After having its doors closed for twelve years, Upington’s old civic centre was re-operationalised yesterday following ongoing pressure and a petition submitted to the Dawid Kruiper municipality by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The reopening of the old civic centre in Upington is a victory for the broader Upington community.
Residents of places like Progress, Extension, Lemoendraai, Kameelmond, Belview and Morning Glory can now pay their accounts, buy electricity and contact the municipal head office from the centre to resolve issues relating to blocked electricity, without making the trip into town or standing in long queues.
Aside from the theft of paving stones, two entrance gates, computer equipment and air conditioners, the facility was still in fairly decent condition, with running water, sanitation and electricity connections. It was a complete waste of a municipal resources to allow the facility to stand idle, and to allow it to fall into disrepair. It also presented a growing safety risk to the community, as the grounds had become a den for drug users.
The DA is pleased that the facility is in the process of being fixed up. We also appreciate the cooperation received from the municipality, particularly the Chief Financial Officer, in relation to the re-opening of the building.
In a further effort to ensure that the facility adds value to the community, we would also like to see the vacant office space at the centre availed for satellite offices for institutions such as SASSA and Home Affairs, to also bring other critical services closer to communities. The DA has already made this proposal to Dawid Kruiper and we will keep on the pressure for negotiations with stakeholder departments to go ahead.