CDM launches district forum for magoshis

Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) Executive Mayor John Mpe launched the District Magoshis Forum at Uhuru Lifestyle Emporium in the city on Tuesday and emphasised that the purpose of the forum was to facilitate ongoing engagement between CDM and traditional leaders.
“We have to work together as partners and speak in one voice when we talk about development,” Mpe said and alluded to the fact that development takes place without proper coordination and that it is to the detriment of the people that are settled there. Mpe stressed that the relationship between CDM and the traditional leaders has to be formalised, hence the establishment of the forum.
“As the district municipality we value the role of traditional leaders in our council and we know our communities are also pleased with the progressive role that you have played over the years and is continuing to play in advancing service delivery programmes to better the lives of our society. As a matter of fact, we know that to a larger extent, your authority has contributed significantly to making Capricorn a liveable, safe and prosperous district as it is, compared to other parts of our country,’ Mpe added.

Mpe said that he was pleased to report that CDM and traditional leaders have managed to find better and collective solutions to address challenges such as conflicts between communities and councillors and challenges surrounding land use and management of residential stands and development of shopping centres in villages. “If these challenges are not carefully addressed, it is possible that we may drift into a situation where communities themselves start to lose hope in the institution of traditional leaders and begin to rebel against traditional leaders. All of us have a duty to guard against this possibility by communicating land use plans with government so that new sites can get services sooner. This will help government to also plan and integrate amenities such as schools, shops, sport grounds, clinics, recreation parks and public transport routes when village extensions are planned,” Mpe said.
“We rely on you to spread the message of hope to those in despair by ensuring that all people who live in poverty gain access to our free basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity. This expectation comes from the realisation that the majority of the poverty-stricken households live in rural areas and under the jurisdiction of our traditional leaders. We have to join hands to restore hope in the social fabric of family units,” Mpe’s message to the traditional leaders was.

Story/photos: BARRY VILJOEN
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