Premier
With regard to the First Thursdays Events:
(1) (a) What are the (i) objectives and (ii) targeted audience for this initiative, (b) what is the total cost that his government has incurred as a result of this initiative from its inception to date, (c) what is the total number of events that have been held, (d) what is the number of audience members who have been reached, (e) what (i) is the number and (ii) are the details of the issues, challenges and/complaints raised, (iii) what are the suggestions that have been received, (iv) how many have been resolved and (v) what are the reasons thereof;
(2) whether there are any specific reasons for hosting these events in the legislature precinct and not in communities where the majority of the residents reside; if so, what are the relevant details?
[1][a][[i] When I took office in 2019, I committed the Western Cape Government to being an Open Government, guided by the values of transparency accountability and being accessible to all. I have since established the First Thursdays which provide residents, businesses and visitors with the opportunity to engage my Cabinet and I, as well as the Director-General of the WCG, and now the City of Cape Town, in one-on-one and in-person meetings.
[i] The target audience includes residents, businesses and visitors in the Western Cape. It further includes Western Cape Government staff members.
[b] The 9 in-person First Thursday events amounted to R221 885.41 in total.
[c] Nine. The COVID-19 regulations impacted on our ability to host in-person First Thursdays for almost two years, however, following the recent regulation changes, they have resumed.
[d[ As of our last First Thursday, on 7 April 2022, there have been 1172 citizens who have registered to engage with myself, a Provincial Minister or a City of Cape Town representative at our in-person First Thursdays.
[e][i[ii][iii[]The First Thursday engagements offer an opportunity for those who attend to share challenges faced or pitch their ideas. This includes funding requests, skills development opportunities, job seekers, service delivery matters or business proposals. People who come to First Thursdays, will often engage with multiple Provincial Ministers or City of Cape Town representatives, resulting in 1172 matters having been logged.
[iv] A total of 1142 matters that were logged have been resolved through the various departments.
[v] See above.
[2] It is intended for First Thursdays to take place in communities across the
Western Cape. Indeed, we have previously hosted a First Thursday in Cloetesville, Stellenbosch. Now that First Thursdays have resumed, I plan to host these events in other communities very soon.
