Izimbizo are more than just feel-good gigs for the president and Cabinet members

CAPE TOWN - The Presidency has defended the millions of rand spent on presidential izimbizo, saying they are not political gimmicks nor a waste of taxpayers’ money.

In a reply to a parliamentary question from the Democratic Alliance (DA), the cooperative governance minister revealed last week that government had spent R44 million on four izimbizo held between last October and May this year.

Responding to the outcry from some quarters, presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said on Wednesday that the tradition had evolved over 30 years of democracy.

It now aims to ensure integrated planning and delivery under government’s district development model.

Magwenya said that public participation was part of the democratic DNA of South Africa and presidential izimbizo were not just talk shops.

He said that their focus was not only on challenges experienced in service delivery but on planning to promote inclusive development.

"The izimbizo are more than just a feel-good gig for the president and members of Cabinet. It is about a caring government that's closer to the people, ensuring the rights to access to basic services is solidified."

Magwenya said that although costly at times, their value could not purely be measured by rands and cents and all procurement processes for the set-up of an izimbizo must follow the Public Finance Management Act.

He said that politicians designated to the various districts were accountable to the president and must provide regular feedback to Cabinet on progress, including when the president should visit.

Magwenya said that the seventh administration would continue to engage citizens through izimbizo, with the next round set to start in the Ekurhuleni metro later this month.