Xavier Radio Ug News 24 7
As South Africa celebrates Human Rights Month, the country reflects on the progress made in establishing a democratic society.
While the country and government have made significant efforts to improve and balance the living standards of people, especially in the post-apartheid era, residents of Mangidini Village, Ward 7 under the Nkandla Local Municipality, still believe that they are treated unequally compared to other South African citizens due to a lack of service delivery and the difficult conditions under which they live.
This comes as Gabisile Biyela (91), from Mangidini has gone for several months without getting her medical treatment due to the distance to the local clinic, as she can no longer walk by herself.
Biyela would need to walk for more than an hour and cross the uMhlathuze River to reach the local clinic.
Her daughter says they decided to stop taking her to the clinic because they do not have money to hire people to help carry their mother, they also cannot hire cars due to the poor roads in the area.
“Mom used to take her medicine at St Mary’s Hospital, commonly known as Magwaza Hospital, but since she can no longer walk, she stopped going. We do not have money to pay people to help us if she has to go to the clinic. We are a family of eight staying in a mud hut, depending on her social grant. Even a wheelchair cannot help because of the condition of our road.”
As South Africa celebrates Human Rights Month, residents of Mangidini Village, under the Nkandla Local Municipality believe that they are treated unequally compared to other citizens as they do not have electricity, roads, or water and they have to cross uMhlathuze River every… pic.twitter.com/EwCvCnndsh
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 9, 2026
The family says the local councillor is aware of their situation, but they haven’t received any help as they asked for an RDP house.
Local councillor Mr Vuyani Ngonyama admits that the ward has poor service delivery but denies that he is aware of the Biyela family situation.
“Our ward is facing so many challenges and I’m aware of our people’s complains, especially road, water and electricity issues but I didn’t know any matter relating to Biyela family therefore I cannot comment on it I will have to ask ward committee.”
Community leader Mzamo Sibiya says if there is a funeral they are forced to make a stretcher with wood that will carry a coffin and be able to cross the uMhlathuze River.
“Our road is bad, we cannot really blame ambulances and hearse drivers for not being able to transport us. If there is a funeral, we make a stretcher with wood that will carry a coffin and be able to cross the river.”
Community leader Mzamo Sibiya says if there is a funeral they are forced to make a stretcher with woods that will carry a coffin and be able to cross the uMhlathuze River. pic.twitter.com/9rSYecteEa
— Sbusiso Maphumulo (@IamsbusisoM) March 9, 2026
Nkandla is one of the less developed villages in KZN. Fifteen percent of people have no schooling, only 0.7% had access to tertiary level and 16.8% have Grade 12.
According to StatsSA , 63% of households in Nkandla are headed by women, making them breadwinners within many families.
42.1% of houses in Nkandla are built from mud, this was confirmed by StatsSA 2022.
According to StatsSA, 63% of households in Nkandla are headed by women and 42.1% of houses are mud hut houses.Source by StatsSAGraphic by Sibusiso Biyela #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/DbdA3n7KCJ
— Sbusiso Maphumulo (@IamsbusisoM) March 9, 2026
www.sabcnews.com, https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/nkandlas-ward-7-residents-feel-neglected-over-poor-service-delivery/
