TSOLO: ST Cuthbert's community had a visit from RULIV on 06-05-2010 - an indipendent institution that works together with the Eastern Cape Premier's Office, on rural development and sustainability. The visitors from RULIV were Sarhili Bashe, Thozamile Zondi and Toto Msaseni.
The meeting was held at Nkosi Bambela Mbabama- Ah!! Khabilanga's place in the afternoon.
According to Toto Msaseni, RULIV is not a financial/ funding institute, it only works with the community on the context of building, developing and improving the life standard of the rural areas - on how to eradicate poverty, reducing the rate of unemployment and provide skills development.
Msaseni continued by indicating that, RULIV works with people who already started the initiative such as projects - farming, pigery, poultry -etc, who are willing, interested and kin to develop themselves. RULIV provide them with advice and assistance that are vital to rural livelihood.
Dean Madala, who is a member of the ST Cuthbert's community highlited several attempts made by ST Cuthbert's that include Water Irrigation Schemes, Farming and Weaving during the former Transkei. Madala noted a lack of service delivery and co-operation from the curent government and municipality, to work hand in hand with the community to fullfil the vision, which resulted to their attempts to collapse due to lack of funds.
In addition, Nkosi Khabilanga, stated that the ST Cuthbert's community already have 1400 hectars of field, they are on ASGISA, have tractors, planted trees. Nkosi Khabilanga continues by saying that, ''As the community we need fencing to prevent livestock to the fields, ST Cuthbert's is also a tourist attraction site based on its Church - Mission which was established in 1882 and ST Lucy's Hospital by the missionaries, we also have caves and bushmen paintings'' said Khabilanga.
However, Nkosi Khabilanga signaled his disappointment from governments - provincial and national on the decission to down size or close the ST Lucy's Hospital since the is a newly established Dr Malizo Mpehle Memorial Hospital which was opened last year by MEC of Health Phumulo Masuale, at Tsolo Town 15 km from ST Lucy's Hospital.
Nkosi Khabilanga concluded his statement by saying that, '' Kudala abantu befika apha koMkhulu besenza izithembiso baphele emehlweni, singaze siphinde sibabone. Bazityebisa ngathi, ngako oko sidiniwe ngamaxoki''. He also highlited the empty promisess made by the minister of Public Works, Geoff Doidge last year as one of great disappoints.
In closure Msaseni said, '' the community should not depend to the government only for their development, people must stand up on their own and do things for themselves''.
Msaseni, also adviced the community, that when there is a person who made promises to them, they should sign a contract stating the promise, so that it can be an easy form to make a follow-up, in order to avoid empty promisess and victimisetion.
RULIV avail themselves to be utilized by the community in all levels for its development.
Olwethu Z. Mhaga.
