CMDA
looks to the future
Chairperson
of the CMDA Board of Directors, Willies Mchunu
receives a gift from Connie L. Johnson of the Missouri House
of Representatives in the US Government. She was part
of a US delegation that visited Cato Manor recently.
“As
the disbandment of the CMDA gets closer one can only applaud
its achievements. The greatest of them is bringing quality
to the lives of Cato Manor residents. The CMDA can be forgiven
for blowing its own trumpet because, since it began the
urban renewal programme nine years ago, it has delivered
its mandate. This is evident in the infrastructure, social
development and local economic development programmes that
it has initiated during its tenure,” said the Chairperson
of the Board of Directors of the CMDA, Willies Mchunu, at
an annual event held for community leaders.
Some of the visible achievements
are the construction of pre-schools, primary health facilities,
roads, community halls, libraries, a shopping centre, the
art and craft centre, a market and thousands of housing
opportunities.
“Credit must be given to the
European Union (EU) which injected both financial and technical
assistance that paved the way for the successful delivery
of the urban renewal programme. This has afforded the people
of Cato Manor the opportunity to live a life with a sense
of dignity,” said Willies Mchunu
Another feather in the CMDA’s
cap is the fact that the programme can be used as a model
for similar developments, and has achieved international
recognition.
Functions performed by the
CMDA - such as communications, sports development, land
issues and housing - will be handed over to the eThekwini
Municipality. Economic development and social development
will be handed over to a Socio-Economic Development Organisation
(SEDCO). The CMCO in collaboration with SEDCO and other
relevant organisations will play an active role in the future
development of Cato Manor.
by Gugu Mzimela.
