GOVERNMENT IS FAST-TRACKING KEY ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECTS UNDER ITS CORE PILLARS TO GROW THE ECONOMY AND LINK REMOTE COMMUNITIES

The Botha-Bothe District Council has commenced the rehabilitation of a 12 kilometres road connecting more than 10 villages under the Ts’a-le-Moleka Community Council.

The project is expected to create employment opportunities for between 750 and 800 people from the affected villages.

Speaking during the handover of yellow plant machinery to the site, District Council Secretary Mr. Mathulise Mathulise said M15 million has been budgeted for the project during the current term. He noted that the funds will be used to rehabilitate roads in more than 10 villages.

Mr. Mathulise said 30 people have already started work, as some sections of the road require blasting and reconstruction, while bridges will also be built in certain areas.

As the machinery began operating at Sekubu, one of the villagers, Mrs. Masentle Molapo, ululated with joy, expressing her happiness that the road would finally be rehabilitated.

She said it had been a long time since the road was last repaired and that its deteriorating condition had become a major challenge, particularly during the rainy season.

“This road has become very difficult for us. Before it deteriorated, we could move in and out of the village with ease but now travelling is not easy. We have to plan our trips according to the weather because taxis often get stuck in the mud during rainy days.

“I am also happy that our brothers and sisters will get jobs through this project and will be able to put food on the table,” she said.

Another villager and taxi driver, Mr. Chebechana Molebe, said people often call him at night to transport patients to health facilities, expecting him to respond quickly, but the poor state of the road made that impossible.

He said some patients have even lost their lives while trying to reach the hospital because of the poor road conditions. He also noted that his vehicle frequently breaks down due to the bad road and expressed relief that it will finally be repaired.

Chairperson of the Ts’a-le-Moleka Community Council, Mr. Tlhakanelo Mokete, said transporting pregnant women and seriously ill patients has been one of the community’s biggest challenges.

“It was not easy for the council to agree on the rehabilitation of this road because every community council has its own challenges and all of them need the yellow plant machinery. The damage caused by heavy rains has worsened in recent years, but we are happy that our roads will soon be easier to use,” he said.

He added that school children in some villages struggle to get to school during rainy days due to poor road conditions, while sick people are often unable to reach the nearest clinic because of inaccessible bridges.

District Council Chairperson Mr. Motlalepula Nkone said the implementation of the project demonstrates good cooperation between the council and the secretariat.

He said once the work in Ts’a-le-Moleka is completed, the machinery will move to another community council during the next term.

The road rehabilitation project will cover the villages of Sekubu, Matsatsaneng, Ha Selomo, Khilibithing, Mjanyela, Ha Sebophe, Ha Pokane, Likhahleng, Manamela, Qalo, Ha Malofo, Ha Makhoahla, Ha Mohlanka, Ha Lishobana and Maloseng.