Community members from Xhora Mouth in Elliotdale will now own a solar-powered tourist shuttle for the first time in their area.
According to the Community Advisor from this area, Dave Martin, this car will assist the community by transporting tourists from Mthatha Airport to Bulungula Lodge in Elliotdale.
“This area is one of the poorer of the poorest areas; there is no water or electricity. Most of the community members depend on social and pension grants. Others are working in this lodge, and they used to spend R8 000 to buy diesel to fetch tourists who want to visit our area and use our lodge.
“Now that they have this car, they will manage to save more money for themselves,” said Martin.
One of the workers from this lodge, Andiswa Tshayisa, said that this car would change their lives because they used to struggle and had to spend a lot of money. She said that most of the community from this area depends on this lodge.
“Most of the people here are uneducated; some depend on social grants, so we now manage to put food on the table because of this lodge,” said Tshayisa.
According to him, they have received funding from the Independent Development Trust (IDT) and donations from their friends. Since they are in a deep rural area, this vehicle will assist even community members during emergencies.
Another community member, Nompumelelo Sitwayi (44), said this initiative changed their lives. She said they were struggling as they used to waste money buying petrol and diesel and sometimes maintaining the car they used to use.
