UNEMPLOYMENT, poverty and hunger are being tackled by the roll-out of the Community Nutrition and Development Centre (CNDC) across KZN, with uPhongolo’s ward 14 chosen for last week’s launch.

Speaking at the opening, MEC for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi said Statistics South Africa had identified ward 14 as one of the most deprived wards in the uPhongolo municipality.

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She was accompanied by the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Jomo Sibiya, uPhongolo mayor Cllr Sibusiso Mhlongo, and Inkosi Zeblon Gumbi.

‘This ward is one of 51 in the province identified for the implementation of the CNDC programme through Operation Sukuma Sakhe,’ said Sithole-Moloi.

‘We are proud the Department of Social Development is committed to addressing the challenges facing our communities.’

The CNDC will provide nutritious meals to more than 200 beneficiaries across the ward, from Mondays to Fridays, with job opportunities created for the youth.

The centre will also provide developmental programmes which are later linked to economic opportunities in agriculture, enterprise and skills development.

The MEC urged the beneficiaries to protect state assets allocated by the government, which includes cooking equipment. Inkosi Gumbi said he was excited that his clan was not forgotten by the government.

‘We survive on seasonal jobs.

‘The Covid-19 outbreak had a negative impact on those few jobs that our communities have been getting.’

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