EASY AND SAFE CROSSING FOR COMMUNITIES OF WARD 6 IN UMZIMVUBU LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

Posted: 16 October 2025

The Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme is aimed at ensuring that rural communities can go on with their daily lives, and easily and safely reach schools, health facilities, workplaces and other amenities. This is a programme managed by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and provincial Transport Department.

Constructed under the transformative Welisizwe Programme, the newly built bridge at Ward 6 in EmaXesibeni under Umzimvubu Local Municipality has provided the much-needed aide for residents of Sihlahleni and Welakabini villages respectively. Community members now have safe and reliable access to essential services such as schools and the health care facility. "The bridge connects communities to Mwaca local clinic, pupils of Dumisa, Mlungiseleli and Machibini schools. This much needed bridge is improving the livelihoods of the rural communities of Ward 6 and surroundings. The construction of the bridge brought significant social and economic spin-offs to the surrounding community", said Umzimvubu Local Municipality Mayor, Cllr Zukiswa Ndevu.

Approximately 40 people were employed during the construction phase, providing much-needed jobs and income to local families. Economically, the bridge improved access to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities, boosting local trade and encouraging small business growth. Socially, it strengthened community connectivity and reduced travel time, fostering greater interaction among residents and neighbouring areas. Overall, the bridge serves as a catalyst for local development and long-term economic resilience.

Umzimvubu Local Municipality is mostly rural and is prone to heavy rains during the summer period, this intervention will make it easy for the communities to utilise it even after heavy rains as it constructed with steel material, concluded Cllr Ndevu. The Umzimvubu Local Municipality extends a word of gratitude to the national government through the Departments of Public Works & Infrastructure and the South African Defence Force for this provision.