Premier Ebrahim Rasool and MEC Tasneem Essop will attend the opening ceremony of the Manenberg Community Gardens. The launch of the garden, a joint project between Proudly Manenberg and the Western Cape Government's Department of Environment, Planning and Economic Development, marks a significant achievement for the people of this poverty-stricken area on the Cape Flats. The land where the garden has been established was previously punctuated by footpaths, an indication that residents used it as a crossing to take short-cuts through the neighbourhood.

Manenberg is one of Premier Rasool's '21 Priority Areas' where the Western Cape Government is concentrating its resources and energies in an concerted effort to turn the tide against drugs, gangs, crime, poverty and unemployment. As part of this programme, MEC Essop's Department of Environment, Planning and Economic Development has contributed R200 000 toward the development of the Manenberg Community Gardens.

The Manenberg Gardens include an open-air stage for musical and arts productions, a coffee shop and water feature. Proudly Manenberg aims to host musical shows, art exhibitions and other cultural events in the garden.

TIME: 13H00

DATE: THURS, 14 FEBRUARY 2008

PLACE: Manenberg Avenue('Die Laan' - 200m from Modderdam Road)

For further enquiries, contact: Nils Flaaten, MEC Essop's spokesperson, 083 708 7119.

Issued by:
Jeremy Michaels
Chief Director: Communications
Department of the Premier
Provincial Government of the Western Cape
Cell: +27 (0)82 772 1122
Office: +27 (0)21 483 9955
Fax: +27 (0)21 483 7196
Email: jmichaels@pgwc.gov.za
Postal address: PO Box 659, Cape Town, 8000.
Physical address: Office of the Premier, Mezzanine Level, M7, 7 Wale Street, Cape Town, South Africa, 8001.
Website: http://www.capegateway.gov.za/premier