Government concludes the 4th annual Thusong Service Centre Week

26 September 2017

Government concludes this year’s Annual Thusong Service Centre Week, which took place from the 18 - 22 September 2017. The week was commemorated under the theme: “The Year of OR Tambo” – “Advancing Small Medium and Micro Enterprises at Thusong Service Centres”.
 
The commemorative week formed part of Public Service Month and seeks to promote the Thusong Programme by showcasing the integrated mobile outreach programme and its effectiveness in responding to the needs of the citizens.
 
The main focus of the week was on job opportunities in the economic cluster and small business development. The aim is to provide SMME’s, unemployed graduates and young people with development information on government programmes and incentives to advance their lives for the better.
 
Deputy Minister of Communications, Tandi Mahambehlala, said: “Thusong Services Centres bring a basket of government services and information closer to the people.  The programme reaches approximately six million beneficiaries every year through Integrated Mobile Outreach Programme, the Annual Thusong Service Centre Week and other GCIS platforms. The programme has succeeded in bridging the gap between government and the people and thus strengthening a two way communication process to address the needs of the community. Furthermore, through this programme government continues to redress the imbalances of the past, brings access of services, equality and empowerment to those previously marginalised from the mainstream of socio-economic development”.
 
The Centres also empower communities with the necessary skills and training to better their lives, through existing partnerships with government, parastatals and the private sector.
 
“Government calls on communities to continue accessing basic services and entities such as Home Affairs, Labour, Justice, SASSA and the Road Accident Fund that are promoted by the Thusong Service Centres as envisaged in the National Development Plan”, said Deputy Minister Mahambehlala.
 
The fourth Annual Thusong Service Centre Week opening event was held on the 18 September 2017 at Colesberg Thusong Service Centre in the Northern Cape. The opening event was  attended by the Mayor of Umsobomvu Local Municipality, Cllr Mzwandile Toto and the speaker of Pixley ka Seme district Municipality, Nombulelo Hermans who is also the chairperson of Northern Cape SALGA. Officials from various government departments were also in attendance. At the opening event various governments departments including the Department of Trade & Industry and the South African Revenue Service offered presentations on the services they offer to communities.
 
Today, 22 September 2017, the Deputy Minister of Communications, Tandi Mahambehlala led the closing event at Port Dunford Thusong Service Centre in Kwazulu-Natal province. The event was attended by more than 700 community members from Richards Bay. Departments such as the DTI, Home Affairs, Labour, SASSA, SARS, Film and Publication Board and various NGO’s also formed part of the event by providing information and services.
 
“Government, business & civil society need to work together to create the country OR Tambo envisaged. Thusong centres can provide a great platform for young people to address the challenges of society and provide a great platform for young people to address the challenges of society. Our government has dedicated centres like these to be of service to all citizens of this great Republic,” said Deputy Minister Mahambehlala during the closing event.
 
Deputy Minister further encouraged municipalities to use GCIS to connect primarily with community media.
 
All South Africans are invited to visit www.thusong.gov.za to locate the centre closest to them.
 
Enquiries:
Chrispin Phiri
Cell: 0832209691
 
Issued by Government Communication and Information System