Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Department Holds Dialogue with uMfolozi Communities

Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Bheki Ntuli officially handed over to the community the contractor for the construction of P232 Road in kwaSokhulu on Thursday 13 February 2020.

MEC Ntuli accompanied by His Worship the Mayor of uMfolozi Municipality Cllr Smangaliso Mgenge, a delegation from Department of transport; uMfolozi Councillors and management visited kwaSokhulu Traditional Court where the MEC handed over the Contractor for P232 road to the community.

The project by the Department of Transport is in partnership with the Richards Bay Minerals and will cost just over R70 million. MEC Ntuli requested the appointed contractor to make sure they identify two learners from surrounding High Schools who are in Matric and sponsor them with bursaries to further their studies at any future tertiary institution of their choice.

Mayor Mgenge thanked the MEC Ntuli for a swift response to the request made by the community and urged the community not to destroy the infrastructure.

The delegation then proceeded to Dondotha Stadium where the Department of Community Safety and Liaison hosted a Crime Awareness Dialogue. One of the many concerns that the community raised was the maintenance of roads.

The community further pleaded with the Department to build a police station that will prioritise the Dondotha Community as the Mbonambi Police Station is far away from Dondotha and this makes it hard for them to report a crime timeously.

General Gonye addressing the community in Dondotha.

From left: His Worship the Mayor, Cllr SW Mgenge, MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Bheki Ntuli, Inkosi Mthethwa uMhlana Traditional Authority and Deputy Mayor Cllr SR Thabethe at the Crime Awareness Dialogue.

From left: Inkosi Mthethwa, uMhlana Traditional Council, MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr Bheki Ntuli and Inkosi Mthiyane Sokhulu Traditional Council during the handover of the contractor for P232 Road.

The new Contractors for the P232 Road.

The community of Sokhulu attending the handover of the contractor.

His Worship the Mayor Cllr SW Mgenge showing off the new uMfolozi DLTC to the MEC of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr Bheki Ntuli.

School Shoes Handover Brings Smiles to uMfolozi Learners

uMfolozi Municipality led by His Worship the Mayor Cllr Smangaliso Mgenge handed over school shoes to 120 learners on the 28th and 29th of January 2020 in Bhiliya Primary School Ward 17 and Fuyeni Primary School in Ward 12.

His Worship the Mayor also donated paper for printing and committed himself to assist with Sports equipment, grass cutting machine, cultural attire and full uniform for identified learners at Fuyeni Primary School.

Mayor Mgenge said the Municipality is committed to the education and development of children within uMfolozi. “All children must be equal in school, these shoes will bring confidence to our young learners so that they will focus on getting their education and not worry about the shoes they are wearing,” said the Mayor.

Mayor Mgenge was accompanied by Deputy Mayor Cllr Smangele Thabethe, Speaker of Council Cllr Dan Mfusi, Councillors, School Governing Body, Municipal Management and Ward Committee Members during the school visits.

His Worship the Mayor Cllr SW Mgenge with Municipal Manager Mr KE Gamede and Cllr NH Mkhize with Fuyeni Primary School Learners.

His Worship the Mayor Cllr SW Mgenge, Deputy Mayor Cllr SR Thabethe with councillors and parents of the beneficiaries.

Premier Zikalala Opens Dialogue for KwaMbonambi Community

Provincial Premier Honourable Sihle Zikalala hosted an Imbizo at the KwaMbonambi at Nzalabantu Sports field.

Addressing the community Premier Zikalala detailed a progress report about the Chiefiency of the kwaMbonambi community as well as matters concerning the community.

Community members of the KwaMbonambi community engaged the Premier on issues affecting development in the area as well as the slow pace of employment of women and youth. Issues concerning housing and safety were also raised.

Honourable Premier Zikalala listened to the community’s concerns and reassured the community that the provincial government is committed to their development and overseeing challenges hindering the progress of the people of KwaMbonambi.

