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Ulundi Local Municipality: Tomorrow, 4th June 2021, in my capacity as Champion of Operation Sukuma Sakhe in Zululand District Municipality, I am scheduled to meet with Operation Sukuma Sakhe structures in the district.

Today, I was in Abaqulusi Local Municipality accompanying the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Sipho Hlomuka. I appreciated the opportunity to be part of efforts to strengthen service delivery in the area.

Importantly, when I was assigned to this portfolio by the Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal Sihle Zikalala, I offered to bridge the gap between government and the people of KwaZulu-Natal in all corners of this province. 

As an elected public representative I am full aware of the fact that the people of this province placed a great burden on our shoulders. They expect nothing from their government but speed in order to get them out of poverty. I have made all categories of staff aware that we should not betray the trust placed upon us as the government of the day.

Tomorrow I will interact with traditional leaders, religious leaders, community leaders at large, non-governmental organizations and ordinary community members.

We have also extended an invitation to the district and local municipalities and officials representing government departments located in the district.

My message to the leaders in Zululand is that, once elected into office partisanship should be placed in the back burner. This is exactly what I am doing in meeting with all leaders and communities.

In particular, as leaders, we should act in unity in order to fulfill the mandate given to us. We need to take joint ownership for the development of our respective communities in our municipalities.

Acting in partnership with our communities, we need to revive Operation Sukuma Sakhe structures and ensure that they hold regular meetings. Communication is a vital tool in ensuring that the right kind of service is delivered to the right kind of community.

Importantly, I undertake to ensure that through Operation Sukuma Sakhe meetings, communities are given the opportunity to influence the pace of service delivery by the government they elected into office.

My public engagements are scheduled as follows:-

Venue :         War Room Meeting - Babanango Community Hall

Time   :         09h00 to 11h00 (Handing over of community development

equipment)

Venue :         Babanango ILima Farming Co-operative

Time   :         11h15 to 11h55 (Youth owned co-operative focusing on food

production)   

Venue :         Handover of a House to Gogo Ellinah Ntombela

Time   :         Ward 16 – YeZulu Area next to Jongimfundo Primary School

Venue:          Yezulu Area – Ward 16 Olundi Local Municipality

Time   :         13h00 to 15h00 (Handing over of farming equipment and youth

development kits)

I undertake to continue to ensure ongoing interaction with Operation Sukuma Sakhe structures. For all the stakeholders, working together and having constant dialogue means joint ownership of local development.

We cannot work in silos. I commit to harness the local energy by engaging in an inclusive exercise throughout this term of office.

Let us stand up and build.

Asisukume Sakhe

Ends

Issued by the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Jomo Sibiya