LIMPOPO MIRROR
10 1 OCTOBER 2021
Resident abandons building his house to build community bridge instead safety of the whole community. No bridge existed between Itsani Vuledzani Jeremiah Nemutudi and Shayandima village, which from Itsani outside Thohoyandou made commuting between the two turned into the village hero when villages difficult for residents, as he used his savings, which were they were divided by the Tshidumbi meant to build the house he and River. People had to travel many his family had saved for, to build a kilometres around to get from one bridge instead – for the sake and village to the other and back. This By Maanda Bele
Vuledzani Jeremiah Nemutudi abandoned the building of his own house to build a community bridge between the villages of Itsani and Shayandima instead. Photo supplied.
was not the sole concern for residents, he said. anymore,” Nemutudi said. though; a number of people had lost He indicated that the project, which Nemutudi’s good deed attracted their lives in trying to take a shortcut by he began three months ago and comthe attention of Tshisahulu’s senior crossing the river – especially during the pleted a fortnight ago, was not without traditional leader, Chief Thivhulawi rainy season - including children who its challenges. “There were some who Makumbane, who showered him with had to get to school. were against it, but I had to ignore them accolades and gave Nemutudi his full The lack of a bridge was therefore and just continue with it. Now everysupport. “This is a vision we should all not only highly inconvenient, but very body, whether they walk or travel by support. The man sacrificed all for the dangerous too, and so Nemutudi found car, enjoys a safe passage between the benefit of the whole community. This himself faced with a serious decision: to villages using this bridge, and the many is what we as leaders expect from our complete the building of his house, or to children who attend school at Shayansubjects, and we encourage others to build the bridge. dima and Itsani do not have to worry also come up with developmental ideas For the 46-year-old hairdresser, the about missing school on rainy days in this village,” he said. question as to which was more important was never in doubt. “The bridge was not an option, but a must for me. It used to be a nightmare for us whenever the river was in flood, not knowing how to pass. We were forced to venture into the water, and, for me, it was a big challenge as I would develop tonsillitis soon after,” he said. “I spent lots of money on medication and besides, it was not safe for our kids to pass there to school. Even the community was suffering, as lives had been lost in the flooding river. I had no choice but to take the money we saved for the house and channel it into buildMichael Matongoti and his date, Mahlodi Thabelo Mashamba and Anzani Muofhe ing the bridge. This Mabetoa, brought colour to the red carpet stroll down the red carpet during Louis was no easy decision, with Mahlodi wearing a beautiful, bright yelTrichardt High School’s matric farewell but I had to do it for party last week. Thabelo looked dashing in a low dress and Michael sporting a black suit. the sake of myself, blue suit with and red tie to complement his The event was Louis Trichardt High School’s my family and the matric farewell last week. Photo supplied. date’s beautiful red gown. Photo supplied. community at large,”
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