Premier Zikalala also urged community members to raise their concerns using the relevant channels as his office is opened 24 hours to the people of KwaZulu-Natal. The Premier condemned violent roadblock and the destruction of property.

Premier Zikalala was accompanied by Provincial MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Hon. Bheki Ntuli, MEC for Health Hon. Nomagugu Simelane, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Hon. Sipho Hlomuka, MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Hon. Peggy Nkonyeni, Mayor of King Cetshwayo District Municipality Her Worship Cllr N. Mkhulisi, Mayor of uMhlathuze Municipality Cllr M. Mhlongo and Mayor of uMfolozi Municipality His Worship Cllr SW Mgenge as well as Senior Officials from various Government and Municipal Departments.

MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Hon. Peggy Nkonyeni, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Hon. Sipho Hlomuka as well as the Mayor of uMfolozi Municipality His Worship Cllr Smangaliso Mgenge.

Mayor of King Cetshwayo District Municipality Her Worship Cllr Nonhle Mkhulisi addressing the community.

Community members who attended the Premiers Imbizo at the Nzalabantu Sports Field.

uMfolozi Awards Best-Performing Matriculants

Excitement and pride were on the faces of learners, parents and educators when the uMfolozi Municipality honoured the top achieving matriculants at the 2019 Matric Excellence awards and Bursary Programme held at the uMfolozi Municipal Hall on Friday 31 January 2020. 

Municipal Manager Mr Khulumakwakhe Gamede said the programme is aimed to award top achieving learners as well as most improved and the best performing schools of the year 2019.

“We acknowledge and congratulate learners, schools that obtained a 100% pass rate, and the most improved schools. This is also aimed at highlighting Operation Sukuma Sakhe which advocate and urges partnership among government departments for our schools and learners to do well,” said the Municipal Manager.

His Worship the Mayor Cllr Smangaliso Mgenge congratulated the 2019 beneficiaries, best performing schools and most improved schools.

“Out of hardship we expect a good product, fire does not destroy gold but it purifies it, we are happy that the most disadvantaged schools produced good results. We honour our best performing learners with bursaries and hope that these bursaries become a motivation for new matriculants to study hard,” said the Mayor. 

His Worship further said the learners are now working towards being independent members of society.

“Education is the route to a better life, so I urge different stakeholders to support our local schools and education as a whole. I am also proud of the two learners from our jurisdiction Mthobisi Ndlovu and Nothando Khambule for doing well and put uMfolozi on the map. We will also give each of them R10 000 each, so that they will go out and be our ambassadors, go and represent uMfolozi Municipality at a tertiary level,” said the Mayor Mgenge.

The Mayor further urged education inspectors and officials to allow the school functionality programme to be conducted every day and not just in January.

On behalf of uMfolozi Circuit Management, the Chief Education Specialist Mr DD Biyela thanked the municipality for hosting an event that honours the learners and schools for their hard work.

“We are proud of our learner’s and teacher’s performance. To reach matric is a huge achievement because most of the learners drop out along the way, we are therefore thankful to our parents who guide these learners. Education Minister Angie Motshekga once said KZN province is like the elephant which runs with rabbits if these principals were not there with their great commitment and continued support we wouldn’t reach this level. We positively contributed in our District with double 100% in 205 schools,” said Mr Biyela. 

Dlemudlemu high school Principal Mr JV Fakazi said the teacher’s commitment and discipline of the leaners contributed towards the school becoming the best performing school under the uMfolozi Jurisdiction in 2019. “Discipline and teacher’s commitment reaps good results, we are also thankful for the passion showed by the class of 2019.”

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries Sbonelo Gumede from Isiphephelo high school who obtained position 5 on the top ten list, thanked his family for the continued support and ensuring that they allocate enough time for him to study.  Gumede will be going to study Civil Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Mthobisi Ndlovu from Sphephelo High School topped the list of top ten learners who did well under the uMfolozi jurisdiction. The most improved schools were Gijimani High School, Mkhosi High School, Dondotha High School and Nhangwini high School.

