Bitou Celebrates Mandela Day with Key Development Programs and Community Support

In an event marked by a collective spirit of generosity and respect for the legacy of Nelson Mandela, Bitou Municipality took part in a series of heartfelt initiatives as part of the Mandela Day celebrations on Thursday, July 18, 2024. Diverging from the traditional 67 minutes for community service, Bitou leadership organized three diverse programs to benefit its residents and demonstrate the values that Madiba himself lived by.

The day commenced with the much-anticipated distribution of 20 new houses in the Ebenezer precinct. These structures were not just mere buildings, but embodiments of hope and stability for their recipients, cultivated under the 'Breaking New Ground' housing policy, which aims to provide sustainable and integrated communities. The excitement amongst the new homeowners was palpable, with individuals like Queene Ruiters and Rusty Windvogel expressing heartfelt gratitude for what they described as a life-altering gift.

Building on the momentum of the morning, Bitou leadership, in collaboration with several partners including the Department of Land Reform & Rural Development and Agri Land SSK, hosted a farmers' information day. Aiming to nurture the growth of local agriculture, the event provided up-and-coming farmers with information on funding opportunities and practical guidance on livestock care including vaccinations.

The day's benevolent activities continued as Bitou Executive Mayor, Councillor Claude Terblanche, alongside Deputy Mayor Councillor Nokuzola Kolwapi and Ward 6 Councillor Nokuthula Seti, reached out to various community groups supporting the elderly and vulnerable. Mayor Terblanche visited institutions like the Mzamomhle Elderly Community Development Club in Kwanokuthula, which serves as a pillar of strength for seniors by providing activities, companionship, as well as crucial sustenance through initiatives such as their planned soup kitchen.

The Mayor's tour did not end at Kwanokuthula. His entourage, bearing gifts of blankets and food, extended their warmth to multiple regions including New Horizons, and further to Kurland, Greenvalley, Kranshoek, and Bossiesgief. These gestures went beyond symbolic acts of charity – they were affirmations of the Municipality's commitment to taking care of its people, inspired by the enduring spirit of Mandela's legacy of service and compassion.

Throughout this extensive day of giving and solidarity, Bitou Municipality illustrated that the spirit of Mandela Day can extend well beyond a single moment, weaving into the social fabric lasting change for better communities.