Mpumalanga Province To Host Over 3,000 People During Presidential Imbizo

Mpumalanga province is all set to host Presidential Imbizo on March 6 at the Sy Mthimunye Stadium in the Emalahleni Local Municipality, Nkangala district. More than 3,000 people are expected to attend the event.

Presidential Imbizo, a term used in South Africa, is a public forum where the president can directly address the public and discuss various issues, promoting transparency between the people and the government.

Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane will be welcoming President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cabinet Ministers for the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo.

The event will be attended by over 3,000 people from across the province including traditional leaders, civil society organizations and labor, women, youth, persons with disabilities and business representatives.

Mtshweni-Tsipane pointed out that such an event is an essential pillar of participatory democracy in the country as it will offer South Africans the opportunity to ask questions to the president directly on several issues including development.

"Mpumalanga is more than ready to host the Presidential Imbizo. We are inspired by the President's decision to afford our citizens an opportunity to engage him and to share solutions on service delivery challenges," the Premier said, SA News reported. "This view is based on the previous Imbizo, which was held in Gert Sibande District."

She went on to explain that the Imbizo is being held with the intention that the government leaves no one behind as the country is marking 30 years of democracy.

South Africa gained independence in 1994 after the apartheid system ended in the late 20th century and Nelson Mandela became the first black president in the same year. Before the implementation of the apartheid system, South Africa was under Dutch colonization from 1652 to 1795.

Talking about the upcoming event, it will be hosted live on various platforms including a Facebook livestream on the Mpumalanga Provincial Government page and Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) social media pages alongside radio and television.

During the Presidential Imbizo, all social partners, government, traditional leaders, civil society organizations and communities will be allowed to collectively engage with the people and address immediate challenges as well as long-lasting stability and development.