Phelophepa service delivery drive visited by Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant

By - Vuyokazi Dube and Sabelo Kakaza: GCIS-EC

February 2012

Through this integrated service delivery drive, a basket of services can be accessed by rural communities and these range from social services such as ID's, birth certificates, registration of grants, Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), and registration of job seekers to a data base.  Health care services includes, eye screening and testing, issuing of made-up glasses, tooth extractions, fillings and cleaning. The psychology clinic is also available to assist patients to cope with stress and life challenges.

The Thusong - Phelophepha service delivery initiative in the Eastern Cape started in Mthatha station on 16 January 2012 and will go around the Province till end May 2012.

Minister Mildred Oliphant from the Department of Labour visited the service point in Mthatha on 26 January 2012 and this was the first visit made by a Minister since the partnership started in 2010. The purpose of the visit was to assess the progress of the partnership and also to monitor the provision of integrated services to the communities. She spent some time visiting each truck and interacting with communities.

Nombuso Cekeshe from Mqanduli one of the clients who visited Phelophepha for eye cleaning stated that they are thankful to government for bringing the Health Train even though it is after a long time, they would appreciate it if the programme can be done each and every year. She further applauded the extension of services rendered at the station such as Home Affairs, SASSA and Labour.