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Mount Frere to get an R87 million Hospital
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Health

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MEDIA RELEASE
 TO ALL MEDIA
 FOR IMMEDIATE USE
14 MAY 2001


MOUNT FRERE TO GET R87 MILLION HOSPITAL – PREMIER AND MEC GOQWANA ANNOUNCED

Health services in the rural town of Mount Frere and its surroundings are set to receive a major boost with the construction of an R87 
million new hospital.

This was announced by the Premier of the Eastern Cape Rev Makhenkesi Stofile and Health MEC Monwabisi Goqwana at a public meeting held on 
the site of the new hospital in Mount Frere. The meeting is part of a week-long government outreach programme organised for the rural 
districts of Mount Frere, Tsolo and Qumbu, which began today. The Premier and members of his Executive Council spent this day meeting 
traditional leaders, communities and other stakeholders to get unmediated concerns, aspirations and public comments on public service 
delivery, as part of the government’s efforts of bringing government closer to the people.

Giving details of the construction planned to begin in January 2002, MEC Goqwana said 800 jobs would be created during the construction 
phase that is scheduled to take up to two years. He said the project was delayed by the unavailability of a new site and welcomed the 
consensus reached by the community with their traditional leaders to identify a site just five kilometres outside of Mount Frere.

Addressing an enthusiastic crowd that gathered in an open field near a monument of “Madzikane of Zulu”, Premier Stofile said the government 
is really determined to eliminate the inequities in the provision of health services. He said recent attacks on the Health MEC were 
motivated by resistance to the changes he was determined to get through. He praised the decision of the community on the location of the 
hospital, saying it fitted well with their development plans. He said in a number of other places community differences resulted in the 
allocated funds not being used, saying the government was responsive to collective community calls for development assistance.

The new hospital will replace an old dilapidated missionary hospital build many years ago in Mount Frere. He said the old Mount Frere 
Hospital could not be extended or substantially changes, hence the decision to build a new hospital that would serve all the surrounding 
deserving areas. Dr Goqwana said the old hospital would be renovated and used for something else.

Some projects that include a local economic development initiative in Qumbu – Gqunu Farms will be officially launched during this week.The 
project, funded from the local economic development fund to the tune of over R1 million, began operating last year focusing on food 
production. Nearly 100 small farmers collectively run the project that will on Wednesday officially launched by Premier Stofile and MEC for 
Agriculture Max Mamase. Your institution is requested to cover this important occasion which is set to mark a dramatic improvement in the 
local community’s ability to feed itself and ward off the scourge of poverty.

Issued: Communications Division - Office of the Premier
 Inquiries: Manelisi Wolela - 040-6392070/082 414 7768
E-mail Address: manelisi@otpmleg1.ecape.gov.za

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