President Cyril Ramaphosa recently completed his ninth District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo in Tsomo, under Intsika Yethu Local Municipality, Chris Hani District, in the Eastern Cape Province. The DDM initiative is an essential tool for promoting cooperative governance and integrated planning between national, provincial, and local government spheres, with the primary goal of fast-tracking service delivery, assessing the availability of essential infrastructure, and fostering meaningful community engagement.
Addressing Community Stakeholders
Throughout his visits to all nine provinces, President Ramaphosa and his cabinet members directly addressed community stakeholders to discuss their concerns and find solutions to improve integrated service delivery. By involving leadership from various government spheres, the President ensured that government programs and initiatives were tailored to meet the unique needs and priorities of local residents.
Preparing for Tsomo’s Imbizo
In the lead-up to Tsomo’s Imbizo, government officials, including ministers, deputy ministers, and other agency representatives, assessed progress on service delivery projects within the Chris Hani District and Eastern Cape Province.
Inspecting Tsomo River Abstraction and Water Treatment Works Project
During his visit to Tsomo Town, President Ramaphosa inspected the Tsomo River Abstraction and Water Treatment Works Project. This cross-boundary water supply project aims to serve towns and rural settlements in two district municipalities: Chris Hani District Municipality (Intsika Yethu and Engcobo communities) and Amathole District Municipality (Mquma Local Municipality). The project completion cost is estimated at R553 million, with a current capacity of 25 megalitres per day. An additional R353 million will be required to upgrade the plant’s capacity to 42 megalitres per day, catering to Butterworth, Centane, and other Mnquma Local Municipality villages.
Interactive Community Session
Following his inspection, President Ramaphosa presided over an interactive community session, during which service delivery issues, such as water shortages, road infrastructure, and high unemployment rates, were raised. He provided ministers with an opportunity to update the community on plans to address these concerns.
Gratitude for Constructive Engagement
Expressing gratitude for the constructive manner in which community members raised their concerns, President Ramaphosa praised their trust in the government and commitment to partnering with government structures to improve services. The large turnout at the event also reflected the residents’ engagement and investment in their community.
Government’s Dedication to Addressing Challenges
The DDM Presidential Imbizo engagements demonstrate the government’s dedication to addressing the diverse challenges faced across South Africa. By fostering open dialogue and direct interaction between the President, his cabinet, and community stakeholders, these events contribute to the development of tailored, efficient, and integrated service delivery initiatives. Through these efforts, local residents can benefit from improved access to essential services, infrastructure, and resources in their communities.
