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The Department of Local Government in the Western Cape was the overall winner in two categories for the most Outstanding Province in Thusong Coordination, as well as the Outstanding Mobile Thusong at Provincial level, at this year’s Thusong Service Excellence Awards on 17 September.
In his address, Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Minister Anton Bredell highlighted the importance of this programme in the eradication of poverty.
“The Thusong Programme in the Western Cape will continue to bring government services closer to the citizens. The programme will continue through the Department of Local Government to render services to outlying areas, and ensure that the Thusong Service Centres through their respective municipalities continue to bring services to their communities and empower citizens.”
This year celebrates the 131 developed Thusong Programme Centres that currently operate across the country, bringing government services and information closer to the most vulnerable communities and the tremendous impact and critical role it has played in improved service delivery. Among the big winners were the Laingsburg Thusong Centre for Partnerships and Riversdale and Mossel Bay Municipality.
Under the theme, “Reinventing the way Public Servants Work, Batho Pele”, the Department of Local Government, in conjunction with the Department of Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS), Public Service and Administration (DPSA) ended this year’s Annual Thusong Week with an award ceremony in recognition of distinguished public servants from various Thusong Service Centres who go beyond their call of duty in service delivery, as well as celebrated the Thusong Service Centre Programme’s 20 Year Anniversary since its inception in 1999.
Head of the Department of Local Government, Mr Graham Paulse praised his team and partners at national government level, stating how intergovernmental partnerships are fundamental in providing key services to the citizens of the Western Cape.
“I would like to congratulate my Thusong Team for the continuous hard work achieved throughout the province. To date, the Department has been awarded eight (8) Thusong Service Centres through the DLG Municipal Support Grant funds for entrepreneurship and job creation for citizens. This includes a shell abalone project in Hawston and an upholstery making project in Laingsburg. We acknowledge the long hours spent on the road and the tremendously difficult conditions you face in ensuring excellent service delivery to the people in our most vulnerable communities. Western Cape have made us all very proud.”
He further noted that the Department of Local Government is committed to continue working on improving the lives of the citizens of the Western Cape and enhancing access to services for all.
“This is our goal as a Department, in line with the vision of the Western Cape Government, to create a better Province.”
Communications
Department Local Government
Address: 8th Floor, Waldorf Building, 80 St George’s Mall, Cape Town, 8000
Tel: 021 483 4443
Cell: 082 306 5852
Fax: 021 483 0632
Email: Rowena.Kellies@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za