Laudium residents joined their Itireleng counterparts in welcoming the announcement made - during this week's visit to Itireleng, by Gauteng Premier David Makhura, accompanied by MEC’s, MMC’s and Ward 61 Councillor Mahomed Essop - that the Laudium Community Health Centre on Bengal Street, more commonly known as the Laudium Hospital, will attain full hospital status. The visit also saw promises being made, to tackle the unhygienic conditions that plague the residents of Itireleng.
Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, visited Itireleng on Tuesday, March 20 as part of the Ntirhisano Initiative.
This, after President Cyril Ramaphosa promised the people of Itireleng that the Premier would visit them to listen to, and address their plights.
Itireleng residents, together with, residents from surrounding areas, braved the cold and the pouring rain to hear what progress had been made by the City of Tshwane, to better the lives of those who reside in the informal settlement.
Premier Makhura said at the meeting: "I have to praise the efforts of Councillor Essop for his tireless service to the people of his ward. Itireleng has been identified by our President as an area that requires a lot of infrastructure development amongst many other issues. We are here as part of the Ntirhisano Initiative, to try to address the issues and perhaps look for a way forward in solving the problems that affect the residents of the informal settlements.” The Premier added, "There is also the issue of sanitation that has to be addressed urgently in Itireleng. The only way to progress is to initiate development in this area and the co-operation of all Itireleng residents is needed for that. I also will be looking into upgrading the soccer field, so that our youth can be kept busy and have an area to hone their football skills."
The MEC of Social Development, Nandi Mayathula, addressed the Itireleng community about social services that will be provided to the local community, including early childhood development centers and youth empowerment programs.
Residents cheered when MEC for Health Gwen Ramokgopa announced that the Laudium Community Health Centre more commonly known as the ‘Laudium Hospital’, on Bengal Street would be turned into a hospital, to serve residents in the area, including those of Laudium and Itireleng. Councillor Essop said, "I'll be working together with the City of Tshwane and the Premier, to make sure that the people of Itireleng's needs are met.”
Visiting Itireleng this past Tuesday...Tshwane MMC for Human Settlements, Mandla Nkomo with Premier David Makhura and Ward 61 Councillor, Mahomed Essop.
Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, addressed the crowd.
MEC for Health, Gwen Ramokgopa, announced that the Laudium Community Health Centre would be turned into a hospital.
The Laudium Sun photographer captured these scenes at the event.