Pretoria: Communities throughout the country had a chance to meet with government leaders during National Imbizo Focus Week, which ended on Sunday.
The week saw authorities interacting with citizens to inform them about progress made in implementing the Nine-Point Plan, which was announced by President Jacob Zuma earlier this year.
The Nine-Point Plan’s chief focus is on resolving the energy challenge. It also seeks to revitalise agriculture and the agro-processing value chain. It will also advance beneficiation in the country’s mineral wealth and ensure a more effective implementation of the Industrial Policy Action Plan.
The plan encourages private sector investment, moderating workplace conflict, unlocking the potential of SMMEs, cooperatives, township and rural enterprises, and boosting the role of state owned companies.
It also focuses on ICT infrastructure and broadband roll-out, water, sanitation and transport infrastructure as well as Operation Phakisa aimed at growing the ocean economy and other sectors.
Speaking at an event to mark the closing of the week on Sunday in Mthatha, Communications Deputy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams encouraged all South Africans to actively get involved in the Nine-Point Plan.
She said government remains committed to communicating with communities about developments in their areas.
“We have a collective responsibility to help grow South Africa and make our country a better place for all. Your contribution in this regard is very important. Every effort counts.
“The economy is everyone’s business and we all need to play our part to grow the economy. It is clear that both private sector investment and citizen engagement is critical to the successful implementation of the Nine-Point Plan.”
Government holds over 60 izimbizo
During Imbizo Week, over 60 events were held by Cabinet Ministers and their Deputies across the country to heighten communication on government’s programme of action.
The week is guided by the Cabinet-approved National Communication Strategic Framework’s five-year theme: “Together we move South Africa forward”.
It is a platform to provide feedback to communities and stakeholders on progress made in implementing government’s Programme of Action, particularly the Nine-Point Plan.
The first day of the week saw Communications Minister Faith Muthambi visit Ga-Seleka, Lephalale, in Limpopo where she conducted a number of door-to-door visits in the area, and heard the concerns of community members on issues such as service delivery.
The week also saw Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu and North West MEC for Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development Wendy Nelson awarding certificates to informal traders.
Certificates were also awarded to informal traders who received training on entrepreneurship through a partnership between the Department of Small Business Development, the provincial department and the Wholesale and Retail SETA.
The informal traders were trained in introduction to entrepreneurship; advertising and promotion; customer care and service; basic financial management; purchasing skills and legal issues including by-laws and compliance, among others.
The National Informal Business Upliftment Support was initiated by government to create a conducive environment for informal hawkers to participate in the mainstream economy.
The project aims to identify, train, mentor and provide infrastructure support to 1 000 informal traders, including capacity building for Informal Trader Organisations in all nine provinces over 18 months in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana engaged the Humansdorp local fishing industry in the Eastern Cape on existing opportunities to fight poverty and create jobs.
All along the South African coastline, men, women and children have been living in coastal communities harvesting marine resources for consumption, their livelihoods and medicinal purposes, and as part of cultural and spiritual practices for thousands of years.
The week also saw Rural Development and Land Reform Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini meeting with smallholder farmers in Winterveldt, Gauteng.
Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom visited Wupperthal, where the department has established amenities that tie in with the hiking and outdoor lifestyle of tourists in Cederberg.
Bridges and foot bridges were constructed to improve access for tourists. Campsites and backpackers lodges have been developed to provide overnight accommodation, and shaded picnic sites with fencing and animal gates were built
SOURCE: SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICAL NEWS