Mahikeng: The North West province will once again host the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo which will take place on Friday, 20 October 2023, at J.B. Marks Local Municipality in Dr. Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.

Acting Premier Patrick Dumile Nono Maloyi welcomed the President’s decision to once again visit the North West Province as part of the second leg of the DDM Presidential Imbizo. The Acting Premier emphasised the importance of the DDM Presidential Imbizo and highlighted that it gives impetus to the province’s concerted efforts towards bettering the lives of North West residents.

The DDM Presidential Imbizo aims to create an interactive platform for the President, Ministers and the provincial leadership to engage with communities and find solutions to challenges of socio-economic concern confronting them on a daily basis.

Moreover, the initiative is aimed at intensifying provision of services, promote social cohesion and advance developmental programmes that are aimed at creating economic opportunities for locals.

Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality consists of three local municipalities, namely, JB Marks, Matlosana and Maquassi Hills, and has a total population of just above 800 000 people.

Mining and agriculture are key economic activities in the district. Transportation of goods through the N12 Corridor has a potential to unlock various economic opportunities in logistics and tourism.

The Dr Kenneth Kaunda DDM Presidential Imbizo follows on the commitments the provincial government made to tackle service delivery challenges during the first leg of the Imbizo which was held at Mahikeng last year.

The Imbizo comes at a time when the implementation of the province’s integrated Accelerated Service Delivery Programme – Thuntsha Lerole is in full swing to respond to various service delivery challenges in municipalities.

As part of the pre-Imbizo programme various departments and state-owned entities will undertake site visits to various developmental projects across the District Municipality. Residents will be afforded an opportunity to engage with government officials on challenges confronting them daily.

Communities around the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality are expected to attend and participate in the Presidential DDM Imbizo which will be held under the theme “Leave No One Behind”.

Ends.