After community members from Xhora Mouth Administrative Area in Elliotdale waited for too long for the Mbhashe Local Municipality to build them a bridge, they took a decision to buy material and build it themselves.
According to the deputy senior traditional leader, Nkosi Nosintu Gwebindlala, from Jalamba Traditional Council Elliotdale, when there were heavy rains, Xhorana River used to be full, and people would struggle to cross.
She said what was more painful was that community members from Folokhwe location were forced to cross this river when they wanted to buy something from the shop. “They do not have shops and schools in their area, so they were forced to cross the river in order to get services,” said Gwebindlala.
She said they wrote a letter to the Department of Defence, asking for assistance, but they were still waiting for the response.
Gwebindlala said that they told themselves that instead of sitting down and folding their arms, they should do something while waiting for government.
“After one of the business owners from this area came up with this idea, we saw it as a breakthrough.
“Luckily, we also have people who were working in the mining industries who have some skills, and also know which rocks were suitable for this. Even the poles were put up in the right way so that it could not collapse.”
She said this was a temporary bridge, just to help the community and learners to be able to cross.
She said they would appreciate it if engineers could give them more advice on what should to be done in order to ensure that this bridge is totally right for the people to use it.
She urged community members not to remove wire fences for their own benefit, as this net is securing their safety.
One of the community members, Siphiwo Madiloyi, said this was a relief because they were struggling during rainy days. “Our children were unable to cross because we were afraid that they might be swept away by water. We do not have schools on our side and that is one of the major problems, so they are forced to cross this river every day. Now that we have this bridge it will be easy for us to go to other areas,” said Madiloyi.
Spokesperson for Mbhashe Local Municipality, Nomakhulu Dingane, said the municipality, as local government, is vested with great responsibility of ensuring that the needs of its citizens are taken care of, to create a safe environment for the lives of people by providing quality services.
She said the municipality acknowledges the initiative made by the community of building the bridge by themselves and in the same vein wishes to highlight that safety of their lives come first.
“During the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) consultations that were held in February, the access road of Ward 28 named No-Ofisi to Mthonjeni, was raised as priority number five on the list.
“It is included in the recently adopted five-year IDP of 2022-2027. It must be highlighted that the need of bridges has been raised in various wards of the municipality during consultation sessions and it is a critical matter which cannot be achieved in one financial year,” said Dingane.
She added that the municipality was making strides to address the matter with the limited resources it has.
According to Dingane, this municipality has a population size of 277 250, found in approximately 312 villages and Ward 28 is among the 32 rural wards serviced by the municipality.
“The initiation stages of the Ward 28 project, according to the approved IDP, show that the municipality will source funds through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) during 2024-2025 financial year, with a budget still to be allocated, depending on funding that will be approved to implement the project, i.e. earthworks and designs until the construction stage.”
According to Dingane, the municipality humbly urges the community of Ward 28 not to lose hope, as the access road is part of the municipal plans.
