Manzolwandle Hadebe
The 16-years of local government celebration was marked in style last week with the Celukuphiwa Combined School drummies and brass band leading the Freedom Flame whilst the new Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Willies Mchunu followed, accompanied by other dignitaries.
The atmosphere was like that of a mini Freedom Day celebration, similar to when the late Nelson Mandela was released from prison.
This event took place last Thursday, May 23 at the Forderville Hall where the Premier handed the Freedom Flame to the District Mayor Dudu Mazibuko who passed it onto uMtshezi Municipality Mayor Bongani Dlamini.
The opening ceremony was officiated by the Estcourt Ministers Fraternal at a packed hall. The event concluded at 7.30pm after all speeches about the trail of service delivery were presented. The Freedom Flame torch was taken to the Estcourt Police Station until the next day.
The following morning, the order of proceedings went on with the Celukuphiwa girls’ drummies who paraded at the corner of Victoria and Harding streets leading to the hall where the Mayor carried the Freedom Flame before it was placed in front of about 250 guests.
It was a breakfast show with speeches from the Mayor of iMbabazane, Phindile Strydom as well as the Speakers of uMtshezi and iMbabazane. They stressed that the KZN237 local municipality, which is named after the unsung hero of Amahlubi iNkosi uLangalibale (1) has already embarked on programs for a smooth merger between uMtshezi and iMbabazane municipalities.
The Freedom Flame was the presented at the Weenen Market Stalls and the all new Estcourt Intermodal Facility to showcase the taxi rank. Thereafter the Freedom Flame was taken to the Wembezi Multi-purpose Hall where more than 1 000 people gathered for the presentation.
The very colourful and peaceful event ended at 4.30pm when the flame was escorted to the iMbabazane Municipality offices.
