MORE than 3 000 Mozambican nationals in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga received identity cards before the elections.
This happened at Mnisi Traditional Council Hall in Islington in the Greater Manyeleti area of Bushbuckridge on Sunday 19 February as they're gearing up for their home country's general election on 9 October.
They were led by Consulate General of the Republic of Mozambique, Cristoviao Jossias Da Gloria Gemo, who's based in Mbombela and is responsible for Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces.
He was accompanied first Secretary Felicina Mondlana, Maira Baduro, and community leader Alex Matsuve.
"We're here as part of work of consulate general. We came to visit our community-based people here in Bushbuckridge and surrounding areas. We know that being from another country, they face a lot of challenges.
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"They came here with dreams of finding new opportunities. Then they arrive here and find challenges. Their main problem here is documentation because they don't have such. So they would like documentation given to them," he said.
Gemo said challenges persist for Mozambican residents, including difficulties in accessing education and employment opportunities due to lack of South African IDs.
He said the document plays a vital role when registered with the consulate and on issue of passport.
"The other work of this card will help them for the electoral registration. They must come with the card and then they will be registered for the next elections on 9 October, so they can vote from Mzansi," he said.
Mnisi Traditional Council's Ronald Mdluli raised concerns about land issues and urged Mozambican nationals to respect local sovereignty and traditions.
Gemo urged the Mozambican nationals to remain calm and humble under Mnisi's leadership.
"Respect the Mnisi traditional Council and their land. Don't try to look down on their sovereignty. We are a respecting nation. Remember the Mnisis accepted and protected you 'til today. You came running from our country civil war and they gave you their land to live with them. So why fighting them today?" he said.
