By ASEMAHLE DINGE, AMKELWA MBALULA AND SIYANDA GXARHA MPAKO
On Tuesday, 23 August 2022, Makana Municipality leaders met with the Makana Civil Community Coalition (MCCC) board to collaborate on improving the lives of Makana residents.
At the inauguration ceremony held after the meeting at the Amazwi Literature Museum, MCCC Chairperson Dr Noel Mpumezo Ngesi said that their motto ‘No one must be left behind’ captured the endeavour of this coalition.
“Our hearts go out to everyone in Makana,” said Ngesi. He further added that MCCC board members have a variety of skills and social backgrounds they wish to use to empower everyone in the different wards in Makana.
The Makana Triangle of Purpose
In hopes of developing better conditions for Makana residents, MCCC is one of three components of the Makana Triangle of purpose. The other components are Rhodes University and Makana Municipality.
Each component has a role to play in the triangle or purpose. MCCC represents the people; the municipality represents government, and Rhodes University represents the knowledge hub.
“Let’s share knowledge, resources and everything we have and sit around the table and talk about the issues of Makana,” said Ngesi.
The collaboration ensures that the municipality gets assistance on local development issues and, more importantly, implements the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).
Ngesi noted that many organisations in Makhanda, most notably, the Makhanda Circle of Unity (MCU), are working to improve the socio-economic lives of Makana residents.
Xolani Simakuhle, responsible for community development and engagement, said that the presence of MCCC did not detract from the autonomy of existing organisations but added that they wish to work with organisations such as the MCU and Rhodes University Community Engagement (RUCE).
MCU programme manager Sakhe Ntlabezo said they would engage with MCCC on its programme of action.
Additionally, the MCCC will work with Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and civil society on various projects for youth development, gender equality, food production and agriculture, to name a few.
The goals: ploughing back into the community
Most board members have ties to Makana, believing they must plough back into the community.
“Our heart is the whole of Makana, including wards outside Makhanda,” said Ngesi.
Their short-term solutions are three-fold: fix the roads, get investors and create an ICT solution for social cohesion.
1. Fixing the roads
Director of Economic Development and Training for the civil forum Mlamli Nodada said that MCCC’s first task is to fix the roads.
He said that in June, they met with National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to pursue this.
“We have started working with the Local Development Directorate and Engineering and Infrastructure Directorate,” Nodada said.
2. Financial investment
In addition to working closely with the government, Ngesi said that they needed investors for the coalition to work.
Some investors include well-known businessman, community developer and executive chairman of the Mantis collection Adrian Gardiner; Zulu Game Reserve owner Charles Price; and Colin Meyer, owner of Makana Brick.
Mpumze stressed that business investment in the coalition would also ensure that youth receive skills training from these businesses, which can be utilised in various projects that MCCC will embark on.
Regarding investments and funds, a key concept was around funds and transparency.
“When the project finally kicks off: what kind of transparency will there be regarding the project to the people, to ensure that the finances are utilised for exactly what they are meant for?” asked journalist Amkelwa Mbalula.
In response, Simakuhle pointed to the Local government Finance Management Act which enforced the implementation of financial accountability.
Advocate Diniso Desmond Khethani added that MCCC is a non-profit organisation and that donated money would be used for its intended purpose and that audits would ensure this happens.
3. ICT Solution for social cohesion
According to Ngesi, the MCCC has an ICT solution embedded in its community engagement model.
They aim to give community development workers tablets where they can refer people to the six civil forums: education, health and wellness, human development, social development, community development, economic development and planning.
This solution would ensure that issues go from the wards straight to different government departments, where there will be dedicated departmental liaison officers who can assist the community.
Ngesi added that the ICT solution would ensure that issues are escalated within a specific timeframe and that the system will be used for government departments and companies such as Telkom and Eskom.
Some of the Departments in the MCCC
- Strategy and policy research – deals with donor funding and investors who want to invest in the community.
- Office of the Elders – guide and advice.
- Marketing and communication
- Legal Department
- Human Development
MCCC Board Members
- Mr Mlamli Nodada- Convener Director for civil forum on economic development and training
- Rev. Nokuzola Gitywa- Convener for Social Development
- Nontsikelelo Antoni- Additional Member of the MCCC
- Mr Thembinkosi Ngeleza- Director and Head of SMME Development
- Mr Xolani Simakuhle- Community Development and Engagement
- Dr Noel Mpumezi Ngesi- Chairperson of the MCCC
- Mr Lindile Jela- Director for Marketing and Communications
- Ms Ndileka Velezantsi- Convener Health and wellness
- Advocate Douglas Rwentela- Office of the Elders member
- Advocate Diniso Desmond Khethani- Director of risk, internal audit and litigation
- Mr Peter Magalela- Treasurer, financial chain management and General Administrator
- Professor Ntsokolo Sandi- Office of the Elders member
- Judge Lex Mphathi – Board member and retired judge of the supreme court
- Bishop Ntlali – Civil convener at Office of the Elders,
- Mr Ayanda Mjekula – Board member
- Ms Thandeka Veliti – Deputy Secretary
- Ms Zanki Mahlahla- Education specialist
- Mr Maasdorp Cannon – Sports Development
