NORTH West provincial legislature embarked on a public participation meetings with communities across the province. The portfolio committee visited Mahikeng community to hear their grievances. The meeting was held at Mmabatho Civic Centre on Friday.

The acting chair of chairs, Nono Maloyi said the aim of the visit was to conduct a public participation with residents concerning service delivery within their wards.

“We have visited all regions across the province and we will engage with various departments afterwards. We need to hold them accountable. The residents raised many issues regarding service delivery.

“We have also embarked on oversight visits to some of the projects that the provincial government implemented across. The objective of the legislature is to foster law-making, oversight and public participation process through robust debates. We also want to instil public pride and confidence in democracy,” Maloyi said.

Maloyi said in their visit, one of the most raised issues was unemployment. He further added that unemployment among the youth is rife. He further added that unemployment continues to cripple the economy of the country.

“We visited Ventersdorp before we came here. One of the most raised issues is unemployment all over the province. As we all know that government cannot cater for us all, we need to come up with another strategic plan in creating job opportunities.

“We encourage the youth to group themselves together and form co-operatives. That will help in reducing unemployment. Make sure that you get assistance in whatever project you will embark on. Skill development is key and do not bring on board people with no passion,” he said.

Kabelo Mogare from Dithakong East in Mahikeng said: “We are very concern regarding service delivery at our area. There are half-built houses and the contractor is nowhere to be seen. In the meantime people are living in abject poverty. It is more than 20 years since those unfinished houses were there. We will need intervention from the committee.”

Another resident, Paul Mosupa from Extension 39 said there are more than 300 dilapidated houses in their area.

“There are serious challenges in our ward. We want to appeal to the committee to inform our councillor that we need basic service delivery. Those dilapidating houses are being used by criminals as their sojourns to run their criminal activities. We also do not have high mast lights,” he said.

-TDN

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