Cronin's visit to George on Madiba Day started with a paint job and seed planting at the crèche in Protea Park, with the help of his colleagues from the National Department of Public Works.
On Friday evening Cronin attended a safety and security award ceremony for 37 local youths who partook in a project of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP). The event took place at the George Civic Centre.
George Municipality leaders in the EPWP
George Municipality is one of the most effective municipalities, working closely with departments on a national level.
So said Cronin when asked about the EPWP projects run for local youths by George Municipality. "I am very impressed by their progress. All the different areas - including the social and environmental sectors."
Four youths have been working at Sonneblomland Crèche as teachers' assistants on this programme, funded by national government.
Another 37 youths received Level 4 certificates in the field of law enforcement, from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, on Friday evening.
Three participants of the project have recently been appointed by George Municipality as traffic wardens, while one participant has been appointed by the South African Police Service in Cape Town.
According to Kgomotso Mathuloe, the media liaison officer of the National Department of Public Works, the George Youth Community Safety and Security Project was introduced in January last year as a pilot project of the EPWP Social Sector.
The project has employed 37 youths as firefighters, traffic wardens and school patrols.
Doing Madiba's work
Dressed in an orange overall, with a paintbrush in the hand, Cronin took his job seriously on Madiba Day as he painted the crèche's walls a light ochre.
The roof of the building was given a red hue, while others did some painting of the playground equipment and wooden pillars on the veranda. Youths from the department's EPWP helped to get the work done.
Gregory Solomans, the chairman of the crèche, was very touched by the initiative. "We need so much, but every little bit helps," he said.
Evodia Malgas, the head of the school, expressed her appreciation for being chosen for this upgrade.
"The deputy minister (Cronin) comes across as a real people's person. We normally only see him on TV, but it was an eye opener to see him in person," she said.
Cronin helped to plant vegetable seeds in old tires, converted to gardens. The school also received coffee tables, a long table with chairs, two fridges, a chest of drawers and mirrors.
VIEW PHOTO GALLERY
The children and staff of Sonneblomland Crèche in Protea Park welcomed guests at their premises with exuberance on Mandela Day.
Mzwandile Gincana (left), ANC ward councillor; Daniël Maritz, speaker of the George Council; and Mayor Charles Standers helped to paint the walls of Sonneblomland Crèche with Jeremy Cronin, the deputy minister of public works, and Stan Henderson, the deputy director general of the EPWP.
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