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The Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Bernice Swarts has – in her capacity as one of the Champions of the Presidential District Development Model (DDM) – on Friday (29 September 2023) visited the community of Leeudoringstad in the North West where she engaged the residents on a range of issues affecting the community. Deputy Minister Swarts was leading the DDM Service Delivery Imbizo in the area. After community members raised a plethora of issues with her, Deputy Minister Swarts explained that the government - through the DDM – had planned a range of interventions to address challenges they raised.

“We are looking at packaging a plethora of interventions to address the issues that you have raised. On the issues of unemployment in the area, we are looking at a range of issues such as training young people on firefighting so that they can assist the area during fire seasons. When we talk about creating work for our people – especially our youth and women – we must look at implementing projects that can create employment at a mass scale. We will also look at engaging the private sector to assist with the creation of work of our people,” Deputy Minister Swarts said.

Deputy Minister Swarts pointed out that to create more work opportunities for the residents of Leeudoringstad, the DDM Team would also look at implementing EPWP. 

The Deputy Minister added that they had a long-term programme to create jobs in the area which included a plan to resuscitate the fresh produce market as well as bringing back trains in the area. “These initiatives can create jobs in the long term,” she added.

On the issue of collapsing road infrastructure, Deputy Minister Swarts said that the government – through the DDM – will revisit the model used to construct roads. “We must construct roads that will remain strong and stable for a long time. We are also looking at rolling out paved roads for a longer life span. These kind of roads will also assist with the creation of work opportunities for the residents,” she said.

Deputy Minister Swarts appealed to residents to also look after the public infrastructure that was being implemented by the government. “We have to work with you in ensuring that we bring development in the area. You - as residents-  have a duty to protect the assets that are being implemented by your government,” she said.

Turning to the issues of overcrowded schools, Deputy Minister Swarts said that the DDM Team will engage the schools in the area to understand what can be done to deal with overcrowding and the possible construction of the smart school in the area. “You have raised concerns that you have three primary schools and one secondary school. We will have to attend to this as the MDD Team. We will work with you all the way to ensure that we attend to this matter. If need be we must look at the possibility of building a smart school in the area,” Deputy Minister Swarts said.

The Deputy Minister also commended the young people who were volunteering in projects that were aimed at tackling the cleanliness of the municipality.  “The greening programmes that you spoke about respond to the issues of climate change. The work you are doing in this area shows that together we can respond to the issues of climate change,” Deputy Minister Swarts added.

She praised both the Executive Mayor of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, Hon. Cllr Nikiwe Num, and the Executive Mayor of Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, Hon. Cllr Mzandile Feliti for driving the development of the community of Leeudoringstad. The two Political Principals – Mayor Numa and Mayor Feliti - welcomed the visit by Deputy Minister Swarts as we all as the planned intervention by the DDM Team.  

Earlier during the event, the Political Principals – participated in service delivery activities such as pothole patching and litter picking.

One of the residents – Mr. Voster Makola – thanked Deputy Minister Swarts for visiting the area.

Deputy Minister Swarts’ visit to the area is a precursor to the Presidential Imbizo that will be held in the North West in October. 

Issued by Department of Public Works and Infrastructure