The ambitious 2030 Vision for Thulamela of making the municipality’s towns a city by 2030 received a major boost when traditional leaders in the municipality gave it the thumbs up.

This transpired during a workshop organised by the municipality, held at the Porchevilla Hotel outside Thohoyandou.

The two-day workshop, which was attended by councillors, community development workers, traditional leaders, representatives from different departments and organisations, took place last Thursday. Thulamela's municipal manager, Mr Makonde Mathivha, said the workshop came as a result of a meeting held in December 2012.

"During the meeting, we agreed that for our Vision 2030 to be a reality, we had to engage other stakeholders. We identified traditional leaders as the most important partners in this endeavour. We are are going to identify challenges on our side and on the side of traditional leaders," said Mathivha.

He added that after the consultations, they would sign a pledge detailing how they were going to work together. "Every year we will have an assessment session with traditional leaders and other identified stakeholders. We are very positive. By the look of things and from the reaction of traditional leaders, the 2030 Vision is a sure reality. They are good partners with whom we can raise funds for the realisation of the dream,” added Mathivha.

The chairperson of the Vhembe House of Traditional Leaders, Hosi Busa Nxumalo, commended the Thulamela municipality for the initiative, saying it would go a long way in improving the lives of the people of Thulamela. "We appreciate the efforts of the municipality in organising the workshop. It will restore a good working relationship and accelerate service delivery in our communities,” he added.

He mentioned that the traditional leaders had pledged their full support for the 2030 Vision.

Thulamela mayor Cllr Grace Mahosi said that all stakeholders must work in unity. She added that the municipality was always ready to sit down with traditional leaders whenever there were challenges.