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THE OR Tambo District Municipality visited four municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to learn more about the Operation Sukuma Sakhe programme this week.
The chosen municipalities included: uMfolozi Local Municipality, Newcastle Local Municipality, Msunduzi Local Municipality and the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Municipality.
Speaking to the Fever about these visits, OR Tambo District Municipality Mayor Nomakhosazana Meth said they want to learn from the best, in order to do the best.
“We want to become more innovative, vibrant and prosperous, and our vision is to improve things for the future of OR Tambo communities. A few years ago, the municipality established the “Yizani Sakhe” campaign to bring government and community structures together to discuss development.
The campaign was later changed to “Masiphathisane,” she said.
Meth added that the OR Tambo District Municipality is now championing Operation Sukuma Sakhe in the Eastern Cape. She said by visiting KZN municipalities, it will give way to positive results in the community and make the campaign more proactive.
In the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Municipality, Ward 1 has won a silver medal for Best KwaZulu-Natal Operation Sukuma Sakhe this year, while Ward 4 from Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Municipality also won the same award for two consecutive years.
The Operation Sukuma Sakhe campaign deals with community challenges like poverty, unemployment, crime, substance abuse and diseases like HIV/AIDS and TB.
“The Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Municipality is honoured to host the OR Tambo District Municipality delegation and we have been identified as the best municipality in terms of the implementation of Operation Sukuma Sakhe.
“Through Operation Sukuma Sakhe, community stakeholders and spheres of government, we are able to deliver comprehensive services,” said Philani Shange, the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Municipality deputy mayor.
He said Operation Sukuma Sakhe involves a continuous interaction between the government and the community to come together with a goal of achieving a better life for all.
“As the municipality, we will encourage social mobilisation where communities have a role, as well as delivery of government services in a more integrated way,” he said.
Ward committees, councillors, government departments and municipalities all play a role in Operation Sukuma Sakhe and have been encouraged to continue doing so.
