Let Mr Mbana lead our community

 by: Anelitha Hiti

Picture: SABC News 

The community leader of Masiphumelele is Howard Mbana chosen by the community its self individually through votes, during that time the community was facing so many challenges with lack of service delivery, no voice to speak up to legal departments about the community’s struggles and lack of proper infrastructure. Mr Mbana is not just a community leader in Masiphumelele he is also a church pastor. He has made a point of speaking out about the mistreatment of the people living in Masiphumelele, particularly the lack of openness and communication from different governmental levels. Mbana has also taken part in the opposition against the building of a road that would connect Masiphumelele and Noordhoek across a wetland.

In 2021 Howard Mbana demanded a stop to political posturing and the beginning of effective assistance for those affected by the fire.

Weeks later fire tore through the neighbourhood, many residents were still sleeping in the open or staying with friends or relatives. Masiphumelele was scorching under the heat, and a group of ladies were seated on the street a few metres from the spot where hundreds of homes burned down. City of Cape Town concluded with allocating funds to assist Masiphumelele. Community leader Howard Mbana claimed that lack of openness and communication from different governmental levels was the reason why people were losing hope.

Picture: SABC News 

"We find ourselves at the heart of a political game, and because they are gambling with people's lives, we have no idea what they hope to accomplish. Because people are required to accommodate five families on top of another family, COVID-19 laws cannot be implemented in this situation." Said the community leader Howard.