Sekela-Somlomo, urhulumente osezintanjeni okhokelwa ngumbutho wesizwe i-ANC, uya kuthi gqolo ukhuthaza intsebenziswano phakathi kukarhulumente, amashishini abucala kunye noluntu ngokubanzi.
Kwidolophana eyaziwa ngokuba yiQhorha, okanye i-Alicedale, kwathi ngonyaka ka-1996 kwavalwa umzila kaloliwe owawudibanisa iQhorha, iRhini kunye neBhayi. Ukuvalwa kwalo mzila kwabangela intlupheko engathethekiyo kuluntu lwale dolophu, yaza intswela-ngqesho yaya kuma kumyinge wama-95 ekhulwini.
Kwiminyaka emine edlulileyo urhulumente, ebambisene namashishini abucala, weza nezicwangciso zokuvuselela lo mmandla. Sithetha nje, ezo zicwangciso zizele amathokazi ngoba ingqesho iya inyuka. Ngoku imi kumyinge wama-60 ekhulwini.
Phakathi kwabantu abathi batyelela le dolophana yaba nguMomgameli, uQabane uThabo Mbeki, owathumela kule dolophana iqumrhu elicebisa uMongameli ngotyalo-mali, elaziwa ngesilungu ngokuba yi-International Investors Council. Le mpumelelo izuzwe yile dolophu ikudandalazisa ngokuphandle ukubaluleka kwentsebenziswano phakathi koluntu jikelele. Umanyano ngamandla! Ndiyabulela. [Kwaqhwatywa.] (Translation of isiXhosa member's statement follows.)
[Ms B N DAMBUZA (ANC): Deputy Speaker, the ANC-led government will make sure that there is a healthy working relationship between government, private businesses and the people in general.
In 1996 in a small town called Qhorha or Alicedale, a railway line connecting Alicedale, Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth was shut down. The closure of this railway line affected the people of this town negatively and the unemployment rate went up to 95%.
In the last four years, government and private businesses came up with some proposals to rejuvenate this area. As we speak, those proposals are starting to bear fruit because jobs are being created. And this has reduced the unemployment rate by 60%.
The hon President, Comrade Thabo Mbeki was one of the people who visited this small town and also sent the council that advises the Presidency on economic issues, known as the International Investors Council. This resounding success in this small town shows the importance of co-operation. Unity is strength! I thank you. [Applause.]]