Thusong Service Centre Programme receives a major boost

- by Topsy Musi

Gauteng, 7 September 2008

The Thusong programme is yet to receive a major boost from the Gauteng Provincial Government’s 20 Priority Townships Programme.  The programme was announced during the 2008/09 budget speech by the then MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr Paul Mashatile.  The programme aims to improve infrastructure in 20 old established townships around Gauteng.  The programme is also designed to deliver one-stop services to those located in the established townships around Gauteng namely:

Attridgeville, Soshanguve, Mamelodi, Kagiso, Munsieville, Mohlakeng, Boipatong, Bophelong, Sharpville, Sebokeng, Ratanda, Katlehong, Kwa-dukuza, Wattville, Daveyton, Tembisa, Refilwe, Rethabiseng, Orlando, and Zola.

So far a number of Thusong Service Centres have been constructed through the programme since its inception, with Mafatsane Thusong Centre in Evaton receiving an allocation of 52 million for the construction of its new premises.  The Centre which was launched and operationalised in April 2008, currently accommodates sixteen (16) service providers, offering a basket of services ranging from Government, NGO and Parastatals. Other essential service providers are operating within a kilometer radius from the centre.  Big business has also committed to moving into this modern Centre once construction has been completed towards the end of the year. 

To date 130 Thusong Centres have been rolled out nation wide, and ongoing engagements with various stakeholders at all levels of government and civil society are taking place to further establish Centres in the remaining municipalities were they are non existent.