Author:
Willowvale, Eastern Cape
ASPIRE, the Amathole Economic Development Agency, proudly participated in the 38th Commemoration of the Battle of Lurwayizo held at Lurwayizo Village, Willowvale. The event marked a significant moment in honoring the legacy of fallen liberation heroes including Mbulelo “Khaya Kasibe” “Ntsizwa” Ngono, whose bust was unveiled and acknowledged as a heritage tourism site.
The commemoration, led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile and attended by dignitaries including Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, Minister Angie Motshekga, Amathole District Mayor Cllr Ntsangani, and Mbashe municipal Mayor, Cllr, Samkelo Janda, highlighted the importance of integrated development in historically significant communities.
Our participation is informed by the clear mandate from the 2025 state of the district address by the District Executive Mayor, Cllr Ntsangani .
In his keynote address, Deputy President Mashatile emphasized the importance of honoring the sacrifices of liberation fighters through tangible socio-economic transformation. He highlighted opportunities in Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism, and the Oceans economy, noting that these sectors hold promise for revitalizing communities like Lurwayizo.
Premier Mabuyane echoed this sentiment, calling for an integrated government approach to address infrastructure challenges, particularly road conditions, and to promote youth skills development. He also drew attention to the ongoing oil and gas exploration initiative led by Impact Africa, describing it as a strategic opportunity to unlock economic growth for the province and the nation.
To ensure inclusive participation and informed community engagement, ASPIRE – the Amathole Economic Development Agency – has been appointed by Impact Africa as the consultant for stakeholder engagement in the oil and gas exploration.
ASPIRE’s role includes:-
-Facilitating voluntary knowledge-sharing sessions with local communities
-Promoting transparency and dialogue around exploration activities
-Supporting alignment between community interests and broader development goals
Traditional leader King Sigcawu of AmaXhosa urged residents to embrace initiatives that have the potential to uplift local economies, including tourism, agriculture, and energy development. He called on government to intensify its support for rural transformation and to ensure that communities are not left behind.
The commemoration concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to preserve the legacy of the Battle of Lurwayizo while advancing inclusive development rooted in heritage, resilience, and opportunity.
