Submitted by Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality
Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality’s Local Task Team (LTT), in partnership with Nestle SA, conducted a Local Social Cohesion seminar recently.
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According to Ms Lusanda Radebe, a vibrant young lady who is working with Women in Leadership (led by the Department of Education under the Estcourt CMC), this programme aimed at tackling social-related issues that affect communities from all walks of life, Estcourt residents in particular.
There was a touching ice-breaker and at the end of it all, she asked the question: What went wrong in the town (Estcourt) that used to be known for its good moral standards?
People from various departments, civil society, and small businesses shared their experiences, with the purpose of bringing about change and tolerance among communities of different backgrounds. This was a joint venture that sought to find a way of fighting against the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality (PIU).
With unemployment rife and making it difficult for residents of this small town to survive, this stakeholders engagement meeting identified social ills that cause the town to deteriorate. Ms Slindile Manyathi, representing Nestle SA, took the seminar to another level when she made the attendees listen to testimonies of young people whose lives have been transformed by the initiative of this major firm in Estcourt.
They also vowed to be helpful in these kinds of programmes. When the presentations were done, it was clear that without unity in the form of public-private partnership, this town will not prosper. Ms N Zuma, who served as the guest speaker on the day, mesmerized the delegates. She spoke of leaders without titles.
Much emphasis was placed on the fact that we have ignored many skilled and experienced people in our local communities, and instead hunt down famous people who come once to our town and then leave for good.
She called on all the delegates to start recognising skillful people who possess the skills and techniques that might change Estcourt for the better – retired judges, teachers, mechanics, technicians, health professionals and even those who used to work for firms that are no more.
These people might bring light at the end of the tunnel. Estcourt can rise. Cllr B Mlotshwa, who represented the local municipality, spoke vehemently on the need to strengthen social cohesion programmes in this town.
He was unambiguous in stressing that the municipality alone cannot change the whole population, but working as a team can provide answers to most unanswered questions among the people of Estcourt.
He further stated that this should not be a once-off event, but perpetual and consistent engagements of this nature will finally reduce a lot of social ills that continue to plague our town.
The need for the restoration of humanity informed the theme: The mind is your powerhouse. It is through public/private partnerships that the war against the triple challenges can be fought.
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