Public Works Umzinyathi District Office raising the bar for Nelson Mandela International Day
Vusi
Shabalala reports
The 18th of July marks a day to remember for management and personnel of Umzinyathi District Office. As the whole world celebrates the birthday of a global icon, the former first democratically elected President of South Africa, Mr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works’ Umzinyathi District Office under the leadership and management of Mrs NI Mbatha raised the bar in extending hope to the people of Umziyathi.
The Umzinyathi District Manager:
Ms Ntokozo Mbatha had some time for a brief with the
“Communication Team” on the event
This is how the KZN Public Works’ Umzinyathi District
Office looks
It is like a dream come true for the family of
Mr Mandla Ndlovu who hails from Ibusi, a
closer area to Wasbank. This is an area set
in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal
Battlefields route. An area that derives from
the historical peak of Indumeni Mountain
that submerges within and around the
significant towns of Glencoe and Dundee.
This area is also equidistant from both
Durban and Johannesburg respectively.
Umzinyathi District spearheaded the
Provincial “Sukuma Sakhe” campaign and
the strides that were displayed by the
district are profound in that the
management and personnel took it upon
themselves in bringing about hope to the
people of Umzinyathi by setting and raising
a bar of building a fully furnished house that
would seek to cuddle the Ndlovu family
together, notwithstanding to coincide this
momentous occasion by celebrating Mr
Mandela’s birthday in an unforgettable
style.
Above: Mr Mandla Ndlovu, the man behind the story,
whom the Umzinyathi District office management and
personnel thought it befitting to provide for. He hails
from Ibusi in Wasbank around Dundee
Let us unfold the untold story of this
magnitude. It was as far back as thee year
2010 when the department’s District Office
in collaboration with the Midlands Regional
Office Manager Mr Radebe had the zeal and
zest full of vim and verve to look around the
district in identifying one but amongst the
worst poorer citizen within the area who
after all the odds the family of Ndlovu was
identified as the recipients of this
everlasting gift.
When asked about the gifts he received
today, he simply had a brief sigh and in a
soft spoken voice echoed that “I am so much
overjoyed in what the management and
staff from Public Works have done for me
and my children, I am thankful indeed.” He
expressed. Mr Ndlovu will have precious
time to spend his life with his two children,
Mbuyiseni a boy and Nonhlanhla, a girl.
Both children are 27 and 25 years of age
respectively with Mbuyiseni being the
eldest. It is also a sad note that the two
children were not present at the ceremony
when their father was presented with such
a lifetime gift.
This is how Mr Ndlovu’s house looked like before.
A completely built house as it looks today
It did not end here as the day’s proceedings
unfolded, two “Good Samaritans” namely
Ms Petro Olivier and Mr Ernst de Bruyn of
the Hands of Hope, a social responsibility
and charity organisation located within the
Glencoe and Dundee together with Public
Works’ staff and other community members
from various donor sectors donated
commodities in a form groceries and
vegetables. What a positive social structure
this municipality embraces.
Due to the nature of the circumstances of
this event, the proceedings did not go as
planned. There had been a slight delay in
fulfilling the programme as scheduled due
to fact those most political big-wigs who
were assigned to grace all the Nelson
Mandela International Day celebrations
around Dundee, Glencoe and Wasbank had
to ensure that all areas are well graced as
mandated and thus the delay in fulfilling the
programme schedule.
Time to give: Mr Ndlovu with Public Works’ staff,
representatives from Hands of Hope as well as officials
from other government departments and community
organisations.
It became very clear that as the day progresses, people from around the surrounding areas flogged to Mr Ndlovu’s home, with a view at wishing him all of the best of luck for his gift. It should be mentioned that the day in question was celebrated worldwide and Wasbank was part of the order.
A caucus meeting in progress: Seen here is Mayor
Mahaye (left), Councillor Dlamini (centre) and Mr
Hadebe, Regional Manager: Midlands Region (right)
The Mayoral entourage of Endumeni Municipality, led by the Mayor himself, Honorable Mr Thulani Mahaye arrived together with Local Councillor Dlamini at approximately 15:30 where some of the guests were about to lose hope but the eagerness and status of the occasion dashed all doubts from those who were sceptical of staying at little longer. Upon his arrival, the event kicked on and as part of protocol, formal proceedings were followed according to programme.
Ms Thandi Sibalukhulu, Local Chairperson for War
Room Ward One held the ropes as Programme Director
The day’s programme was handled by Ms
Thandi Sibalukhulu, who serves as Local
Chairperson for War Room Wad One. The
order of the event took shape with the first
speech on the purpose of the event by Ms
Nyadeni, a local political echelon of
Wasbank and Dundee areas, who
elaborated in detail on the purpose of the
day.
