Premier
With reference to the provincial government’s “First Thursdays Initiative” engagements:
(1) Why are these engagements primarily being held in the Cape Town CBD instead of directly in the communities most affected by service delivery challenges;
(2) whether there are plans to decentralise these engagements to ensure broader community participation and accessibility, including rural areas; if so, what are the relevant details?
- and (2):
I am informed that:
The concourse at 7 Wale Street is primarily used for First Thursday Open Government Events to provide a central location within the Western Cape’s most densely populated area, thus allowing residents from various communities across the metro to access the event’s facilities. The location is also able to accommodate additional facilities, such as SASSA, WCED, Western Cape Police Ombudsman, or municipal service helpdesks, and provides a conveniently located Western Cape Government e-centre. These considerations allow residents to access a greater variety of services faster and more efficiently. It is for this reason that First Thursdays are typically well-attended when held at 7 Wale Street.
Additionally, due to the fact that First Thursdays frequently occur directly after sittings of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, organisers of the event must factor in the associated travel times to locations further afield. As such, engagements in rural areas are typically held on days outside the House’s sitting periods, and structured around the Western Cape cabinet’s existing commitments so as to reduce accommodation, travel, and other costs.
Despite these considerations, First Thursday events are frequently held off site when scheduling, costs, and other factors permit. Thus far, in addition to the events held at 7 Wale Street, First Thursdays have been held at locations in Stellenbosch, Mitchells Plain, Hermanus, Kraaifontein, Delft, Grassy Park, Langa, Atlantis, and Strand.
First Thursday organisers consistently work to host events off site, both at other locations within the Cape Town Metro, and in rural areas throughout the province.
