The Role of Thusong Community Centre in Advancing Development to Communities - Essay Example

TSC has undergone several changes to improve national coordination at the local level. In this regards, the TSC program created two phases’ activities. The phases are called first-generation and second generation. According to a document released by the GCIS (2006: 7), the first generation phase is developed to establish one TSC in each district by December 2004. In fact, by December 2004, sixty-five centres were established that provides services to more than 700 areas not served previously.

As of September 2009, countrywide 139 TSCs are established. The further roll-out of TSCs in each local municipality is a target set for 2014. In 2006, Cabinet approved the second-generation Thusong Service Centres Business Plan. It describes different participants roles and responsibilities, provides guidelines on the sustainability of existing TSC, and focuses on the role of future centres. The second-generation TSC Program entails the government’s commitment to building a responsive state where citizens and the state form a social strategic partnership to ensure the delivery of improved service.

The business plan summarizes principal tasks of the second-generation of TSC (RAE TSC, 2010): • To bring government information and services closer to the people to promote access to opportunities as a basis for improved livelihoods. • To promote cost-effective, integrated, efficient and sustainable service provision to better serve the needs of citizens. • To build sustainable partnerships with government, business and civil society. • To create a platform for greater dialogue between citizens and government.

Thusong second-generation business plan (2004: 29) presents an overview of the Thusong management outline and their roles and responsibilities in the management of the centre. Management comprises representatives from the municipality, community structures and ward representatives. The management committee is mainly responsible for operations, monitoring and evaluating services at the centre.