Temporary bridge for village

The lack of services  in  communities has become a major challenge and, according to many rural residents, they are suffering as the government continues to make promises which, in most cases, are never fulfilled.

One rural community has come with a solution that, if followed by others, would fast-track service delivery and improve their living conditions without having to wait for the government.

Concerned residents at Maungani Zavhavha, or Copper village, which is at the doorstep of Thohoyandou, are settled between two rivers. When it rains, the residents are on their own  island and have to travel many kilometres to the main bridge to catch transport to school and also to work. This has brought untold misery to residents, some of whom are forced not to go to school or miss work.

They have made representations to the local municipality, "but all we got are promises," frustrated residents are saying.

Tired of waiting and empty promises,  the community recently took it upon themselves to build a small bridge; they now have a temporary bridge which can also accomodate a car. The leader of the group, Mr Thomas Mathabi (47), said residents were tired of waiting for the government to build them a bridge.

He indicated that he used his bakkie to carry rocks and soil that they used to build the temporary bridge."We cannot wait for the government when we are suffering. There are things that we can do for ourselves, and maybe the government will realize that they are not doing enough for the community," he said.

One of the volunteers, Mr Phineas Khalushi (65), who is a retired prison warder, said the bridge would make a big difference in the community. "Students, workers and the community will no longer have to travel long distances to catch public transport. We are also going to cut the long grasses in the area, so that all will feel safe when using this shortcut," said Khalushi.

Date:17 April 2015

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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