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On 13 July 2016 the Ratlou Home Affairs Office will be officially handed-over and opened to render the much needed social service to the community of Thaba Nchu and surrounding communities. The hand-over will be preceded by both the Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, MP and MEC Dora Kotzee, MPL.

The office was renovated as part of broader plans to bring Government offices and services closer to the people. The department then resolved to execute the renovation work through its in-house capacity through the department’s tradesmen, artisans and project managers. Work opportunities and training were created for 20 participants of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) from unskilled persons in the community of Thaba-Nchu.

The use of EPWP Participants in the project exposed these young people to on-site training on different trades involved in construction projects.

According to the Project Manager, Mr Setlabi Tsupe from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the project was a great success.

The scope of work in this building included:

• Demolishing of partitioning walls and install new dry walls
• Removal of existing ceilings, floor covering and wall tiles and install new
• Fixing of roof coverings, sealing of roof and painting thereof
• Cover main building and carports
• Installation of new water reticulation and plumbing work
• New partitioning, suspended ceilings and doors
• Floor covering that included floor tiles, and vinyl laminated flooring
• Install new burglar proofing for windows and entrance doors
• New security fence
• Two access ramps for differently abled persons. Access ramps have rails.

Items under specialized work were executed internally through the department’s artisans and were further inspected internally. These included, re-wiring, partitioning, suspended ceilings, tiles on large areas, vinyl laminated flooring, burglar proofing and hand rails.

A good story to tell in earnest this one, the provision of this facility by the department to both the Department of Home Affairs and the greater Thaba Nchu community and its surroundings means, locals will no longer travel to areas like Botsabelo for assistance and service rendered by the Department of Home Affairs. They will receive that much needed service and assistance from this newly refurbished office, right in their door-step.

Issued by Department of Home Affairs