December 2007

M a y o r ’ s Christmas Message

The year 2007 will be remembered as a needs to be acknowledged that one can never 2008” and “safe sanitation to all by 2010”. the pit is full, the toilets can be dismantled and challenging year for the Amathole District predict when a pipe will burst leading to a water reassembled at a new pit in a matter of minutes. Municipality. For this is the year that the ADM, outage. We would, however, like to reassure Currently ADM has five (5) Bucket Eradication The ADM also intends doing away with the as the Water Services Authority of the district our citizens that the ADM is putting all available Projects (BEP) within its area of jurisdiction, middle man, and dealing directly with the service with the exception of Buffalo City, instituted the resources together to ensure that people have these being the following: providers, who will also manage the process of internal option of providing water and sanitation access to clean and safe drinking water. implementation on site. services to its communities. For the first time, • 296 buckets in Seymour the ADM also centralized its billing services for As the Water Services Authority for the district Rest assured, exciting times lie ahead and water services in the district. The ADM has had with the exception of Buffalo City Municipality, • 5099 buckets in Bhofolo and Newtown the ADM is pulling all its resources together to absorb almost 500 new members of staff from the ADM’s target population for water and to ensure a better life for all its citizens. the local municipalities and also the Department sanitation is 975,086 people. Notwithstanding • 450 buckets at Centane of Water Affairs and Forestry in exercising this the abovementioned challenges, the ADM has Christmas is a special time of the year when service. Many of these staff are not familiar improved the access to water and sanitation • 1275 buckets at Ward 1; and family and friends meet up over the summer with the ADM’s corporate values and work services for many citizens of the district. holidays to catch up on family news, happenings, ethics. At the same time, the ADM has had to Currently 76.74% of our target population now • 3432 buckets at Bedford and Adelaide events such as weddings, and generally have a grapple with many challenges of water outages enjoy RDP standard water and 25.91% of the relaxing and fun time together. caused by floods, drought, burst pipes, broken population enjoy RDP standard sanitation. I am proud to report that the ADM has down pumps, and aging infrastructure whilst eradicated 6,091 buckets thus far and is on For some though, it is also a time of sadness, the demand for new services is ever-increasing. We face enormous challenges in this sector. Our target to completely eliminate this backlog by when they become depressed in realizing that Currently the ADM operates almost 600 water estimates reveal that if we are to meet national 21 December 2007. The completion of these a loved one is no longer there to share the systems throughout the district. Alternative government’s targets of providing water to all by projects will ensure that the dignity of some happiness, of madness when they overindulge water sources have had to be found in areas 2008 and sanitation to all by 2010, we shall need 66,312 people is restored. in liquor, drugs and unprotected sex, and thus where borehole pumps have run dry and plans funding of R1,55 billion. Funding confirmed in put others’ lives at risk, and yet others undergo have had to be put in place to improve the the next 3 year capital programme amounts to Because of the huge sanitation backlog, the ADM a traumatic time of grief when loved ones have infrastructure in others to improve the carrying R450 million, leaving a shortfall of some R1,1 has investigated various options for speeding lost their lives in the road carnage that has capacity. In some areas we have found billion. up the process of ensuring sanitation for all by unfortunately also become part of the annual ourselves carting water for communities on a 2010. Early in 2008, tenders will be issued for South African holiday scene. Let’s spare a daily basis. The challenges experienced over the past year a unique toilet design containing lightweight thought for those less fortunate than ourselves. have driven home the need to develop a water cement panels that can easily be assembled in We have realized that some of these problems services turnaround strategy aimed at improving a matter of minutes. We wish all our citizens a peaceful and joyful have made a dent in the ADM’s image as a the level of service delivery in this sector. festive season. Happy holidays, travel safely district municipality where service excellence Community members will be invited to register and please remember to ARRIVE ALIVE! has always been the norm. We acknowledge The ADM has adopted a two-pronged approach with the ADM for a toilet subsidy. They will be the problems that have occurred and apologise when addressing the water services (Water required to dig their own pit and the materials Please take every precaution to have a safe to our communities for any inconvenience and Sanitation) backlogs: The first one is to and supplies will be provided to them so that holiday. they may have experienced over the past few ensure RDP standards and the second, interim these toilets can be erected on their own months. However, despite our best efforts, it programme, is to ensure “safe water to all by premises. The system is designed so that once God bless you all!

Currently 76.74% of our target population now enjoy RDP standard water and 25.91% of the population enjoy RDP standard sanitation. Bucket system on target to be eradicated by 21 December 2007. 01 Water Issues and FAQ’s on Water Billing

ADM UNVEILS ITS WATER SERVICES and by year end (30 June 2008) will only TURNAROUND STRATEGY have 15% of our communities not served with basic water services; The Amathole District Municipality (ADM) was assigned the responsibility to be the Water 2. ADM is one of a handful of district munici- Services Authority in the Amathole District for palities who has successfully managed to the local municipal areas of Mbhashe, Mnquma, spend 100% of its Municipal Infrastructure Great Kei, Amahlathi, Ngqushwa, Nkonkobe and Grant (MIG) funding for three (3) consecu- Nxuba as from 1 July 2004. tive years – these funds are largely used to provide the basic level of services to our For the subsequent 2-year period (1 July customers; 2004 to 30 June 2006), ADM had an agreement signed with all these local municipalities that 3. ADM has now developed a sustainable they would continue rendering the water and affordable sanitation system which can services they were doing at that time in their be erected in a matter of minutes and at a respective areas of jurisdiction, for the district very attractive cost. It has also gained the to ready itself to take over this major function, co-operation of communities who are keen serving about a million people with essential to work together in digging their own pits water and sanitation services. In Amahlathi as their part in contributing towards cutting ADM took over the existing contract between the costs on the programme and speeding the local municipality and the WSSA (a private up service delivery – other District Munici- company) to continue rendering water services palities in the country have expressed an in . interest in this model; PROGRAMME TO ERADICATE BACKLOGS into consideration the financial constraints in the ADM then immediately embarked on a 3-year Medium Term Expenditure Framework. 4. ADM is in the process of engaging the comprehensive study (in terms of Section 78 of 1. WATER Some hand pumps and roundabout pumps services of the Amathole Water more ex- the Municipal Systems Act) to determine the best have also been donated by NGOs, which have tensively to improve its preventative main- way of rendering the service to its consumers. ADM has managed over the last few years to been well received by ADM and the beneficiary tenance programmes in rendering more aggressively reduce the backlog of water services communities and have contributed in the race to sustainable water services, with reduced The study was concluded in mid 2006 and in its area of jurisdiction – at present the people meet the 2008 targets. interruptions, to its consumers. it had been resolved at the Council meeting held without at least a basic level of water is 23 % on 18th August 2006 that ADM would render this (77% have services) and our performance target 2. SANITATION 5. ADM has recently levered funds from the service as a Water Provider for the whole district by June 2008 is to connect an additional 97 500 national coffers to speed up delivery of (with the exception of Buffalo City) but will also people with basic water services to bring this 2.1 Bucket eradication bulk services through the allocations from do so by utilizing the services of the Amatola number down to only 15% still to be connected. the Regional Bulk Fund. These funds will Water Board where necessary to strengthen its The national targets are to reach this milestone ADM has taken a strong lead in eradicating assist the ADM in doing a feasibility study, own capacity in rendering a quality service. by December 2008. ADM realizes that such a this humiliating system which erodes the dignity of developing a technical report and designs target would not be realistically possible due our customers. When we experienced a shortfall on the Great Kei River Basin water supply ADM and Amatola Water Board (AW) mainly to financial constraints and the fact that the on the budget to meet the target date of end scheme. The system in the long term will had by that stage signed a Memorandum of “easier connections” had been made and those December 2007, ADM set aside a special fund of provide water to the greater Great Kei ar- Understanding (MOU) opening the way for remaining are posing huge challenges because R50 million from its own resources to supplement eas, including the coastal towns and even better working relations in serving the residents of the distances where people have settled, the national MIG funds to achieve this laudable further afield. of the Amathole District with quality water and far from natural water sources. The last 10% to target. ADM is on target to have all buckets sanitation services. Initially this partnership be connected will be much more expensive per eradicated by 21 December. started off on a slow footing, only comprising ad- capita than those provided with services thus far FAQ’S ON WATER hoc support from the AW as and when required. – to this end the ADM has now managed to tap 2.2 Provision of VIPs in rural areas into a dedicated national grant called “Regional BILLING In a recent move, and in line with ADM’s Bulk Fund” where bulk water has to be piped over The sanitation programme has always vision to continuously improve its services to its long distances to reach communities. lagged behind the water programme but ADM What tariff system does the ADM employ within customers, ADM approached the AW to submit has embarked on an aggressive drive to rectify billing? proposals to strengthen the partnership in a With the clear understanding that “water the situation. The Executive Mayor, Alderman more formalized and ongoing basis. A series to all by 2008” will not realistically be met, Sakhumzi Somyo, has posed a challenge to Our tariffs are broken down into two of exploratory meetings took place to finalize ADM has introduced a new strategy to at least communities to demonstrate their commitment elements- one, being capital in nature- also the Terms of Reference (ToR) for such an provide all with “safe water” by December 2008, by providing sweat equity via the digging of their known as a basic charge or availability engagement and it is foreseen that a short term albeit not all at RDP level yet. The strategy is own pits – this has sparked a lot of enthusiasm charge; and the second component being the engagement will be concluded early in 2008 with to do exploration drilling of boreholes in close and ADM received a long list of completed pits, consumptive charge (relative to how much water a longer term engagement signed by 1 July 2008 proximity of those villages which are outside to such an extent that we have had to call a halt you consume on site)- these tariffs apply to to coincide with the 2008/9 financial year. the parameters of what is achievable, taking to the huge response received and introduce both water treatment facilities and waste water a manageable process whereby communities treatment facilities. have to register on a first come first serve basis and have to first obtain the go-ahead to start What are capital charges, how do you calculate digging the pits at a time when the ADM will be these charges? ready to erect the toilets. Capital charges are denoted on your We are now very confident through this statement with the prefix of BW and BS. These experience that we have a winning recipe are basic water and basic sanitation (where to ensure sanitation for all by 2010, funds applicable). The tariffs are calculated based on permitting. ADM has immediately set aside what it would cost the ADM to replace the existing seed funding in the amount of R2.5 million to reservoirs, pumps, pipes valves, buildings etc, commence rolling out this programme early being all the components that make it possible to next year. bring water to your home.

