Road users’ joy
50 unemployed youths to be trained as builders NU 18 housing project grinds to halt Waterfall of sewage at centre
www.dispatchlive.co.za
SCORES of rural residents from rural Mpindweni village have lavished praise on Mthatha city bosses for finally fixing their rural roads, saying their lives have been changed for the better.
King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Municipality spent nearly R5-million on upgrading dilapidated internal roads in the village situated about five kilometres outside Mthatha.
But amid the excitement, others especially those who use their cars as taxis, said they would have preferred it if the roads had been tarred.
KSD spokesman Sonwabo Mampoza said initially only 15km worth of rural roads in Mpindweni had been earmarked as part of the project.
However, after a request from the community, they had decided to do an additional three kilometres.
“We are so happy the project has been completed within the specified six months,” added the spokesman.
KSD mayor Nonkoliso Ngqongwa said she was pleased they had managed to improve the condition of the roads in the village as it would make the lives of hundreds of villagers much easier.
The Daily Dispatch reported earlier this year the poor condition of internal roads had become a source of discontent for rural Mpindweni residents for many years.
But when the Dispatch visited Mpindweni yesterday, many of the residents expressed joy the roads were now in a better condition.
None more so than neighbours, Nofikile Mayekiso and Nokhaya Mbananga, both aged 72. FIFTY disadvantaged, elderly or disabled shack residents will in three months time receive RDP houses built by local youths.
This is courtesy of a youth development programme which will see 50 young people from Mdantsane’s NU9 trained as builders.
The programme, a joint initiative by Buffalo City Metro and the EC department of human settlements, targeted unemployed youths from Manyano informal settlement and surrounds.
Through the programme, the youth are to receive three months’ on-site building training and are to be provided with mentors to assist them every step of the way.
After completing the on-site training, trainees will move on to the youth brigade, which entails 12
“I cannot even put it in words how happy we are that our roads have been fixed,” said a beaming Mayekiso.
She said many of the roads had previously become impassable especially during rainy seasons.
“The village is built on a slope and you’d find many cars being towed by a span of oxen because some roads become very slippery.”
Mbananga said she sometimes even found it hard to travel to town as she was forced to walk long distances to catch a taxi as they refused to go into the village due to the poor roads.
But bakkie owners like Jackson Mpetho, who uses his vehicle as a private taxi to ferry passengers, said it would have been better had the roads been tarred.
“Even now, we have to change tyres as they become worn out. They months of theory before receiving competency certificates which will allow them to pursue a qualification through an FET college to become artisans.
Speaking at the official launch held in Mdantsane yesterday, human settlements MEC Helen Sauls-August said the programme was inspired by the shortage of builders in South Africa.
“That is part of the reason we have a backlog when it comes to housing in the country,” she said.
“Our targets for this programme were unemployed youths, but we also wanted people with a passion for construction because this is hard work and they need to be hungry for it in order to succeed.
“We also called on women and the disabled to come on board because there is room for them.”
According to Sauls-August, while the training is on a voluntary must put tar on the roads once and for all,” he said.
Mampoza, however, said the municipality was committed to bringing services to rural citizens of KSD.
He said an additional R10.5-million had been spent recently on building two bridges in Khonqeni village near Mqanduli.
Some of the money was used to upgrade rural roads in several villages including Bilitane and Manyisane.
“Those [Khonqeni] villagers were forced to travel long distances on foot to get to other villages or if they wanted to get to town,” he said.
The municipality indicated earlier this year it had budgeted around R150-million for upgrading the road network in the municipal area with a focus on improving the condition of rural roads. — basis, trainees receive a full uniform as well as a midday meal.
BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi said the city was excited by the programme.
The trainees said they were ecstatic at the prospect.
Odwa Nkwatheni said because he had only gone as far as Grade 11 he had been facing a bleak future.
“I once worked as a labourer on a construction site and I was doing basic things like mixing cement.
“Now I’m being trained on how to build a house which is a skill I can use for the rest of my life. I will finally be able to support myself.”
Thulile Makahlana said she was happy to be involved in something that would one day benefit the community.
“What makes it even more special is this is the community I grew up in,” she said. — A HOUSING project that will ultimately benefit more than 50 families in NU 18 has come to a standstill.
From February this year, families living in the CC18 informal settlement were required to move to an adjacent plot to make way for new RDP houses. However, around 10 shacks still remain, with residents claiming the new site does not have sufficient space for all of them.
With little room between shacks, residents added there was a fire risk, in addition to not having toilets or running water. They are pleading with Buffalo City Metro (BCM) to provide temporary structures instead.
The Daily Dispatch sent questions to metro spokesman Thandy Matebese regarding the stalling of the housing project a week ago, however, he is yet to respond. Resident Luthando Thuthu said he was also concerned about the relocation costs involved.
“Many of us are unemployed and moving requires money,” Thuthu said.
“We have to pay someone to help transport the zinc sheets and then later the furniture. Depending on how big your shack is and how much furniture you have, it can be costly.”
Thuthu said since most of them had been living in their shacks for over 20 years, uprooting would make them fall apart.
“We watched those that moved and many of them had to fork out money to replace zinc sheets when they arrived at the new plot.
“That was fine for them because they have the money to do that, but what about the rest of us?” he said.
Thuthu’s shack is one of the 10 that remains on the plot, stalling the development of the A WEEKLY sewage spill dating back 13 years continues to be a huge headache for Mzamomhle’s Simunye Day Care Centre.
Manager Colleen Jooste said sewage ran below the centre, ending up in a manhole on its premises.
Jooste said every few days an overflow occurred, with raw sewage flowing out of the manhole and either gathering in the centre’s storm water drains or seeping on to the centre’s grounds.
She said not only were she and her staff members fed up with the stench, but she was worried about the health risk to the centre’s children.
Jooste, who has been running the centre since February, said: “Some days that manhole lid comes off and the sewage looks like a waterfall. You can see and smell the faeces. We keep the children project. One resident who attempted the move, Thandile Buso, said he now feared for his possessions.
“My shack fell apart as soon as we touched it. There’s an entire portion missing which once served as one of the walls, leaving my house exposed. Someone could walk in and steal my furniture at any time,” he said.
Elderly resident Nomfundo Ntsongwe said if BCM was not able to provide temporary structures then a new plot would be welcomed.
“If not then my daughter and my grandchildren will be sleeping outside until our new house is finished,” she said.
Residents said they had raised their concerns with their ward who allegedly told them BCM was unable to provide temporary structures due to budget issues. — indoors on those days. We also have a vegetable garden out at the back. The worst part is seeing the pigs eating it [sewage].”
In a story in the Dispatch in 2011, the then-centre manager said they had resorted to paying a private contractor to clean up the mess.
“But we don’t have that kind of money right now. This is a charity organisation. The staff members don’t even get a salary, they get a stipend,” Jooste said.
BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese said the metro was aware of the situation, adding that the only solution was for the centre to relocate.
The school was located at the lowest point of a sewerage network, just before a sewer line crossed to the Gonubie treatment works. A manhole, adjacent to the centre, often became blocked, causing the sewer “to back up”. Refuse dumped illegally near the manhole contributed to blockages.
“We urge members of this community to play their role in resolving this matter as it is their actions that are affecting the lives of the children at the centre and of the entire community.” —