‘Zumaville’ rises from the dust near Nkandla
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma’s home village is abuzz with activity, undergoing a dramatic metamorphosis — a rural town is literally under construction.
At almost every corner, workmen with picks and shovels toil in the streets of what is touted to become South Africa’s first post-apartheid town.
The plan to build a R2-billion settlement on the doorstep of Zuma’s Nkandla homestead is gaining momentum with the department of Co-operative Governance being roped in on the project.
Zuma’s cousin, Deebo Mzobe, who co-chairs Masibambisane Rural Initiative — which is spearheading the project and has Zuma as its chairman — confirmed that Pravin Gordhan’s department was now on board. He refused to elaborate on the latest developments.
A government document, dated September 2014, which proposes amendments to the original uMlalazi Nkandla Smart Growth Centre plan — the official name for “Zumaville” — has been submitted to the Nkandla Municipality for consideration. It gives further details about developments.
According to the master plan, the town will be centred around the existing R12.8-million Mamba One Stop Centre, the R14.2million Lindela Thusong Centre and the Nxamalala Traditional Administrative Centre, just 3.2km from Zuma’s homestead.
The development area will be split between Shange and Nxamalala traditional councils. The proposed facilities will include a community museum, library, community centre, community hall, model school, new police station and a taxi rank.
Industrial development will include facilities such as another agricultural processing plant, motor workshops, tyre repair centres and other facilities.
It will combine existing rural
Pravin Gordhan’s department was now on board
homesteads with new housing Projects under way include:
An R88-million housing project in KwaNxamalala and nearby KwaMagwaza village — this is in addition to the 54 houses that have been built in KwaNxamalala as part of Operation Sukuma Sakhe and the 507 built in KwaMagwaza;
An estimated R70-million irrigation scheme less than one kilometre from Zuma’s homestead; and
A R42-million bridge project over the Nsuze River, about 5km from Zuma’s homestead.