Mintirho Ya Vulavula

Mmileng was in the Sekhukhune District Municipality recently ahead of yet another opening for completed road project by Roads Agency Limpopo. The road will link the villages of GaMalekane, Ga-Mampuru, Ga-Phasha, Tukakgomo and Ga-Mahlakwena. Residents of these benefiting villages had a few words of appreciation for RAL. Story on page 32.

“Since this road was upgraded from gravel to tar, we have seen our business grow. We now have more customers than before, thanks to the establishment of a taxi rank nearby. We are even thinking of converting this shop to a sit-in Tshisa Nyama.”

Kgaogelo Evelyn Mathi, Small Business Co-owner – Nyakelang Spaza Shop, from Ga-Mampuru “I identified the opportunity for a car wash alongside the main road (D1392), and launched my business on 3 February 2016. By then the upgrades to tar had already started but had not yet reached my village. Since the road was completely tarred, I’m getting more customers than before and I am making a living.”

Katlego Mokobane, Small Business Owner – The Sharks Car Wash, from Ga-Phasha “As a local working on the project, I was trained on the business enterprise side of things and learned a lot of skills like community engagement. I was able to help the contractor get labourers equitably across the affected villages every time there was a recruitment drive.”

Samuel Kgaria, Community Liaison Officer (CLO) – Road D1392 Upgrading Project, from Tukakgomo “I have lived in this community since 1977. Besides seeing developments over the years and obvious benefits of this road, we particularly appreciate the donation of trees to local schools. The shades of these trees will provide kids with places to rest under when sun temperatures gets high.”

School

Patrick Kgopane, Governing Body (SGB) Chairperson – Kgoboko Primary School, from Ga-Phasha “When we started running this business we were selling only chips (deep-fried potatoes). The road was not tarred and the dust was problematic for businesses by the side of this road. I am happy with how this road has turned out. I am now selling more items in the shop, and I’m appreciative of the changes coming to Ga-Mampuru because of this beautiful tar road.”

Richard Tshehla, Small Business Co-owner – Nyakelang Spaza Shop, from Ga-Mampuru