Elliotdale
As part of Social Development Month, the Mbhashe Local Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Cllr Samkelo Janda, in collaboration with the Mbhashe Business Forum officially handed over a newly built house to a destitute family in Elliotdale at Qadini Administrative Area.
The house was built by the Mbhashe Business Forum in partnership with the Mbhashe Local Municipality for Ms. Nomasibulele Qhwalane, a 29-year-old woman from Mbanyana Ward 16 in the Qadini Administrative Area, who is living with a disability as a result of an accident.
The Chairperson of the Mbhashe Business Forum, Thandi Sonqwelo, commended the strong collaboration between the Forum and the Municipality. She expressed gratitude to the Municipality for its continued support in developing Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), noting that empowered local businesses often give back by contributing to meaningful community development projects.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Executive Mayor emphasised that government operates as one entity made up of three spheres namely local, provincial and national. He clarified that the construction of houses is not the responsibility of the municipality, but rather that of the relevant department. The Executive Mayor also expressed appreciation to the Mbhashe Business Forum for successfully carrying out this project.
In response, the beneficiary Nomasibulele Qhwalane shared the story of the accident that led to her disability and expressed heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved in making her new home a reality. She thanked the Municipality and the Business Forum for restoring her dignity and giving her renewed hope for the future.
This initiative forms part of the Mbhashe LM’s ongoing commitment to improving the living conditions of vulnerable groups through social cohesion and promoting inclusive community development – restoring dignity and hope one family at a time.
