Ha-Masia – The construction of a state-of-the-art multi-purpose centre in Ha-Masia village in Limpopo has brought hope to the community.
Tirhani Florance Makhwana, who is a single mother of six, was surviving by the meager salary of one of her children who works as a security guard.
Accessing government services at the nearby Vuwani town, Thohoyandou or Makhado town formerly known as Louis Trichardt was a heavy burden for Makhwana as she did not have money to take a taxi or bus.
Following the pledge by Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti during his visit to the village last year to build a multi-purpose centre, today Makhwana is one of more than 60 local residents employed as a construction worker.
The modern facility for the Masia community will comprise of an amphi-theatre, sporting facility, multi-purpose centre, ICT centre, and library as well as other government administration facilities for residents.
SAnews visited the construction site at the old Masia showground on Saturday. Makhwana said: “If it was not for this multi-purpose centre project, I would be sitting at home doing nothing, but deeply stressed on how to provide food for my kids.
“I am grateful that I am now working, so I am able to give my kids pocket money when they go to school and in the near future, once this project is complete, we will be accessing government services at our doorstep.”
Her sentiments were echoed by project community liaison officer, Mpfariseni Ligege. “This project has brought unemployment relief to the majority of people of this village irrespective of age and gender.
“We have young people working here and the majority are young men as well as middle aged women and we can’t wait for this project to be completed.
“As residents, we welcome this project which is already benefiting us while it is still under construction.”
Mudi Rabedzwa, 23, of Ha-Masia Tshiphuseni said: “We are very proud as young people of this village about this project because we never thought that a modern centre like this can be built in our dusty village.
“It is very pleasing to see our unemployed family members getting jobs at this project. This centre will help us to move with time just like other young people in urban areas.”
Thilivhali Phuravhathu, 25, said: “I see this development as the beginning of good things still to come in our village and to us as young people we know that in the near future we will no longer be travelling long distances to study at the library as we will have our library here”.
Traditional leader, Thovhele vho-Mmbangiseni Masia, who is hailed by residents as a young visionary leader described the construction of the centre as his desire to raise young people at his village as beacons of the future.
Masia said the multi-purpose centre heralds a new beginning for the young people of the village. “Together with government, we are doing our outmost to nurture the youth who are the bearers of the future by presenting them with a head start in life with this centre right at their doorstep with the view of paving the way for a bright future.”
The indigenous leader also expressed his excitement about the progress of the construction and he is hoping that they will complete it soon.
“There are celebrations of joy because in the process there are some locals who are employed and we are looking forward to the completion of this project because there are still a lot more things that we want to achieve for this village,” he said.
Before construction commenced, concrete walls commonly known as stop-nonsense was erected and modern structures at the main entrance, few metres away from the Levubu-Majosi highway have been built.
There is more visible progress on phase one of the project which comprise of a library, offices and a computer laboratory where structures are already at the roof level.
In the next few weeks, contractors will be paving the vehicle parking, while heavy machines will dig and blast rocks where the amphi theatre is going to be built.
The theatre and the building, which will house the computer lab and the library, will be divided by the bus parking, market stalls, satellite offices for other government departments. A walk way will be used to link all the structures.
The Department of Rural Development wants to improve the livelihoods of rural communities ultimately creating vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities through the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP).
Government's vision for multi-purpose centres is to provide every South African citizen with access to information and services within their place of residence, with the purpose of improving the quality of their lives through integrated service delivery. - SAnews.gov.za
