Moretele – Communications Deputy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams on Thursday urged communities to make use of Thusong Service Centres in their areas to access government services.
Speaking during the launch of the Thusong Success Stories Booklet at Leretlhabetse Thusong Service Centre, in Moretele, North West, Deputy Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams said it was government’s duty to ensure that people access government services in their areas.
“As government, we felt that people should access government services in their areas. They do not have to travel or walk long distances to get services. Government is doing all it can to ensure that people are informed about where to get services,” Deputy Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams said.
The Thusong Success Stories Booklet shows how the centres have become the hubs of life changing development initiatives by profiling small entrepreneurs, such as mothers who have a beading project at the Colesburg Thusong Service Centre, in the Northern Cape.
Also speaking at the same event was the Deputy Director-General of Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Nebo Legoabe, who echoed the minister’s sentiments, encouraging people to make use of the Thusong Service Centres.
She said people should appreciate what government is doing for them.
“In the past, people used to travel long distances to get services. We should always remember where we coming from,” she said.
Most people welcomed the minister and her entourage, saying they must visit more often.
Thabo Lebogo, a local resident told SAnews that he was happy that the minister had visited his area. “They should visit more often so we can tell them our concerns,” he said.
The visit in the area by government and municipal officials was part of the Thusong Service Week, where government officials are visiting communities encouraging them to make use of the centres to access government services.
To date, government has established about 183 Thusong Service Centres throughout the country.
According to Deputy Minister Ndabeini-Abrahams, government plans to launch more Thusong Service Centres.
“These centres play a very important role in ensuring that people access government services in their areas,” she said.
The Thusong Service Centre week was launched by Communications Minister Faith Muthambi on Sunday in Mamelodi. The week seeks to highlight service delivery successes achieved through Thusong Centres.
Since the Thusong Service Week coincides with Public Service Month, Deputy Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams called on all employees to do their best when helping people. – SAnews.gov.za
