By Tabisa Mntengwana
4 November 2008

AN Ethiopian delegation from the city of Hawassa, in town for four days, has wrapped up its visit to Buffalo City.

On the last day of the trip, the two groups gave presentations on aspects of their respective cities; including a housing profile by Buffalo City’s special projects unit and a talk by the municipal roads department.

Gathering on Thursday, 30 October, the visitors spoke about the environment and background of Hawassa, and gave an overview of the relationships between the government and non-governmental organisations.

“The government and non-governmental organisations have come together in order to address problems at grassroots level, including HIV/Aids, poverty and lack of proper housing,” said Hawassa’s steering committee member, Ato Getachew Zewude.

“We exchange information and share resources in an effort to make people’s lives better.”

Representing Buffalo City at the last session was Sizwe Dikimolo, acting executive mayor; Vuyani Lwana, acting municipal manager; the councillor, Mankomo Pango; the director of corporate services, Amanda Magwentshu; Shaun Petzer, of the municipal special programmes unit; and the programme manager of the special projects unit, Andile Mshumpela.

Dikimolo listed the benefits of the visit. “You [the delegation] have brought knowledge and wisdom to the Buffalo City. We will use it wisely to grow our city and make it a better place to live in.”

Mshumpela explained that Hawassa’s housing plan, which included providing proper houses for people living in urban areas who did not have proper housing, intertwined with Buffalo City’s plan in Duncan Village “to accommodate as many people as possible, upgrade and formalise shacks and backyard rentals”.

Hawassa’s city council has built relationships with various NGOs that focus on the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children and youth. “These organisations provide skills and education to these youngsters,” said Hawassa’s mayor, Desta Daniel.

Giving an example of the organisations, Zewude mentioned the Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organisation, which teaches building skills to school leavers. “Most of these youngsters work on municipal housing projects around the city and it brings in money to buy a few necessities.”

Daniel added that the organisation also helped to promote healthy eating with a vegetable day. On this day, people bring their fresh vegetables, cook them and have a joint feast.

“This is an exciting day on the Hawassa calendar, especially for those who are health conscious and love eating vegetables. [It] is also a platform to encourage young people to love and eat more vegetables.”

The day ended with a presentation on the Duncan Village Redevelopment Initiative, given by Mshumpela.

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