OPERATION SUKUMA SAKHE (OSS) DDM CABINET DAY 20233
The MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, Mr. Siboniso Duma, together with the Head of Department for KZN Provincial Treasury, Ms. Carol Coetzee, took part in the intensive Operation Sukuma Sakhe (Oss) Cabinet Day in Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality under Ugu District Ward 21.
During the Operation Sukuma Sakhe, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, officially launched the R3.4 million rands electrification project that has benefited a total of 131 households.
The MEC and HoD visited the majority of the Ugu Districts; these visits included oversight of police stations and community-based initiatives where they were interacting with communities and determining how government programs would affect ordinary citizens.
MEC Duma further visited Thulikaceb Trading cc, a 100% female owned business that was conceptualized in 2016 but started operating formally from last year after being one of the Operation Vula Fund beneficiaries. Thulikaceb is currently engaged in recycling project offering solid waste such as glass, paper, cans and etc. The business collects, sort, compact and sell waste material to energy renewal company such as MPACT, Trend Coastal Waste, Fine Metals and Dees Recycling. MEC also visited the second OVF beneficiary, a recycling project that is fully operated by the KwaZulu-Natal Society for the Blind aimed at contributing to the creation of employment opportunities for people with disability. The project has provided employment opportunities to 2 people with disabilities and 4 able persons. It is currently able to collect waste from the following businesses; PEP Port Shepstone, KFC Oribi Port Shepstone, VUC internet Café, and Spar South Broom.
MEC Duma then proceeded to Bhobhoyi area where he officially handed over the Kwasithole Bridge, a project that created temporary job opportunities for local residents. This project is of a benefit to the community of the Bhobhoyi area as it has improved accessibility to other surrounding community facilities.
The Operation Sukuma Sakhe is an initiative by the KZN Government that seeks to rebuild the social fabric by bringing together communities, government, business, and civil society to fight against social ills in an integrated approach. This programme advocates for a collective act against poverty through promoting human values, fighting Crime, diseases, deprivation, thus enhancing moral regeneration for a cohesive society.
