Siphelele Nketo 

STRUGGLING to cross rivers in some rural areas of the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal is a thing of the past after the recent construction of footbridges to ensure that schoolchildren and community members can cross rivers safely.

The recent opening of a pedestrian bridge in Gobhogobho has brought relief to school children as they cross the river without having to worry about their safety. Besides improving safety for school children, the infrastructure has restored hopes for better services in the community. Another pedestrian bridge that was welcomed by the local community was in Ndlangisa in the Dazini area.

The local community appreciated the bridge construction, highlighting a major improvement in the rural areas, as they had to previously rescue children from drowning. Now that there is a new bridge, locals said they would no longer have to accompany their children to school during floods because they can cross safely. A few years ago, two learners drowned while crossing to go to school. Before the construction of new bridges, an unsafe makeshift bridge was built by locals in Ndlangisa.

The municipality said that these bridges are not just concrete facilities but a way to assist villagers to connect easily instead of risking their lives while crossing flooded rivers. It further said that the construction of the bridges was in response to the plight of residents, saying no resident should lose a life just to cross a river. The municipality further urged residents to use footbridges at all times and report any form of vandalism. Meanwhile, the construction of the ‘Half My Right Pedestrian Bridge’ is underway in Ward 12 to assist the communities of Mqulela and Plazini in Bulwer. Another bridge is in construction in Ward 1 to benefit the community of Ntwasahlobo and surrounding areas.