Nkomazi villages to get street names as urbanisation kick-starts
According to the Nkomazi mayor, the communities were engaged in this matter, while the councillors and other members have been trained to better understand the programme of installing street names.
Six villages are in line for modernisation as the Nkomazi Local Municipality (NLM) pilots a project to urbanise more areas.
According to the NLM’s executive mayor, Phindile Magagula, the process to name and number streets will commence soon.
The villages chosen for the project include Driekoppies, Schoemansdal, Tonga, KaMhlushwa and KaMaqhekeza. Magagula announced this during her State of the Municipality Address at the Boschfontein Community Hall on Friday June 28.
She said councillors and ward committee members have been trained to better understand the municipality’s integrated development plan (IDP) as part of the plans to kick-start the programme.
“This administration has a daunting task to foster development in all parts of Nkomazi. Past spatial laws have separated the south of Nkomazi from most economic activities, and our people have to travel long distances in order to reach their workplaces and proper amenities.
“The prevalent legislation forces the municipality to develop strategic documents to promote and enhance development in the previously marginalised areas. We are pleased that the municipality has consulted all 33 wards on the process of the IDP and further trained ward councillors, community development workers and ward committee members so that they understand the IDP.
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“We have further consulted with sector departments that have projects within the Nkomazi area to synergise and collaborate efforts of developing our space. It is our wish to witness the development of our villages to be that of an urban nature. We have therefore identified six pilot areas to initiate the process of street naming and numbering,” said Magagula.
“The process was taken to the communities for engagements and we will be installing the street names as proposed during the community consultation processes.”
This new development has received mixed emotions from some community members, as they say paying rates is one of their biggest challenges.
“We understand that nothing stays the same forever, however, it is concerning that this is one way for the municipality to start demanding that we pay rates. We are a poor community and it would be a shame to ask that we should start paying for water and other things. We know very well where this is going and we are not ready for that as a community,” said Sibongile Khoza from KaMaqhekeza.
Other residents have warmly welcomed this initiative, saying it’s about time.
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“We have been a township for as long as one can remember, and it’s embarrassing that there are no street names yet. We are happy, because this means progress for our community. We welcome it with open arms,” said Vusi Ngomane from KaMhlushwa.
