Mintirho Ya Vulavula

As part of Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL)’s engagement with its most valuable stakeholders to hear first-hand feedback of a 32km rural access road project that traverses through Mopani and Capricorn Districts in Limpopo, Mmileng, the official quarterly publication of RAL, visited Thakgalane village in the Greater Letaba Municipality and surrounding areas. The visit follows the presidential oversight visit by His Excellency Honourable Cyril Ramaphosa in the area to check the progress made thus far on the road project which traverses a mountainous terrain (full story on page 24).

The road now saves time because previously, the journey from Ga-Raphahlelo to Polokwane was about plus minus 100km, but with this newly upgraded road, the journey has been lessened to about 88km. We can now arrive early because the upgraded road has a smooth surface and is easy to ride on, as the roads have been respectively constructed with concrete, pavement and bituminous surfacing or tar. Kgoshigadi Shapo Raphahlelo (Ga-Raphahlelo Traditional Council) from Ga-Raphahlelo village

Before the road upgrade, our journey used to be long because the road was dilapidated and had bumps. For example, if you had a trip, you were forced to leave early but still arrive late because of the road. Since the road has been upgraded, things are better as we can arrive at our destinations early.

Samuel Manyama, taxi commuter form Thakgalane village

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Previously it has been difficult because other places were very muddy, especially when it rained, and we could not transport our passengers to their destinations. It has been so bad such that people from Thakgalane could not travel to the wholesale complex, whereas those from the complex were unable to travel to Soekmekaar (Morebeng), meanwhile we also benefit as our cars last longer. Before the road upgrade, even if I would leave home for work at 06h50, I would arrive at work around 08h00. But now, I leave home (Botlokwa) at 06h50 and arrive at work at 07h15 because the road is smooth to drive on. I arrive at work while I am still energetic, hence I thank RAL for the good work of road upgrade done at Thakgalane and wish this can be extended to other areas so that they can save on time too.

Gabriel Machete, Taxi Driver (Sekgosese Taxi Association) from Thakgalane village Mary Sathekge, Teacher at Pheeha Combined School (Thakgalane) from Botlokwa