Stressing the importance of family

“It is unacceptable for families to have children involved in or associated with criminal activities including drug peddling.”

This was a sentiment shared by KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza, when she led Operation Sigalelekile and the commemoration of Day for Families in KwaDweshula under Umzumbe Municipality on Monday this week.

Khoza urged residents to actively contribute to building solid family foundations as a means to combat social ills and crime within their communities.

The MEC said in her previous visit two weeks ago, senior citizens in the area pleaded with her to address the extent of the abuse they were enduring.

Khoza stressed the paramount importance of prioritising family values and cultivating a culture that upholds them.

She also emphasised that it was within the power of community members to unite and create a safe environment for all citizens, particularly women and children.

“We want to encourage the community never to resort to child abuse when addressing issues. As a department, we have a mandate to ensure the arrest of anyone who abuses children,” she said.

As part of her visit, MEC Khoza visited centenarian Dumazile Mkhungo with gifts that included blankets and dignity packs.

Mkhungo then asked Khoza to appeal to the government for assistance in building her home.
Mkhungo, a bed-ridden 102-year-old, currently resides in a dilapidated mud rondavel, relying on her grandchildren for support as her eyesight has deteriorated. Her old age pension sustains more than five family members since no one is employed.

Khoza, who is also the KZN Legislature’s Ugu District Development Champion said: “We promised our mother that her house will be constructed soon and the Department of Human Settlements has already begun working on it. As a caring government, we have responded promptly to the request of our senior citizens. The Department of Human Settlements has committed to constructing a safe home for Mkhungo, with completion expected within two months.””

Khoza said they are a government that fulfils its commitments, saying that with regard to Human Settlements, they are diligently working to overcome obstacles and accelerate service delivery in the area.
She said their intervention aims to improve living conditions within communities, adding that when they make promises to the people, they ensure that they are transformed into action through effective project management and tracking.

Also, Khoza surprised senior citizens and mothers who were in attendance with late Mother’s Day gifts.
Meanwhile, Ugu District Municipality acting mayor, Mandla Chiya, told residents that that the municipality would address the challenges related to water provision in Umzumbe.
Chiya said Ugu District Municipality was working around the clock ensuring residents have access to clean running water.

“We are actively resolving the water-related challenges faced by the community in this area. Our goal is to eliminate the need for community members to travel long distances to access water,” said Chiya.

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