At the start of this financial year only some It can be appreciated that all assets only 25% of the population had at least a basic level have a certain design life, meaning they need of sanitation and we were aiming at reaching to be maintained, refurbished and ultimately 30.4% - with this accelerated programme replaced at a certain point in time. The money which started recently, this figure can easily be raised through the levy of this charge is placed in beaten, setting a good foundation for the 2008/9 a capital financing reserve that can be used for financial year. nothing else but new infrastructure.

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS OF ADM RECENTLY IN THE The ADM’s entire costing is scheme based WATER SERVICES (the ADM operates almost 600 water schemes in the district) so when ADM set tariffs it knows 1. We have significantly reduced the backlog exactly within your area what the status is of of water services over the last few years your assets servicing your water and sanitation 02 needs, and how much it will cost in future to A consumptive charge based on the running replace them costs of the tanker service which is currently R 8.12 per km excl VAT, is levied each and What are consumptive charges? How do you every time you request the tanker to collect calculate these charges? your sewerage.

The second component of costs is the The ADM provided 6kl of Free Basic Water until consumptive based charges (this is the water that 30 June 2007. Why do I not receive this free is transported to your site). The tariff is designed water any longer? to cover the cost to produce the water into potable form. We levy this charge proportionate to the 1. The Water Services Act 108 of 1997, sec- amount of water consumed as recorded through tion 3 clearly states that everyone has a a registered meter on a specific erf; importantly right of access to basic water and basic the costs associated with production of water sanitation - this does in no way imply that include a raw water charge that the ADM pays everyone is entitled to free basic water and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry for sanitation supply. the extraction of water from a water source such as a dam, electricity to run the treatment facility, 2. The Water Services Act does not specifi- chemicals, maintenance, salaries and wages of cally define basic water, and hence ADM is personnel on site etc. left to define what constitutes basic water and sanitation, which according to the free Importantly, you will notice on your account basic services policy is defined as follows: BUSINESS UNLIMITED EXPO 2007 that the tariff for water consumed is set at various scales depending on amount consumed. The • Basic water - 25 litres per person per day MAXIMISING OPPORTUNITIES IN ADM, in terms of policy, subsidizes users using from a water standpipe within a 200 m less than 20kl per month, (the tariff set is less distance from the dwelling (RDP standard AMATHOLE ! Judy Ngoloyi & Akhona Ngqinambi than what it costs to produce water), if you water). consume between 20kl and 50kl we provide KHUL’AMATHOLE 2027! this to you at cost, and persons who consume • Basic sanitation- being a VIP. EAST LONDON: The first day of the Business Unlimited Exp ‘07 held on 24-25 October at the in excess of 50kl will pay a surcharge as water Christian Centre in East London brought under one roof a number of Small Medium Micro Enterprises is a scarce resource, money recovered from From the above it is clear that priority (SMMEs) hailing from different parts of the . The Amathole District Municipality is one excessive usage of water is used to subsidize must be given to those that don’t have access of more than ten sponsors that made the event a huge success. those users that use water in the 1kl - 20 kl to water, that they at least are able to access bracket. water at RDP levels According to the Executive Director of Border Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB), Les Holbrook, the Business Unlimited Expo 07 is their brainchild together with Tri-Skye Communications and Inkanyezi Large industry that use large volumes Giving access is one thing, but how are these users Event Organisers. of water will qualify for a special bulk rate that going to pay for the basic services? will be applied effective February 2008 (once In his welcoming address Holbrook said that the BKCOB supports exhibitions and believe that they Council has approved the Mid year budget This is where the equitable share comes are excellent platforms for local businesses to grow, promote themselves, find new markets and to review). into play. The DORA (Division of Revenue Act) network with other businesses. “This is the third year that we have hosted this kind of initiative and will equitable share has a component called the basic continue to make it grow bigger”, said Holbrook. Similarly your sanitation charges are services component and is designed to provide “Success in business is destined for those who take the initiative, who do not sit back, nor rely on also based proportionately to the volume of “free” basic services to poor households. Hence somebody else to do the job for them, who are inventive and look for opportunities that are around water that is brought on site. The ADM uses local residents are not required to pay basic water them. Make sure that you grab every single opportunity that comes your way”, he stressed. engineering design standards to influence the services for others – the funds are provided by volume which is calculated at 80% of all water National Treasury via equitable share. He said their key performance area in this particular activity is to create a platform for businesses to supplied to site. These charges are based on grow and also offer opportunities for development agencies and organizations to sponsor the event or the effluent that is discharged to the waste Therefore ADM has assigned as a first subsidize the costs.” It’s a hand holding exercise but BKCOB has limited resources”, said Holbrook. water treatment facilities from your site, the priority that all basic services users- meaning all Acting Executive Mayor of Amathole District Municipality, Cllr Sivuyile Mkebe, said in an effort of treatment costs include chemicals, electricity, communities that rely on community standpipes overcoming the challenges that are facing the entire country, the formation of partnerships becomes diesel, maintenance costs, salaries, wages etc for water, and all communities using a ventilated critical. (Please note that this is not industrial effluent). improved pit for sanitation or lower will receive the 6kl free per month, and 1 pit clearance per 5 Mkebe said currently ADM is working on a study of the nature of SMME’s that exist throughout the The ADM has modeled this component years, and buckets being cleared daily for those district. He took this opportunity and urged various stake holders to continue to support SMME’s. He as an alternative to a fixed fee structure, which still on the system. (The bucket system is set also warned that the support must not only be in financial terms but be coupled with mentoring and combined the capital and operating costs into a to be phased out completely by 21 December give clear guidelines on how to develop businesses. fixed tariff; due to the uniqueness of users within 2007). They are not required to register as an He said: “The problems that SMME’s confront cannot just be dealt with by throwing money at each the district coupled to the fact that ADM does indigent as they are targeted based on service and every problem. The success of SMME’s will depend on developing partnerships.” not preview the building plan approval process, level- last available figures were 112 909 charges cannot be based on the number of households- funding set aside is R 44.1 million The Eastern Cape Development Corporation’s (ECDC) Head of Enterprise Development Services, toilets utilized or dwelling size etc. in the 2007/2008 budget. Belinda Vabaza, said two years ago this kind of exhibition was known as the BEE and SMME Exhibition but nowadays it’s called the Business Unlimited Expo, and that is a clear indication that It is important to note that these chargers I reside in town, have very limited means, have a business is growing. She said the long term objective is to make this initiative a national event. are only based on full water borne systems - they yard connection / water inside my dwelling and exclude septic tanks and a conservancy system. have a flush toilet system. I do not have a basic She promised that next year this kind of initiative will also be taking place in Mthatha. She added supply. How does the ADM intend helping me? that they want to see the economy of the Amathole region growing enormously and if that happens it How does the ADM bill consumers that are on means that ’s economy will grow as well. septic tank systems and those on Conservancy Any users of water and sanitation service, systems? that jointly earn less than R 1100 per household per month can register for indigent support. Septic systems are self contained units The subsidy ADM provides will be a rebate on that do not discharge into the effluent reticulation the capital chargers, and 6kl free water and system. ADM has no obligations to service this sanitation (consumptive) per month. classification of user, hence no chargers are levied. Conservancy users however require the It is important to note that this subsidy municipality to periodically collect and dispose is reviewed annually and the applicant must of the effluent at an appropriate discharge apply annually for access; furthermore any facility. A capital charge, based on the cost of consumption outside of the subsidy provided is capital, excluding reticulation network costs, payable monthly. are levied monthly (this cost is the cost of capital linked to the disposal site exclusively; Should you need any further information cost of the discharge network are omitted as on billing queries, please contact Chantelle Weimers of the Budget & Treasury Office at the conveyance of effluent is not undertaken telephone (043) 722 4037; fax (043) 743 2696 through the network, but is rather conveyed via a tanker; linked to the monthly basic charge. or email [email protected] 03 EDITOR’S NOTE

The past few weeks have been a hurly burly of next year. The newsletter also contained all the still be handed out at public points at each town been found and other medium and long term community meetings in various towns across latest information about water services and tariff within the district and will still be distributed as a plans have been put in place in an attempt to the district, in trying to resolve the problems structures etc and these were also discussed supplement to the local newspaper. So please address the situation. We ask the communities that we have been experiencing with regard to during the IDP and Budget roadshows. check your local retail outlets or public offices to bear with us during this time as we endeavour water outages and attending to many queries for a free copy of this newsletter in June and to improve the service. regarding the tariff structures and accounts. We Communities are also advised of changes December of each year. have listened and we have taken action to try through account statements, leaflets and Where water restrictions are in force, please and rectify some of the problems that we have posters that are erected in areas where they This has been a tough year for the ADM in switch off your geysers when not in use to encountered. live, notifying them of water restrictions, water meeting all the water challenges, and we have protect them from running dry where there outages where these occur etc. Advertisements pulled together all our resources to improve our is a water outage; do not use the hosepipe to Some ratepayers wanted to know why we had and interviews with portfolio councilors were service to communities. However, one can never fill swimming pools, wash boats or vehicles or not discussed the new tariff structures with them also done on local regional radio stations or predict when a pipe will burst leading to a water water the garden; shower rather than bathing, before implementing them, and others said they community radio stations to convey relevant outage, and we all need to take cognizance of and only flush the toilets when necessary. don’t all get the newspapers or listen to the information. that. The infrastructure that we have inherited as radio, they wanted to see ADM representatives the new Water Services Authority is ageing and This newsletter edition also contains a lot of other at their meetings. In a nutshell they wanted the Earlier this year the ADM also instituted a data- in need of repair, refurbishment and upgrading. information, including HIV and Aids articles, and ADM to improve communications with local base cleansing exercise of all its consumers so This is not going to happen overnight as funds we are grateful to community members who communities. We explained that ratepayer that we could work from an accurate record of are limited. Whilst we are still trying to meet have contributed their stories in an effort to committees and community structures should information. Inspectors visited each and every our target that everyone at least has safe and encourage and motivate others in dealing with be attending the ADM’s Integrated Development consumer, where available, within the district in clean water by 2008, we are battling with burst the scourge that affects us all. Plan (IDP) Representative Forum meetings and the urban areas, filling out registration forms, and pipes, broken down pumps, systems that need taking the discussions back to their communities, also checked the accuracy of water metres. This upgrading, all the while those who are already It is also heartwarming to note other positive however, not all these institutions attended these exercise was also well publicized in advance enjoying RDP standard water and sanitation stories about ADM’s service delivery to meetings. We further explained that before IDPs with radio announcements and advertisements are now demanding upgrades- and many are communities and the effect it has had on their and Budgets were adopted, the ADM embarked in the local press. If you are not indigent and installing illegal connections which puts further lives. I invite you to read these news articles. upon a roadshow to all local municipalities have not yet registered as a water consumer pressure on the approximately 600 water Send us your comments, thoughts and where ward councilors, ward committee with the ADM, please do so right away, as before systems that the ADM operates across the suggestions, especially on how we could improve members, community development workers long your water supply could be switched off. We district. communications with you, and post them to The and local municipalities were invited to attend also invite you to look at the FAQ on water billing Communications & Media Relations Manager, at a central venue and where these documents which will hopefully also answer many of your Water restrictions are currently in force in Kei ADM, P O Box 320, East London, 5200; fax were discussed in length and comments billing queries. Mouth, Morgan’s Bay, , Stutterheim and to (043) 742 1831 or email gailp@amatoledm. and suggestions were recorded for possible Bedford, mostly due to the drought conditions co.za I look forward to hearing from you. amendments to the documents. The ADM also As a way forward, we encourage ratepayer that the ADM has experienced over the past few published the Executive Mayor’s State of the committee members and representatives of other months where boreholes, fountains and dams The Editor District Address as a community newsletter which community structures to attend the ADM’s IDP have dried up. However, the ADM has pulled Gail Pullen was distributed as a supplement to the Daily Representative Forum meetings. We have also out the stops in its endeavour to ensure clean Communications & Media Relations Dispatch newspaper. The speech reflects upon agreed to meet with the Ratepayer committees drinking water for its citizens, especially over the Manager the ADM’s performance over the previous year on a quarterly basis or as often as necessary to festive season, when a lot of upcountry citizens and summarises IDP and budget plans for the share and update information. Newsletters will visit the area. Alternative water sources have

