KwaZulu-Natal
3 April 2009
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele earlier today, 3 April 2009
officially opened the first phase of the R34 million Sivananda Luwamba Wellness
Centre, at Ntambanana near Empangeni in Northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The Sivananda Luwamba Wellness Centre, which will also serve as a
one-stop-shop with various government departments housed under one roof, has
been built in the Ntambanana municipal area, one of the most rural South
African municipalities.
Thousands of people including Members of the Provincial Government Executive
Council (MECs), Members of the Legislature, Mayors, Councillors and Members of
the Divine Life Society of South Africa attended the event.
âThis project is a joint initiative between the provincial government of
KwaZulu-Natal and the Divine Life Society of South Africa. This is a classic
example of a successful public-private partnership which has been achieved
through sheer determination, goodwill, cooperation and hard work.
âThe Sivananda Luwamba Wellness Centre will bring immediate relief and
interventions to the sick, vulnerable and those at risk. By bringing together
the various government services, it has allowed joint resource utilisation.
This will lead to greater opportunities, such as accessing support for
reversing the apartheid aftermath, in respect of re-establishing the human
settlement in the area that was devastated. Land utilisation can now be
restored.
âThe project will take on board one of the key lessons of the international
experience, namely, that successful rural development must be implemented in a
participatory and decentralised fashion in order to respond to priorities and
opportunities at the local level. This project attempts to build on previous
experience with national development programmes, as well as assimilating key
lessons from similar efforts worldwide. The Sivananda Luwamba Wellness Centre
is designed to realise a vision that will âattain healthy, socially cohesive
and stable rural communities with viable institutions, sustainable economies
and universal access to social amenities,â said the Premier.
The first phase, which costs R17 million, consists of a health centre with a
step down facility comprising 38 beds. This is supplemented by a Voluntary
Counselling and Testing Centre for HIV and AIDS, a drop in centre for indigent
children and pensioners, an Early Childhood Development Centre for 80 children,
a peace centre that will house income generation and skills training projects
as well as offices to house various government departments including
agriculture, social development, community safety and housing.
As part of the second phase, a community hall and staff residence will be
established. There is also a commitment from the Department of Housing to
establish a human settlement for 250 families on 250 hectares of land that has
already been acquired from the Department of Land Affairs.
The premier also paid tribute to the Divine Life Society of South Africa;
particularly itâs most saintly and noble leaders who sacrificed their lives for
the upliftment of the poor and disadvantaged Sri Swami Sivananda and Sri Swami
Sahajananda. âThe Societyâs concern for the underprivileged, children in
particular, irrespective of their cast, colour or creed is deeply appreciated,â
the Premier said.
Since 2004 the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, under the leadership of
Premier Ndebele, has prioritised rural development. The Sivananda Luwamba
Wellness Centre forms part of this development.
The aim of the Sivananda Luwamba Wellness Centre is to achieve
cross-sectoral delivery through integrated development projects, which
encompasses:
* improved provision of government services
* enhanced opportunities for income generation and local economic
development
* improved physical infrastructure
* social cohesion and physical security and
* effective provision for the sick and vulnerable.
This focus on health promotion decreases the demand for expensive curative
care, thereby decreasing costs and creating greater value. This is achieved
through clinic-based health care, community-based health care and community
development initiatives.
The Luwamba community was served by the Lutheran Church, from 1924, when the
Church established the Luwamba mission station. A hospital was developed for
residents of what was known as the Biyela Reserve. On account of the great
demand, satellite stations were established for the neighbouring communities by
the American Lutheran Mission Board and Inkosi Obuka. In 1978, the hospital was
taken over by the apartheid state and, subsequently, closed.
In 2004, the provincial government held an Izimbizo at Luwamba, at which a
commitment was made to develop a health centre at this site. In 2006, a weekly
clinic facility was established and operated from a prefab structure. This did
not meet the requirements of the community and the traditional leadership of
the area approached Premier Ndebele for assistance. The premier solicited the
assistance of the Head of the Divine Life Society of South Africa who pledged a
sum of R7 million towards a multi purpose centre. The remainder of the funding
was provided by the provincial government.
For pictures, kindly contact:
Master Mosunkutu
Cell: 082 885 1406
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Premierâs Spokesperson
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
Cell: 083 644 4050
E-mail: maistryl@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
3 April 2009
