Embassy of Japan Invests in South African Communities
On the 27th and 28th of November 2017, the Embassy of Japan in South Africa visited the communities of Hectorspruit and Kamdladla, respectively, for the handover ceremonies for the Provision of Farming Equipment to Sivulindlela Community Development (in Hectorspruit) and for the Construction of a Drop in Centre in Vlakbult (in Kamdladla).
These projects were funded by the People of Japan through the Embassy’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Programme. Both events were begun and completed without a hitch.
Notable attendees at the ceremony for the Sivulindlela Community Development were: Mr Abednego Matsane, the Manager for International Relations at the Office of the Premier in Mpumalanga; Mr. Gagaga Bhembe, the Secretary at Sivulindlela Community Development; Mr. Selby Magagula, Ward Councillor for the Nkomazi Municipality; Ms. Elizabeth Masilela, PR Councillor for the Nkomazi Municipality; Mr. Thabo Shabangu, Social Worker for the Department of Social Development; and Ms. Mimmie Shabangu the Project Manager for Sivulindlela Community Development.
Assistance to Sivulindlela Community Development
Sivulindlela Community Development was established in 2004 with the aim to address many community-related issues involving women, the youth, orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Some of the NPO’s focus areas were: home-based care, where community health workers look after sickly people in their homes; a drop-in centre, where OVC children, and child-headed households are assisted and managed. In 2009, farming was added to the work done at Sivulindlela. It was added in order to become an income generation project, to assist with the other projects being run by the centre. The fresh produce from the farm is used to supply local businesses, including vendors, at affordable prices. However, farming was also added at Sivulindlela for food security purposes, in order to benefit over 35 households and 116 beneficiaries.
The farming component was in dire need of: an irrigation system for crops; a fence to protect the harvest from theft; a greenhouse to help grow the food efficiently; and a bakkie with which to deliver produce to market. The GGP was eager to oblige. In total the assistance provided by the fund was around R1,250,000.00, which was enough to secure all the expressed needs of Sivulindlela.
The handover ceremony was marked with colourful speeches by all the guests, including Mr. YAMAKITA Kazunori, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan. Thereafter a tour of the farm was undertaken where GGP representatives were able to asses and appreciate the work made possible by the donation from the Embassy of Japan in South Africa.
Assistance to Vlakbult Drop In Centre
The Vlakbult Drop In Centre came into existence in 2008 with the aim to get a group of care workers together to focus on orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) between the ages of 7 to 18. There were seventeen care workers and their objective was to prepare cooked meals and provide developmental activities for the children. Much work has been done by them since then.
When they came to the Embassy for help, the centre consisted only of small offices, two small storage rooms, and one small dining room. They wanted to erect a new building containing a reception area; male and female bathrooms; a dining hall; a multipurpose hall; three offices; a library; a kitchen; as well as a nice play area outside for the children. All of the above was in an attempt to afford the children a spacious, healthier and happier environment. Currently there are 174 children in the centre, all of whom had to be accommodated in the smaller buildings before the new structure was erected.
At the ceremony the following people were present. Mr. YAMAKITA Kazunori, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan; Mr. V.N. Twala, Chairperson of the Board Committee, Vlakbult Drop In Centre; Ms. L.F. Mhlanga, Provincial Supervisor for Social Workers, Department of Social Development; Mr. Moses Siwelani, Assistant Director, Department of Health; Cllr Gracious Zitha, Ward 07 Councillor, Nkomazi Municipality; Mr. MP Shongwe of the Shongwe Tribal Authority. Members of the media were also in attendance, and the event, which was a success, was carried on four different radio and print platforms across Mpumalanga.
