The community driven project ´bridgingMzamba` originated in the urgent need of and request by surrounding inhabitants for a safe crossing of the Mzamba River and included design and implementation of a 140 Meter long suspension bridge in a collaborative manner.
The Austria based NPO build Collective teamed up with two thesis students of the Carinthia University of Applied Science under the guidance of Prof.Dr. Peter Nigst for the design and planning phase.
A Steering Committee representing the local community and client guided the process and carried on negotiations with necessary entities. The driving force of tribal authority, ward committee and local stakeholders ensured a successful public participation and sustainable development.
Further support and authorisation could be established in liaison with engineers from South Africa and Switzerland (Dr. Lüchinger+Meyer), environmental experts, the Mbizana Municipality and Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development Environmental Affairs and Tourism to ensure technical accuracy and compliance.
Through this collective approach with users, students and experts the production of knowledge, cultural exchange, skills development and responsibility is achieved for all participants.
Design and technology had been guided by the reduction of environmental impact, available resources, the implementation with layperson and the hardly accessible construction site.
Overall project costs of 200 000 Euros have been carried solely by sponsors, donations and personal contribution. In several phases of negotiations, fundraising, design and construction since 2012, this extraordinary infrastructure could be realized with October 2015 as a self-build project of community members and volunteers.
The Mzamba Bridge is now connecting residents of a catchment area of 30km to necessary infrastructure such as educational facilities, health care, jobs and general food supply. Further it serves as a landmark and potential tourist attraction in the area to enable socio-economic development.
THANK YOU ALL FOR TRUST, SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION!!
COMMUNITY STEERING COMMITTEE: Nonhle Mbuthuma, Mashono Dlamini, Nkhulwani Mnyamane, Macube Mathembu, Mavis Dlamini, Thandazile Gampe, Sajini Dlamini, Stera Ndovela, Mdumiseni Dlamini, Madoyisi Dimane, Ntlahla Hlebo, Portia Ogle, Xolani Zindela, Simon Nzimakhwe, Nhindelwa Dlamini
VOLUNTEERS:Jesko von Jeney, Virginia Clasen, Sebastian Schweinberger, Christoph Jach, Laura Stock, Lukas Hofbauer, Anna Weisbrod, Hadrien Clair, Valentin Kandler, Tobias Lackner, Simon Spenrath, Günther Egger, Reinhard Stundner,
CONSTRUCTION TEAM: Melan Juta, Pakhamini Ngeleka, Siyabonga Khuzwayo, Siyabonga Mxunjini, Aiysha Dlamini, Khona Gampe, Ntombizethu Mnyamana, Ntobeko Dlamini, Zenzile Chiya, Andile Dlamini, Siphiwe Dlamini, Ntomsetu Dlamini, Monde Mdunyelwa, Mjo Bhele, Mbongeni Dlamini, Xolani Mnyamana, Lizwe Dlamini, Yandisa Dlamini, Sithole Dlamini, Mthokozizi Ndlovu, Moses Mbuthuma, Richman Ntuli, David Mbuthuma, Lonwabo Dlamini, Abraham Ngeleka
ADDITIONAL SUPPORTERS: Thomas Siegel, Gerhard Stocker, Hellfried Breymann, Dietmar Nast, Laurent Cattarinussi, Daniel Meyer, Mario Rienke, Walter Sauer, s2arch, Christoph Huber, AllPlant, Fabian Graber, Otmar Machine Tools, Otto Greiner, Eva Glawischnig, Gerald Blenner-Hassett, Hans Dreyer, Digger Elliott, Elias Ogle, Clyde Filer, Roger Grant, Jackie du Toit, Dick Trigg, Schenker Austria, Ryley Grunenwald, Stanford Spotsi, Luyanda Mali, Wild Coast Sun, Indigiflora Nursery, Mbizana Development Trust, Industrial Supply Centre, buildit Port Edward, Margate Engineering, Riaan Coetzer, HNK, Southern Steel, N-kap, Reinhard Lebersorger, Erna Müller, Max Abele, Österreichischer Wirtschaftsbund, Bernhard Pertiller, Michael Plackner, Elfriede Fellner, Elisabeth Donawell, BREG Bau und Revitalisierung, Christoph Chorherr, Herbert Salaun, Marius Müller, Manfred Ebner, Monika Manges, Hubert Bayer, Karin Fischer, Sabine Dvorak, Bernd Mümmler, Michael Spindelegger, Peter Haubner, Kay Gertler, Peter Kaiser, Rolf Holub, Siegfried Spanz, Eva Nowotny, Walter Schneider, Walter Thaler, Kurt Pock, Werner Faymann, Wilfried Haslauer, Christoph Leitl, Hans Peter Haselsteiner, Murauer Bier, Steel for You, offset5020, Kfast, Geith&Niggl, Salzburger Nachrichten, EZA, Mike Filer, WKO, Holzbau Gasser, Austria Alpin, Ybbser Wirtschaft, Johann Zehetgruber, Fibre C, Geyrecker, Lumber City, Franz Moser, ICS, BIG, Karl Schedler Transport-Logistik, TLB Plant Hire, Alexander Wrabetz, Erwin Himmelbauer, Erwin Pröll, Franz Rohr, Gerhard Pfeifer, Ingrid Dekan, Ithuba Community School.
photos: Anna Weisbrod, Reinhard Stundner