The days of worrying about dusty or slippery roads during rainy times are finally coming to an end for rural communities in and around Ha-Makhuvha near Vhufuli as the construction on the 8,1-kilometre Makhuvha Ring Road has finally begun.
Makhuvha falls under the Thulamela Local Municipality and the contract was assigned to Tainama Civils (Pty) Ltd from Polokwane.
Thulamela's mayor, Athingozwidivha Sarah Rammbuda, accompanied by her councillors, officials and some traditional leaders around Vhufuli and Ha-Makhuvha, conducted the sod-turning ceremony for the R92-million project at the site on Tuesday, 13 June.
The local traditional leader of Makhuvha village, Vhamusanda Ntakedzeni Makhuvha, said his villagers used to complain about the road that leads to the village, and during one of their community meetings, they had decided to submit their challenges and request a better road at the municipality's integrated development plan (IDP) forum meeting.
"We are happy now that the construction of the road has started and urge the steering committee to work well with the contractor. We understand that some unemployed local people will also be given temporary jobs through this project, which will help them to put food on the table for their families," said Makhuvha.
Rammbuda said they were ready to fast-track better service delivery to the communities, especially better roads and electricity supply. "The 8,1-kilometer gravel-to-tar road is an indication that the municipality is determined to provide quality infrastructure development. It is expected to be complete within the next 18 months. We have set aside R92,874 million for the construction of the Makhuvha Ring Road project and urge communities to cooperate with the contractors, so that the project [gets] completed within the timeframe," she said.