Cape Town - A first-of-its-kind establishment has been opened in George today. The drive-through licence centre in Blanco promises to ease the woes of endless administration of motor vehicle licence and registration.
George mayor Leon van Wyk and MEC of mobility in the Western Cape Daylin Mitchell officially opened the drive-through licence centre with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“The upgraded unused municipal building was converted into a brand-new innovative motor vehicle and registration (MVR) satellite office, which offers a drive-through service to assist with motor vehicle licence renewals and inside counters to handle bulk services,” the media statement said.
The promising service delivery initiative is said to be in response to the premier’s challenge to the transport mobility ministry.
“Our premier has challenged us to rethink, innovate and to push back against going back to the pre-Covid-19 normal, and has chosen to place a special focus on improving mobility in our province. This facility is one of many examples of programmes we have implemented to improve mobility in the Western Cape,” the media statement said.
The ministry displayed a keen interest to collaborate with the private sector on initiatives such as this.
“Improving mobility will not be possible without partnerships across government and, often, the private sector, too. More innovative solutions like this drive-through centre are possible through collaboration and partnership.”
Spokesperson Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka confirmed that the drive-through licence centre will only be utilised for vehicle licence renewals and not other transactions.
“All other transactions will be handled at the Hibernia centre in town. No cash payments will be accepted, payment is via card only.”
According to Makoba-Somdaka the estimated value of the establishment was R100 000 and the municipality used its own funds to renovate the building. Makoba-Somdaka encouraged others to learn from George and be innovative.
“We encourage other municipalities to learn from George and be innovative. Anything is possible through collaboration and partnership,” the statement read in a challenge to other municipalities in other parts of the province to follow the example of George.