Amathole District Municipality (ADM) in collaboration with Mbhashe Local Municipality and key sector partners, including the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development, South African Police Service (SAPS), Eastern Cape Department of Community Safety and the Amathole District Rapid Response Team continued its district-wide Community Safety Risk Assessment Programme with another successful community engagement session held at Xobo Shearing Shed, Chizele Village, Ward 8, on 16 September 2026.

At the heart of the gathering was the need to create a safe and open platform where community members, government institutions and relevant key stakeholders could collectively identify safety risks and develop integrated interventions. Discussions focused particularly on faction fighting, Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), crime prevention and substance abuse, but a critical major concern raised during the session was the prevalence of faction fighting across iDutywa, particularly among young boys. Participants highlighted the devastating impact of these conflicts, which have claimed young lives, broken families and created an environment of fear within communities.

The session emphasised that addressing such violence requires more than law-enforcement interventions alone. Families, community leaders, traditional leadership, government institutions and residents were said to all have an important role to play in rebuilding positive values, strengthening social cohesion and creating environments in which young people can grow without being drawn into cycles of violence.

“It is not right that our children do not make it to the age of 30 because of senseless killings and criminal behaviour. If young boys indicate that some of this behaviour is inherited or learned within their homes, then our interventions must also reach those families. We must address the problem at its roots and regenerate basic morals back into these homes.”

Community members further identified stock theft, burglary, drug and alcohol abuse, as well as alcohol-related violence and deaths, among the most pressing safety challenges affecting Chizele Village. Concerns were also raised about the absence of active Community Policing Forums (CPFs), the distance from police services and the need for improved rapid-response mechanisms. Residents stressed that fear of retaliation often discourages people from reporting criminal activity, while concerns around confidentiality can further weaken trust and cooperation between communities and law-enforcement structures. One community member captured the seriousness of this challenge, saying:

“We are afraid to become involved in crime-prevention activities because doing so can put our lives in danger. Reporting crime can make a person a target. Communities need to feel protected and confident that when they speak out against crime, their safety will also be taken seriously.”

The discussion further highlighted unemployment and limited access to information and opportunities as packaged factors that can contribute to social challenges. Residents called for stronger implementation and enforcement of municipal by-laws, stressing that rules must be supported by effective consequence management. Participants noted that consistent enforcement is important in discouraging unlawful activities and in strengthening respect for the law.

As the session concluded, one message stood above all others, “Building safer communities requires collective responsibility. Government and law-enforcement agencies cannot succeed in isolation, just as communities cannot confront crime and violence without effective institutional support”.

The engagement therefore represented an opportunity for Chizele residents and stakeholders to strengthen cooperation and begin building a more organised community response to safety challenges. Community members were encouraged to establish and participate in community-building and safety structures that can improve communication, facilitate the sharing of information and strengthen cooperation with relevant authorities. Through its Community Safety Risk Assessment Programme, ADM continues to promote an approach that places communities at the centre of identifying risks and developing solutions. By strengthening partnerships, restoring community cohesion and encouraging residents to become active participants in creating safer environments, the programme seeks to ensure that every household, every young person and every community has an opportunity to live, grow and prosper without fear of crime and violence.

#Siyakukhonza

Amathole District Municipality is proud to announce that our Municipal Manager, Dr Bhekisisa Mthembu, will be a guest practitioner at the University of the Free State today.

Topic:

“Turning Strategy into Results: Executive Decision-Making, Performance and Service Delivery in Local Government.”

Date & Time:

15 September 2026 | 10:30 – 12:00

> The session will focus on translating strategy into implementation, performance management, executive decision-making under resource constraints and the realities of service delivery in local government.

We wish Dr Mthembu well as he represents ADM and contributes to developing the next generation of public sector leaders.

In a remarkable milestone celebration of longevity, heritage and community culture, Amathole District Municipality Executive Mayor Cllr. Anele Ntsangani, joined by Mnquma Local Municipality Mayor Cllr. Tunyiswa Manxila-Nkamisa visited Teko Kona Village, Centane in Ward 24 on 15 September 2026 to honour and celebrate Ms. Nowanele “Yucu” Mvuza on reaching the extraordinary age of 118 years soon to be 119 in the month of October.

The occasion marked more than a celebration but was a tribute to a life spanning more than a century and a recognition of Ms. Mvuza as one of the Amathole District’s remaining centenarians. Surrounded by her family, community members, government representatives and people across generations, Ms. Mvuza was celebrated as a living connection between the past and present and a treasured source of wisdom for generations still to come.

Forming part of ADM’s Heritage Month programme, the celebration recognised Ms. Mvuza’s life as part of the District’s living heritage. At 118 years old, she has witnessed more than a century of social, cultural and historical transformation, including South Africa’s long journey towards democracy and freedom. Speakers paid heartfelt tribute to Ms. Mvuza for the positive influence she has had on those around her and for her contribution towards nurturing a resilient, caring and united community. While her remarkable age drew admiration, it was her wisdom, strength, lived experience and the legacy she continues to represent that stood at the heart of the celebration. Her story serves as a reminder that heritage is not only found in historical places and monuments, but also lives through people, families, traditions, memories and the knowledge passed from one generation to another.

Executive Mayor Cllr. Anele Ntsangani commended the Teko Kona community and the Mvuza family for the care and respect they continue to show towards elderly people. He emphasised that communities have a collective responsibility to protect senior citizens from abuse, crime and gender-based violence while creating environments in which they can live with dignity, safety and love.

“Ms. Mvuza is blessed with the many years that have been granted to her, but this milestone also speaks to the love and care shown by her family and community. Their support has allowed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to still have her among them and to share this extraordinary occasion with her. Our elderly are the custodians of our history, and we must protect, respect and cherish them,” said Cllr. Ntsangani.

The Executive Mayor further expressed admiration at Ms. Mvuza’s health and vitality at 118 years of age, noting the significance of seeing her surrounded by several generations of her family and community. As the only elder from her generation still living in the community, Ms. Mvuza occupies a special place in the history of Teko Kona. Community members pledged to continue supporting and caring for her while strengthening efforts to ensure that all elderly residents are able to live in safe, supportive and caring environments.

The visit also highlighted the municipalities’ broader commitment to the development of Teko Kona Village. ADM, working together with Mnquma Local Municipality, has previously supported the community through the donation of building materials towards its sheep and wool farming initiatives. This support contributes towards strengthening local economic development and creating opportunities for rural communities to participate meaningfully in the local economy. Ntsangani highlighted that the continued support demonstrates the importance of government remaining connected to communities beyond once-off programmes. Through collaborative planning and the District Development Model’s One Plan approach, the municipalities continue working together to coordinate resources, strengthen service delivery and advance sustainable development across communities.

The celebration of Ms. Nowanele “Yucu” Mvuza therefore stood as both an extraordinary personal milestone and a powerful Heritage Month message that when communities protect their elderly, they protect their history, identity and wisdom. At 118 years old, Ms. Mvuza is more than a witness to history and rather living heritage, a bridge between generations and a remarkable symbol of resilience whose story will remain part of the legacy of Teko Kona and the greater Amathole District for generations to come.