Pretoria - While acknowledging that times are tough economically, government is committed to doing its best to improve the lives of people by creating conditions that are conducive to economic growth and job creation.
“Already we see a significantly improved electricity supply, development of Agri-Parks, fisheries projects, infrastructure development and intense efforts by government to grow investment levels,” said Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Enver Surty.
The Deputy Minister was speaking during the closing of the National Imbizo Focus Week at Albert Moroka High Secondary School in Thaba Nchu, Free State on Sunday.
Government hosted the National Imbizo Focus Week 4 to 10 April 2016 as a key milestone in the post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) communications campaign.
The Imbizo Focus Week is a government-wide initiative that promotes active engagement between citizenry and the government. It promotes two-way communication and participation by all sectors of society in government’s key programmes.
The week afforded ministers, deputy ministers and all members of provincial and local executive committees, the opportunity to unpack with communities in more detail respective SONA and State of the Province Address pronouncements.
Cabinet had expressed its view that this focus week should ensure that the feedback and aftercare element so critical in an accountable and responsive democracy, be factored into planning.
The Imbizo Focus Week was held under government’s theme: “Together we move South Africa forward”. It is a rallying theme promoting partnership and galvanising active citizenry.
Deputy Minister Surty said the programme is fundamental to government’s national project of strengthening democracy in the country.
“We are a government of the people, hence we have an obligation to regularly interact with you so that service delivery bottlenecks can be addressed speedily. This government derives its mandate from the popular vote of the people; therefore, we are accountable to you,” the Deputy Minister said.
He noted that at a macro level, public accountability is exercised through oversight by public representatives in the legislative arm of government.
“At a community level, government should consult and involve communities in discussion about projects and programmes that directly affect them. At an individual level, citizens have the right to hold government to account for, and get reasons for government decisions that directly affect them.”
He said the active participation of all sectors of society in governance is fundamental in deepening democracy. Key to building a participatory democracy and social cohesion is the Izimbizo programme. – SAnews.gov.za
