BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

MEC for Public Works department, Madoda Sambata said they will spend R142 million to construct D221 road that links Manokwane and Maphoitsile villages.

“We have negotiated with Minister of Road, Dipuo Peters to allocate budget for the road. We all know that this road was marred with court cases after contractors took the department to court.

“However, finally the storm is over and budget is no more an issue. We have also introduced the contractor to the communities and we expecting the construction of the road soon,” Sambata said.

North West premier Supra Mahumapelo was part of sod-turning. He said the community of Maphoitsile and Manokwane will duly benefit from the road project.

“The project will create job opportunities for the locals. We also urge community members to work closely with relevant stakeholders and make sure that the project succeeds.

“We need to ensure that we protect and preserve our properties. If you encounter any challenges, please use available structures to address that. We do not want to see the project being derailed because of some differences,” he said.

Maphoitsile Kgosi, Keaobaka Saku also lauded the public works department. Saku said the construction of the road will make those areas accessible.

“We have been waiting for this moment since 2012. However, we are grateful that final the road will be built. Many people will benefit from the project and also the road will be accessible during rainy season,” Saku said.

Manokwane community members embarked on a protest and burnt two houses belonging to the then councillor and the headmaster.

The demanded that the road to be constructed.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

FIVE community members those who benefited from Kolong Bridge project received the keys to their newly-built houses. 

They were relocated from their original residential areas to make way for the newly built bridge.

One of the beneficiaries, Kedibone Kgopodimetsi applauded the North West Provincial Government for building them beautiful houses.

“I never thought I will stay in a beautiful house like this one in my lifetime. It really shows that the government is fullfilling its objective to improve the lives of ordinary people,” Kgopodimetsi said.

Another beneficiary, Baitshinye Mokgosi shared the same sentiments. Mokgosi said the house she received has everything she needed.

“I stay with my grandchildren and having a shelter like this one over our heads is grateful. I have been living in a mud house since 1988,” she said.

North West premier Supra Mahumapelo said the developments were positive. He said the houses worth R4.8 million combined.

“The Public Works department used their in-house engineers to construct the houses. This saved us a lot of money. They built quality houses,” Mahumapelo said.

He mulls that maybe the provincial government will build houses like these in the near future. 

“We are going to drill water for the beneficiaries too. This is part of Village, Township and Small Dorpies (VTSD) initiative. 

“We aiming at improving the lives of deprived people especially in far-flung areas like Taung. The bridge is at its final phase and  we will be opening it soon,” Mahumapelo said.

The bridge cost R84 million and Mahumapelo said it will make  travelling easier than before.

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BY KAMOGELO POOE

North West MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono reiterated her call to all South Africans to make tourism their every day activity. 

Mohono’s call come at the time when she rounded off her departmental Tourism Month events in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district in Taung on Friday. 

She appealed to both the district and local mayors to ensure access for all and preserve the existing tourism sites in the area.

Mohono was speaking during her “Tourism Fridays – Wake Up with the MEC” which is an interactive live radio show, hosted at a less popular tourist destination around Taung. 

According to MEC Mohono, the North West province has beautiful sites with rich history, culture, hospitality and beautiful landscape to visits. 

She says those areas are potential local economic development ventures. Mohono visited areas such as Small Heaven in Thomeng, Dinkgwaneng, Taung Dam and the Taung Skull Heritage Site.

She said that such areas are some of the hidden potential Tourism sites in the provinces. 

“Such sites need aggressive marketing, which we will continue to do as a department. They also have that potential of currying the Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies concrete, based on their locations, Job creation and further alleviating poverty,” said Mohono.

Meanwhile Greater Taung Local municipality Mayor, Kgosi Nyoko Motlhabane, also appealed to the people of Taung to keep the said sites in a clean environment. 

He said as the municipality, they will make it a point that such areas are clean all the time and that they become environmentally clean. 

“We need to make sure that we develop such areas so that everybody could have access and enjoy themselves. We also need to make sure they should be in a state where they will continue to attract oversees tourists, which will be a great boost to the local economy,” said Motlhabane.

The Department further donated linen to the Lokgabeng old age home, where MEC Mohono and Chairperson of Tourism Board David Mogashoa, praised the district mayor Cllr. Boitumelo Mahlangu for the initiative. 

According to Mahlangu, the place has restored the dignity and ensured proper care for the aged.

“The elderly were not getting proper care at their home due to different challenges they were faced with. Since the establishment of this place eleven years ago, many elderly people were resident to the place and have received proper care. 

“The place has grown from strength to strength with support from different quotas of society. And we are pleased to know that support in all forms continues to come from all directions,” she said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 16 year-old model, Taahirah Zungu kept North West province and South African flag high after she became Miss Teen Universe.

Full interviews will follow-up.

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