MLM Council resolves crucial community improvement issues
Jane Furse
The council of Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM) has during its special sitting convened on Saturday 16 September, reached a number of resolutions aiming to uplift various communities in the villages.
MLM Spokesperson, Lemson Moropjane, said the sitting, which was convened under Section 29(1) of local government, Municipal Structures Act No 117 of 1998, approved decision amongst others the proposal to implement the project for the construction of approximately 1.4 km access road at Ga-Kobe Village, which is known to many as Hoepekrans.
He added that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the municipality and the Matimatjatji community for the transfers of this milestone infrastructure project to the municipality once completed was also reached upon.
“This follows hot on the heels after the Matimatjatji Community Company (NPC) that comprises of three villages, Hwashi, Matimatjatji and Ga-Kobe that are under Kgoshi A Nkosi,” he said.
Moropjane indicated that through its shareholding stake in the nearby Modikwa Mine, which also owns a business stake in the ARM Consortium which is in the joint venture with the famous Anglo American mine, these communities derives their profit income dividends from Modikwa Mine.
“Therefore, with the profit, the communities, guided by resolutions from their several engagements then decide to direct it towards a massive community development project, a construction of a 1.4 km access road,” explained Moropjane.
He furthered said like many quality road network in Makhuduthamaga Municipality, the council collectively and strongly believes this project will provide a sigh of socio-economic relief and smooth access to amenities to the surrounding communities.
“The road will make it possible for them to access important services provided by the local traditional authority and the nearby cemetery. Once completed, it will then be transferred to the municipality for operation and maintenance, to restore it to a sustainable drivable condition,” he said.
Furthermore, Moropjane said among other resolutions, the council has also accepted resignation and declared a vacancy for the Senior Manager for Infrastructure department, a position left vacant by the recent resignation of Mr Albert Segale.
“Whilst the council wishes him well in his future endeavours and thanks him for his long service, it however, bemoans the process of finding another suitable replacement. The recruitment process has however, been developed in earnest and Lubisi Nozipho Bridgette was appointed to act for in the interim, for a period not exceeding 3 months, starting from the 1st of October 2023,” informed Moropjane.
He said the last item on the council agenda, was the much awaited increase of salaries, benefits and other allowances, popularly known as upper limits for members of council, which was agreed upon and approved, much to the delight of the collective, as this undoubtedly improves their livelihoods, commensurate of the work they do in uplifting communities of Makhuduthamaga on a daily basis.
“This is in line with the remuneration of public bearers and as approved by the Minister of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) and other legislative bodies responsible for local government. The implementation of this upper limit takes effect and will be implemented, backdated from the 1st of July 2022,” concluded Moropjane.