NOLUVO MGIJIMA
A GROUP of concerned people of Kokstad have called for the intervention of the provincial government over state facilities.
The first concern was the property belonging to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). It has been claimed that the underutilised property near EG and Usher Memorial Hospital has structures that are occupied by unauthorised dwellers. Another concern was the cultural village built in Franklin, 30km outside Kokstad.
Last Friday, October 17, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance Francois Rodgers was in the area of Kokstad to meet the Mzinhlanga royal household and Greater Kokstad Local Municipality mayor Lwanda Madikizela to discuss infrastructure and service delivery issues. After a short meeting with the concerned delegation at the municipality boardroom, Rodgers visited the property next to EG and Usher Memorial Hospital. However, the visit to the property was not materialised as the gates were locked and there was no one to talk to. The delegation only stood outside the gates for a few minutes and left. Inkosi Vusilizwe Matomane of Mzinhlanga said that there must be full control and monitoring of the property, and it should not be used by just anyone.
Meanwhile, the delegation proceeded to the Franklin cultural village facility to respond to the complaint raised about the multi-million rand facility.
It has been claimed that the cultural village never served its intended purpose. Matomane raised his concern over the cultural village and said that it did not serve its purpose.
He also complained about rondavels that were built without windows. In response, the Greater Kokstad Municipality said that the concept of a cultural village was originally inspired by the need to establish a dedicated and dignified facility to host significant traditional gatherings, particularly the annual homecoming ceremony of initiates from the bush. It said the primary objective of the project was to promote social cohesion while advancing the rich and cultural diversity of the people of Kokstad.
Other objectives were to promote economic development within the municipality that could cater to the diverse cultures found there.
MEC Rodgers said he would engage all involved government departments to make sure that the cultural village facility does not become a ‘white elephant’.
