The Department of Public Works launched the construction of a new R3,2 million tribal office building at Kutama on Monday.

During a recent previous visit to the area, the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Thulasi Nxesi, promised the communities within the Kutama area that they would soon receive a new, functional tribal office. During that visit, he was shocked to see the dilapidated office. 

Members of the community expressed their joy when the Makhado mayor, Cllr David Mutavhatsindi, performed the sod-turning ceremony to kickstart the construction of the project officially. "We are overjoyed about the fact that our problem of travelling long distances to access government services will no longer be necessary,” several remarked.

Mutavhatsindi said that the reconfiguration of the Department of Provincial and Local Government into the Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs signified the importance and the role of traditional leaders in the lives of the people, especially in rural areas. "Government regards traditional leaders as partners in the implementation of its programmes," he said.

He also mentioned that about 30 community members will be employed during the building of the new modern office.