SDORM campaigns for relocation of SDM Offices
SEKHUKHUNE
The Sekhukhune District Offices Relocation Movement (SDORM) is spearheading a campaign to relocate the district’s government departments from Lebowakgomo in Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) to Jane Furse in Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM).
According to SDORM, the current location of Sekhukhune government offices in Lebowakgomo, which falls under the Lepelle Nkumpi Local Municipality (LNLM) of Capricorn District, is inconvenient for residents of Sekhukhune.
The organisation believes that relocating the offices to Jane Furse, which is situated in the heart of Sekhukhune District, would greatly benefit the local community.
Currently, Sekhukhune residents have to travel approximately 150km to access government services at Lebowakgomo.
The affected departments include the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Department of Transport and Community Safety, Department of Safety and Security, and Department of Home Affairs.
“We are calling for the relocation of government offices to Jane Furse because it is the most logical and convenient location for our residents. By having government offices in our own district, we can improve access to services, create jobs, and boost our local economy,” said SDORM Secretary, Robert Kgoete.
Kgoete argues that they are concerned that the current arrangement forces residents to travel long distances to access government services, which can be costly and time-consuming.
“By relocating the offices to Jane Furse, Sekhukhune residents would be able to access services more easily, and the local economy would benefit from the increased foot traffic,” explained Kgoete.
He stated that the movement’s demands are not new, and they have been pushing for the relocation of the offices for some time.
“In 2018, the Bapedi Ba Mamone Tribal Council donated a portion of land at Velgelegen Farm 819ks to the Limpopo Provincial Government for the construction of government offices. The land was approved by the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD) on 16 April 2024. SDORM has also sought presidential intervention, submitting a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Presidential Imbizo held on 14 June 2023 at Ga-Motodi Sports Complex in Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality. However, Ramaphosa verbally responded, stating that he would instruct the Limpopo Provincial Government to urgently construct the offices at Jane Furse. We are still in vain waiting for the relocation,” informed Kgoete.
He said to take the matter further, the organization is currently gearing up for a community march to Lebowakgomo, set to take place on 18 June 2025, to demand the relocation of Sekhukhune government departments’ offices.
“This peaceful protest aims to bring attention to the need for government services to be more accessible to Sekhukhune residents. We have been mobilising support from the community and garnered significant backing from local residents. SDORM is confident that relocating the government offices would have a positive impact on the lives of Sekhukhune residents,” he said.
Kgoete said during the march, SDORM and Sekhukhune communities will be calling on Limpopo Provincial Government to prioritize the construction of the offices at Jane Furse and bring government services closer to the people.
