders, including businesses and non-governmental organizations, to contribute to the betterment of the communities they operate in.
“In terms of development, the DDM is the most effective tool at our disposal to chart a faster path forward,” she added.
The Magareng Water Treatment Plant draws raw water from the Vaalharts irrigation canals and the Vaal River. The water undergoes various purification processes to meet the required standards set by the South African National Standards (SANS241). However, due to operational difficulties, the plant struggled to consistently meet these standards.
To address this issue, the facility underwent an upgrade, including the addition of new processing units and an expansion of its capacity from 9 Megalitres per day (9ML/day) to 12ML/day. Construction is also underway for a new water reservoir within the Magareng Local Municipality, alongside the installation of new flocculation channels and sedimentation tanks.
Minister Kiviet expressed confidence that these upgrades would significantly enhance water treatment and production, ensuring compliance with the SANS241 quality standards.
During the site visit, Minister Kiviet observed the considerable progress made in the project. Although the completion was slightly delayed by heavy rains earlier in the year, she expects the project to wrap up, particularly the upgrading part, by March 2024. The Minister assured the community that the project’s conclusion would alleviate water shortages in Magareng.
Minister Kiviet inspects State-of-the-Art School
Minister Kiviet also visited the construction site of Redirile Primary School, a modern state-of-the-art facility located in Galeshewe township. The school, situated near the Galeshewe police station and the local branch of Home Affairs, consists of various blocks and facilities, including classrooms, a media center, a library, computer rooms, laboratories, and administrative offices.
Several blocks and a hall have already been completed, and the school boasts a swimming pool and various recreational and sporting facilities such as rugby and football fields. CCTV cameras have been installed throughout the premises.
Minister Kiviet confirmed that the school is ready to welcome students for the 2024 academic year.
The Department of Basic Education will soon engage in a consultation process within the township to establish the school’s governance structures, including the School Governing Body (SGB), and ensure their effective functioning.
“I must confirm that it is indeed a state-of-the-art school with a swimming pool, right at the heart of the township. It represents a level of delivery that should be the norm when building schools in our communities,” Minister Kiviet remarked.
She made a sincere plea to parents and learners in the area to take care of this significant public asset and prevent any acts of vandalism.
Minister Kiviet emphasized the importance of safeguarding and maintaining community assets built with taxpayer funds.
“It is our responsibility as parents and citizens to protect and maintain these assets. Let us ensure that the resources invested from the public purse receive the recognition they deserve through proper upkeep and maintenance,” she concluded.
