FS government revive ‘dysfunctional’ Thusong Service Centre in wake of 2024 elections

As the date for 2024 National Elections draw closer, political parties and government departments are up in arms to to earn back the trust of the citizens.

The Free State government has taken steps to revive a ‘dysfunctional’ Thusong Service Centre in the wake of the 2024 elections.

The Thusong Service Centre Programme, which was conceptualized in 1999, with the pivotal role to bring government services and information closer to the people, has been an ultimate failure, as hundreds of the government’s Thusong service centres across the country have all but collapsed due to poor funding, with national and provincial departments snubbing them despite being built to bring services closer to residents.

On Tusday, April 16, Thusong Service Centre Managers and Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) provincial teams from all corners of the country gathered in Welkom, Free State at the Boitumelo Junction Mall.

The programme was hosted by the National Inter-Sectoral Steering Committee (NISSC) which is the national coordination structure of the Thusong Service Centre Programme, chaired by the GCIS at national level.

The one-stop-shop provided information and integrated government services from various departments, including the Office of the Premier, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Social Development, Labour and Employment, GCIS and the local Councilor.

Lejweleputswa District Municipality Executive Mayor, Veronica Ntakumbana, attended the event and spoke about the importance of bringing services closer to the people.

According to Boitumelo Junction Mall marketing manager, Mampoi Mahasa, the centre services a low-income community that cannot afford to frequently travel to town to access government services.

“The availability of SASSA and the clinic in the centre has been of great help to the community,” said Mampoi.

Tomorrow, April 18, the NISSC will host another integrated services outreach at Hoffman Square, in Bloemfontein Central which will be followed by the Annual Thusong Service Centre Awards.