IQONGA LABASETYHINI LIMISELWE ENGQUSHWA Ngu-Judy Ngoloyi

Kiwnyanga ka-Agasti amawaka abasetyhini badibana kwiholo yedolophana yaseNggushwa beze Amalungu eli qonga ngaba Ceba balandelayo kuzimasa ukumiselwa kweqonga labo. Ethetha kule ntlanganiso uSodolophu walapha uNkszn • Umququzeleli- Manzeka Joyi Nomvuyo Nxawe wathi impatho gadalala yomama nabantwana yinto ekufuneka wonke umntu kweli • EzeMpilo-Nomajamani Coto loMzantsi Afrika asebenzele ukba iphele. • ULutsha nabantwana-Thuliswa Camagu • Abakhubazekileyo-Nontuthuzelo Lukhwe (igosa elisenza ekuhlaleni CDW) Yena uSomlomo walo Masipala uMnu Victor Moyeni uthe uMasipala wabo ngowkuqala kwi-ADM • Abadala – Nomandla Ndabazonke. iphela ukumisela eli qonga labasetyhini. Uthe eli qonga lifuna bonke abahlali bazinikele kulo balixhase Amalungu anegunya ngala kananjalo. • Nomonde Cowa-igosa elijonge nemicimbi ekhethekileyo • UCeba uVictor Moyeni –Usomlomo woMasipala waseNgqushwa. “Sifuna ukuba ngumzekelo kwabanye oomasipala ukuze bafunde nto apha kuti. Eli qonga sifuna • UCeba uThuliswa Dyani nojongene nentatho nxaxheba yabahlali kwiinkonzo zikaMasipala ukuba libabeke phambili abantu basetyhini xa uthetha ngophuhliso.” Yena usihlalo weliqonga kwigqugula le-ADM nguCeba uTabita Ndleleni ucebise le komiti intsha ukuba Uthe eli qonga kufuneka lisebenzele ukufikelela kwabo basethyini bakwindawo ezisemagqagaleni ilithande ize ilixabise eli qonga lalo. ukutshintsha ubomi babo. Uthe abantu mabohlukane nokusoko bekhalaza besithi bahlelelekile, mabadlale indima ephambili ukuphucula iindawo abahlala kuzo.

Cllr Nikelwa Sinuka and Cllr Veronica Fusa handing over books from the UK based Cllr Nikelwa Sinuka and a learner from Nxarhuni School, one of the recipients of an Community HEART Foundation to teachers and learners at Nonyameko Primary ADM programme to distribute second hand computers to disadvantaged schools. 04School in Bedford. AMATHOLE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (AREDS)

The recently completed Amathole Regional Economic Development Strategy (AREDS) has identified how to make the area attractive to investors through the creation of four corridors spanning the main arterial routes. These corridors of development roughly coincide with existing logistics routes and groupings of people and activities with a common identity or situation. For example a town on the Wild Coast lies along the N2 corridor while a town like Alice is situated in the R63 corridor.

Amathole Small Towns & Corridors

What is needed? The following four strategic elements have been identified and these in turn have been broken down into 23 result areas, which provide a framework for stakeholders to measure their progress. These strategic elements are as follows:

• High Impact Investment (public and private sector) in eco- nomic infrastructure and productive capacity; • Improved governance; • Human capital and skills development; and • Stakeholder co-operation and collaboration. The Amathole region presents not only one of the major economic opportunities for investment in the area, but also for the national THE ECONOMIC VISION government’s Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Along with the dominant advantages of the Amathole region such Africa (ASGISA). Amathole is a vast untapped area of diverse FOR AMATHOLE as the harbour and port, the quality and talent of the local people, fledgling economic activities. However, to unlock the potential of the quality educational institutions, the environment and a well- the area, huge investment is needed to nullify decades of ruinous Amathole has a competitive, adaptable and transformed established industrial sector, ADM believes that we can realise neglect in the former Transkei and Ciskei. district economy that enables citizens to sustain themselves Amathole’s economic vision through quality employment and equitable ownership of economic assets

High Impact Investment What to do to achieve the objective?

For AREDS the “high impact investment” is central to growth, and it is here that most of “hard” Some examples of opportunities and projects in this area are: interventions will be located. The type of actions that are required for high impact investment include: • Small town regeneration projects for Butterworth, Stutterheim, Hamburg and Alice • Locality development, which includes infrastructure and spatial development • Kei Rail development from East London to Mthatha • Sub-sectoral development to diversify the economy • East London harbour upgrade • Public good investment such as investment in land, the environment, economic assets, • East London beachfront development initiatives production facilities, machinery, equipment and other productive assets • Biofuels initiative (Transkei and ELIDZ) • A district venture capital fund to address the constraints of investors in the district • Upgrading of small irrigation schemes at Ludiza, Tyhefu, Zanyokhwe • Stimulation of new sectors: public and private investment is required to stimulate sectors which • Essential oils / pelargonium in Amathole mountain areas build on the advantages (strengths) of the district. • And many others Governance Communication and How we must run our institutions to support projects and programmes Interaction How stakeholders interact, collaborate, communicate This is the strategy intervention which focuses on knowledge, learning and growth. Examples of actions needed for this intervention include This is the intervention which provides a framework for support interactions between stakeholders, a communication service and supports a planning and • Collaboration between enterprise, academia and government to monitoring function. Under this result area interaction between stakeholders improve competitiveness. is supported and encouraged. The stakeholder groupings are also a tool to • Vocational training and skills attraction and retention. advocate for policy change, and lobby for interventions that will be beneficial • Capacity development for the public sector and to the district. • Business development support, especially to new business The Growth and Development Summit was held in March 2007, at which The improvement of our knowledge economy also requires the development stakeholders from a range of government and business sectors agreed to of a sub-sector research and innovation capacity. co-operate on a number of issues. Corridor forums are in the process of establishment under the leadership and guidance of the Amathole Economic Development Agency. Knowledge, Skills and Human Capital What skills, expertise and capacity we need

This strategy intervention has multiple actions required, including the reduction of red tape and Management Plan, Spatial Development Framework, Integrated Transport Plan Road Management improved planning and budgeting for economic development needs. An important area of improved System, and Public Transport Plan. governance is effective land-use management and planning to balance economic development with social and environmental needs. There is also ongoing implementation of land restitution and settlement projects at Stutterheim, and . Funding is being sought for red tape reduction programmes, and a Policy and strategy documents are being put in place eg: a Tourism Masterplan, Land Reform whistle-blowing hotline has been established. and Settlement Plan, Agricultural Development Plan, Economic Development Strategy, Environmental 05 masiphathisane u m t h w a l o Let’s share the load together

