Manala Mgibe women marching to claim their benefits
Other ladies from the group also raised issues with the leaders and related and presented a brief background about the history of the area and how some families lost their land but were encouraged to claim back the land
The Manala Mgibe women in Leeuwpoort marched to hand over a memorandum to the Mabena Royal House complaining about not benefiting from the area.
The women commemorated Woman’s Day by marching to hand over a memorandum to traditional leaders of the area.
They raised different issues but the most important one was that they were not getting any benefits from the area while they were born and bred in the area.
They cited the example of Ms Sarah Louw who was now renting land from Mr Vuyisile Sibanyoni.
Ms Louw indicated that she reported the matter to leaders and was told to go to Tweefontein office to report the matter but now she has been sent from pillar to post.
“I struggled a lot and I felt that I was treated unfairly and the matter dragged for a long time. My family stayed here and now outsiders are benefiting at our expenses. Things need to be done correctly because we are suffering and not benefiting and we do not want our children to suffer as well,” explained Ms Louw.
Other ladies from the group also raised issues with the leaders and related and presented a brief background about the history of the area and how some families lost their land but were encouraged to claim back the land.
They told stories of how their grandfathers fought for the land and how a committee was formed to claim back the land.
The memorandum was received by Mr Victor Tlou, chairperson of the Manala Mgibe Communal Property Association (CPA), Mr Jacob Mabena secretary of CPA and Mr Thulani Mabena representing the Royal House.
Mr Thulani Mabena in his response said the Royal House was aware of the issue of Ms Louw and said there were other challenges as well faced by the traditional leaders.
He also indicated that they were allowed to raise issues with the traditional leaders if they feel not well treated by their leaders and they were busy trying to settle some of the challenges and problems raised.
“We also raised issues with the Department of Land Affairs in claiming back the land and we also faced challenges because they did not give us all the land that we claimed. The process of claiming back the land is still going on. According to our tradition, all are welcome in the Royal House. Because of the lockdown, the land claim process had to be suspended but we will update and give information at the appropriate time,” noted Mr Mabena.
