MEC encourages community to sustain itself

SOCIAL Development MEC Nancy Sihlwayi yesterday encouraged Kuyga residents to become involved in projects to sustain their community.

Sihlwayi's visit – at the Kuyga community hall – comes just a week before the by-election in that ward, and three days after the DA and ANC were caught in a fiery face-off for territory in the same hall.

Sihlwayi said the government had chosen Kuyga because of its high crime rate which was the result of poverty, drugs and alcohol abuse.

She was quick to dismiss suggestions she was campaigning ahead of the by- election, saying she was in the area to encourage community projects.

She did, however, say the ANC had the right to campaign.

"In the next five years we want to do away with poverty in this province. We are here to help you build a sustainable community. I came here with my purse but I was disappointed when I heard there are no community projects like gardening, poultry and piggeries," she said. - Yoliswa Sobuwa