The Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Mr Gugile Nkwinti will lead three spheres of government, private sector companies and traditional leadership formations in Celebrating the international Nelson Mandela day at the birth place of Nelson Mandela in Mveso on Thursday 18 July.
In celebrating the birthday of the international icon, Department of Rural Development and Land Reform will hand over the Inkosi Dalibhunga Nelson Mandela legacy bridge to the communities of Mveso and 21 surrounding villages. The 140 metre inkosi Dalibhunga Nelson Mandela Legacy Bridge has been built in honour of Nelson Mandela.
Minister Nkwinti says the Bridge will help in integrating communities around Mveso and Ludondolo, and it will also help in unlocking the economic potential in the area. Hunderd and thirty community members have been employed in this R158 million infrastructure development project. The Bridge will be able to link Mvezo and the neiboughring villages with the N2.
This linkage is expected to make travelling comfortable and reduce the distance to East London, Mthatha and Idutywa by at least 50km. Currently, whenever people of Mvezo have to travel to Idutywa they have to go via Qunu Village. This is 86 kilometre journey and the bridge will now shorten the trip.
In executing this multi-million rand infrastructure project, Department of Rural Development and Land Reform worked with various government departments including Public Works, Roads and Transport as well as Water Affairs.
On Thursday, in marking the 67 minutes activities, Siemens together with the department of Basic Education will plant 100 indigenous trees at the Mandela School of Science and Technology in Mveso, the financial investment into this project is 100 million rand. It is envisaged that the new generation of scientists and engineers will emerge from this Nelson Mandela school of Science and Technology.
The Al-IMDAAD foundation will also contribute to the 67 minutes activities by giving children hats and gloves at the Early Childhood Development Centre in Mveso. The foundation has been operating in this community for the past three years. The Nelson Mandela Day is celebrated by millions of South Africans and the international community.
Enquiries:
Mr Mphati Sehloho
Tel: 012 312 8112
Cell: 083 977 4040
