MANDENI Mayor Sphesihle Zulu has appealed to traditional councils within the municipality to play their part in unlocking economic opportunities by utilising land for development purposes.
This, he said, will benefit local communities, especially in the agricultural sector.
‘It is through agriculture that we can ensure food security. The amakhosi are the custodians of rural land,’ he said.
Zulu was speaking at the Sibusisiwe Community Hall last week at the tabling of his municipality’s first Draft Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget for 2017/18.
He said unemployment remained a major concern for the municipality, especially with young people dominating the queues of the jobless.
‘We are however proud to report that this draft IDP and budget are truly a budget for the people, because it is informed by their inputs made during our engagement with them which commenced shortly after we took office.
‘As per our promise when this council was inaugurated, we have visited all 18 wards to consult with our people in ensuring that their aspirations find expression in the five-year IDP and Budget we are tabling today.’
Zulu said he hoped the recent youth job summit hosted by the municipality will yield positive results in reducing unemployment in Mandeni and surrounding areas.
‘I will be failing in my duty if I don’t acknowledge that for the third time in a row, we have managed to achieve a clean audit from Auditor-General. We are encouraged by this and recommit ourselves as a collective to adhere to good governance practices.’
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Projects
Zulu also announced the construction of the Chappies Sportsfield in ward 14, the upgrade of the Hlomendlini bus route and the upgrade of Highview Park roads.
Electricity projects in ward 3, 6, 9 and 10 and the installation of 400 streetlights in all 18 wards were also in the pipeline.
The RDP housing roll-out with the assistance from the Department of Human Settlements will continue in the Mathonsi traditional areas under phase 2, covering wards 5, 10 and 12.
Zulu said both Inyoni and Macambini housing projects, phase 2, covering wards 1, 2, 8 and 9 will resume.
‘We have set aside R4-million to upgrade sport fields and construct recreational facilities in for example Machibini and Dendethu.
‘We have also taken a decision that all municipal wards will have community halls, and this will be implemented gradually as funds become available.’
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