Development has come to the community of Ndumo, located between KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique, in the form of the R1.5 billion Inkululeko Development Project.

The project is an integrated multi-purpose and multi-sectorial project, which includes the construction of high quality education centres, health services, modern roads and libraries, clean running water, sustainable livelihoods, job creation as well as community centres for vulnerable children and orphans.

Under the Inkuleleko Development Project, the provincial Department of Education has a number of projects, including the rebuilding of St Phillips Primary School, Maphindela Primary School, The lemama Primary School and a new model school which is yet to be named.

According to the KwaZulu-Natal Premier’s Office, the development is part of the commitment to improving the lives of the people who live in rural areas.

Launching the development project on Saturday, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu said if you were a visitor to the Umkhanyakude District Municipality it was clear that construction was taking place.

“This construction forms part of government’s Inkululeko Development Project. Just like any part of the country, the people of Umkhanyakude must taste the fruits of democracy. They must have something that should make them feel that they live in a free and democratic country.”He said the provincial government had invested R1. 5 billion towards providing social infrastructure in Ndumo.

“We increased infrastructure spending from R9.7 billion in 2008/09 to R10.9 billion in 2009/10 and to R12.7 billion in 2011/12. The largest portion of this expenditure is going to the Department of Transport for road construction and maintenance as well as the Human Settlement Department for the provision of decent houses and for the overall development of human settlements.”

He said the Education and Health Departments had received the bulk of the money to build schools, clinics and hospitals.

A special team was appointed to ensure that the money is used properly. Mchunu said there was a need for co-operation between the provincial government and all 61 municipalities in the province for these funds to facilitate job creation.“We require councillors to work together in municipalities to properly plan for all infrastructural needs of their communities. During the implementation of these plans, it is the local communities who will be employed.”Mchunu said it was through the construction sector that government had been able to create job opportunities for thousands of people in rural areas through the Expanded Public Works Programme.” – SAnews.gov.za