ActionSA in the Free State: Concerns Over Service Delivery
Residents of the Free State are facing a range of service delivery issues, with ActionSA raising concerns about the lack of progress in this regard. The organisation, comprising a variety of grassroots activists, is campaigning for greater attention to the struggles of those living in some of the Free State’s most underserved communities.
“It is our responsibility to ensure the communities of the Free State have access to the essential services they deserve,” said ActionSA’s Free State spokesperson, Martin Phama. “Unfortunately, there are serious discrepancies between what is promised at the local level and what is actually delivered.”
The organisation held a summit in Bloemfontein in June to discuss service delivery in the Free State. During the summit, representatives from a wide range of sectors spoke out about their frustrations.
“The Free State government has made a lot of promises but there has been little action,” said Nthabiseng Makume, a representative of the Free State Women’s Movement. “We have seen little improvement in terms of services promised – and it is particularly concerning that there appears to have been no specific focus placed on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable communities in the Free State.”
ActionSA is campaigning for the Free State government to put forward concrete plans and strategies to improve service delivery. The organisation has proposed a series of steps that all citizens should adopt in order to ensure that issues concerning service delivery are addressed.
“We need to ensure that our voices are heard,” said George Mofokeng, another representative at the summit. “We need to make sure that our elected officials are aware of our concerns, and that they are acting on them. We need to work together to fight for access to basic services, and ensure that the voices of all citizens are heard.”
ActionSA is also urging the Free State government to prioritise the needs of vulnerable communities. This would include creating more job opportunities in such areas, and ensuring that resources are allocated equitably. Furthermore, it would mean putting in place measures that protect tenants and those living in informal settlements, as well as those facing eviction from their homes.
ActionSA is confident that the challenges of service delivery can be met, provided that the Free State government, civil society organisations and the citizens of the Free State work together to create real change.
“We have seen too much broken promises and failed legislation in the Free State,” said Phama. “It is time for the government to step up and make sure their citizens receive the services they deserve.”
