MECs Belinda Scott and Nomusa Dube-Ncube present government projects in Mkhambathini Municipality, Mgungundlovu District.
The community of Maqongqo area in Mkhambathini Municipality embraced an opportunity to engage government about their needs today when the provincial government descended on the area through its Operation Sukuma Sakhe programme.
Government team, led by MEC for Finance, Belinda Scott who is also the Political Champion of uMgungundlovu District, as well as MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, local mayors, iNkosi Nhlakanipho Maphumulo, traditional leader of Maphumulo Tribal Authority, heads of departments were in the area to introduce government programmes and interact with communities under government's poverty eradication, Operation Sukuma Sakhe.
Government visited projects such as a new library, new reservoir as well as a Philamntwana project. These projects address issues of literacy, water shortages and early childhood development. Scott also handed over sporting equipment to Nonzila Primary School which was donated by the Department of Sports and Recreation.
Local iNduna, Faso Gumede, said they do not have a police station here and the police took two hours to arrive when there is an emergency. "We have too many illegal taverns and this results in the mushrooming of crime in the area and the police are not visible enough to deal with it".
Scott said government will continue to use Operation Sukuma Sakhe to deliver various services to communities.
"We have heard water-related needs and we want to say that we are working on it. In about six months, we should have a solution through our new reservoir. We have also heard housing, agriculture, social grants and education needs. We have brought a team of officials from various government departments who have taken notes of issues raised that relate to their respective departments. They will follow up on these issues and ensure that necessary government interventions are effected," said Scott.
Inkosi Maphumulo said the government visit was important because it is about developing communities. "We just need communities to be part of this and communicate with government what we need. This should turn around the lives of our people for the better."
Pensioner Mfaniseni Ngubane pleaded with government to intervene as his dilapidated house was about to collapse. Another needy citizen who expressed the need for government intervention to build a new house was Phumzile Hlela.
Other residents requested government intervention as they needed water supply urgently amid the drought. Slindile Mathonsi said it was normal in the area to be without water supply for days.
Bhekezakhe Kunene was optimistic that the visit would yield positive results. "We like the fact that government has come here because it means we will see more being done for our community. We need our registered agricultural co-operatives to be supported.
Thabani Mthabela pleaded with government to provide recreational programmes for the youth to prevent them from resorting to crime and social ills.
"We need a primary school and agricultural support in the form of tractors so that we can fight poverty by planting food in our gardens," he concluded.
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