UKUZINIKA ITHEMBA SIJONGA NGELISO LOMTHUTHUZELI MPHEFUMLO

“Besithetha ngawe Vie.” Nabani ke? “Umxholo wenu uyintoni ke phofu?” Le yayiyincoko phakathi kwam nomhlobokazi wam siphumle ngexesha lesidlo sasemini. Yaqhuba incoko esithi, “ Kukho ilungu lekwayala kwinkonzo yethu, liselincinane lisafunda, ligula kakhulu. Longiwa nguninakazi ekhayeni lalo, Intensifying selishutyeliswa.” Kwangoko ndamkrokrela unobangela. “Emva kwalantetho ubukhe wayenza ngeCawe enkonzweni yethu,” waqhuba watsho “ isigqeba senkonzo sibe noluvo lokuba xa unokubandakanyeka ekumongeni kungakho umahluko.” a w a r e n e s s Noko lamazwi okugqibela awuqinisekisa umrano endandinawo ngakumbi kuba ndandingasenanto indidibanisa ngokupheleleyo ekongeni emawadini. Lo mntu sasithetha ngaye makabe wayenentsholongwane ka Gawulayo. on HIV/Aids Ndamcebisa ukuba kulandelwe imigaqo yokulaliswa komguli esibhedlele. Ngethamsanqa walaliswa. Ngemini yokufika kwale nqeberu ndalibona igqiza elihloniphekileyo elalimkhaphile ukufika kwalo, yandinika lonto ingcinga r e l a t e d yokuba lomguli wayengumntu oxabisekileyo nothandwayo enkonzweni yakhe. Weza kundazisa umhlobokazi wam ngobukho bakhe. Ndingenawo namava ndandiqale iqela lokuxhasana labantu abaphila s e r v i c e s nentsholongwane ka Gawulayo kwesisibhedlele ndandikuso. Ngenxa yentlungu, nenkuthazo endandiyifumana kumphathi wam u Mnumzana Mtotywa ndenza kwaphumelela. Kwakulapha ke ngoko apho ndandijongene i n c l u d i n g nemeko apho kwakufuneka ingwe idle ngamabala. Ababantu babebeke onke amathemba abo kum. Ndazeya ndixakiwe ukuba igangxa elalingenamava nje ngam kulomsebenzi lalinokumenzela ntoni lomntu. Ndabona ukuba mandikhe ndithabathe amandla ndakhe icebo. Ndaya kumbona umguli s e x u a l i t y kusuku lwesithathu. Kwakudlalwa ibhola yombhoxo ngolusuku, imini intle uninzi lwabantu lubukele transmitted This has been a busy year with the ADM taking over the role and umdlalo bambi begcakamele. Yalithuba elihle eli kum kuba umguli welibali function for municipal health in the district. This also entails the transfer lethu wayesele yedwa kwigumbi alele kulo kuba engakwazi ukuhamba. of environmental health officers from the Department of Health and local Elityendyana lalihleli kalusizi libukele ngomdla efestileni ngokungathi lithi , municipalities and the process is still far from complete. “Akwaba bendiphaya.” Hi! Unqwenela ukuba phaya?” Ndabulisa dlamkileyo infections and ndimsusa ezingcingeni ezilusizi ndingathi ndifunda iingcinga zakhe I was particularly pleased that Cynthia Tshaka, the SABC TV presenter, ngokunjalo.Waphendula nje ngokuthi, “Ee Sista.” “ Lixeshana nje, ungakwazi brought her team of sports celebrities along for the Sports Heroes Walk ufuna.” Ngalamazwi ndandimchukumisile, waguquka wajonga kum uphele tuberculosis Against Aids campaign to the Eastern Cape and that we could participate wonke umdla ebholeni. Ndazazisa , sangena kwesona sizathu sasindibeka in this event as a district. The team set off on 16 November, and covered apho. Ndamchazela ngoGawulayo, ngolu lwam uhlobo endafumanisa kamva 1722 kilometres from Ekhuruleni Metro reaching the Nelson Mandela Metro ukuba lwalungekude kulento ifunekayo ndenza intuthuzelo yomphefumlo. in Port Elizabeth on 1st December in time for World Aids Day. Along the Ekugqibezeleni incoko yethu ndathi, “ Kungawe ke. Ungakwazi ukuhamba route, the team covered about 100 kilometres per day. This is a nine year kwakhona ukuba uzimisele, uzinikele kanjalo.” Ebonakala enethemba wathi, programme which will culminate in 2010 and each year covers a different “ Sista ndiqala ngoku.” province or route. Sendikwiofisi yam emva kwesidlo sasemini ndeva intswahla yentsini eyayivela Aids HELPLINE The project was held in partnership with Sport and Recreation South Africa, kubaguli abangamadoda ngaphandle, ndakroba ngomdla. Ungakholelwa ? the local offices of Sport and Health and were also supported by corporate Yayingumguli lo bendivela kuye. Masimphe igama elinguPedro kwelibali. donors including Sasol, MTN, DaimlerChrysler, SAFAM, SABC, NIKE and Ejale mpela ebusweni wayegxadaza ehamba ngentsimbi emilenze 0800 012 322 Xstrata. Together the initiative raised about R4,5 million since its inception mine esetyenziswa ekuncediseni abazilolonga ngokutsha ekuhambeni. in 2002. The funds are destined for HIV and Aids hospices and care Kuye loontswahla yentsini yayingathethi nto. Wasuka wancedisa naye centres along the route. wahleka endaweni yokutyhafa. Ezingcingeni zam ndathi, “Nkosi yintoni le uyenzileyo?” Eneneni kwakufanele ukuba ngummangaliso ovela phezulu The team arrived in our district on 27 November and departed on 30 lo ndandiwubona kuba ndandingayazi ukuba iyiyo le ndandiyithetha November. Along the way sports clinics were held in , xa ndandimthuthuzela. Ndandingalindele kubona umntu obesele elele Mnqesha Great Place, and Duncan Village and support was provided to ephakama ehamba ngeloxesha linye. Kaloku ngu Ezekiya wezibhalo the Curt Warmberg Hospice in Parkside, East London. Our grateful thanks kuphela owathi, “Mathambo hlanganani !” kwenzeka. go the Department of Agriculture, Eastern Cape Aids Council, and the Iitsuku zabane u-Pedro esebenzisa lentsimbi, kolwesihlanu wahamba local municipalities of Nkonkobe, and Buffalo City for their contributions in ngodonga. Sele eyintlekisa wayengatyhafi. Yayingumbono obuhlungu lo kum making this event such a success. kodwa ndimkhuthaza ngoku ndinga andimboni. Kwafikelela kumgangatho Another development was the House of Traditional Leaders whose apho ndabona ukuba mandiyinqande lentsini ingasi ndawo ndimkhuthaze members all descended on the Curt Warmberg Hospice to test their HIV ngokuphandle u Pedro. Kwiveki yesibini wayesele eyekile ukubambelela status and to donate some much needed furniture. kodwa esahamba nzima. Yaphela intsini namaganyana awayebizwa ngawo, womelela umntu kodwa esacothoza. Ndeva ngelinye iqela logqira Unfortunately lack of financial resources have prevented us from publishing wesibhedlele i-Cecilia Makhiwane ndabona ingayinto entle ukumana a dedicated HIV and Aids newsletter, so we thought the next best thing sihambela eliqela ukuqhelanisa eli lethu ukuze abaguli bangasokoli xa would be to incorporate this in the ADM’s community newsletter. We trust begodukile. Wayamkela ngothakazelelo lento umphathi zakho nezithuthi that you will continue to derive as much benefit from this as you would ngexesha lokuya. Phakathi kweqela elathi latyelela no Pedro wabakho. otherwise normally do. Yayingumgama ke ukusuka endleleni ukuya kungena kumnyango weholo Please continue to send us your articles for publishing and motivating each esasingenela kulo. Kwakufuneka ndishiyeke ukuze ndibengumsimelelo other. ka-Pedro nje ngoko wayeyakudinwa nanguloo mganyana. Andimlibali loogqira. Wayelinda ngomonde de sifike kuye asiwole sobabini noPedro www.amathole.gov.za Until next time, engathethi nelinye ilizwi. Xesha ngalinye sifika wayesenza lento. Womelela umguli sathethana ngokuba afunde imisebenzi yezandla. Akazange alunge. HELEN NEALE-MAY, CLLR Andizanga ndiyeke ukumkhuthaza naye waya esomelela ngakumbi. Inkonzo yakhe nayo yayingayekanga ukumxhasa emphefumlweni nasenyameni. Ndisabukele ukuba izinto zihamba kakuhle wakhutshwa esibhedlele. [email protected] 06 Hayi intlungu endandikuyo ngaloomhla. Isibhedlele sasikude ababini kwindlela eya kwiofisi yam, ndabulisa ndigqitha ndingazele ukuba mandivume kuba ke eneneni ndandingamazi. Nje ngakuqala ezindleleni zezithuthi, imini imbi kuvuthuza umoya. Kwakungekho nto. Bandilandela ababafana. Ndididekile ndabuza ukuba kwiminyaka elithoba eyadlulayo wathi, “Sista, ndingu-Pedro.” mntu wakumphuthuma nje ngoko kwakuphakathi evekini yena eziva ndingabanceda ngantonina. Bemangalisiwe bobabini omnye Andizange ndibenakuwakholelwa amehlo am. Emva kweminyaka engenakulinda engxamele ekhayeni.lakhe. Andizange ndikwazi waphendula wathi, “Sista akundazi?” Ndidideke nangaphezulu elithoba uPedro wayesaphila, ehamba nje ngaye nawuphina umfana. nokumjonga xa esingela emnka. Njani na kaloku? Kwalomntu ndabuza ukuba bendifanele ukubazi na. “Sista ndinguPedro.”Inene Wayenciphile ngesiqu kunakuqala kodwa esempilweni. Emva kokuba womelezayo achiphize xa umomelezwa ezizamela? Ndazixakekisa ukuba ndandingasendiqiniswe ngamava ameva obomi akade ndibuze impilo sancokola nje sahlukana. ngomsebenzi mpela. endihlaba ngendandikhe ndacela kulento yabantwana. Uyakuba Sekuyiminyaka elishumi elinanye ngoku, u-Pedro usaphangela. Buqhula xa ndibona omnye umsebenzi engena ndabuza ukuba wayephawule ukuba noko ndonakele mhla wemnka, ezokundibonisa Unawo amahla ndinyuka obomi kodwa umnqweno wakhe akakhange abone mzimba uqungquluze endleleni na. Wawuqonda ke ngoko inkqubela empilweni yakhe. Sancokola ndamkhuthaza. wokuhamba kwakhona abenje ngabanye abafana uwufezile. Umntu lombuzo nangona ukekele. Ejalile wathi ubone lamfana ubuthathaka Ithemba nokholo awayenalo u-Pedro lalimnike amandla okuphila. ondim ufunde ntoni yena kumava ngo-Pedro? Ndifunde ukuba ehamba nzima ezama ukuya kumgaqo wezithuthi. Ndenza Ndemnka kwesosibhedlele ndathi nakhona ndandingazange xa unoxanduva lokuxhasa umntu yenza ngokupheleleyo. Xhasa umthandazwana omfutshane ngaphakathi. ndiphinde ndimbone andakwazi ukumlibala. umphefumlo, ingqondo nenyama. Ungazideleli iinjongo zakhe, Iinyanga ezimbini emva koko ndabizelwa iindwendwe ezazindifuna. Ngentsasa ethile kunyaka ka-2005 ndilinde ukuwela indlela edolophini awukho umlinganiselo ongafikeleleki kuphele. Yazi eyona nto Ngeliya kwezindwendwe ndagqitha kumatyendyana abafana ndeva ndikrwecwa egxalabeni ngumfana owandibulisa ngoncumo. ibalulekileyo kumthuthuzelwa uyixabise. Ugadinwa kukukhuthaza Ndavuma nje ndingamsanga so. “Sista akundazi?” Ndanyanzeleka ngomdla ngalo lonke ixesha.

