Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts Tackles Leeudoringstad Community Issues

Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Bernice Swarts visited the Leeudoringstad community in North West to address issues such as unemployment, deteriorating infrastructure, and overcrowded schools. Swarts introduced several interventions, including training young individuals in firefighting, collaborating with the private sector for job opportunities, and revitalizing the fresh produce market. She also discussed long-term programs, such as reintroducing trains to the region, to establish sustainable employment. The government plans to reevaluate its road construction model, develop smarter schools, and initiate greening initiatives to combat climate change.

Addressing Unemployment and Infrastructure Concerns

On September 29, 2023, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Bernice Swarts met with the Leeudoringstad community in North West to discuss various issues as part of the District Development Model (DDM) Service Delivery Imbizo. The purpose of this visit was to confront the problems faced by this community, such as unemployment, deteriorating infrastructure, and overcrowded schools.

As a key advocate for the Presidential District Development Model, Deputy Minister Swarts prioritized understanding and addressing the community’s concerns. She subsequently introduced several interventions designed to resolve the issues identified by the residents.

Unemployment is a major challenge in the area, and Swarts suggested several tactics to combat this problem. One idea included training young individuals in firefighting to aid the community during fire seasons. Other proposals involved collaborating with the private sector to generate job opportunities and initiating projects that could produce widespread employment, particularly for women and youth.

Job Creation and Infrastructure Improvements

Deputy Minister Swarts emphasized the plan to generate more job opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and discussed long-term programs, such as revitalizing the fresh produce market and reintroducing trains to the region, which could establish sustainable employment.

A crucial issue for the community was the declining state of road infrastructure. In response, Swarts revealed that the government plans to reevaluate its road construction model, intending to develop more robust and longer-lasting roads. Additionally, constructing paved roads could provide further job opportunities for the community members.

Swarts encouraged the residents to preserve and maintain the public infrastructure implemented by the government. A cooperative effort between the community and the government is crucial for achieving lasting development in the region.

Enhancing Education and Environmental Initiatives

The issue of overcrowded schools has raised concerns about the quality of education in the community. Swarts expressed her intention to collaborate with local schools to assess the situation and explore the feasibility of constructing a smart school in the area. This new school could potentially resolve the overcrowding issue while also providing improved educational facilities.

Swarts applauded the young volunteers participating in projects aimed at maintaining the municipality’s cleanliness. These greening initiatives represent a shared effort to combat climate change and create a healthier environment for the community.

The Executive Mayors of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality and Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, Hon. Cllr Nikiwe Num and Hon. Cllr Mzandile Feliti, received recognition for their commitment to the development of Leeudoringstad. Both mayors appreciated Swarts’s visit and the planned interventions by the DDM Team.

Building a Stronger Community

During the event, the Political Principals participated in service delivery activities such as repairing potholes and picking up litter. Mr. Voster Makola, a resident of the area, expressed his gratitude towards Deputy Minister Swarts for her visit and attention to the community’s concerns.

Swarts’s visit to Leeudoringstad precedes the Presidential Imbizo scheduled to take place in the North West in October. By proactively addressing the community’s issues and collaborating, both the government and the residents of Leeudoringstad are working towards a more prosperous future.

In conclusion, Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts’s visit to Leeudoringstad illustrates the government’s dedication to resolving the challenges the community faces. The proposed interventions, which include enhancing road infrastructure, creating job opportunities, and improving educational facilities, seek to establish an environment that promotes growth and development for the residents of Leeudoringstad.

1. What issues did Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts address during her visit to Leeudoringstad community?

Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Bernice Swarts addressed issues such as unemployment, deteriorating infrastructure, and overcrowded schools during her visit to the Leeudoringstad community in North West.

2. What interventions did Deputy Minister Swarts introduce to address the community’s concerns?

Deputy Minister Swarts introduced several interventions, including training young individuals in firefighting, collaborating with the private sector for job opportunities, and revitalizing the fresh produce market, among others.

3. What long-term programs did Deputy Minister Swarts discuss during her visit?

Deputy Minister Swarts discussed long-term programs, such as reintroducing trains to the region to establish sustainable employment, among other initiatives.

4. How does the government plan to address the declining state of road infrastructure in the community?

The government plans to reevaluate its road construction model, intending to develop more robust and longer-lasting roads to address the declining state of road infrastructure in the community.

5. How does Deputy Minister Swarts plan to address the issue of overcrowded schools?

Deputy Minister Swarts expressed her intention to collaborate with local schools to assess the situation and explore the feasibility of constructing a smart school in the area to address the issue of overcrowded schools.

6. What were the greening initiatives that Deputy Minister Swarts applauded during her visit?

Deputy Minister Swarts applauded the young volunteers participating in projects aimed at maintaining the municipality’s cleanliness, which represent a shared effort to combat climate change and create a healthier environment for the community.

7. Who received recognition for their commitment to the development of Leeudoringstad during Deputy Minister Swarts’s visit?

The Executive Mayors of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality and Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, Hon. Cllr Nikiwe Num and Hon. Cllr Mzandile Feliti, received recognition for their commitment to the development of Leeudoringstad during Deputy Minister Swarts’s visit.

8. What is the purpose of the Presidential Imbizo scheduled to take place in the North West in October?

The purpose of the Presidential Imbizo scheduled to take place in the North West in October is to continue the collaborative effort between the government and the residents of Leeudoringstad to address the community’s issues and work towards a more prosperous future.