‘Siyahlola Programme’ targets the Endumeni Local Municipality
It is back to business. It was Saturday, 15th of May 2021 when the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Honourable Ntuthuko Mbongiseni Sibiya continued on his official business of ‘serving’ – through the Siyahlola Programme. This time Mr Sibiya was destined to visit Dundee Secondary School situated in Endumeni Local Municipality. Joining MEC Sibiya s he graced the visit was the Municipality Mayor for Endumeni, honourable Mr Mdluli, his mayoral entourage and other senior delegates. The Siyahlola Programme has a significant purpose – to regularly conduct visits to various schools and render inspection, with special attention to those under renovation, upgrade and construction.
Mr. Siboniso Majola, the acting Head of Departmen, performed another role as programme directors on the day, in collaboration with Mr Mdu Zungu, the Head of Department for Human Settlements. During the first part of the programme, Mr Sihle Mazibuko, who is Deputy Director for Midlands Region’s Programme Management was offered an ample opportunity of addressing guests and stakeholders on programme details and updates.
According to Mr Mazibuko, the project visited was awarded to Enza Construction for the sum of R410 3550 141, 35. The site was handed over to the contractor on 10 July 2020. The construction period is 24 months and the original practical completion is schedule for 10th May 2022 but the contractor has made the commitment that they will complete the project before time.
The project has 30% of the project value allocated to local sub-contractors of which 15% is allocated to sub-contractors who are registered under the department’s Eyesizwe Contractor Development Programme (ECDP), with 15% targeted to local sub-contractors. To date, 82 work opportunities have been created to local community members to help reduce the level of poverty and to empower the economy in Endumeni Local Municipality. There are 10 training opportunities created by the contractor and 20 more opportunities to be created by Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. The project is still within the approved budget and would be completed within the budget.
Before the site visit was conducted, Mr Sibiya expressed his gratitude for the hard work done by the department in collaboration with the contractors. The project is progressing quite satisfactorily, in spite of the minimal challenges that emerged and were brought to his attention. The challenges involve the community members and interventions were put in place with no serious barriers caused towards the continuity of construction.
In his address, MEC Sibiya mentioned that, “I commit my Department to ensure speed and quality into
the services we provide as the Department to our community. It is very important to ensure speed in
the roll out of the source of economic structure.” The MEC has placed the Department as the centre of
delivering the infrastructure on behalf of all the Departments. He continued to state that the
Department of Public Works should be a department that delivers on time and provide the government
the infrastructure that they need.
During the site visit, MEC Sibiya had an opportunity to interact with the contractor while inspection
took its course. The school is currently in a promising state of appropriate construction, with renovation
and upgrade of the other parts of the school infrastructure. He was impressed with the progress that
was made with high pace and speed. So far, a lot of hard work has been done and the Mr Sibiya cannot
wait for the completion of the service and to handover the completed school to the Department of
Education next year. He also highlighted the necessity and importance for the educators to teach in a
conducive environment and they must wake up every morning inspired to go to work. On the other
side, learners will also learn in a conducive environment to produce best results at the end of the
curriculum period.
It must be indicated that there were interactive engagements amongst Messrs Sibiya and Mdluli
including the school Principal and the contractor. A promise was made by the contractor, to complete
the project by the end of year 2021. It is yet to be seen though. In his vote of thanks, Councillor Mdluli
appreciated the contractors by speeding up the project and is looking forward for the handover of the
school to the community. He said “It gives hope to the community that where there are challenges
there will be a breakthrough and the vision is to make the lives of the people better.” It also serves to
be reported that Mrs Tooray, the school’s principal was very grateful and ‘over-the-moon’ with the
progress and she stated that the children deserve nothing but the best and indicated that the building
is in good hands