Much-needed facelift for Icon’s roots

Government pumps in millions to develop struggle hero’s village

OLIVER Reginald Tambo’s birthplace of Nkantolo might not enjoy the same spotlight accorded to Nelson Mandela’s Qunu, but the sprawling village located on the outskirts of Mbizana has been turned into a major construction site.

Government has pumped hundreds of millions of rands into developmental projects, which are set to give the village a much-needed facelift.

Some of the major projects include the construction of 1 000 RDP houses; 500 each in Nkantolo and Silangwe villages, the latter the birthplace of Tambo’s mother Julia. The units are part of the more than 6 200 houses being built by the provincial human settlements department at a cost of more than R700-million across the Mbizana municipality.

Human settlements MEC Helen Sauls-August’s department is also spearheading the construction of a R23-million multi-purpose community centre, which will house a community health facility, social development and South African Social Security Agency offices, a satellite police station as well as home affairs offices.

However, despite its construction having started more than three years ago, it is yet to be completed.

Provincial human settlements spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha this week blamed the contractor appointed for doing shoddy work.

“There were delays because the contractor’s work was poor,” he said. “We had to fire the contractor as a result. But we appointed a new contractor to take over in June this year.”

The new contractor, Isivivane Construction, is expected to finish the work around December 15. Meanwhile, government has already spent about R1.4-billion towards the construction of the Ludeke Dam, near Nkantolo, which forms part of the Greater Mbizana Bulk Water Supply Scheme.

Sport, recreation, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina said a sum of R850-million had been spent on water reticulation.

“In total, the project will cost in the region of R4-billion.”

On the other hand, the public works department is busy with the tarring of a 13km gravel road stretch leading to Nkantolo from the R61.

Public works MEC Thandiswa Marawu announced last year that they had set aside R190-million for the project, which would also assist in job creation initiatives for locals. The road is set to be completed next year.

Majodina also revealed this week that three schools would be built to honour Tambo in his birth village. This includes the O R Tambo Technical College.

She said that they have also spent R23-million in upgrading the homestead of O R Tambo and more millions will be used when they develop the O R Tambo Garden of Remembrance.

The late ANC stalwart’s proud nephew Mzukisi Tambo praised government for undertaking several developmental projects in the area.

“He [Tambo] would have been proud. Whoever is saying that government has not done anything here is lying,” he said.

Mzukisi said the projects had culminated in many job opportunities for local residents. Among those is Mvuselo Khetho. The youngster completed his matric in 2012 but could not further his studies due to financial constraints.

“Many youths go to Durban and Johannesburg to look for work. If it weren’t for these government projects, I would probably be sitting at home without any income or possibly among those who left in search of greener pastures.”

But, Mzukisi was still not happy that they still have no access to clean water supply. However, he hopes the new dam will address such a challenge. —