The eThekwini Municipality took Umbumbulu by storm on Sunday 5 October when Mayor Obed Mlaba, Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo, Councillors and staff descended on Umbumbulu to hand over agricultural implements, viz, spades, garden forks, water tanks, rakes, hose pipes and watering cans to various co-operatives in the Umbumbulu area. A total of one hundred and fourteen co-operatives benefitted from the Council's poverty alleviation programme.
The good working relationship existing between the eThekwini Municipality and the AmaKhosi within the Metro area was demostrated by the presence of six AmaKhosi at this function. The attendance by the community was overwhelming. The rural community is now really reaping the fruits of being part of the eThekwini Municipality. This was the third rural community after KwaNgcolosi and Osindisweni to receive the implements from the Council. The Mayor committed his Council to continue development in the rural areas. He mentioned that most of these areas already have water, electricity and a fair number of roads. He thanked the AmaKhosi for co-operating with the Council when he handed the implements, worth R158 803.64, over.
The function was given a major boost by the arrival of the provincial MEC's, Sbu Ndebele, Mike Mabuyakhulu and Dumisani Makhaye. Minister Dumisani Makhaye as Minister of Agriculture, pledged his depatrment's support of the eThekwini Municipality in fighting poverty in rural areas. He announced that the department's R1.5m contribution to Council in support of agriculture in these areas. Each of the three areas mentioned above would receive R125 000. He also encouraged the people to take agriculture seriously in order to avoid starvation.
Minister Mike Mabuyakhulu, Minister of Provincial Public Works announced that his department has set aside R2m to repair schools within the eThekwini Municipality area, while his colleague and leader Minister Sbu Ndebele announced that road P740, a local road was close to completion. Two more roads were being constructed, according to the Minister. The road from Umnini to Mid-Illovo and from Umnini to Embo, at the cost of R1.1m and R25m respectively.
The Mayor expressed his gratittude to the Ministers for working closely with Council and emphasised that such a working relationship can only have a positive impact on service delivery to the rural areas.