Zakhekahke Secondary, Mundi Secondary, Nhlangwini Secondary and DlemuDlemu Secondary School received laptops, trophies and the certificates for obtaining a 100% pass rate for the 2019 matric year.

Manqama High School, Khanyiselisizwe High School, Ekupheleni Secondary school, uYengo Secondary school, Mningi high and Welabasha high school received certificates of excellence and trophies,

The awarding ceremony was graced by the presence of Circuit Management, uMfolozi Speaker Cllr Dan Mfusi, Deputy Mayor Cllr Smangele Thabethe, ward Councillors, school principals, learners from different schools and parents.

uMfolozi Mayor Cllr Smangaliso Mgenge delivering his keynote address during uMfolozi Matric Excellence and Bursary Awards at uMfolozi Municipal hall.

uMfolozi Speaker Cllr Dan Mfusi doing his opening remarks at uMfolozi Matric Excellence Awards and Bursary programme.

From left to right: uMfolozi Municipal Speaker Cllr Dan Mfusi, Chief Education Specialist Mr DD Biyela, uMfolozi Deputy Mayor Cllr Smangele Thabethe and Manqamu high School educators during the uMfolozi Matric Excellence Awards Ceremony.

From left to right: Chief Education Specialist Mr DD Biyela, and uMfolozi Deputy Mayor Cllr Smangele Thebethe awarding the certificate, trophy and the laptop to Dlemudlemu Secondary School Principal Mr JV Fakazi, for topping the list of the best performed high school.

Sbonelo Gumede who obtained the 5th position on the learners top ten list at uMfolozi Matric Excellence Awards ceremony being awarded a laptop, trophy and the certificate by Deputy Mayor Cllr Smangele Thabethe and his principal during the uMfolozi Matric Excellence Awards programme.

Laptops, trophies, awards and certificates that were handed over to the Most Improved, Best Performing and Top Ten students at the uMfolozi Matric Excellence Awards ceremony.

From left to right: Chief Education Specialist, Mr DD Biyela, a parent of the beneficiary, Deputy Mayor Cllr Smangele Thabethe, the Mayor Cll Smangaliso Mgenge, one of the educators from the most improved school.

Learners, teachers, principals, councillors, and municipal officials who were part of uMfolozi Matric Excellence Awards Ceremony.

Trophies that were to be handed over to top-achieving learners at uMfolozi Matric Excellence Awards.

Fight Against Gender Based Violence a Priority for uMfolozi

uMfolozi Municipality in partnership with the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development led by MEC Bongiwe Sithole – Moloi, officially launched the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Children, on Tuesday 26 November 2019 in ward 2 in Amangwe Village.

The campaign was launched under the theme “Enough is Enough, Khawuleza: End Gender Based Violence Now” and started with a Farmers Exhibition and a peaceful march against gender-based violence that took place from Amangwe Sports Field to Mbonambi Town.

His Worship the Mayor Cllr Smangaliso Mgenge welcomed MEC Sithole – Moloi and the community and thanked them for attending the important launch that is part of the government’s ongoing programme of fighting the scourge of gender-based violence.

“We must as a community stand against abusers and allow for an environment that is safe for victims to speak out and seek help. We must all condemn the abuse of women and children as our society will never reach its fullest potential if we allow for such abuse to continue.” Said Mayor Mgenge.

King Cetshwayo District Municipality Mayor, Her Worship Cllr NNP Mkhulisi also attended the launch along with uMfolozi Municipality and the District’s municipal officials.

uMfolozi Local Municipality Mayor Cllr Smangaliso Mgenge addressing the community at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against violence on women and children campaign.

Community members that attended the 16 Days of Activism against violence on women and children campaign in ward 2.

The peaceful march that started from Amangwe Sports Field to Mbonambi Town.