KwaNgode is a rural commune situated in the KwaNyuswa village. This region is about 37km away from the southwest of Durban. The surface area has small hills that slide to the meadow turfs, where cows and goats are usually dispatched to graze.
As we move on to the local elections, this article would unpack all stumbling blocks that are delaying the tarmac of KwaNgode road.
The genesis of the problem
The development of KwaNyuswa roads began in the early '90s. According to the native population: they stated that the late headman, Maboy Mkhize, did not want the KwaNgode road to have a tarmac. Mkhize believe that a tarmac will destroy the cows' feet (cloven hooves).
While that decision was disapproved by most community members, the late headman (induna) decided to carry on with his decision.
Fast forward, in the early 2000's, the number of cattle owners began to drop while there was a sharp increase in the number of people who owned cars in the KwaNyuswa village.
As more people migrated to occupy land, the village started to be more congested. Also, on the same road, there are two schools called St Lawrence and eMaqhutshane High.
First Developments
The local councilor, Mthetheleli Sbisi, said the KwaNgode road was supposed to have a tarmac constructed along with the ward-2 road of eMathebethu from 2011/ 2012 financial year.
"The KwaNgode road begins under ward one and goes all the way to joins the ward –2 road eMathebethu. So, when I started my term in 2016, I went to Mr. Mkhize (the ward councilor of eMathebethu) to find out how did it happens that they black-top the eMathebethu road and left the KwaNgode road. Then Mr. Mkhize explained that the tarmac of eMathebethu road was supposed to be a single project with the KwaNgode road. But, when he applied, the person who was the councilor of ward one, Richard Phewa, did not want to attend any of their meetings, and that how the KwaNgode road was, therefore, passed over in 2012.”
The flip side of the story
Ricard Phewa had disagreed with the statement of Mr. Mkhize, who said the KwaNgode road was supposed to be a single project with the eMathebethu road.
Phewa said the eMathebethu road was not fixed by the government or any other elected councilor, including Mr. Mkhize. The eMathebethu road was tarmacked by the bus company of KZT. The manager of KZT disclosed that he was concerned about the pothole forestalling their bus in the summer season.
The discovery between the lines.
In the KwaNyuswa village, all sections have a tarmac except the KwaNgode road. So, the issue of eMathebethu road came up as an example of another nearby sections. The problem is not about the eMathebethu road but is about why all nearby sections have a tarmac except the KwaNgode road.
Up until 2016, Phewa was complaining about the unavailable budget. Nuances have been made by community members questioning the supposed budget absent, for over 20 years. This is an important query that needs to be articulated.
Latest development
Mthetheleli Sbisi was elected in 2016 to oust Mr. Phewa. The community members had high hopes that he would usher in some change if given a chance to govern. Amongst other things, the KwaNgode road has become a prominent issue that many previous councilors have, failed to address.
Sbisi proclaimed that, after receiving all this information, he went to the Department of Transport (DOT) to ask them; Whether was it possible to remove the KwaNgode road from DOT and put it under the administration of eThekwini Municipality.
Sbisi said the 'reason' why he decided that is because, unlike DOT, the eThekwini Municipality is not struggling with the budget.
"They can fix the road within few months. But, if we wait for DOT, it can take even another five years. So, right now we are still waiting for that agreement to be finalized. Then after that signature, I promise you that it won’t take even two months to fix the road." Sbisi said.
Removal of homes near the KwaNgode road
The Department of Transport said, before they lay a tarmac, they will start by removing homes that are close to the road. They said it would be difficult to commence with their project while they are still there. The main thing that would be unattainable is a pavement.
Now, some of these homes have the 'RDP houses.' The concern is how did they build them if they knew that the sites were close to the road. At the time of print, the Department of Housing was unable to comment about this issue.
Moreover, the community members said there are pipes, which escort water in their backyards. Since 2000, DOT has been sending tractors to come and maintain 'this road' by adding more sands when it starts to erode.
Pipes were 'fitted' to carry all water that stays amidst the road when there is a rain downpour. This maintenance has consequently affected many homes which are situated below the road.
Sakhile Mgnadi*, the community member said, "When the stream of water came into our backyard, I took my pick to dig a small hole which diverted the stream from away our backyard."
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