Umtata Airport under construction
By: Ndyaluvane Aviwe
Mthatha Airport to be under reconstruction to become an International Airport.
The current Mtata Airport (from your first sight it probably did not strike you as one)
These are the remarkable news that every Mtata resident yearned to hear two-years-ago during the 2010 Fifa World cup infrastructure programmes. If you are from Mtata, I bet you still remember how enthusiastic we were when the news first surfaced that all nine South African provinces were to undergo reconstruction to prepare for the world cup that we (as a nation) hosted successfully. Our expectations and dreams were much stimulated when construction first took place in Port Elizabeth (the mother city of the Eastern Cape). Who would forget the exhilaration we had when it was announced that Port Elizabeth would be granted the great privilege of hosting one game of the tournament.
The Port Elizabeth Airport and stadium respectively.
Few week later our neighbour, East London, was under reconstructions too; new stadium, roads and upgraded airport. At this point we had our faces blue from holding our breath, and only to be told that there were insufficient funds. Money had to be adequately utilized to hosting cities. Thus, in a nutshell, we were not going to host any match, therefore why should we benefit?
To add salt to an already excruciating wound, we had to constantly listen to the news about successfully upgraded cities and local citizens embracing the benefits of their cities hosting matches i.e. some were turning their homes into BnB’s, guest houses and their tourism departments prospering.
There was great news coverage during the Fifa World Cup about BEE opportunities.
Our consolation was the reminder of our ‘prestigious’ Nelson Mandela Museum which would magnificently attract tourists and boost our economy…really? No disrespect intended, but we had the museum since I was a kid and I have not seen any progression in Mtata because of the museum's 'tourist attraction.' I do acknowledge that Tat' Nelson Mandela is an honourable person and what he sacrificed (together with other political leaders) can not be dismissed.
Nelson Mandela Museum in Mtata.
However, I do not understand how a small town suffering from poverty and unemployment, high rates of; teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and crime rates, and poor government institutions; health services, home affairs and schools can possibly benefit from a 'museum'. Take for example, the Walter Sisulu University that is widely known for student strikes and poor educational systems. Wouldn't it be more worthwhile to invest in education and thus alleviate statistics of 'illeterate and unemployed Eastern Cape Youth.'
Or perhaps donated funds at children orphanages would have greater impact than a 'prestigious museum'.
With our mutual excitement with the nation and forgiving hearts (because we could not do much about the matter) we celebrated and cheered with other spectators (hosting cities)
Mtata Locals at the so-called 'Mtata stadium'
It is now, two-years later, with faded enthusiasm and our hearts have finally accepted our social condition, we are told that our dreadful airport is going to be upgraded to an international airport. We should be excited, shouldn't we? We are finally getting what we have always wanted, we presume... Who’s to say that this deal is genuine- perhaps Lindiwe Sisulu's comment should rest assure us;
“As Eastern Cape found itself unable to continue with operations at Mthatha Airport they approached central government to see if it did not have capacity and funding to carry on. The refurbishment would never have been completed if it was left in the provincial government’s hands.” she was qouted saying at the briefing.
Therefore, should we put blame in our provincial government and sing praise songs for our national government? They are the ones who rescued us from our misery after all-or are we fooled to believe this?
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Luthando Shosha
