Mr Sboniso Majola and Cllr Buthelezi engaging with Omama Bokuzama Communal Garden members
KwaZulu Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube led the provincial Cabinet members as they visited the uMhlabuyalinga Local Municipality under UMkhanyakube District.
The cabinet visit held under the banner of the Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) Cabinet Day was held Sunday, 23 April 2023.
Operation Sukuma Sakhe is a provincial government programme aimed at fast-tracking service delivery in KwaZulu Natal with special emphasis on confronting triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality. This government community outreach programme covers a variety of issues affecting communities across the province. Such issues sometimes range from crime, substance abuse, HIV and tuberculosis.
The Acting Head of Department of Public Works Mr Sboniso Majola was deployed under ward 17 at ENgozini area, where he was scheduled to visit two projects located in that particular area.
Mr Majola started the day at R22 SANRAL Road Construction where he was met by the ward councilor Cllr Buthelezi, representatives for SANRAL, Leomat Construction (Pty) Ltd and officials from various government departments.
The R22 expansion project commenced in September 2020, it boarders Mozambique and Kosi Bay border.
This project when completed will benefit the citizens of UMhlabuyalinga to boost trade, create employment opportunities for local communities.
Given the project latest developments, it emerged that, the completion of Manguzi road expansion project will improve traffic safety and reduce traffic congestion to and from the Manguzi Central Business District.
Some road users expressed their appreciation saying that, the new road will minimize the rate of car accidents as it will serve as an alternative route to Manguzi CBD.
The AHOD Mr Majola also visited the local Omama Bokuzama Communal Garden project which was established in 2021.
A group of elderly women raised their concerns to the AHOD around a few challenges which require some government interventions saying, their intention is to ensure food security, children’s education and to uplift the standard of living.
The communal Garden project comprises of 30 previously disadvantage households. It is made up of 12 females who produce vegetables that are sold at a local market.
Speaking on behalf of Omama Bokuzama Ms Jabu Sibiya thanked the government for visiting their project and for giving them vegetable seeds and garden tools. They perceive this intervention as a vehicle to maximize their food production.
The day’s proceedings were concluded at Engozini Community Hall where the community members sang praises for the provincial government following a Cabinet visit which is aimed at addressing their socio-economic challenges.
Story and images by Siyathuthuka Mthembu