Maape says they want to turn the province into a working province, guided by values of respect, accountability, professionalism, listening, caring, and responsive government. Currently, the province is under the national government’s care with municipalities seriously under the threat of collapsing. 

READ MORE: Opposition calls for investigations into NW municipalities

Five departments, including Public Works and Health, are also under administration for failing to render the most basic services to the community in the province.

READ MORE: NW Health under scrutiny again

Maape adds that they need to change the negative perceptions of the province.

“We are doing this by developing a new culture of service delivery and good governance. We acknowledge the failures of our past and in some instances our present. Our people still do not have reliable water in some areas, sewer still flows in some of our localities, and some of our roads are still not easily drivable due to potholes,” he adds.

He says it is his firm belief that all challenges of service delivery are within their ability to resolve and require government, communities, business, and labour unions to work together.

“To respond to these challenges, past and present, we have adopted an Accelerated Service Delivery Programme, with the unique approach of a joint and collaborative effort to deliver basic services to change the face of governance of municipalities in the province,” Maape further adds.

In 2018, the province experienced sporadic violent protests with irate residents in Mahikeng and Klerksdorp amongst the bigger cities taking their frustration to the streets over the alleged failure of service delivery.

READ MORE: #NWprotests continue to spread to Klerksdorp and surrounding areas - VIDEO

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