Rebranding: Then MPCCs, now Thusong Service Centres

Minister Pahad addresses delegates at the annual workshop for Thusong Service Centres, held in March 2007

Johannesburg, 2007 - In March 2007, the new brand for Thusong Service Centres was officially launched by Minister in the Presidency, Essop Pahad, at the annual workshop held in Johannesburg.

This is in line with Cabinet’s approval of the Guidelines on the Use of National Symbols proposed by the Bureau of Heraldry, Department of Arts and Culture.

In compliance with these guidelines, Government Communications (GCIS) had to review the centres’ previous logo, which was an adaptation of the South African flag.

Originally called multi-purpose community centres or MPCCs, the centres are now known as Thusong Service Centres.

So why the name change?

Impact assessment surveys from 2004 to 2006 revealed that instead of the name ‘MPCC’, communities used a variety of names, based either on some of the services provided or popular community figures in the area.

Thusong is a Sesotho word meaning ‘a place to get help or assistance’. The slogan, in fact, reads: ‘One-stop centres for Services and information’. The new brand reinforces the name change, creating a fresh identity for roll-out in the second phase of the programme.

The target is to establish one Thusong Service Centre in each of the 283 municipalities in South Africa by 2014. So far, communities in 98 municipalities benefit from over 800 Services. This means that previously disadvantaged communities in 30% of South Africa’s municipalities can now access a variety of government services and information under one roof, or within walking distance of each other. In rural and previously underserviced areas, access to services and information directly impacts on the quality of their lives. People in these areas now have platforms from which to participate in creating opportunities to build a better life for all. This positive impact of integrated service delivery will be intensified in the second phase of the programme.

Initially, one Thusong Service Centre in each province will be re-branded. These are selected in terms of accessibility of services and good practice as role models for future roll-out, setting the pace to realise the vision of the second phase of the Thusong Service Centre programme: ‘Access to integrated government information and services to build a better quality of life for all’.