The KwaZulu Natal Cabinet led by the Premier, Honourable Nomusa Dube - Ncube focused its attention on the uThukela District Municipality in the western boundary of KwaZulu Natal Province on Wednesday, 26 October 2022 during the Provincial Government’s Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) programme.
OSS is a provincial government flagship programme aimed at fastracking service delivery in the province while directly confronting socio-economic challenges ranging from poverty, unemployment, crime and a myriad of social ills experienced by communities.
Such challenges get recorded at a war room level, this is where relevant community structures and public servants conduct interventions to address issues of concern raised by the general electorate in an endeavor to implement permanent solutions.
Against this backdrop, the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, MPL was deployed to execute strategic government work by visiting profiled community projects and tackle issues affecting communities located at Moyeni area in Ward 2, under the INkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality.
Prior to the community engagement, the MEC visited the families of Mr Wandile Mlangeni and Ms Zinhle Mkhonza whose dilapidated houses will be rectified under the government intervention initiative, dubbed the Operation Sukuma Sakhe Rectification Programme. These two families were overwhelmed with joy when the MEC extended a helping hand by donating some groceries as part of a humanitarian gesture and promotion of Ubuntu which cuts across all racial lines.
The MEC made a commitment when he assured these families that, their houses will be constructed in line with acceptable standard requirements embraced by government and be officially handed over to their beneficiaries immediately when they are ready for occupation. This directly speaks to the principles of the Freedom Charter which entirely envelope the element of decent houses, security and comfort.
Community Members of INkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality in Ward 2
The MEC accompanied by his entourage and government officials proceeded to inspect a Water Reticulation Upgrading Project (WRUP) at the Mqedandaba area where 25 local people are employed through the provincial Expanded Public Works Programme which is spearheaded by the KZN Department of Public Works.
Local community members expressed their appreciation to the Department for affording them an opportunity to form part of the above project which has, in a way, addressed their socio-economic challenges.
A mother of 3, who is a local project beneficiary, Ms Thobile Mngomezulu, says, she was employed to serve as a general worker for the WRUP from June 2021 to date. She claims that, she is now able to alleviate poverty and make ends meet. “I am grateful to the government for this life changing opportunity,” she concluded.
To this end, the project progress report confirms that, 55% of work has been done, with the actual completion date pointing to February 2023.
Above: Ms Thobile Mngomezulu – EPWP Beneficiary at Mqedandaba Water Reticulation Project
The day’s programme was concluded at Moyeni Community Hall with community members waiting on tenterhooks for the MEC and senior government management to address their service delivery-related issues.
It was during the ‘question and answer session’ when the community raised serious issues around the scarcity of water, poor road infrastructure and high rate of crime. Community members were pleased that most of the questions posed were addressed adequately to their satisfaction.
The MEC made an undertaking when he unambiguously assured the community that all other issues raised will be forwarded to relevant government departments for a prompt intervention.