Province aims to communicate efficiently with citizens
Democracy is founded on the right of citizens to take part in the management of public affairs.
It is biased towards the people and puts emphasis on the fact that governments are obliged to update the public on the promises they make.
The people cannot be subjected to a long five-year wait to know and to be updated on progress made.
The achievement of democracy presupposes a genuine partnership between men and women in the conduct of the affairs of society.
A sustained state of democracy requires a democratic climate and culture that is constantly nurtured and reinforced by education and other vehicles of culture and information, something that Limpopo premier Stanley Mathabatha has been championing since taking office.
Through our monthly Exco Outreach Programme, we can only reach out to 12 municipalities annually. And to amplify our communication, we also adopted dialogues and debates.
We can’t wait for five years for our people to know what we have achieved and the challenges we are experiencing. We need, from time to time, to get back to them and say: “We have made promises, we are doing something about that, this is how far we are and these are our challenges.”
We need to create an environment for them to give input. The programme, besides enhancing our communications, also enhances our capacity to get to our full potential to deliver.
It is another form of destroying dark-corner negativity and destructive perceptions.
The debate on the implementation of the Limpopo Development Plan is not only a imed at giving feedback, but capacitating, refreshing and empowering our citizens in understanding the journey ahead, and ensuring that everyone can now do their part to ensure Limpopo achieves its full potential.
Consultation and dialogue between the government and citizens can, in principle, improve people’s understanding of and support for government policies, and encourage the ownership of the projects and programmes by the people, as well as service delivery.
This programme aims at enhancing responsiveness and stimulation of accountability.
In the words of premier Mathabatha, today is better than yesterday.
‘ ‘ The plan enhances our capacity to get to our full potential to deliver