Pacaltsdorp Satellite Thusong Service Centre Launched
In the photo: Councillors, stakeholders and community at the opening of the Thusong Centre
The Pacaltsdorp Satellite Thusong Service Centre, located at the Old Tourism Information Building on Mission Street, was officially launched on Wednesday, 18 September 2024.
The launch event was attended by the Executive Mayor of George, Ald Jackie von Brandis, along with councillors, stakeholders from various organisations, representatives from government departments that will operate from the new Thusong Centre, local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and members of the Pacaltsdorp community. Officials from the Western Cape Department of Local Government and the George Municipality were also present.
During the opening, Mayor von Brandis expressed her enthusiasm for the new facility: “It’s an absolute privilege to open this centre today. I’m pleased to have the councillors, the community, and all stakeholders here to witness the start of bringing services closer to where they are needed most. Please come and see what the centre offers.”
“The Pacaltsdorp Satellite Thusong Service Centre will host key government services, including the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), the Department of Labour, the Department of Home Affairs, and the Department of Social Development (on a scheduled basis), as well as Community Development Workers (CDW), among others,” Mayor von Brandis added.
Thusong Facilities are defined as one-stop, integrated community centres where residents can access crucial government information, services, and resources. The Thusong Service Centre Programme is designed to bring government services closer to the people, promoting access to opportunities and contributing to improved livelihoods.
The establishment of a Thusong facility in Pacaltsdorp was identified as a key priority in the Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The IDP highlighted a pressing need for such a facility in the community, which has now been addressed by the George Municipality.
The facility’s maintenance is supported by a grant from the Department of Local Government. The George Municipality now has three Thusong Centres, including those in Thembalethu and Waboomskraal. With the addition of the Pacaltsdorp centre, service coverage across the community will be significantly enhanced, with all three centres working to deliver essential services at the grassroots level.
This launch coincides with the Annual Thusong Service Centre Week, taking place from 16 to 20 September 2024 nationwide. The week forms part of Integrated Public Service Month, aimed at emphasizing the critical role of Thusong Service Centres in enhancing community access to services and information about opportunities.
“As the Executive Mayor of this great municipality, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the officials involved in bringing this project to fruition. We call on our residents to safeguard and protect this centre—it belongs to you as much as it belongs to us. With the services offered here and the community’s commitment to its preservation, I am confident that this Thusong Centre will thrive and provide lasting benefits for all,” Mayor von Brandis concluded.
Please Watch the video of the launch: https://youtu.be/-wJJKEZKbR8
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