SIPHELELE NKETO
COMMUNITY members of Sethati and Mashata in Mount Fletcher in the Eastern Cape have taken the initiative to build their own bridge following the February floods that destroyed the existing bridge built by the local municipality.
The community raised the urgency of a safer passage crossing to access essential services like schools and health facilities.
In a remarkable display of unity, they raised funds and collected materials, and now the bridge is at the stage of construction.
They said people died while crossing the Morulane River and children were forced to miss school during heavy rains.
Inkosi Khomotsoana Lebenya from the area, said residents felt neglected by the local leadership responsible for delivering services. He said residents thought that the local government would immediately see the need to rebuild the bridge after it collapsed during February downpours. However, that never happened.
He said several meetings were conducted with the local authorities to raise the state of emergency for a new bridge. He added that the community felt neglected and resolved to contribute from the little they had for the building of a safer bridge.
“Locals have been contributing monthly since March, with elderly people donating from their old-age grants. Some people donated R300 or R500 and others generously contributed extra amounts,” he explained.
To date, the community has managed to contribute over R300 000 which was spent on buying materials and other necessities.
Lebenya said that extra funding was still needed to complete the bridge.
“The funding of around R270 000 is needed to finalise the remaining part of the bridge,” he said.
Though attempts to get hold of the Elundini Local Municipality failed at the time of going to print, ward councillor Siphiwo Ndumndum said that the municipality will build a proper bridge when funds are available.
“The municipality has no funds for disaster cases. Residents were told to wait until the municipality receives extra funds. The community is not neglected; when the money is available, a bridge will be built,” he said.
It was not the first time residents built their own bridge in the area. In early 2000, they built a makeshift bridge that is currently being used as a temporary crossing while they wait for the completion of the new bridge.
