Thousands of families in the uMhlabuyalingana municipality, which is currently under provincial administration, are to get a dazzling New Year’s present in the form of electricity at their homes, thanks to a R9 million funding from the government.
At the same time, the provincial government is to begin a project of reviving the Manguzi northern border town so that it can begin to attract tourism and business investment, and ultimately become one of KwaZulu-Natal’s key economic linchpins.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube will this Thursday, 13 January 2011 unveil a R6,5 million project to rehabilitate the town, moving it away from its current shabby state where informal business structures and shelters litter the potentially vibrant town.
The day will also be used to announce the start of a project of electrifying the Manaba Community in the municipality, which has come at the initial request of the local traditional leadership – proving the government correct in its view that traditional leaders are better positioned to become instrumental partners for community development.
The launch of the Manaba Electrification Project is part of the programme by the government to restore the confidence of the community back into the municipality and to ensure that service delivery is a priority in uMhlabuyalingana. The municipality is currently under administration by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs department in the province after its administration and governance had collapsed. It will remain under the province until after the forthcoming local government elections.
Members of the media are cordially invited to what promises to be an emotion-charged event for the previously neglected community.
The event will take place as follows:
Venue: Manaba Sports Ground (Manguzi)
Date: 13 January 2011
Time: 09h00
Enquiries:
Vernon Mchunu
Cell: 082 474 1882
Lennox Mabaso
Cell: 082 844 2403
