11 Sep 2024

Palapye District Council has been commended  for its innovative step in customer engagement by launching a toll-free number.

Speaking during a ceremony to mark the launch of the toll-free number, unveiling of the council’s logo as well as an overview of ongoing projects in Palapye recently, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse expressed his gratitude to the council for prioritising customer service.  

“This is a true commitment by the council that it is willing to invest in customer experience and feedback.” He emphasised the importance of nurturing customer relationships as a fundamental practice for organisations and highlighted the toll-free number as a vital communication channel.

“Toll-free numbers have become indispensable tools for organizations seeking to enhance their engagement and services,” Mr. Autlwetse noted, outlining the benefits, including improved brand reputation, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility. He explained how such initiatives can lead to increased customer satisfaction and support business growth.

The minister said, “Toll-free numbers facilitate this by allowing customers to connect directly with support agents for inquiries, complaints, and suggestions, without incurring costs.” He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering timely programmes and projects and recognised the supportive role of councillors in the performance of local councils.

As part of a broader effort to establish a corporate identity, the Palapye District council  involved local residents in creating a logo that reflected the district’s cultural values and geographical features. 

The logo incorporates elements that represents Palapye District Council such as a shield, graduation hat, hills, and trees, as well as symbols representing agriculture and industrial aspirations, like a smoke chimney for Morupule Power Station as well as mechanical gears which symbolise the district as an industrial destination. 

Mr Autlwetse acknowledged the collaborative effort that led to the logo’s design, declaring, “Now the people of the Palapye district have an identity that they can be proud of,” he said.

Mr Autlwetse commended all those involved in the final process as now the people of Palapye district have an identity that they can be proud of. “As the slogan says; Metsweding e sa kgaleng, I challenge leaders to continue creating opportunities for their communities. 

Reflecting on the district’s projects, Minister Autlwetse acknowledged the challenges faced, notably the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on government initiatives just months after the 2019 general elections. In response to  the challenges, he said  government launched the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan aimed at revitalising the economy, meant to be the roadmap to stimulate the economy out of the worst economic crisis that the country has ever had.

Despite difficulties, Palapye District Council has successfully completed various projects, including the construction of classroom blocks and staff housing at primary schools in Lerala Ratholo, Mogome and Mokgware villages as well as Khurumela Primary School in Palapye. 

With a budget allocation of  over P5.1 million, a total of 499 Constituency Community Projects have been completed, with only 35 currently in progress for the 2024/2025 financial year. 

Mr Autlwetse highlighted improvements in mobility across the district with the paving of roads, aiming to expand from 16 km to 24.5 km by the end of the financial year. He noted the significance of these developments in facilitating trade and promoting Palapye as an investment destination.

Moreover, the council has constructed 64 destitute houses to accommodate 130 vulnerable family members and extended aid through the Ipelegeng Programme, benefiting over 160 000 individuals, predominantly women.

Mr Autlwetse said other development projects that had a significant contribution to smooth movement of goods and services are the asphalt overlay of roads in Extension 7/4 and the DHMT in Palapye as well as construction of storm water drainage, sport improvement and installation of street lights at Lerala funded under the road levy. 

These projects were funded at the tune of P10 million.

Chairperson of the Palapye District Council, Mr Jordan Makhura, remarked that decentralisation had empowered their capacity to provide essential services tailored to the district’s unique needs. 

He expressed pride in the new logo as a symbol of unity, growth, and the aspirations of the Palapye community. ENDS