PREGNANCY AND HIV Sr Vuyelwa, Qamba, ADM AVAILABLE ACCREDITED

RECOMMENDATIONS ON PLANNING PREGNANCY INCLUDING USE Decision regarding the use of antiretroviral (ARVs) drugs during ANTI- RETROVIRAL SITES IN OF ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUGS DURING PREGNANCY pregnancy should be made by the woman after discussion with her healthcare provider about the known and unknown benefits AMATHOLE DISTRICT The Republic of South Africa has a Bill of Rights which protects and risks of therapy. Her initial evaluation should include an as- all its citizens through an Independent Constitutional Court. The sessment of the extent of the infection in her body and recom- MUNICIPALITY establishment of offices such as the Public Protector, the commis- mendations regarding antiretroviral treatment or alteration of her sion for Human Rights and gender equity support the commitment current type of antiretroviral treatment. The assessment should to protect diverse values and ensure justice for all. People Living also include evaluation of the degree of her illness determined Amahlathi with the HI Virus (PLWHAs) also have the same rights, like the by the CD4 count in her blood. Also of importance is the risk of - Masibambisane NGO right to have dignity as a person respected and protected. Their disease progression as determined by opportunistic infections the - Stutterheim freedom and security, like anybody else, includes the right to make client has experienced. - Cathcart Hospital decisions on reproduction, decisions about pregnancy and its ter- - S.S.Gida Hospital mination, as well as matters like health during pregnancy and the Discussion regarding the use of ARVs during pregnancy should health of the unborn baby. include what is known and not known about their effects on the Buffalo City unborn baby and newborn baby including side effects that already - Frere Hospital It is essential to bear in mind however at all times that a PLWHA’s exist due to long term use of the drugs. Good explanation should - Feeder Sites immunity is compromised and the status is infectious. Transmis- be provided on what is recommended in terms of treatment for - Duncan Village Day Hospital sion of infection and further compromise of their health status must her health and the efficacy of Zidovudine (commonly known as - Gompo Clinic always be prevented by all means. It is highly recommended that AZT) for reduction of the risk of infection transmitted from mother - Cecilia Makiwane Hospital medical care of the HIV infected pregnant woman be coordinated to baby during birth. between the woman and the HIV specialist. Good communication - NU 2 Clinic should therefore exist between the two at all times. - NU 8 Clinic - NU13 Clinic - Bhisho Hospital INFANT FEEDING IN THE HIV & AIDS ERA Sr Vuyelwa Qamba & N. Macembe - Ikhwezi (NGO) - Sophumelela (NGO) In terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa breast milk of HIV positive mothers is not capable of causing HIV everybody has a right to privacy. This means that every person is infection if not mixed with anything else as it does not penetrate Great Kei entitled to keep certain facts about themselves private. The right the intestinal inner lining. Other fluids may cause irritation to the - Komga Hospital (NGO) to privacy includes also that of bodily integrity. This means that intestinal mucosa, opening entry points for the HI Virus to enter - Mooiplaas Clinic a patient must sign an informed consent before being tested for the baby’s blood stream and thus infecting the baby. HIV and also means that he/she also has a right to refuse the Mnquma blood test. The baby must be taken to the Clinic at the age of six weeks for - Butterworth Hospital Polymarease Chain Reaction (PCR) test. This is done by pricking - Centane – Thafalofefe Hospital However, we are all aware of the natural maternal instinct that the baby’s heel to obtain blood to test and determine if the baby is each and every mother is blessed with, the instinct to protect infected with HIV or not. If for any reason the mother cannot adhere Nkonkobe and nurture her offspring. Then who under normal circumstances to exclusive breast feeding then she can discontinue completely - Fort Beaufort (preparing) being a mother would not wish to protect her child from HIV earlier than six months. Besides being a possible source of other - Seymour (NGO) infection? It would be a very unusual situation if there would be infections, pacifiers (dummies) and teats, are contra-indicated - Ikhwezi Hospice any. That is why it has become a requirement in Primary Health as they can also cause oral irritation that can predispose to HIV Care Clinics to have all expectant mothers who attend Ante Natal infection in breastfed babies of HIV positive mothers. Ngqushwa Care tested for HIV. This creates awareness of their status both - Institute for Youth Development to them and the Professional Nurse so that they can be equipped If the mother opts for formula feeding from birth this method must with knowledge of how to save the baby from being infected with also be adhered to without mixing with other forms of feeding until HIV. The programme is called Prevention of Mother to Child the age of six months when solids are introduced. Transmission (PMTCT) and the treatment begins during labour. A Nevirapine Tablet is given to the mother on the twenty eighth week of pregnancy to be swallowed during the second stage of labour and Nevirapine syrup given per mouth to the baby within seventy two hours after birth.

In this article we discuss ways of feeding a baby in this HIV era. As blood tested during the window period shows negative results and mothers are tested only once during pregnancy, exclusive feeding applies to all babies irrespective of the mother’s status bearing in mind that to breastfeed or not to breastfeed is the prerogative of the mother. There are many issues that may be a challenge to breast feeding.

Infant feeding should be planned during pregnancy. The options are exclusive breastfeeding or exclusive formula feeding. The mother makes an informed choice of feeding that will be most convenient to her. Exclusive breastfeeding means giving the baby nothing else, not even boiled water but breast milk for six months. For practical purposes if the mother notes that the baby is not getting enough from the breast, breastfeeding can be stopped at three months and the baby trained on expressed breast milk using cup feeding. As soon as cup feeding is mastered breastfeeding is stopped abruptly to avoid mix feeding and formula feeds introduced. Mix feeding means feeding the baby on breast milk and baby formula or any other fluid at the same time. This type of feeding promotes HIV infection. The virus present in the 07 POST TEST CLUB CONCEPT LAUNCHED IN STUTTERHEIM Sr Vuyelwa Qamba, ADM

The launch of the Post Test Club programme that is being piloted by Amathole District Municipality in Due to meaningful speeches delivered, amongst which was a keynote address delivered by a Person Amahlathi, Buffalo City and Great Kei Municipalities was held at Stutterheim in Amahlathi Municipality Living with the H I Virus, people were motivated and encouraged to speak out. Those who are infected on 10 July 2007. This was done in order to introduce the concept to Health Professionals, communities, expressed a feeling of having lost their fear of disclosing their status. Hospitals and Non- Governmental Organizations to facilitate easy referrals and utilization. It was also the implementation of one of the programmes benchmarked in Uganda. Support Groups who were previously known to be weak are now holding regular meetings and have initiated projects and activities. They have been inspired by the colourful display of the quilt and Health Professionals who were particularly targeted for attendance to facilitate good utilization of the traditional craft by Thembelihle Post Test Club as a Self Help Group. Post Test Clubs were not well represented but the event was well attended and was a success. HIV Support Groups from as far as Wartburg, Keiskammahoek, Peelton and Orange Grove in East London Training of Post Test Clubs will be undertaken by the Humana People to People, incorporating the HIV attended. The purpose of exposing them to the different types of HIV related activities was served. programme with TB in the not too distant future.

“INGATHI NDIVELA EKAPA NGENYAWO” YAYINDINGCUNGCUTHEKISA LONTETHO UMNTWANA WAM EGULA SIJONGA NGELISO LOMTHUTHUZELI MPHEFUMLO Umama onomonde, Great Kei

