For 20 of the 29 years of South African democracy, the mining community of Vosman has been beseeching the government and the mines surrounding it to build a bridge in order to provide a safe passage for the children. At present, the children have to walk up to 2 kilometres in fear of criminals, injury, and drowning, all before they get to school.
The ANC Youth League Hellen Ngwenya Branch 08 has started a petition, via Change.org, to demand a bridge between Vosman and Ext 5 for the school children to be able to cross the area safely. This is the same bridge that the community has been requesting for 20 years of democracy. As per Section 10 and Section 152 (1)(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 106 of 1996, Section 19 (1)(2) of the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998 and Section 73 (1)(a)(b), this plea should be heeded.
The learners of Vosman attend Empucukweni Secondary, Nancy Shiba Primary School, and other schools in the area. Every day, they have to go through a 2-kilometer distance with ditches and a body of water that fills up during the rains and makes it difficult to cross. Apart from the risk of falling into the ditches and being washed away, the children are also vulnerable to criminals who prey on them when they are struggling to pass. On rainy days, thugs wait for the children and rob them. This is a totally unacceptable situation and it does not provide a conducive environment for learning.
The petition is requesting Mayor Ntombizanele Koni and Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane to grant the much-awaited relief to the community of Vosman by building a bridge. It would help the children travel to and from school without having to fear for their lives. Currently, 106 people have signed the petition and the ANC Youth League is hoping to reach more signatures to make their plea heard.
It is time for the government and the mines to fulfil their promises and build a bridge in Vosman. Signing this petition is the least we can do to help the children of Vosman.
This article was written by Jurno.