The honourable Premier, Ms. Hazel Jenkins, maintained the momentum that was set with the opening of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature and the delivering of the State of the Province Address.
Following the official opening embarked on a programme of rewarding organizations that are involved in community development. Premier Jenkins refers to this engagement as the breaking away with tradition engagement. On Saturday, 19 February 2011, the Honourable Premier rewarded projects within the John Taolo Gaetsewe District for the type of service that they are providing to the communities where they are operating.
The projects that were targeted were an Early Childhood Development Centre called the Kagishong Early Learning Centre in Cassel and the Kgomotsego Old Age Home in Batlharos. The Kagishong Early Learning Centre was established in 1997 and it has approximately 30 children. Kgomotsego Old Age Home is a centre that operates from the premises of the Roman Catholic Church and it provides residence to 23 elderly citizens, with 22 people on a waiting list. The residents of the Old Age Home are from both the Northern Cape and North West provinces.
Premier Jenkins indicated that tradition has dictated that when the Premier delivers the State of the Province Address, souvenirs should be made available for those individuals attending the Premier’s luncheon. She indicated that it was then decided that instead of handing out souvenirs a process should be embarked upon of identifying community initiatives that contributes towards the upliftment of communities.
Premier Jenkins indicated that these projects play a key role, because they contribute significantly towards the restoring of dignity of those that benefits from the projects. She indicated that education is a key programme of the government for the next five years. She encouraged parents to invest in the education of their children from a very young age, because it contributes towards the development of building a solid foundation for the child. Premier Jenkins emphasized that the Early Childhood Development Centres is playing a critical role in the process of educating our nation.
Premier Jenkins commended the Roman Catholic Church for the role they are playing in restoring the dignity of the elderly. She expressed her appreciation towards the church for playing an active role in the development of the community.
In handing over the equipment to the projects Premier Jenkins promised further support to them. Each project was awarded an amount of R5 000, 00. The Kagishong Early Learning Centre received educational toys and three pots. She indicated that the children will receive tracksuits to enable them to be kept warm during winter and rainy times. Premier further called upon the Councillor to engage the Centre and particularly the children and to develop with them a needs analysis that can be forwarded to her (Premier) office.
The Kgomotsego Old Age Home further received a stove and kitchen unit. Premier indicated to the elderly that Government is in the process of acquiring the wheelchairs that were also promised to them. She committed herself to visiting the elderly again, as she apologized to them for not spending a longer period with them. Premier highlighted that the role the church is playing cannot be substituted, because the church is also providing the residents with love and care.
Premier emphasized that the funds and equipment they are giving does not belong to them, but as the representatives of the people they were entrusted with managing those funds. In concluding the engagements Premier called on people to ensure that they are registered as voters and that they exercise their right to vote. She indicated that becoming a Councillor is not a job creation project, but it is about serving the community and people.