By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Amid criticism that Presidency had spent millions on Presidential Imbizos, Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said on Wednesday, it was “mischievous to reduce” the engagement events “to rands and cents”.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s imbizos started in 2023, with countrywide tours to the North West, Free State, Kwazulu-Natal, Northern Cape, and Mpumalanga.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa recently confirmed that the last four imbizos over 18 months cost taxpayers R44 million.
The events were held to address public service delivery concerns and to provide a platform for citizens to voice their complaints and suggestions.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said the events were a blatant squandering of taxpayer money and a “gross injustice” to South Africans.
Civil rights movement Not In My Name has called on the Public Protector to investigate the R44-million spent on the Presidential imbizos, also citing misuse of funds and improper procurement processes.
In a media briefing on Wednesday on president public programme, Magwenya emphasised that the purpose of these events is to address public service delivery concerns and provide a platform for people to voice their suggestions.
“Public participation is intrinsically part of the DNA of democratic South Africa. To be exact, it was initiated by the Constitutional Assembly in 1994 to consult and keep South Africans informed about the constitution-writing process.
“It is against this background that the president can assert that the presidential izimbizo and the public participation programmes are not political gimmicks of the current and previous administrations.
“Neither is it an extravagant exercise and wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money. But it is a caring government which is engaging its citizens across the political divide,” said Magwenya.
He further explained the history of the imbizos, noting that they have never been about the president but about the public.
“It started in 1994, and it is entrenched in the South African public discourse. It has evolved from former presidents’ initiatives to today’s public participation programme of the presidential izimbizo under the banner of the District Development Model.
Magwenya emphasised that the programme focuses not only on the challenges but also on medium to long-term planning.
“The political champions are also held accountable by the president, and they are expected to submit quarterly reports to the cabinet about the DDM activities, progress, obstructions, and possible interventions.
“They must also indicate when the president should do a follow-up visit,” he added.
Magwenya stressed that the events would continue during the seventh administration.
“Yes, critics will point out the high cost of DDMs and argue how the money could have been utilised elsewhere. It is mischievous to reduce the presidential izimbizo to rands and cents.
“It is about a caring government that is closer to the people, ensuring their right to access basic services is solidified. The government has an obligation to interact and communicate with citizens from all corners of the country.
“With the government of national unity, this has become more urgent so that all citizens can understand how the new administration is working for them,” added Magwenya.
Ramaphosa’s public programme for August:
Wednesday, 13 August 2024
Ramaphosa is expected to meet with Cabinet members, senior business leaders, and technical experts from government and business to discuss a new era of collaboration for a partnership launched over a year ago to address barriers to growth in South Africa.
Thursday, 15 August 2024
Ramaphosa, will host a public signing of the Health Compact. The signing of the compact is expected to be held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, at 1:30 pm.
Saturday, 17th August 2024
Ramaphosa will attend the 44th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government, hosted the Republic of Zimbabwe. The SADC Summit is responsible for the overall policy direction and control of functions of the Community, ultimately making it the policy-making institution of SADC.
Friday, 23 August 2024
The President will embark on the District Development model oversight visit and Presidential Imbizo to the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng.
Monday, 26 August 2024
He will address the JET Municipal Conference. The aim of the conference is to convene key stakeholders within the municipal space to chart the way forward for the effective implementation of the JET Municipal Portfolio set out in the JET Implementation Plan (JET IP) which was approved by Cabinet in November 2023.
Wednesday, 28 August 2024
Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Thursday, 29 August
Ramaphosa will appear in the National Assembly’s hybrid plenary session to provide oral replies to questions from the NA Members of Parliament at 2pm.
Friday, 30 August
The President will honour the invite from Zimbabwe President, Emmerson Mnangagwa. and embark on a working visit to Zimbabwe to attend the official opening of the 114th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.