Ndingumama onabantwana abane. Ndihlala ezilalini kumhlaba waseMooiplaas. Omnye wabantwana Ndathabatha isigqibo sokuba ndihlale kwesosibhedlele imini nobusuku ukuze ndimnike ngokwam bam ongumfana obali eli lingaye uhlala eMdantsane. Ndifumana isibonelelo sika Rhulumente ezopilisi ngamaxesha azo. Ngalomaxesha kwakufuneka ndivume nayiphina into ayithethayo nokuba sobudala nokwaphuka kwempilo. Ngenye imini nje ngesiqhelo ndahambela lo mfana wam ayiqondakali kuba ndicenga ukuba aginye ezipilisi angazifuniyo. Wayenamaxesha okuthi ayizozakhe eMdantsane ndafika engaphilanga. Kum wayenembonakalo nje yomntu onomkhuhlane egodola. Nje sele ezityile ezakhe. Ndandicenga nalapho ndimxelele ukuba ndingunina, ndiyamthanda ndaye ngoko wayengaphangeli ndamthengela nje amayeza ndamshiya nawo kuba ndandimbona ukuba ndifuna aphile. umkhuhlane umze ngamandla. Ndandilala phantsi kwigumbi lokulinda esibhedlele ndivuke kusasa yonke imihla ndiyokuhlamba Ndabuya emva kweveki ndafika umkhuhlane uhambele phambili unyana exhwaleke mpela nditshintshe nempahla eMdantsane, ndibuye ndileqe ixesha lokufika koogqirha ukuze ndive konke engcangcazela. Impendulo xa ndibuza ndothukile yaba yeyokuba ufunyenwe ngamandla okutsha ngempilo yonyana wam. Wakhutshwa esibhedlele engekakwazi ukuhamba ngenxa yeenyawo yinyongo akukho nto ihlalayo esiswini. Kwangoko ndamcela ukuba siye eKliniki nje ngoko imeko ezibuhlungu nobuthathaka bomzimba. Ndaphinda ndaqesha isithuthi ndaya naye elalini esala. yayinxunguphalisa. Wala umntwana wam, ngelithi uzakukhe athenge izinto zokusela acoce loonyongo Kwakuba nzima kwakufika ithuba lokuba aye ngasese engakwazi ukuhamba waye kanjalo elihloniphile wayekhala ngayo. Ndabuyela elalini ndimshiya enjalo. Ngokungakwazi ukunyamezela ndabuya igumbi lakhe lokulala. Khumbula kaloku mlesi izindlu zangasese ezilalini zikude, ekupheleni kothango. looveki ingaphelanga. Wayesebenzisa iintonga zasesibhedlele angcambaze. Ndandisima emnyango ndinamasikizi ade ayekufika endlwaneni. Kwakubalithuba engaphumi ndandingqunga phandle okwenkuku itshiswa Ndafika emntwini osele kwesisihlandlo elele phantsi exhaxha yingqele, ebuthathaka engakwazi liqanda. Ekubuyeni kwakhe wayesithi, “Ndidinwe ngathi ndivela eKapa ngeenyawo.” Sagqibela nokuhamba. . Ndaqonda kakuhle ukuba kwelam ikhaya kujinga ilifu elimnyama. Andizanga ndiphele ekhayeni sesinesici sokuthi ukuya ngasese kukuya eKapa. Ndancekelela waphila umntu wabuyela mandla. Ndaziva ndinokuzifunqula iintaba ngosana lwam. Ndaqesha isithuthi sokumsa eKliniki eMdantsane ezihambela. Ndathi ndisiya kumbona ndafika emhle nangaphezulu kunokumgqibela kunzima esala umguli enenkani. Ndandilumkele ke nokumkhathaza nje ngoko ndaphawula ukuba kwam. ugcine nesidima sakhe sobudoda engafuni kubonakala elibhetyebhetye. Kwisihlandlo sesibini ndisiya kumbona ndafika ndimbona ukuba usele, kanti kukubuyela kwakhe Kwathi kuba inkqubo yeKliniki ayihambi ngantando yamntu ndakhetha ukubancama abaselalini ngolohlobo etywaleni. Wagula nangaphezulu kunakuqala selegula nasisifo sophepha (TB) . Waqina abantwana bam ndahlala eMdantsane. Wagula umntwana wam kwafuna ukuthambeka eyam impilo. nemihlathi ndaphelelwa lithemba kodwa andancama kuba wawusekho umphefumlo. Ndaphinda Kodwa kuba ndingumzali ndandisithi ndisisiqalo ndisisiphelo kulomntwana akukho mntu wumbi ndenza nje ngakuqala. Onke lamaxesha andizange ndiyeke ukuthandaza. Walaliswa kwakhona unokwenza endinokukwenza. Ndandithandaza ndimcele uMdali andiphe amandla. Wayengakufuni esibhedlele. Akuba ephumile wabonakalisa ukuyaleka kuba akazanga aphinde abusele utywala. ukutya. Abekutyile ngezolo wayengakufuni ngosuku olulandelayo. Kwakubanzima ngamanye Uphilile ngoku, ukhuthaza efundisa nabanye abantu abagulayo. amaxesha ndive ukuba nentetho yakhe ithanda ukuba rabaxa. Mhla ndamphinda ngemifuno awayeyifumene ngezolo wandixelela ukuba akayobhokhwe yena, angade akrakre amathumbu akhe abeluhlaza nje ngawebhokhwe. Ndabola ngamatyala kuba imalana endiyifumanayo ayingakanani, kodwa kwakufuneka nditshintshe izidlo ndithenge neziqhamo. Please note that the views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of the Amathole District Ngokufutshane watsalwa igazi eKliniki lafunyanwa linentsholongwane kaGawulayo. Akazange avume mpela ukuyamnkela loonto. Yaba yeyona yabangela ukuba angabisafuna naluphina uhlobo Municipality. This is a community newspaper, and part lweepilisi. Ndacenga ndimenzela nemizekelo yabantu abaphumeleleyo bephila nentsholongwane akwalunga. Wayendixelela ukuba akangabo abobantu yena. Waya kulaliswa esibhedlele kuba of this publication is a platform for the community to kwakuhambele phambili kakhulu ukufa. Eyona yandikhathaza kakhulu kukuphawula ukuba ingqondo yakhe yayingasasebenzi kakuhle, ethetha intetho engadibaniyo. Ndalibona ngeso lomphefumlo elilifu air their views and to give hope to others infected or bendilikhankanye ntlandlolo lijingela kufuphi nangaphezulu. affected by HIV and Aids. The ADM accepts no liability Amaxa amaninzi ndandifika iipilisi ebefanele ukuba uzisele zihleli ecaleni kwakhe zingaselwanga. for the content. 08 YOUNG LISA SILWANA MAKES A CONTRIBUTION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV Sister V. Qamba, ADM

Twelve year old Lisa Silwana is a grade 6 utilizing her free time constructively, choosing to training her peers in sign language. Parents learner at St Thomas Private School in King make a contribution in the fight against HIV. support this valuable programme by contributing Williams Town.. Born in Rabhula Location, a monthly sum of R20 which assists in buying Keiskammahoek she has initiated a Girls’ Club The Girls’ Club, boasting a membership of 30 stationery and pays towards transport costs linked to Uthando Drop-in Centre which is girls with ages ranging from 10 to 15 years is during their excursions. This group of young girls home to one hundred orphaned and vulnerable named after its founder Lisa. They meet during say they need funding to grow and make their children from nine villages in the vicinity of school holidays and hold weekly meetings programme a success. Keiskammahoek. discussing issues in different subjects that they normally find difficult to discuss one on one with 10 year old Banoyolo Braweni is teaching sign 12 year old Lisa Silwana who initiated the Lisa parents. Guidance is offered by a contingent of language to her group mates of Lisa Girls’ Club Girls’ Club to fight against HIV and Teenage adults who mentor and assist them in organizing in Keiskammahoek. Pregnancy. and arranging their workshops during June and December holidays. Subjects discussed include The Club Members are having fun in a members’ Lisa, being the daughter of an HIV&AIDS activist, learning about their bodies and motivation in self birthday party. Mrs Judy Silwana was inspired by her mother confidence, self esteem and ability to handle Contact Lisa for more info about the club who is coordinating a HIV&AIDS programme peer pressure. at the Anglican Church’s Department of Social [email protected] or Responsibility (DSR). Being an intelligent and Hidden talents are unearthed, as 10 year old call 079 016 8393 diligent young girl herself, Lisa saw a need of Banoyolo Braweni also acts as a facilitator

KUYASA AND THEMBELIHLE POST TEST CLUBS EMBARK ON A CAMPAIGN TO DISCOURAGE HIV & AIDS STIGMA Sister Vuyelwa Qamba, ADM

A lot has been reported in our quarterly OF LIFE” turned out to be a joyous celebration magazine “MASIPHATHISANE UMTHWALO” of the life of a promising deceased member who about Post Test Clubs. This ADM concept, new had good potential and admirable leadership in our country aims at reducing the prevalence skills. Lots of talent in the line of educational of HIV and Aids. It is also a means of and motivational talks, tributes and poetry was supporting ongoing programmes in the control displayed by both Post Test Clubs. The vibrant and mitigation of effects and impact of HIV and Kuyasa PTC which has always been the best in Aids in our communities for improved quality of music led with songs loaded with motivational life and productivity. The Post Test Clubs (PTC) and consoling lyrics whilst Thembelihle PTC and Self Help Groups arose from a partnership displayed good talent in tributes and poetry. between Kampala Central Division Council and The Sinethemba Support Group of Peelton also Amathole District Municipality. The programme made great contributions in poetry. focuses on Youth promoting behavioral change amongst their peers and being very active in A candle lighting memorial was conducted in Voluntary Counseling and Testing campaigns, remembrance of the deceased member who in to mention but a few of their activities. Kuyasa the true spirit of a Post Test Club member had and Thembelihle are two of four Post Test instructed his next of kin to disclose his status Clubs established in Amahlathi, Buffalo City in the event of his death, for the benefit of and Great Kei Municipalities. especially the Youth. As if the presentation of the seven colors of the candles was being heard for In September 2007 Thembelihle Post Test Club the first time, the mourners were mesmerized. of experienced a sad loss of one of their members. In dealing with their loss they The joint effort of the two Post Test Clubs bore decided to do something positive which would fruit as it was noted that there was an increase in be of benefit to community members and all the numbers of the Thembelihle Support Group other People Living With HIV and Aids, this and Post Test Club. A number of Youth was so being the last wish of their late member. The impressed with the activity that they expressed Kuyasa Post Test Club joined in solidarity with an interest in the Post Test Club programme. A their counterparts. Voluntary Testing and Counseling campaign will follow in due course. What could have been a sad occasion, true to the meaning of the PTC theme “A CELEBRATION

A LETTER OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE ADM COMMUNITY By “Redeemed” from Mdantsane – foreword by Sr Vuyelwa Qamba

BY FAITH AND WILLPOWER I HAVE Dear Sisi a question will arise that if that was the case in keeping my self esteem and dignity. Also the OVERCOME THE HIV SCOURGE I prefer to write this article in the form of a letter then why did Jesus leave me as His child to fall support of my family and loved ones, especially so that I can be frank and open as much as prey to such a deadly disease? Firstly, please the adults, my mother in particular, played a vital The writer of this letter is a young man who on possible. I do not know where and how to start, note that I do not refer to HIV as a disease, but role in preserving the energy consumed by the two occasions was in a state of full-blown Aids. but let us give our minds a broader perspective. an illness. On responding to the question that illness. All of them raised my hopes and gave me Besides being mentally confused he could I had never before crossed swords with a long has arisen, I was fool enough to allow Satan to the powerful boost that still prevails. not walk, everything had to be done for him. deceive me so as to remove the power of The lasting illness. On numerous occassions I have There are certain things some people fail to His worst challenge was to overcome alcohol Almighty Jesus from protecting and guiding me been sick with ‘flu, colds, headaches and all understand. Belief and faith can make a person abuse which exacerbated his condition. He is a and taking charge of His throne, because that is sorts of minor ailments. Also pains emanating stand against the Devil. Mark Chapter 11 verse qualified electrician, but that too did not seem from beatings, stab wounds and bone fractures. what I regard my body to be. to be a reality in his life during the peak time of 22 makes it clear that one can do all things in I resisted and did not succumb to their soul My belief is that there was a spiritual battle that Christ who strengthens us. Having no doubts his socializing until he became ill and exercised torture. strong will power to turn the tables around. In was taking place within me when I got sick. The can move a mountain. Lord had never taken away His eyes from me a period of only thirteen months after his last I met this ‘country bumpkin’ HIV - I mean when I Lastly Sis, I can quote in the book of Philippians and His ear was never too far to hear the groans admission to hospital, he is chopping down received the results after I had visited the clinic for Chapter 4 verse 13 which reads as follows, “I and mumblings of His child begging for mercy. trees, is working normally as an electrician and consultation on body weakness, loss of appetite can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.” As it is written in the book of 1 Corinthians Ch maintains his food garden which provides him and rapid weight loss. I received no professional The man in me refused to use my bedroom as 2 verse 12 it proves to me that if the spirit is with a wide variety of fresh vegetables. post test counseling other than being placed in a a loo. It is Him who told me I can walk, and I did weakened the soul and body do not have to die. hospital bed shocked and dismayed. The illness it using only one of the crutches I was given in He is a typical example of a well-disciplined person During those intervals where sense and memory drew me deeper and deeper into its midst. I lost hospital to assist me to walk to the hiking spot with good self esteem, financial means and home were regained, I had an opportunity to address my memory of things and people as well as an on the day I decided to move to East London. care skills. He knows and acknowledges that and counsel myself. The first thing I told myself awareness of my surroundings. The loo was on the premises not far from the there is a supernatural power. He proudly says was that to overcome an illness one has to play house but with the pain I was feeling on both to me, “I have surrendered my life to God and After a few of days I had intervals of memory by its rules which are to keep warm when it is soles of my feet, visiting it was like going to Cape accepted the Lord Jesus as my Saviour.” He when I knew where I was and also knew the cold and relax when pain is experienced and Town on foot. showed no reluctance when I requested him to reason why I was there. I could also recognize allow it to take its course without panicking. share his experience with the ADM community people around me. By the grace of The Lord Thank you I accepted that the illness that had befallen me to motivate and strengthen people that are newly Jesus Christ I got answers all by myself. By the God bless. diagnosed. His letter reads as follows: time the illness was taking its toll I had met and was a human illness and I had contracted it known Jesus six years earlier. On saying this, because I am a human being. That assisted me 09 SIBUYILE ISIDIMA SABAHLALI Ngu: Judy Ngoloyi

