By REGINALD KANYANE
It is all systems go for the Taung Community TV project. This comes after the TCTV delegation met with the Presidential District Development Model (DDM) team in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region at Taung Skull World Heritage Site in Buxton recently.
The CEO of Taung Community TV, Kagiso Kai said they had a fruitful consultative engagement and the DDM team pledged its support to the TCTV initiative.
“I am happy because we have presented our case and North West Department of Public Works and Roads has committed to assist us with a building, that we would use as our operational office.
“So, for me, this is progress that we are making. The good thing is that in one of our presentations, we formed part of the DDM meeting. Our submission will form part of the case study that will be submitted to the cabinet,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries spokesperson, Christopher Mashilo said it was productive to meet with TCTV delegation.
“What is important is that the TCTV is a new initiative for the community of Taung. So, we are excited as the DDM team because it will bring back the culture of the area and revive it. It will also educate the young generation about the history of Taung and also promote tourism in the area.
“We want to see it growing and we will ensure that it receives the expression it deserves. We are going to support this project and see it eventually being listed as one of the channels on DSTV,” he said.
Mashilo said even though they would not commit to anything, they will lobby support and resources for TCTV. He said what he likes about the TCTV initiative is that, it is diverse.
“We also received a presentation regarding the developments at the Taung Skull Heritage Site since our last visit. According to me, the presentation was fair and honest. As the DDM, we have captured the Taung Skull as one of the catalysed projects.
“Taung Skull Heritage Site is one of the tourist attraction areas in the district. What is good is that it is also listed as one of the World Heritage sites in our country. So, our aim as the DDM team is to ensure that we revive it and bring back tourism attraction towards it,” he said.
Mashilo said they are engaging with relevant stakeholders on how best they can make sure that the Taung Skull comes back to its place of origins.
“What we want to achieve now is to have a Sector Focus Stakeholder Engagement, where we will be addressing governance and service delivery-related issues. This will assist us to ensure that we find a solution.
“Afterwards, we will be engaging in a DDM Investment Summit, which aims to bring investors to invest in the district and create job opportunities, especially for young people. Secondly, in the same district, we have identified Dipudi village in Kagisano-Molopo to be a model for a smart village,” he said.
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