The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Free State is not satisfied with the level of service delivery available to farm dwellers.

With population decline in rural areas, services are also dwindling with many unavailable in smaller towns, necessitating costly travel to larger centres. And, once there, many dwellers have to turn back after not being served.

During a recent service delivery imbizo by the government and various organisations at the Utopia farm near Bethlehem earlier in May, MEC Saki Mokoena was concerned that farm dwellers still struggle to reach service outlets.

He urged other government departments to help needy residents access service delivery easily.

Consequently, the local development model and all-encompassing approach to government and society should enable integrated and responsive planning, implementation and budgeting envisaged to help highlight difficulties and remove any backlog to service delivery with a firm belief that no one should be left behind.

Tshedi Maitse, marketing and communication manager in the local municipality of Dihlabeng, said this is an ongoing farm dwellers imbizo that aims to simplify the lives of the residents.

One of the farm dwellers, Manare Tlhahane, says every opportunity passes them by. She, however, applauds the efforts made by the department and different stakeholders in ensuring that services are prioritised for the farm dwellers.

OFM News/Tumelo Khotha cg