MULATI ROAD UPGRADE FINALLY UNDERWAY

Mulati is a community of almost 2000 people living in 701 households, this is according to Statistics South Africa household survey. The vehicle population in Mulati is way below average and public transport ratio is one mini-bus per 900 people. According to sources, only two mini-bus taxis operate in Mulati. These taxis transport residents to and from the village to the R529 or Letsitele. 

“The people of Mulati literally struggle” this according to Josta Banyini, the ward councilor of Ward 25, which Mulati falls under along with Sedan, Mafarana, Ntsako, and Bonn Village. Banyini says whenever it rains the road there is slippery and unusable. “It is the only road into the village, and when it rains everything stops, you cannot go to the clinic, you cannot go to the library and there is no school” Said Banyini

In 2018, the GTM approved a budget for the upgrading of the road from gravel to interlocked bricks paving. The project is estimated to cost R37.2 million over a three year period. “This is a multi-year project funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG).” Said John Matlala, the Project Management Unit Manager in the GTM. Matlala said the Mulati project entails the paving of a 5.8 km road with two lanes. “Each lane will be 3.6m wide and there will be a 600mm shoulder on each side,” said Matlala.

Alfred Ramaano, a resident of Mulati said that the road will improve access to the three schools in the area. 
He said access to Jack Mashamba Primary, Mlunghisi Primary and Scotch Maboko High School will improve. The Mulati Library will also become more accessible to local communities. 

Matlala said that the scope of work also includes all road signs, markings, and roadside furniture. Matlala added that adjoining roads will be given access and surface bellmouths. 

In January 2019, the municipality handed over the road to a contractor, who has already started with preparations which include site establishment and hiring of labourers.

By Neville Ndlala

GTM SCOOPS TWO SALGA AWARDS

Greater Tzaneen Municipality scooped two awards in the recently held SALGA Speakers Forum hosted at Karibu Leisure Resort. The municipality won the award for “Leading municipality in the provision of tools of trade/councilor welfare and support”. The second award was for the “Most functional Rules and Ethics Committee in Mopani District Municipality”. 
Council Speaker, Councillor Dikeledi Mmetle said that the awards were testimony that the municipality has strong and serious about good governance. 
Winnie Baloyi who is the Manager for records and Administration a division that is responsible for council support said that a well-functioning council is critical in every municipality. She added that all 67 councilors of the municipality have either a laptop or tablet with access to the internet. “All councilors and the seven traditional representatives in council get 5gig of internet data per month,” said Baloyi. 
Justice Ramodipa who is a ward councilor in Ward 31 and the Chairperson of the Rules and Ethics Committee in the municipality said the award was as a result of teamwork. “As the leader of the committee, I encourage my fellow committee members to continue with the hard work and to attend meeting regularly” 
He said the support staff we very “supportive” and urged them to continue with their support and advice. the Rules and Ethics Committee deals with councilor conduct as well as the conduct of members of all the municipality’s 35 ward committees. 
Amongst other reasons for the win was the municipality’s provision of effective secretarial support to its council and its council committees. Other notable tools of trade include the municipality’s two 15 seater minibus taxis that transport councilors to oversight visits and other business of the municipality.