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Media Release: Historic Executive Council meeting in Graaff-Reinet
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Premier's Office

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MEDIA RELEASE
 FOR IMMEDIATE USE
 13 JUNE 2001

HISTORIC EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING IN GRAAFF-REINET

The Executive Council of the Eastern Cape held its historic first meeting in the Mid Karoo region today when it held its 235th bi-weekly 
meeting in the Camdeboo Council chambers. The meeting is part of the week-long Government Outreach Programme to Camdeboo, Intsika Yesizwe 
and Blue Crane municipalities on a listening campaign that is designed to give members of the executive council an opportunity to get first 
hand information on peoples views about service delivery.

Unlike the first parliament held in Graaff-Reinet the Executive Council meeting takes places at a new era of democratic governance and 
marks a fundamental paradigm shift. Premier Stofile said although the Exco had on numerous occasions reached out to communities, each 
outreach programme was enriching and fulfilling as they exposed us to the diversity of the communities. He said although poverty is high 
in the region that relies on farming and tourism, it is quite different from areas like Lusikisiki. He said it had been established that 
people were just looking small affordable things that would make a difference in their lives. The Premier also appreciated the white 
farming community which expressed their absolute commitment not to leave the area and the province but to succeed.

The whole Executive Council attended the meeting today, while the heads of departments, that attended the outreach programme for the first 
time, held their meeting last night in Graaff-Reinet. The Exco discussed a range of issues ranging infrastructural development to the 
strengthening of public service capacity to deliver services in the Province of the Eastern Cape.

Regarding the presence of Heads of Department, Premier Stofile said the exposure of the administrative heads to the real conditions under 
which people live especially in the remote areas, would help eliminate administrative blockages that tend to characterise the civil service 
sometimes.

Issued by: Communications Division  Office of the Premier
 Statement content queries should be directed to Manelisi Wolela  082 414 7768

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