Community urged to take charge of their development
MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha has urged the community of KwaShoba, near oPhongolo, in northern KwaZulu-Natal to adopt a culture of self-help in order to fast-track development in the area.
The MEC and the KwaZulu-Natal Cabinet led by Premier Senzo Mchunu are in the Zululand District as part of the Operation Sukuma Sakhe Cabinet programme. They are visiting different wards in the District to assess the progress of development and to consult with communities about their challenges.
MEC Sibhidla Saphetha visited several development projects in Ward 8 and was briefed about living conditions in the area.
She addressed the local community at the local traditional court after listening to community concerns.
The most pertinent issues raised by the community include shortage of water, roads, sport and recreation amenities as well as crime and other social ills.
“When I was briefed this morning I was told that out of the population of seven thousand people in this Ward, about 1500 girls have sexually transmitted illnesses. Having so many young girls with STIs is worrying and this tells us that as the community we need to take action to educate our youth about these matters,” she said.
“We need to be open to our children in order to teach them about good behaviour. I want to emphasise the role of men in protecting their wives, partners and children from being exposed to these illnesses. I encourage fathers to also make it a habit to visit clinics not only to be tested for HIV but to ensure that they are healthy,” said MEC Sibhidla-Saphetha.
She urged the community to adopt water saving habits as the entire Province is facing a severe drought problem.
“Currently there is no hope that we are going to get enough rains to alleviate the challenge. That is why it’s important for all of us to save the water that we have. But we will work together as all spheres of government to ensure that where water is available people should have access.”
She concluded by urging the community to stand up and do things for themselves, instead of waiting for government.
“If you stand up and start your own projects it is easy to attract the attention of government and investors who will come in to assist. We must form ourselves into cooperatives and community organisations to do poultry farming, plant vegetables, sewing clubs and livestock farming.
“In this area we have seven schools and our children require uniforms every year. Why are we not making these uniforms within the community? In this way we will invest in our own economic development.”
MEC Sibhidla-Saphetha donated library equipment to be available to the community at the local War Room as well as sport and recreation equipment for local schools.
“If we want our children to be safe from crime, unwanted pregnancies and drug abuse we must encourage them to play sport, participate in music and other cultural activity,” she said.
Enquiries:
Thabo Mofokeng
Cell: 082 731 7456
Bheki Ncube
Cell: 082 575 4164
Mluleki Mntungwa
Cell: 083 382 0614
