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3 April 2009

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele earlier today, 3 April 2009 officially opened the first phase of the R34 million Sivananda Luwamba Wellness Centre, at Ntambanana near Empangeni in Northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The Sivananda Luwamba Wellness Centre, which will also serve as a one-stop-shop with various government departments housed under one roof, has been built in the Ntambanana municipal area, one of the most rural South African municipalities.

Thousands of people including Members of the Provincial Government Executive Council (MECs), Members of the Legislature, Mayors, Councillors and Members of the Divine Life Society of South Africa attended the event.

“This project is a joint initiative between the provincial government of KwaZulu-Natal and the Divine Life Society of South Africa. This is a classic example of a successful public-private partnership which has been achieved through sheer determination, goodwill, cooperation and hard work.

“The Sivananda Luwamba Wellness Centre will bring immediate relief and interventions to the sick, vulnerable and those at risk. By bringing together the various government services, it has allowed joint resource utilisation. This will lead to greater opportunities, such as accessing support for reversing the apartheid aftermath, in respect of re-establishing the human settlement in the area that was devastated. Land utilisation can now be restored.

“The project will take on board one of the key lessons of the international experience, namely, that successful rural development must be implemented in a participatory and decentralised fashion in order to respond to priorities and opportunities at the local level. This project attempts to build on previous experience with national development programmes, as well as assimilating key lessons from similar efforts worldwide. The Sivananda Luwamba Wellness Centre is designed to realise a vision that will “attain healthy, socially cohesive and stable rural communities with viable institutions, sustainable economies and universal access to social amenities,” said the Premier.

The first phase, which costs R17 million, consists of a health centre with a step down facility comprising 38 beds. This is supplemented by a Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre for HIV and AIDS, a drop in centre for indigent children and pensioners, an Early Childhood Development Centre for 80 children, a peace centre that will house income generation and skills training projects as well as offices to house various government departments including agriculture, social development, community safety and housing.

As part of the second phase, a community hall and staff residence will be established. There is also a commitment from the Department of Housing to establish a human settlement for 250 families on 250 hectares of land that has already been acquired from the Department of Land Affairs.

The premier also paid tribute to the Divine Life Society of South Africa; particularly it’s most saintly and noble leaders who sacrificed their lives for the upliftment of the poor and disadvantaged Sri Swami Sivananda and Sri Swami Sahajananda. “The Society’s concern for the underprivileged, children in particular, irrespective of their cast, colour or creed is deeply appreciated,” the Premier said.

Since 2004 the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, under the leadership of Premier Ndebele, has prioritised rural development. The Sivananda Luwamba Wellness Centre forms part of this development.

The aim of the Sivananda Luwamba Wellness Centre is to achieve cross-sectoral delivery through integrated development projects, which encompasses:
* improved provision of government services
* enhanced opportunities for income generation and local economic development
* improved physical infrastructure
* social cohesion and physical security and
* effective provision for the sick and vulnerable.

This focus on health promotion decreases the demand for expensive curative care, thereby decreasing costs and creating greater value. This is achieved through clinic-based health care, community-based health care and community development initiatives.

The Luwamba community was served by the Lutheran Church, from 1924, when the Church established the Luwamba mission station. A hospital was developed for residents of what was known as the Biyela Reserve. On account of the great demand, satellite stations were established for the neighbouring communities by the American Lutheran Mission Board and Inkosi Obuka. In 1978, the hospital was taken over by the apartheid state and, subsequently, closed.

In 2004, the provincial government held an Izimbizo at Luwamba, at which a commitment was made to develop a health centre at this site. In 2006, a weekly clinic facility was established and operated from a prefab structure. This did not meet the requirements of the community and the traditional leadership of the area approached Premier Ndebele for assistance. The premier solicited the assistance of the Head of the Divine Life Society of South Africa who pledged a sum of R7 million towards a multi purpose centre. The remainder of the funding was provided by the provincial government.

For pictures, kindly contact:
Master Mosunkutu
Cell: 082 885 1406

Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Premier’s Spokesperson
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
Cell: 083 644 4050
E-mail: maistryl@premier.kzntl.gov.za

Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
3 April 2009