ENGCOBO – On the first day of Women’s Month, DR AB Xuma Local Municipality led by Mayor Honorable Councilor Siyabulela Zangqa, gathered to celebrate the journey and achievements of the council and address the state of the municipality 2023 (SOMA). In honoring women the municipality has committed to supporting 60 Spaza Shops fully owned by women this month by providing shopping vouchers, this initiative builds on their previous support for Spaza Shops and aims to empower women economically and promote their rights.
Mayor Zangqa was pleased to announce that Ngcobo recorded zero deaths during the winter initiation season, this is a result of the government’s efforts to ensure the safety of young men undergoing this rite of passage. To honour the legacy of Dr AB Xuma month of March has been dedicated to developmental programs and activities they have partnered with organizations to provide learnerships and apprenticeships, and they will be handing over equipment to local initiatives and the commencement of renovations at All Saints Hospital.
“Our municipality has also assisted students in furthering their education by helping them with their applications and applying for financial aids,” Mayor Zangqa.
In terms of economic opportunities there are initiatives that aim to promote tourism awareness, empower local communities and leverage the natural and cultural heritage of Ngcobo.
The local economic development unit of the municipality has dedicated a budget to support local agricultural initiatives and bridge the gap created by apartheid-era inequalities.
Furthermore the municipality has implemented the Antipoverty Program, distributing production inputs in all 20 wards, encouraging backyard gardening, and supporting 950 households.
The Municipality is currently facing a significant challenge in providing water to its communities and businesses, currently there are 107 water schemes in the area, with some being supplied by diesel and electrical driven
boreholes, while others are supplied by springs.
“In terms of sanitation, the Chris Hani District Municipality has allocated R18m to address the backlog in sanitation within the municipality, this allocation is expected to make a significant difference in improving sanitation services,” Cllr . Zangqa said.
The Municipality places a high priority on road maintenance, despite intermittent weather conditions, various road projects are underway access to roads is also being maintained and constructed. These projects are aimed at improving road infrastructure within the Municipality.
In addition the Department of Human Settlements has completed and handed-over 2b245 houses to beneficiaries, one of the great legacies of revolutionary leader Nelson Mandela was his contribution to education.
Mandela said,”Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” Mayor Zangqa.
In closing, the mayor mentioned that they need to work together with the citizens along with stakeholders to fulfil what was promised and make a better world for all.
