Grabouw welcomes new Thusong Centre

The 28^th Thusong Service Centre in the Western Cape officially opened in Grabouw today.

The basic idea of the Thusong program is to take essential government services and information closer to the public, particularly in rural and previously under-serviced communities in the province. The program has enjoyed huge success across the province.

Anton Bredell, Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, says for the past 5 years, the department has rolled out government services to the community of Grabouw via a mobile temporary Thusong outreach.

“With every mobile event, the number of people attending was overwhelming. We often assisted over 2000 community members over 2 days.”

Bredell says the erection of a permanent Thusong Centre is significant as it will now enable the consistent delivery of government services directly to the doorstep of the Grabouw community.

“The centre will save residents time and money by making all the services they need available in a single location.”

The Grabouw Thusong Centre is conveniently located with a library and a Social Services Centre right next door.

Bredell with Alderman Chris Punt, the Executive Mayor, of Theewaterskloof Municipality, officially opened the newly named Gerald Wright Thusong Service Centre.

There are currently, 27 Thusong Centres operating in the province that have to date reached an estimated 1.2 million people.

The Minister was taken on a tour of the brand-new Centre which included visiting the exhibition stalls of different government departments.

The centre also includes an E-Centre where community members have free access to the internet for 45 minutes at a time.

“To the community of Grabouw, may this Centre become a place of help and hope and inspiration,” said, Minister Bredell.