Phase 2

NEW COMMUNITY HALL NAMED AFTER HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST – “MR PETER BOOI”

The last leg of the programme proceeded with the session where Mayor Maneli officially handed over the community hall to the community, acknowledging the name of the hall after Mr. Peter Booi a freedom fighter who sacrificed his life for the liberation of others. The celebration brought together community members, local political leaders, youth, and municipal representatives to celebrate the completion of this important infrastructure project. The hall will serve as a central space for community meetings, social gatherings, and developmental programmes. The messages of support were shared to the community of Bongweni A.

During his address, Mayor Maneli gave the community a brief overview of the Bisho Massacre and encouraged them to visit the internet to get more understanding of the events that took place during the protest march. He said, Ukulala kwakhe is motivating us to do more for our people.

He emphasized that whenever people enter this hall, they must remember and honour those who gave their lives for freedom. He further said, the municipality is responding to past concerns from Bongweni community who felt that it is long overdue for them to have a community hall. In response to their requests, the municipality prioritized them, and the project was approved and planned in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). He also appealed to the community not to vandalize the hall but rather protect the structure as it belongs to them.

Mayor Maneli handed over the certificates of completion (Construct water reticulation concrete work and brick masonry) to the temporary workers who were employed during the period of the construction. Indeed, the community is happy and appreciates the delivery of services the municipality brings to the people of Ngqushwa. ... See MoreSee Less

PHASE 1

NEW COMMUNITY HALL NAMED AFTER HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST – “MR PETER BOOI”

Today, Ngqushwa Local Municipality led by Mayor Sanga Maneli together with councillors, council of churches and Amambalu Tribal Authority visited Bongweni Community to handover the newly built hall to the community.

The programme of the day started with the briefing session with the Booi family at their home, followed by the laying of a wreath on his gravesite.

During the briefing session, Mayor Sanga Maneli addressed the family and said, “we are here to officially handover the Memorial Hall that is named after the late Mr Peter Booi, Ngqushwa born human rights activist from this community of Bongweni A. Today, we honour, remember and respect him for his contribution to the struggle for freedom that took place during Bisho Massacre which occurred on the 07 September 1992.”

Mayor Maneli explained that after engagements with Councillor Bulela Ntabeni (Ward 3) and the community, “we took a collective decision to name the hall after this activist. The municipality is also acknowledging other fallen heroes whom we haven't honoured yet, but we are working on constructing a Memorial Wall with all the names of the fallen heroes in our communities.

The Municipal Manager, Mr Ndoda Mgengo explained the state of readiness of the hall, highlighting that the hall is completed and is at 100% full state of operation with electricity, chairs, podium, kitchen with fitted cabinets, office, water tanks and ablution facility. He thanked all the members who took part to ensure the success of the project from community members who made the request, to the ward councillor who communicated the request, the municipality Council at large and officials who made the project a success. He said, “I plead with the community to take care of the hall and report on time any damages to the hall so that they can be rectified on time.”

Mr Collen Booi appreciated the kind gesture made by the community members and the municipality to name the hall after their late father. ... See MoreSee Less