Wasted effort, Nhlambeni Clinic project abandoned
MATSAMO – About 13 years ago, residents of Nhlambeni had hope that they would no longer need to border-jump into South Africa (SA) to seek minor medical needs.
This is because in 2010, the community embarked on the construction of a clinic. According to documents in possession of this publication, the clinic was to be funded by the government, through Microprojects and also by the Komati Basin Water Authority (KOBWA). The construction has since been abandoned and is littered with cigarette butts and some condoms.
To show their commitment at the commencement of the project, the residents are also said to have participated in laying the foundation of the structure. However, as fast as the construction started, it stopped.
Sizwe Shongwe, the former Chairperson of the project known as the Lake Matsamo Community Project, confirmed that no construction work had taken place after 2013.
He said when the project started, residents had to use their resources alongside what the government and KOBWA had pledged.
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Shongwe said just before the construction work started, the residents had to clear the area, which had overgrown grass. He said they even connected water to the area so that the construction work could continue smoothly. Shongwe also said the government also delivered some of the material.
He further said while the construction continued, they were advised by a representative of KOBWA that the funding was not available.
Shongwe said this surprised the residents because they were under the impression that the company would assist in the construction.
Shongwe said the project had brought hope to the community because they did not have any healthcare facilities in the area. He said the nearest facility around Horo is near Emvembili.The chairperson said this was far for residents, especially women who needed to carry children and that during the rainy season, leaving the area to go to Horo was very difficult.
Furthermore, Shongwe revealed that residents were happy about the new clinic because they often used South African facilities.
Jealous Shongwe, who is also a resident, expressed concern that the construction of the clinic had stopped. He said recently, some people in the community had complained of diarrhoea and that they had to travel far instead of using the services in the area.
When reached for comment on the role of KOBWA, Siya Gumedze, the Communications Officer asked to be sent a questionnaire. The questionnaire was then sent on April 21, 2023. However, when reached for comment a week later, he said he had not yet received a response from his superiors.
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Meanwhile, Nelson Mamba, the Member of Parliament (MP) of Timphisini said the construction was started by the residents and that they were assisted by the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development. He also said KOBWA had indicated that it would assist with part of the construction of the structure.
Mamba said the ministry even purchased some of the material, which was kept at the construction site for about three years. He said the material remained despite that the construction had stopped.
The MP said after realising that the material was being wasted, they had no option but to return it. He said KOBWA had indicated it would assist in the provision of door frames, and roofing material but that this offer did not materialise.
Noteworthy, Mamba was the Indvuna yenkhundla when the project was started, while Jennifer du-Pont was the MP.
Later, Apton Ndlovu became the MP while Mamba continued as the Indvuna yeNkhundla. Mamba then became the MP during the 2018 elections.
He said the community was still hopeful that the government would eventually make funds available for the construction of a healthcare facility in the area. Noteworthy, KOBWA had in the past assisted the community around Matsamo and also Pigg’s Peak in many ways. The organisation had funded the construction of both Mlumati High and Primary Schools.
It also funded the construction of several other facilities such as Gobolondlo Hall in Pigg’s Peak and many other recreational facilities that are still in use today.
The organisation had also previously constructed bridges to assist the community of Nhlambeni to cross the rivers.