KUGOMPO– The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) ‘Services on Wheels‘ outreach programme made a significant impact in Ward 32 bringing essential government services directly to residents of KuGompo City(formerly known as East London) in Tsholomnqa.
The programme was held at Wesleyville Primary School in Tsholomnqa on Wednesday, 18 February under the theme ‘Buffalo City Metro–Moving the Metro Forward.’
More than a thousand residents attended the event, which aimed to improve access to critical municipal and government services.
Led by BCMM Executive Mayor Cllr. Princess Faku, the initiative provided a wide range of services, including human settlements, water and sanitation, home affairs, health services, electricity, and infrastructure support.
Addressing the community, Mayor Faku highlighted key development initiatives currently underway across the metro.
These include road infrastructure upgrades, school oversight visits and strengthened security measures.
She also announced that 200 houses will be handed over to beneficiaries by March. The Mayor acknowledged pressing challenges facing the community, such as undocumented children and ongoing water shortages.
She assured residents that infrastructure investments are being implemented and that water-related issues are expected to be resolved by the end of March.
Faku further emphasised the important role women play in agriculture and community development. “We encourage women to cultivate. We want all women to participate in Inkciyo and we are happy they have groups to support that initiative. We also encourage reading; we will donate books for the elderly,” she said.
Residents welcomed the intervention, expressing hope that long-standing service delivery challenges would soon be addressed.
A Seventy-two-year-old resident Nosithile Xesheka shared her excitement about receiving a new home. “I am happy that I will soon own a house. I have been living in a mud house for years, and when it rains, water comes in from the roof. I have to use buckets to bail it out,” she said.
Another resident, Mxolisi Khanyana expressed gratitude for the planned road improvements but appealed for additional support for farming areas to strengthen local agricultural activities.
The Mayor said the successful outreach event underscored the municipality’s commitment to improving service delivery and strengthening community engagement across Buffalo City.
As the ‘Services on Wheels’ programme continues, the metro aims to ensure that no community is left behind in its drive to move Buffalo City forward.
In addition Cllr. Faku also donated more than 1,200 blankets to all the elderly people from Ward 32 in Tsholomnqa.
Photographs: Supplied
By: Chwayita Dinginto
