MINISTER MACPHERSON ENGAGES PHOENIX COMMUNITY TO FORGE COLLABORATION FOR DEVELOPMENT

By Shudufhadzo Mudau, Pictures by Caroline Mokotedi

29 July 2025

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson spoke to community members of Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal, on 28 July 2025. He was accompanied by the Durban Public Works and Infrastructure Regional Manager, Nkosi Vilakazi, and Councillor Samier Singh. The purpose of the meeting was to thrash out a number of societal challenges facing the community and enable government to develop, and champion interventions through the provision of social-oriented infrastructure and poverty alleviation programmes for the benefit of the community.

The community engagement highlighted a number of challenges in executing infrastructure development projects, lack or delay in provision of government projects deliverables, and service delivery progress made within the area. The aforementioned challenges pose a threat to the government's efforts to develop and transform communities to become efficient and resilient in the face of such challenges.

This engagement resonates with the National Development Goals envisioned in the National Development Plan 2030, which aims to fight inequality and eliminate poverty as a catalyst to fast-track solid development in previously disadvantaged and marginalised communities. Some of the key stakeholders in attendance included members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

SAPS plays a critical role in the community engagements and this was highlighted during interactions as the community members lamented about their safety concerns in light of the scourge of GBV and other criminal activities which hamper the community from feeling safe. Therefore, collaboration between SAPS and the department was encouraged as this may help in creating safer communities.

Minister Macpherson called for more community engagements to help strengthen public participation. He further stated that such engagements are crucial for effective governance, strong democracies, and better decision-making. It empowers citizens, builds trust in institutions, and ensures that decisions reflect the needs and values of the community. By actively involving the public, decision-makers can access diverse perspectives, leading to more informed and relevant solutions, alluded Minister.