Imifanekiso ithatyathwe nguAkhona Ngqinambi

Isidima sabahlali bakwa-James ngaphandle kwase-Dimbaza eMpuma Kapa sibuyiselwe kubo ngokuthi banikwe izixhobo zezindlu zangasese kutsha nje. Le lali inabahlali abangama-280 isininzi ingabantu abangaphangeliyo.

Inkampani yebhanka i-African Bank ichithe imali engaphaya kwesigidi seerandi kwizakhiwo zangasese ibambisene nenkampani iMvula Trust njengomakhi. Kumsitho obubanjwe kwinyanga kaSeptemba izindlu zangasese ezili-186 zithe zanikezelwa kubahlali.

Umhlali kule lali uNkszn Thelma Mayoli uthe ixesha elininzi bebengamaxhoba ezifo ezifana nesifo sephepha kunye necholera kuba bebengenzao izindlu zangasese ezisemgangathweni.

“Zonke ezongxaki ziyinto yezolo kuba sinazo izindlu zangasese.”

Naye ethetha kwaku lo msitho uMnu Thami Sokutu wakwa African bank uthe, ezona nongo ziphambili kubo kukuphucula ubomi babantu kwezemali nokuhlala.

“Iyakuba kukungaqiqi xa ubani esithi namhlanje zonke iingxaki zethu ziphelile. Inyani yeyokuba siqale uhambo olude kakhulu,” utshilo okaSokutu.

Uthe isigqibo sokunika inkxaso kweli phulo lutyalo mali ukuphumeza inkqubo yotshintsho ekhokelwa ngurhulumente.

Yena u-Amanda Machimana nonguManejala wecandelo elijongene nenkozno zelindle kwiSebe laManzi eMpuma Kapa uthe mhle umgama osele uhamnjiwe kule nkonzo, kodwa kunzi okusafuneka kwenziwe ukufikelela kumda ka-2010.

Obenika intetho ephambili uMphathiswa worhulumente bamakhaya kweli phondo uNkszn Thokozile Xasa uthe urhulumente esebenza yedwa soze asifeze iingxaki ajamelene nazo. Uteh bayazingca ngenkxaso esuka kwi-African Bank kuba yenza umahluko kwiingxaki zokusa iinkonzo ebantwini.

BAWONGIWE OONGQONDO-NGQONDO BELI PHONDO Ngu: Judy Ngoloyi

Imifanekiso ngu-Lucky Makeleni Ubachaze wathi basisiphumo senzame zabelungu baseBritane zokwakha umsantsa phakathi kwabantu bomgquba nabo bafundileyo. Yaziswe elubala incwadi ewonga amaqhawe eMpuma Kapa naphuma kwiindawo ezahlukeneyo kumsitho obubanjelwe apha eMonti kwinyanga kaSeptemba kulo uphelayo unyaka. Le ncwadi Esamnkela iindwendwe kulo msitho intloko yakwanoKholeji, nesishiyayo iskhundla sayo Unjingalwazi nesihloko sayo sith, African Intellectuals in the 19th and early 20th Century ithetha nobomi uDerrick Swartz uthe kuninzi ekufuneka kwenziwe ukutyila iingqondo zolutsha ngolwazi ukujongana bukaMfundisi uTiyo Soga, uNtsikana ka Gabha, uJohn Tengo Jabavu, uGqirha Mpilo Rubusana neminngeni emininzi. kunye no-Samuel Mqhayi. “Iingqondi aziphumi nje emoyeni. Sivela phantsi kweemeko eziphila kuzo nezibakhayo. Akakho Le ncwadi ikhutshwe yintlanganisela phakathi kwe-National Heritage Council, Human Sciences umntu okwazi ukubenza babe zezi zinto babezizo. Iimeko abantu abaphila kuzo zizo ezibangela Research Council, Fort hare Foundation kunye noMasipala wase-Amathole. ulutsha luwabone amandla eengcinga,” utshilo oka-Swartz.

Ethetha kulo msitho uGqirha Mcebisi Mdletyana weziko le HSRC kwicandelo leDemocracy and Uthe ilizwe kufuneka liqinisekise ukuba ulutsha lufumana ixesha lokufunda iincwadi ukuze Governance, uthe ezi zingqondi zokuqala phakathi kwama-Afrika. ngokwenjenjalo luzixhobise.

“bathi bagqama kwimingxilo yabo eyahlukeneyo bakhula babanefuthe kwingqindi zeli loMzantsi Le yincwadi yokuqala kwezinye ezizayo nezithetha ngoongqondo-ngqondo bama-Afrika belixesha. Afrika.,” utshilo oka Mdletyana

10 After a book launch, honouring five great Xhosa intellectuals, a wreath laying ceremony was held at Xhosa poet, Mqhayi’s grave in Berlin. ADM MAYOR’S CHALLENGE PROVES A HIT ONCE AGAIN! By Gail Pullen

East London - Each year in September, in celebration of Tourism stayed at the Crawfords Cabins and enjoyed a relaxing braai to end We encourage the community of the district and visitors alike to and Heritage Month, the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) the hike. All in all, a well recommended trail and everyone returned explore the area, including the lighthouse near and the hosts the Mayor’s Challenge, which is traditionally a hike along refreshed and rejuvenated. abandoned titanium mine, to learn about the many shipwrecks one of the district’s trails. This year was no different and some 30 that took place along the coastline, and to take a walk along the people, including councilors and officials from both the Amathole One of the features noted along the hike was the abundance of wild side of life, where cares and worries magically melt away, District and the local municipalities under its area of jurisdiction, titanium and graphite – at places it was so thick it looked like tar on leaving you only with the fresh sea breeze, soft sand and the members of the Tourism Enterprise Programme (TEP), the Eastern the sand. The Wild Coast Amble is definitely well recommended companionship of friends and family. Massages are also offered Cape Tourism Board, the national Department of Environment for tourists and visitors to the district, especially for those who like at the hotels along the way for those who are weary and footsore. Affairs and Tourism, the University of Fort Hare and members of to hike without a large rucksack, as the tour organizers cart the The hotels generally specialize in catering for family groups and the local media participated in the Wild Coast Amble from 7 to 11 luggage from one hotel to the next, leaving one free to explore at there is plenty of entertainment for those that are energetic and September 2007. one’s leisure with a small day knapsack and a lunch pack. As last wish to play pool, table tennis, quad biking, horseriding or go on year’s hike took place along the Amathole Mountain Hiking Trail, a hikes around the coastal villages. For bird lovers, the area is The group traveled to the Trennerys along the Wild Coast, going stiff climb for many, this year’s hike was a doddle by comparison. blessed with many different species of birds. over the pont at the Kei River mouth, and after a light lunch undertook an excursion with Trevor’s Trails to The Gates, which entailed a boat ride, a walk through some coastal forest to a small gorge, to the site of a waterfall. Trevor entertained the group with his bush knowledge, explaining the medicinal properties of various plants along the way. The following day the group walked 6 km to the Kei River mouth, crossed on the pont and embarked on a barge up the river to explore the local bird life and to relax with soft drinks. Upon their return to terra firma, the group walked to the Kei Mouth Community Hall where they had a delicious lunch. The group then walked to Morgan Bay Hotel, a beautiful little coastal hamlet about 6 km further along the Wild Coast where they spent the night. The following day after breakfast, the group trekked up and over the high hill which is a landmark feature at Morgan Bay, over the cliff face and walked along the coast to Hotel. The scenery along this route is spectacular as part of the trail takes one over the cliffs where one is rewarded by the sight of huge waves hitting the rocks below. The route also took the hikers past the little camping site of Double Mouth, a place where two rivers meet. This stretch of the route was about 12.5 km in length. On Monday, 10 September, the group departed again after breakfast and headed past Pullen’s Bay towards Chintsa East, about 16 km from Haga Haga. The group

FARM DWELLERS AT MOUNT PLEASANT TO OWN HOUSES AT LONG LAST By Judy Ngoloyi

Nondwangu said he had recently been informed by the provincial Department of Housing and Local Government that there was an in-principle approval for the housing development for the area of Mount Pleasant. He promised if all goes according to plan the ADM intended to start with the construction of houses at the beginning of next year.

He said whilst ADM was waiting for some loose ends to be tied up, the municipality had identified certain families to stay and look after the sites to avoid possible vandalism of the properties such as the toilets. Funding for the project amounts to about R9 million.