Ms Nyandeni also had an opportunity to
introduce all key guests such as Ms Nxele,
Head of Ministry in the Office of the Premier
and Ms Mazibuko from Department of
Social Development in Dundee. The second
speaker to be introduced was the local
Councillor Mr Dlamini extended words of
welcome for all guests to the Wasbank and
nearby areas. Ms NI Mbatha, District
Manager for Umzinyathi District Office gave
a very warm and heartfelt message of
appreciation to the local political leadership
who extensively shown their political
willingness to respond to the peoples’
outcries. She was very inspirational in that
the planning of the project such as the one
celebrated was based on a mutual team
effort between herself, the Regional
Manager for Midlands Region, Mr Wiseman
Gcina Hadebe and the entire personnel at
Umzinyathi District office. It should be
mentioned that this initiative and gesture
was identified as far back as 2011. “I must
mention that there are still more projects
similar to this that we will deliver on soon”
she confidently remarked. She repeatedly
thanked her staff members for their
patriotism in dealing with issues that touch
the lives of others and that sense of giving
to the needy. The fact that her tasks came as
“nothing-to-worry-about” was because she
maintained positive working relations with
her leader, Mr Gcina Hadebe, Midlands
Regional Manager.
Ms Mbatha, Umzinyzthi District Manager gave a very
eloquent but touching speech as she praised all
employees and other departments for making the event
a success. All that is good always ends well.
The Endumeni Municipality mayor,
Honorable Mr Thulani Mahaye made a
concise and long awaited keynote address
that equally responded to the local
community members’ concerns. “The last
time we visited this area, we as government
made a commitment to you that as we have
experienced some problems on some major
basic things that you need like water, you
can today be rest assured as you can see
that the water project is currently
underway’ stressed Mr Mahaye. He further
remarked, “We will continue our level best
to do what is good for the of Wasbank.” His
speech was equally indicative and a true
reflection of being a committed Government
that seeks to serve the needy and poor. “As
you can all see that there is still no
electricity in the area” he acceded, “that will
be a thing of the past because the matter is
at this stage receiving attention” he
emphasised. The ululation from members of
the Wasbank community and guests who
were there showed excitement and
appreciation. As a matter of fact, the mayor
urged community members to keep that
hope and faith in the Government of the
day’s commitment of ensuring that peoples’
lives are improved for the better.
After all speeches were concluded, the real
time, of home hand-over came to the fore. It
was a moment of happiness and joy that no
one could explain and tears that no one else
could dry up. One could imagine what was
grinding through Mandla Ndlovu’s mind
because he felt short of words of happiness
and as a seemingly looking introvert, he
honestly seemed and felt very humble. The
most touching aspect was the absence of his
two children.
Mayor of Endumeni Municipality, Mr Thulani Mahaye
delivering his keynote address while Mr Hadebe looking
on with deep and positive thoughts.
The house was completely built from
scratch by staff members of Umzinyathi
District and for that matter labour
manpower was provided for by Public
Works’ District Office staff members taking
into account other resources such as
transport and water, etc.; they also bought
him other additional household items for
use for the betterment of his life. A female
neighbour made the moment more
prestigious and lively as produced a new
blanket over Mr Ndlovu and eventually
covered him with the blanket as a sign of
support and cuddling. This was a moment
never to be seen again by anyone who was
there.
The dignitaries continued to proffer words
of support and well wishing to Mr Ndlovu
and that in itself is “Ubuntu”. This moment
was a signal to the end of the day’s
programme and to that matter, Mr Gcina
Hadebe, the Regional Manager for the
Midlands Region was given the audacity to
share with the delegates, guests, neighbours
and community members his part of thanks.
This was indeed a time that one could
realise the importance of selflessness,
caring, reinvigoration, self-evident, leading
by example, responsibility and
commitment. It would be appropriate to
associate Mr Hadebe as a man of that
stature. It is through his leadership style
that such projects are realised within
communities they serve notwithstanding
the tremendous support he receives from
management and staff.
The Regional Manager for Midlands Region, Mr
Wiseman Gcina Hadebe during a vote of thanks delivery
speech. A man for all seasons indeed.
In closing remarks, the KZN Public Works
Umzinyathi District Office raised the bar in
style during the celebration of the Nelson
Mandela International Day. It has been
observed that icons such as Nelson
Mandela, the late Ghandi, the late Mother
Theresa and the late Princess Diana
amongst others saw life the other way
round than any person could elucidate. It is
in the make-up of an individual to love with
the willingness for compassion, loving and
giving.
We will dream positive and continue to
realise our positive dreams. There is best
yet to come.