NOLUVO MGIJIMA
THE newly built bridge in Ward 6, EmaXesibeni (Mount Ayliff), has brought relief to the local community after many years of struggling to cross the Umzimvubu River.
Villagers often used a wooden rope bridge as an alternative. The bridge was built years ago by way of church donations to assist communities to access services on the other side of the river.
Before the rope bridge was built, locals were unable to easily access schools, churches or shops. Locals complained about a government bridge built in 2002. They said the bridge was not helpful as it was flooded during rainy days.
Their struggle to cross the river came into the limelight in 2021 when a video of villagers crossing the river with a coffin using the unstable makeshift bridge went viral.
The local community’s wish for a safe crossing came to reality in 2023 when the construction of a new bridge was launched.
The bridge has been completed through the Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme, initiated by the government to address the backlog of bridge infrastructure in rural and disadvantaged communities.
DA councillor in the Umzimvubu Local Municipality, Nozi Mantshongo, was pleased with the government intervention to ease the community’s difficulty in crossing the river.
She said the river had claimed more than 10 lives due to unsafe crossings.
“Our local community will no longer carry coffins on a shaky bridge. Motorists are now able to cross the river without waiting for water to slow down during rainy days,” she said.
She added that the new bridge has retained the dignity of the community, especially school children, whose lives were in danger when going to school.
The new bridge connects residents of Sihlahleni and Nozitshena. They now have access to essential services such as schools and health care facilities.
Umzimvubu Local Municipality mayor Zukiswa Ndevu shared words of gratitude to the national government through the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and the South African Defence Force for this provision.
