Rapotokwane – The visit by Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi, his deputy Jeremy Cronin and Limpopo MEC for Public Works Dickson Masemola, along with senior government officials, to Rapotokwane village in Limpopo, has brought hope to the locals.
Nxesi and his entourage visited the area ahead of the Minister and Members of Executive Council (Minmec) meeting to be held in Bela Bela tomorrow.
According to Masemola, Rapotokwane has been neglected for a long time.
“We did not know … where these people belong. At first, we thought they belong in Mpumalanga but we later realised that they belong here in Limpopo,” he said.
Nxesi today visited the recently built tribal council offices, library and two schools in the Bela Bela area. The new structures were built as part of bringing services to the community that was neglected.
Other projects include road construction and a bridge.
SAnews spoke to the locals about the minister’s visit to the area. Mbongiseni Madonsela (44) said they now feel they have a home.
“We hope that more services will be brought to us. We were neglected for a very long time,” he said.
Madonsela said they still needed more services such as water and electricity.
Titus Madimetja, a father of two toddlers, raised concern about the lack of schools in the area.
“I’m glad that the minister is here today. We want [government] to build more schools because there are very few schools here,” he said.
The Limpopo provincial government formally recognised the Rapotokwane community three years ago. There are about 3 500 households in the area.
Speaking at the newly built library, Nxesi called on the local community to protect the library as it belongs to them.
He noted that there was a need for more services to be delivered to the local community.
Masemola assured the local community that the provincial government will monitor progress in the area.
“We are aware that the community has been neglected for a very long time. We are now going to ensure that services are brought to the area.” – SAnews.gov.za
