The displays at the Imbizo organised by the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (Dardlea) in Emahhashini just outside Piet Retief Mkhondo on 19 July 2014, was just perfect. Big companies like TWK, Afgri, including other sister Departments heeded the invitation by the Dardlea to take advantage of the opportunity and bring their services to the people of Mkhondo through exhibitions. The spectacular display by tractor companies drew the attention of thousands of community members who flocked to the open field to witness what became to be one of the best event organised by a government Department.
The Imbizo was themed “Kubhunya Lutfuli, KusephukaTidzindzi, Siyalima eMpumalanga”. The brainchild of Dardlea’s MEC, Hon. Andries Gamede, and the Imbizo was organised in conjunction with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, and was aimed at bringing government services closer to the people; but also to afford the community members to interact directly with government. And yes they did; very long queues were witnessed at the Department of Health’s Mobile Clinic, the NHI mobile truck, SASSA’s and the DRDLR’s exhibition desks. The less said about the situation at the Dardlea’s exhibition stand the better…a stampede ensued as people were trying to get themselves Masibuyele Emasimini and MasibuyeleEsibayeni application forms.
The small town of Mkhondo came to life on the day, with small business people and vendors taking advantage of the opportunity to make money. Maneuvering around town became a challenge for the better half of the day, and undoubtedly the hospitality industry benefitted immeasurably as well. The Dardlea, DRDLR, the VET Mobile Clinic, SASSA, the Department of Health mobile clinic, Social Development and the Lowveld College of Agriculture were all visibly branded and manned by officials who were responding to questions from members of the public on government services. According to MEC Gamede, the idea is to organise and roll out similar Izimbizos in all CRDP municipalities as they give government an opportunity to interact directly with communities, and visa versa.