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Today the Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele concluded his two day visit to the Harry Gwala District Municipality which covers mainly Ixopo, Umzimkhulu, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Kokstad towns. The Minister visited the area for the first time since his appointment as the District Champion in March 2022.  The aim of this inaugural visit was to interact with stakeholders with whom he will be working in order to implement the DDM in the district.   The Minister similarly received an update on a number of service delivery projects that are being implemented in the area as part of the District Development Model (DDM).

The DDM is a district-based inter-governmental and multi sectoral service delivery approach whose aim is to ensure that there is coherence, consistency and continuity in the relationship between all spheres of government in terms of service delivery. 

One of the key projects that the Minister visited is the construction of affordable community residential units in Ixopo and Kokstad for more than two hundred households each.  The project facilitates the provision of affordable rental housing for low income earners in these areas.  

Due to the shortage of affordable housing in the areas, those who earn less are unable to secure decent private accommodation and this contributes to the increase in the use of informal, backyard accommodation. 

Like many communities in South Africa, the Harry Gwala District battles high unemployment and poverty rates.  These and many other projects such as the construction of the Harry Gwala Sports Centre in Umzimkhulu provide the much needed economic relief by using local construction SMME companies and facilitate employment opportunities for mainly the local youth and women. 

In acknowledgement of the challenges that still remain in the area despite the developments taking place, Minister Gungubele said “There are a series of green shoots in the area, however there is still a long way to go in terms of provision of basic services such as water provision, sanitation and healthy roads.”

The COVID-19 pandemic remains a challenge to many countries and South Africa is not different.  Government continues to encourage citizens to vaccinate and protect themselves against contracting the COVID-19 virus and ultimately falling ill. 

It is for this reason that on the last leg of the two day programme, Minister Gungubele and the District Mayor Mr Z D Nxumalo visited a local church to conduct a vaccination roll-out awareness session.  In his address to the congregants, the Minister implored them to vaccinate in order to protect themselves and their loved ones. 

“Responding to the service delivery needs of the people of South Africa remains at the core of this government and we will do everything in our ability to ensure that the our people receive the services that they deserve”, said Gungubele.

Issued by GCIS