The recent heavy rains in the Vhembe region were widely welcomed, especially by the farming industry. However, as is often the case with abundant rainfall, some areas may suffer in some way. Thulamela Municipality in Thohoyandou was one of the worst-affected areas, particularly in terms of damaged roads.
On Monday, 15 January, Mayor Athingozwidivha Sarah Rambuda, accompanied by some of her councillors, inspected the area to assess the need for re-gravelling roads in Lamvi, Khalavha, Mudzidzidzi, Manyuha, Tshiwani, and Lunungwi villages.
Rambuda mentioned that a total of R28 million had recently been received from the National Treasury to address road damage caused by floods. She expressed hope that the challenges with poor roads in these affected areas would soon be addressed. "Residents will soon be travelling and walking on re-gravelled roads. We will also erect concrete paving at internal and access roads to make it easier for motorists and pedestrians," she stated.
Ms Elsinah Mudanalwo, a resident of the rural village of Tshiwani, expressed her happiness with the municipality's visit, saying, "I'm very happy that the local municipality is here today to visit the area. These roads are bad; vehicles can hardly drive here. We look forward to it being fixed."