Launch of the Murraysburg Thusong Service Centre
One Stop Centre for Services and Information

- By Marlene Hendricks

January 2011

Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), in conjunction with the Central Karoo District Municipality proudly launched the Murraysburg Thusong Service Centre on the 09 December 2010 in Murraysburg.

The Centre is the third one to be operationalised in the District Municipality, bringing the much needed government services closer to the community in an integrated fashion.

The Murraysburg Thusong Service Centre was officially launched by the Central Karoo District Executive Mayor Doreen Hugo. "It is indeed a very proud moment in the history of our community that we have waited so much in anticipation for" said the Mayor.

She further said that the days where many community members had to travel far to access government services and information are gone as they now too have a One Stop Centre" further said the Mayor.

Mr Jacob Bonzaaier and Ms Tersia Pretorius from the Department of the Premier, Mr Gcobani Ntshingana from the Department of Local Government, and other representatives from Prins Albert and Beaufort West Municipalities, councilors and other government departments, as well as community organizations came to attend and support the event.

"We are very proud to be part of the launch, and we would like to assure the community of the departments' support to ensure the sustainability of the Centre" said Ms Tersia Pretorius. She said that the Thusong service centre belongs to the people for them to access services and information to better their lives.

The Murraysburg Thusong Service Centre launched was strengthened with an Integrated Community Outreach Program (ICOP) by various government departments and community organizations. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) had a Mass Registration Program (MRP).

Service providers that will be rendering and accommodated at the centre includes the Department of Social Development, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Local Government the Community Development Workers (CDWs) Program, Department of Labour, Department of Agriculture, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, Activist Networking Against the Exploitation of Child Domestic Work (ANEX), Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Karoo Centre For Human Rights and the Municipality.

Launch attendees were entertained till late with various cultural items, site tour, and lunch was also provided.