By Nangamso Mabindla
10 January 2007

PROJECTS in Buffalo City funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) are well on track, according to the Swedish state secretary, Joakim Stymne.

Stymne and his team were in the city to review the progress of Sida-Buffalo City Municipality urban programme projects and to look at possibilities of initiating partnerships with other role players in the municipality. Once in East London, the team visited the Sida-funded community support centres, youth advisory centres, low-cost housing developments in Duncan Village and other projects.

Speaking about the progress that had been made, Stymne said he was impressed with the spirit and level of commitment shown by people working on these projects.

"Some of these people made an impression on us. We are very positive about the partnership this city has with Sweden and the twinning this city has with the city of Gävle."

The team was also impressed with the work being done at the Youth Advisory Centre in Duncan Village. The centre helps poor people in the area look for employment, provides career guidance and holds back-to-school campaigns to encourage youngsters in Duncan Village to take education seriously.

Following the tour of the projects, Stymne and his team met the provincial premier, Nosimo Balindlela, and her advisers to discuss further partnerships and concerns in the province. One of these was the fight against HIV and Aids.

"As a result, we aim to spend R11-million in the fight against HIV and Aids in South Africa," Stymne told the premier.

Turning his attention to other possible partnerships, Symne said that his country would like to broaden its scope beyond government. "We would like to develop partnerships with other players, like business, and involve the communities as well. We would like to become more of a facilitator," he said.