adminVILLAGERS of Gqalaza and Wabayi areas in Mtshabezi, Matabeleland South, now have access to health, education and business facilities following the completion and commissioning of a bridge last week that was preventing them from travelling across during the rainy season.
The villagers were particularly failing to visit the hospital or even go to school as Thuli River would flood, making it impossible to pass.
Speaking during the commissioning of the bridge, the Minister of Rural Development, Preservation and Promotion of Culture and Heritage, Cde Abednico Ncube, said he was particularly happy that people could access the health facility.
“The bridge will make a difference in the lives of the surrounding communities who will now be able to access both sides of the river especially the side with Mtshabezi Hospital without making a long and tiresome detour during the rainy season. It will facilitate transport and business operations in the areas beyond,” he said.
Schoolchildren from Gqalaza area were spending the majority of the rainy season at home as they could not access Wabayi primary and secondary schools when the river was flooded.
Gogo Ethel Ndlovu, a villager, said she stopped attending school in 1944 when the same river was flooded and did not get an opportunity to go back again.
Cde Ncube said Government envisages a scenario where every community is linked to an urban area and other service centres hence the construction of roads and bridges has remained one of the top priorities in the development agenda.
He applauded the District Development Fund for their service provision in rural communities despite the economic hardships the country is facing.
Chief Mathema, who was also at the commissioning, thanked DDF and the community for their hard work and said they should be proud of their initiative and continue working together in any other projects that were to follow.
Meanwhile, Cde Ncube has said food security cannot be improved by handouts from non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Speaking during the District Development Fund (DDF) Isiphala seNkosi Tillage Programme launch at Chief Mathe’s homestead, in Gungwe, Gwanda District last week, Cde Ncube said communities should inculcate a culture of hard work if food security is to improve in the province.
He said the problem of food insecurity leads to vulnerability and manipulation by those who are economically empowered.
Cde Ncube said it is Government’s desire to see every household having enough food stocks.
Online Reporter