Young people in Ha-Masia connect to the world

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Masia-Young people in the rural area of Ha-Masia, Limpopo will soon be connected to the rest of the world through the internet.

This comes after Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti during his visit to the area announced that they are going to build a structure which will host a computer laboratory, cultural centre, community hall and a library.

"We've a good working relationship with Apple Computer and we've an agreement with them to supply computers in 13 rural schools across the country.

"Just like in other areas, we will do the same here and this will help young people in this village connect with the rest of the world," he said.

When he visited the village last year in October, residents asked him to revamp their ageing showground.

"We are going to put a capacity building structure that will be comprised of a library, computer laboratory, community hall and a cultural centre where you will showcase your cultural work and skills as well as telling the story of your village or South Africa.

"Remember, a library is a source of knowledge and I also emphasised to the people driving the new project to include sporting facilities for netball, tennis court, table tennis and soccer fields," he said.

According to Nkwinti, a lot of technical work has been done and these include the appointment of an engineer and a consultant.

The Minister said construction of the new structure which has been designed in consultation with the Masia Community will commence in March.

Giving feedback on the land claim issues raised by residents during his previous visit, Nkwinti said: "As government, we are busy working on a policy document that will help us to solve this land issue," he said.

In neighbouring Matsila village, which is still under the traditional leadership of Nthumeni Masia, there is a thriving Matsila Community farming project aimed at developing agricultural productivity.

Nkwinti also visited the project before addressing the Masia community accompanied by chief Livhuwani Matsila and Thovhele Masia.

Through the Matsila Community Development Trust, the project received a whopping R54 million to fight food insecurity over the next three years.

The project, unveiled by Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, has 180 goats, a herd of cattle with 50 Nguni cows, two bulls and 4 000 chickens with the capacity to lay up to 3 000 eggs per day.

Thovhele Masia said: "We are excited about the infrastructure which is going to be built in my village. We are of the view that this will improve the lives of our people and in order for us to develop this settlement completely, we will continue working with our government," he said.