COMMUNITY OF MANGUZI GATHERS FOR LIFELINE SERVICES AHEAD OF MINISTER’S VISIT

By Cuma Pantshwa

• The ICROP a programme of SASSA, provided Home Affairs, SASSA, healthcare, and psychosocial support services to the rural community of Manguzi.
• Residents highlighted the desperate need to reopen the local Home Affairs office and praised plans for Minister Tolashe to engage traditional leaders to address local needs better.
• SAPS, COGTA, banks, and NGOs collaborated to inform the community about substance abuse, elderly abuse, GBV, and the significance of crime reporting, promoting a culture of accountability and support.

The road to Manguzi winds through a landscape that feels almost sacred — lush, green, and teeming with life. Towering trees sway gently in the coastal breeze under the morning sun. Along the way, signposts and village names whisper promises of peace and restoration — places like Ezulwini (“in heaven”) and Zamimpilo Market (“a place of wellness and healing”), names that evoke paradise.
Cows graze lazily along the roadside, often stepping onto the tar as if they own it — slow-moving, unbothered, and a permanent feature of local traffic.
Yet beneath this natural beauty and poetic charm lies a sobering reality. Manguzi, nestled in the far reaches of uMkhanyakude District, stands in stark contrast to the Eden it resembles. Hidden behind the lush greenery, many families face the daily hardships of poverty, crumbling road infrastructure, unreliable access to clean water, and an overstretched healthcare system.
Located near the borders of Mozambique and Eswatini, Manguzi falls under the Umhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, within one of South Africa’s poorest districts. With 99% of the area classified as rural, access to services remains severely limited. Nearly half of the economically active population earns less than R1,600 per month, and only 2% of residents hold tertiary qualifications.

The recent closure of the local Home Affairs office has worsened the situation, leaving many without access to crucial documentation such as Identity Documents (IDs) — a basic requirement for accessing social grants and essential services.
“The ID issue affects many of us,” said Noluthando Shingwenyana, a local woman. “Without an office here, people have to travel to Mbazwana — that’s an hour away, and not everyone can afford it. We hear they’re trying to use SAPS space for some services, but it’s not enough. We need a mobile unit or, better yet, the full office returned.”
Against this backdrop, the Minister of Social Development, Ms. Sisisi Tolashe, is visiting Manguzi, bringing a wave of hope through the Ministerial Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP). This initiative seeks to eliminate barriers preventing vulnerable communities from accessing vital government services.
By mid-morning at the Manguzi Multipurpose Centre, a crowd had begun to gather. Residents — some of whom had walked long distances — arrived in anticipation of the Minister’s visit. Several government departments, NGOs, and civil society organisations had already set up booths and begun offering services.
Mobile units from Home Affairs, SASSA teams, health professionals, and community organisations were on-site, actively engaging with residents.
Inside the community hall, an educational session was underway. Officials from Home Affairs, SASSA, the National Development Agency (NDA), the Department of Health, and other agencies provided crucial information. Topics included birth registration, identity theft, gender-based violence (GBV), smart ID applications, NPO compliance, and youth empowerment — invaluable insights for a region where access to such resources is rare.
Additional highlights of the outreach included:
•⁠ ⁠SASSA grant applications
•⁠ ⁠Birth registration and ID assistance by Home Affairs
•⁠ ⁠Support from local banks and COGTA (Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs)
•⁠ ⁠Substance abuse education programmes by SAPS
•⁠ ⁠Workshops on elderly abuse, GBV, and crime prevention
•⁠ ⁠Psychosocial support services for victims of violence and trauma
The South African Police Service (SAPS) played an essential role in educating the community on substance abuse, elder abuse, and GBV and encouraged attendees to report crimes. Their message was clear: no one should suffer in silence.
A young woman in the queue outside the Department of Home Affairs mobile truck shared her frustration:
“I travelled from Mbazwana just to apply for a smart ID card. The network at the Mbazwana office is a huge problem. Even if you make the trip, they often can’t help you.”
A Home Affairs official confirmed the ongoing connectivity issues and noted that efforts were underway to resolve them in collaboration with SITA.
As the official programme prepared to begin, anticipation for Minister Tolashe’s arrival grew stronger.
For many, the Minister’s presence represented more than a ceremonial visit. It signalled a shift — a recognition of their struggles and a commitment to meaningful change.
“I like that the Minister will engage the traditional leaders,” said Shingwenyana. “It’s the best way to get anything done here. We still operate largely under the traditional leadership structure.”
In a region long underserved and often forgotten, the outreach brought services and a renewed sense of dignity and hope.