23 November 2010

The name Hakskeenpan is systematically becoming synonymous with project Bloodhound 2012. On 18th September 2010, project Bloodhound was officially launched in the community of Hakskeenpan.

Bloodhound is aimed at breaking the speed record and further setting a new record on the previous world records that have been set. It is further an illustration of the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Bloodhound 2012 project will therefore further aim to encourage an interest of particularly young people within this field.

On 18th November 2010 the focus was shifted to observing the preparations going on behind the scenes. Various phases are being embarked upon to ensure the successful implementation of Bloodhound 2012 and the community of Mier Municipality is a key element in this process.

Through the Department of Roads and Public Works a labour intensive approach of the Extended Public Works Programme is in the process of being implemented. The Mier Municipality consist of a population of 9000 people and through the EPWP programme 315 people are participating in the project. Out of this 315 project workers about 60% are women and 40% men. What is further significant is that majority of the project workers are young people.

Project workers come from Rietfontein, Philandersbron, Loubos, Klein Mier and Groot Mier. Through this recruitment approach the EPWP phase managed to ensure that indeed the project is a community owned initiative. In addition to targeting members of the municipal area, the provision of transport services has also been procured from the community.

The focus of the Extended Public Works Programme is on preparing the track for 2012. The key focus is on the picking up of stones that is in the way of the Bloodhound and that might have a negative impact on the vehicle. In the process of preparing the track, the project manager, Mr. Rudy Riek, has realised that they are essentially also involved in the rehabilitation of the pan and the access road to Philandersbron.

The EPWP project has been initiated on 08th November 2010 and will take place for a period of six months. In addition to implementing the EPWP project in Hakskeenpan, the Department of Roads and Public Works has further provided the project workers with all the relevant equipment for the successful implementation of the project.

In addressing the community, Premier Hazel Jenkins called upon the community to not just see their involvement as being at the level of participating through the EPWP. She encouraged them to maximise the opportunity that would be provided through the Bloodhound injection into the area of Mier. The community was encouraged to play an active role in marketing the municipal area as a popular destination and a tourist attraction. In concluding Premier wished the people of Mier a Merry Christmas and holiday season. She emphasised that it is important that the spirit of Christmas be restored and that priority be placed on spending this time of year with family.