Promises Kept: from Windmill to Water Pump for Letjiesbos School

"When we last visited Maddison Primary we thought that we had come to make a difference in your lives. The reality though, is that the visit made a real difference in our lives too. Your community, your school, and your determination to succeed has been an inspiration to our Western Cape Government in our efforts to improve delivery for every community in our province." These were the words of Western Cape Premier, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, addressing learners, educators and community members at the Maddison Primary School in Letjiesbos near Beaufort West on Tuesday.

The Premier, accompanied by the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Development Planning, Johan Gelderblom, was at the school to fulfil an undertaking that he had made during an earlier visit last August, when he officially switched on the electricity supply that the school had waited 58 years to receive.

Speaking about the reason for the return visit the Premier said: "When we were here last year, it was clear that the windmill that was used to supply the school with water often led to a water supply that was unusable, dirty or unreliable. I said then that we would return and bring with us another important piece of equipment that this school and this community has waited too long to receive. It is my great pleasure therefore to officially hand over today this equipment to Maddison Primary - which will, we hope, help to ensure clean and fresh water every day for every learner."

"Our Western Cape Government understands that in many of our rural areas, like Letjiesbos, there is a real need for improved services. For many of our communities it is basic human rights like water, shelter and electricity, which other communities take for granted, that are the most pressing needs. This is one of the reasons why our Government has made a commitment to have every school in the Western Cape connected to electricity by 2005," said the Premier.

Speaking on the same theme, Minister Gelderblom added: "Our Government and especially our Department of Agriculture, cares deeply for the people of our rural areas. We know that, even the smallest town and community in the most remote area of the Western Cape has a need for development, proper services, and lasting human dignity. This is what our Government is determined to ensure."

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