19 May 2007
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr Bheki
Cele will attend a sod turning ceremony of a bridge over the Black Mfolozi
River on Saturday, 19 May 2007, in Mahlabathini, Thombothi Primary School
(KwaXasane) at 10h00.
This follows a request by the Department of Education, Principal of the
Thombothi Primary School and the local councillors in the area for the
construction of a bridge over the Black Mfolozi River. The bridge would serve
the Thombothi Primary School and the surrounding community members.
Over the years, many pupils and other community members have lost their
lives while attempting to cross the river. Pupils lose many school days
especially over the rainy season when the river levels are too high to cross.
The closest alternative school is over 15 kilometres away. As this is a
primary/junior secondary school, pupils as young as six years old are forced to
cross this dangerous river without adult supervision.
The river bridge will serve as a link between the communities that are
separated by the Black Mfolozi River and provide safe passage, particularly the
school children who have to cross the river twice daily. At the point of the
crossing, the river flows north to south thus separating the Matheni Tribal
Authority (Esizinda community) in the east and the Zunga Tribal Authority
(Xasane Community) in the west.
The school located adjacent to the river on the west is the Thombothi Junior
Secondary School. An important aspect of the bridge construction is that its
cost remains an economic benefit to the communities it will serve. To this end,
the prospective contractors will be compelled to source all materials from the
Ulundi/Mahlabatini area and employ all artisans and labour from the nearby
communities. It is intended that the whole of the bridge construction will be
manual.
Enquiries:
Nonkululeko Mbatha
Tel: 083 645 6252
Issued by: Department of Transport Community Safety and Liaison,
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
19 May 2007
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)
