NORTH WEST PROVINCE READY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Issued by: North West Communication Service

31 August 1995

North West Premier, Mr Popo Molefe said there was no need to
press panic buttons about the holding of Local Government Elections
in the province.

Responding to a question during a telephone interview on Radio
Setswana today from Mmabatho, Premier Molefe reassured citizens of
North West that while there were some minor hiccups, the Local
Government Election was still on track.

"We have solved most of the problems. Presently, we have only
problems related to rural local government, districts council, as
well as representations of Traditional Leaders and of farmers.

"It appears that farmers' unions, especially white farmers in
the Province, are not happy with the government's idea of
proportional representation. They want a model of 50-50
representation, where other parties will share the remaining 50%. We
do not agree with that. However, we are still holding discussions,"
said Premier Molefe.

According to the Premier, Lichtenburg appears to be the only
district having problems.

He added that the other problems had been discovered during the
demarcation of borders where other parts of North West fell within
Gauteng province.

Premier Molefe refuted allegations that the primary feeding
scheme within the province was collapsing.

"In North West, we are already feeding 600 000 and we hope to
increase the number. We are happy with the way the scheme is
functioning," he said.