Mahikeng- The establishment of service delivery forum between MEC for Social Development and members of mayoral council will address service delivery challenges in various municipalities in the province, North West MEC for Social Development Fenny Gaolaolwe revealed.

Gaolaolwe was speaking at the launch of ‘MUNIMEC’ service delivery model held in Mahikeng on Friday.

“MUNIMEC, stands for municipalities and MEC. This model is the first of its kind. Through it, the department and representatives from all 19 local municipalities especially members of mayoral committee on social development will engage one another on matters of common interest. This will also help us a great deal in aligning our plans with the municipal IDPs. We are doing this to build a mutual working relationship with the municipalities and improve service delivery in most poverty stricken wards, Gaolaolwe said.

Gaolaolwe said the forum would assists her department in reaching every child in the respective municipalities in partnership with member of mayoral council. Profiling of indigent households, Gaolaolwe said would also be done collectively with municipalities to achieve a common goal.

The municipalities welcomed the forum citing, that it will help them to address social problems in their respective wards. Lawrence Kapari, a member of mayoral council from Moses Kotane local municipality said, the forum is a good step undertaken by the department. He said his municipality has 30 wards and that the forum would play a meaningful role by enabling them to reach as many people as possible.

“I am so happy. I welcome this structure. I also wish that it come sustainable so that we can improve government services, Kapari said.

His counterpart, Motseothata Mabe from Greater Taung local municipality said, the establishment of the service delivery structure is a dream come true. He said they have always wanted to have similar structure that would make it possible to work directly with the department.

“This structure should include Statistics South Africa. Their role should be to provide statistic on poverty pockets in various municipalities. Home Affairs should also be part of the structure including house of traditional leaders. At local level ward committees and community development workers should be involved to bring synergy and innovation in the delivery of services to the people,” Mabe said.

Gaolaolwe said the forum would meet on quarterly basis and that her office would issue a schedule of meeting of the forum before the new financial year begins.-TDN
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