WeeklySA_AdminPIONEER: The Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape has declared March “Dr AB Xuma Month”, unveiling a series of community programmes, infrastructure projects and awareness campaigns to honour the legacy of the former ANC president…
By Siyabonga Kamnqa
MARCH has been declared “Dr AB Xuma Month” by the Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape in honour of the late former ANC leader and medical practitioner who spent his life fighting for liberation.
The declaration has been made by the Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality, which was named after the former ANC leader, and is situated in Ngcobo town. It is predominantly rural municipality, comprising 20 wards that cover various rural villages, communal grazing lands, and mountainous areas, including Clarkebury. Born Alfred Bitini Xuma in the rural village of Manzana in Ngcobo in 1893, Xuma became South Africa’s first black medical doctor and served as the ANC president from 1940 until 1949. He is credited for revitalising the organisation and advocating for racial equality.
In September 2022, the then Ngcobo Local Municipality was renamed Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality in honour of him. His statue occupies pride of place at the Ngcobo Heroes Park.
The municipality’s mayor, Siyabulela Zangqa, said this long-standing declaration reflects council’s commitment to upholding the values that defined Dr Xuma’s life, disciplined governance, accountability and an unwavering dedication to improving the living conditions of communities. Zangqa said Xuma’s conviction that leadership must produce practical and measurable change continues to guide the municipality’s service delivery mandate.
Said Zangqa: “As the municipality commemorates Dr AB Xuma Month this March, a series of activities and programmes will include the handover of completed bridges, oversight visits to construction sites and road maintenance initiatives.
In honour of Xuma’s lifelong commitment to healthcare and human dignity, clean-up campaigns will be conducted at All Saints and Mjanyana hospitals. These initiatives aim to promote safe and clean environments for both patients and healthcare workers.”
Zangqa pointed out that a memorial lecture for municipal employees will serve as a platform to deepen understanding of Xuma’s values, ensuring that public servants internalise these principles and carry forward the mandate of responsive, people-centred service delivery. He said there will be awareness campaigns that will seek to further encourage community participation and shared responsibility in safeguarding public infrastructure.
Among many other activities will be the annual Dr AB Xuma Month race which will form part of the commemorative programme, bringing together community members, employees and stakeholders in a shared demonstration of unity and purpose.
Zangqa said Xuma understood that meaningful progress is achieved when leadership is matched by an engaged and responsible community.
“Commemorating Dr AB Xuma month reminds us of the power of principled leadership and committed service. It is a call for all of us to work together to deliver services that uplift our communities and honour the legacy of a true South African statesman.
“Dr AB Xuma Month” is therefore not merely a commemoration, but a call to action. Through these initiatives, Council seeks to accelerate service delivery and build a values-driven public service that delivers tangible improvements in the lives of the people”.