Speaking on behalf of ADM Executive Mayor, the portfolio head for land and housing, Councilor Khanyisile Malghas said that the event fulfilled some of the things that were stipulated in the South African Freedom Charter. He said when the ruling party came into power in 1994 it knew that it had to restore the dignity of the people. “Giving land to all South African citizens is one of the MOUNT PLEASANT: About two hundred beneficiaries drawn Deputy Director of Land and Housing at ADM, Xolani Nondwangu, missions that needs to be accomplished urgently by the ANC-led from various farms of Nxuba and Nkonkobe local municipalities said the ADM was handing over the infrastructure of Mount government,” said Malghas. will soon be the new home owners of RDP houses at Mount Pleasant to Nkonkobe Municipality and the beneficiaries. “As we Pleasant farm near Adelaide in the Eastern Cape. have commenced with the infrastructure in building the community He also asked people to observe a moment of silence for those hall and have now completed the planning and surveying of who had passed away whilst they were engaged in the project. “It This follows a handing over ceremony on Sunday, 2 December the sites, we have decided to hand over the completed sites to is always the case with those that are fighting for the liberation of 2007, of sites to local people who are currently waiting anxiously Nkonkobe for maintenance and safekeeping purposes, and also our people - some will make it and others are taken away before for the completion of paper work which is set to change their lives to avoid vandalism since not all the top structure is in place yet,” they reap the fruits of the very freedom that they were fighting for,” for the better. Amathole District Municipality [ADM] bought the said Nondwangu. said Malghas. Mount Pleasant Farm in 1998 after several discussions and since then the district has been involved in the project. Currently ADM is He said: “Government, through the IDP process, identified a land The former ward councilor of Mount Pleasant, Mandla Makeleni, said negotiating with the provincial Department of Housing and Local need amongst farm workers as these people do not own land, they the project was the brainchild of the former Adelaide TRC. He added government to have houses built on the site. are residing on farms and in terms of their constitutional rights they that it had not been an easy road but with the assistance of the are also supposed to get access to land, including infrastructure’. steering committee and the understanding of the ADM they agreed Eighty two year old man Solomon January arrived at Mount that about two hundred families should settle at Mount Pleasant. Pleasant in 1986 after being dumped in the area by his former Asked when the farm dwellers could feasibly expect to own employer. In an exclusive interview with ADM Solomon explained the houses Nondwangu said that currently the ADM was in the “How I wish that Eskom could speed up the connection of electricity that he used to work for his boss at Blinkwater near Seymour process of registering the sites in the names of the beneficiaries. so that these people can utilize the hall even during the evenings,” outside Fort Beaufort but had to relocate to the area after his “Conveyancers are busy transferring the sites into the name of he said. He also appealed for fencing of the hall so that cattle and employer bought a piece of land in the area. each and every beneficiary and for the first time in their lives they other animals could not come and scratch themselves against the will have tenure security”. wall. “It is a pity that a number of people that were involved in the “Believe it or not for the first time in my entire life I’ll be having a title actual birth of the area have passed away, and others are very deed. I cannot wait for that fateful day where I’ll be given a title and Nondwangu stated that the process was being implemented in sick,” said Makeleni. the house will be under my name. We are praying that the area phases. Housing subsidy applications have been submitted to the can be electrified and that communal taps will be erected as the provincial Department of Housing and Local Government. “At the Residents echoed the plea for fencing and the electrification of the latter is still a challenge in the area. People also want to continue end of the day it’s a rural livelihood that is going to take place in the community hall that had recently been completed. The beneficiary with farming as it has been our way of life,” said January. area, and the remaining portion of the farm is set aside for them to list was updated after the ceremony and the beneficiaries were register it into a trust,” said Nondwangu. ecstatic as this is the beginning of a new dawn in their lives. 11 UMYALEZO WEKRISIMESI KASODOLOPHU

Umnyaka ka-2007 uyakukhunjulwa njengonyaka kwiinkonoz zamanzi ngomnyaka ka-2008 obe nemingeni kuMasipala weSithili seMathole. kunye nelindle ngo-2010, sifuna imali Kulo nyaka njengejelo elinikeza ngeenkonzo egqithileyo kwikhulu lamawaka ezigidi (R1,55 zamanzi kwisithili siphela, ngokungaphande billion). Imali ezakusetyenziswa kwiminyaka kwase-Buffalo City, simisele iziseko emithathu ezayo izinze kuma-450 yezigidi zangaphakathi ukuzisa iinkonzo zamanzi zerandi, isishiye sifuna i-1,1 yamawaka ezigidi eluntwini. Sithe kananjalo zazibula ukumisela zeerandi. iinkonzo yokuhlawulelwa kwamanzi kwisithili sethu. Kananjalo isithili sethu sibandakanye Ingxaki zonyaka ophelileyo zisichazela kulawulo lwaso abasebenzi abatsha abangam- ngokuphandle ukuba kufuneka siqulunqe 500 nabaphuma koomasipala nakwiSebe cebo limbi ukujongana nenkonzo zamanzi laManzi naMahlathi benikeza iinkonzo eluntsini. eziya ebantwini.

Abanye kwaba basebenzi abayiqhelanga indlela UMasipala we-ADM uqulunqe icebo yokusebenza umgangatho kunye nemimiselo elintlu-mbini ukuphelisa iingxaki zamanzi migangatho esith siyilandele. Kananjalo i-ADM nesele zithanda ukuba yinto eqhelekileyo. kufuneke ijamelene neminye imiceli mingeni Elo kuqala icebo kukuqinisekisa ukuba emininzi ebandakanya iziseko zeenkonzo silandela imigangatho ye-RDP, ze elisibini, zethu ezidala ngaxesha nye simisele inkonzo nelilelethutyana ibe kukqinisekisa amanzi ezintsha. Sithetha nje umasipala wethu ulawula akhuselekileyo ngomnyaka ka-2008 nenkonzo inkonzo yamanzi ezifikelele kwi-600 jikelele. yelindle ekhuselekileyo ngo-2010.

Kuye kwafuneka ukuba sifumane ezinye iindlela Kungoku nje uMasipala wethu unamaphulo zokuvelisa amanzi kwindawo apho angekho amahlanu ajongene ukuphelisa inkonzo khona ziphucule umthamo wezo zikhoyo. yokuthuthwa kwelindle ngemabhakethi kwezi Kwezinye indawo kufuneke zinikeze ngenkonzo ndawo zilandelayo; yamanzi mihla le. Sifumanise ukuba ezinye zezingxaki ziwubeke ibala umasipala wethu • Amabhakethi angama-296 eSeymour njengongqaphambi ukunikeza iinkozo eluntwini. Siyavuma ukuba zibekho ingxaki apha naphaya • Amabhakethi angam-5 099 eBhofolo kwaye siyaxolisi kubahlai ngoko. Noko kunjalo, nase-Newtown ezinye iingxaki bezingaphaya kwamandla ethu ezifana nokugqabhuka kwemibhobho yamanzi. • Amabhakethi angam-450 eCentane Siyabathembisa abahlali ukuba senza konke okusemandleni ethu ukuqinisekisa ukuba • Amabhakethi angama-1 275 ku-Ward 1 komnyaka ozayo iziniki maxabiso zokwakhiwa IKrisimesi lixesha apho abantu bathi badibane bafumana amanzi okusela acocekileyo ngalo eQumrha kohlobo olutsha lwezindlu zangasese njengamakhya, izihlobo njalo njalo bonwabile lonke ixesha. zizakuthi zikhutshwe elubala. Nabo abahlali betshatisa benonwabele iholide zokuphela • Amabhakethi angama-3 432 eBedford bazakumenywa ukuba babe yinxalenye ukuze konyaka. Kwabanye, lixesha lonxunguphalo Sizimisele ukuzisa amanzi kubantu abafikelele nase-Adelaide baxhamle. ngokushiywa zizihlobo zabo kwiingozi zendlea, kuma-975,086, xa ungayibali iBuffalo City. ukusetyenziswa kakubi kweziyobisi nezinye Ngokungaphandle kwezingxaki zingentla, Ndiyazingca ngokunichazela ukuba i-ADM Bazakugrumba imingxuma yezi zindlu iintlobo zentlekele ngeli xesha lokuphela uMasipala wethu uyiphucule inkonzo yamanzi iphelise inkonzo yamabhakethi angama-6 091 zangasese baze banikwe izixhobo zokwakha konyaka. Masibacinge abo bangonwabanga eza eluntwini kubandakanya nelindle kubantu kaye sizimisele ukphelisa la aseleyo ngomhla kwindawo zabo. Ezi zindlu zangasese ngeli xesha. bethu. Kungoku nje abantu bethu abayi-76,74 we-21 Disemba 2007. Ukugqitywa kwalo zizakwakhiwa ngendlela ezakuthi yenze kube ekhulwini baxhamla kwinkonzo yamanzi ukanti msebenzi kuzakuqinisekisa ukuba isidima lula ukuba zichithwe xa zigcwele zakhiwe Sinqwenelela bonke abahlali ixesha lekhefu abayi-25,91 ekhulwini baxhamla kwinkonzo sabantu abangama 66,312 sibuyisiwe. kwenye indawo msinyane. Kananjalo siceba elinoxolo nolonwabo. Nincede niqhube yelindle. ukusebenza ngqo nabakhi nekungabo abakhi. ngenkathalo ukuze nifike niphila emakhaya. Ngenxa yobukhulu bengxaki zamabhakethi, Qiniseka ukuba amaxesha obuncwane ayeza Nincede nibe nenkathalo kuyo yonke into Sijongene nomnqantsa kule nkonzo. Uqukelelo uMasipala wethu uphande ndlela zimbi kuba kaloku sizakusenzisa yonke imali esinayo eniyenzayo. lwethu lusixelela ukuba ukuze siwufumane zokukhawulezisa ukuziza iinkonzo yelindle ukuphucula ubomi babantu bethu. umda obekwe ngurhulumente omkhulu esulungekileyo ebantiwni ngo-2010. Ekuqaleni UThixo anisekelele.

Please note that all ADM offices will be closed from 24 December 2007 and will re-open on 2 January 2008. For emergencies relating to our services please contact the emergency numbers listed below. Service Municipality Contact Number Water & Sanitation Amathole District Municipality – includes all 086 010 5789 share call/or after hours: local municipalities except Buffalo City 082 740 8282 083 328 6124 083 343 6849 Fire Amathole District Municipality 083780 6912 Fire Great Kei Municipality 082 778 8500 Fire Ngqushwa Municipality 082 773 7582 Fire Mnquma Municipality 082 773 7530 Fire Mbhashe Municipality 082 773 7517 Disaster Management Amathole District Municipality 082 301 4867

Amathole District Municipality Tel: (043) 701 4000, Fax: (043) 742 0337 40 Cambridge Street, Caxton House, Central, East London, 5201 P O Box 320, East london, 5240 [email protected] www.amathole.gov.za 12