Modjadiskloof - The Greater Letaba Municipality in Modjadiskloof, Limpopo, will spend millions this financial year to boost the town's economy and draw potential investors to the area.
Municipal Mayor Godfrey Modjadji said one of the immediate plans was the rehabilitation of badly damaged streets and other infrastructure in the town that would be needed to lure long-term investors.
"The bad condition of the roads infrastructure in the town's CBD has been a stumbling block for prospective investors for many decades, and this has left many local people unemployed and living in dire poverty. Many businesses have relocated to other growing towns like Tzaneen, Giyani, Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit. The situation has left Modjadjiskloof unable to generate much revenue," he said.
Modjadji said the upgrading of the streets had started two months ago with extensive work on the main route through town, Botha Street. This road forms part of the R36 and links the town with Mpumalanga.
"It has been difficult to upgrade Botha Street because of the high volume of heavy-duty trucks that passes through the area on their way to the Maputo Corridor. Truck drivers are forced to make use of the route because they are not allowed to drive the curvy Magoebaskloof-Georges Valley roads to Tzaneen and other parts of the Lowveld," he said.
Modjadji added that the municipality had set aside R1.5 million for the rehabilitation of secondary streets, while R3 million would be spent to continue fixing potholes and resurfacing some of the town's streets.
"We have put systems in place to ensure that the streets in town are maintained once the rehabilitation process is completed," he added.
Modjadji also pointed out that the town recently managed to replace an antiquated septic tank with a modern R30 million sewerage system.
"It is the lack of such infrastructure that has kept investors away," he explained.
He added that property owners and shoppers in the CBD could assist the municipality by not littering in town.
The town, previously known as Duiwelskloof, was renamed after the legendary rain queen Modjadji about five years ago.
