TSHIFUDI – The Mayor of Thulamela Municipality, Khosi Thivhulawi Makumbane, and Chief Gole Mphaphuli jointly urged the community to work together to fight poverty and unemployment, during the Tshifudi Day celebrations held at the Mushungwa sports field, outside Thohoyandou, on Saturday.

Tshifudi Day Celebrations came after villagers organized themselves to come together to celebrate their achievements and to pass their gratitude to their municipality and traditional leadership for efficient service delivery. Among other developments, the village boasts 56 RDP houses, two poultry and farming projects and other community projects.

Scores of delegates could not contain their happiness when Mayor Makumbane announced that the gravel road from Tshikambe to Lambani would be tarred in the near future.

“We know it has been your concern for countless decades that you needed the road to be tarred. It is my pleasure to inform you that the contractors will start their job on the said road in June this year. The road construction will make life easier and it will also create employment for the local jobless members of the community."

Makumbane further acknowledged that that there is serious shortage of water in Tshifudi and the sur-rounding villages.

“The Xikundu Water Project has been introduced by the municipality to curb the problem of water shortage in this area. Apart from providing clean water to the community, the project will also generate jobs for those who are unemployed. We also encourage you to join us in the war against poverty, unemployment and the HIV/Aids pandemic…”

The tenth ruler of the Mphaphuli clan, Chief Gole Mphaphuli, introduced the Mphaphuli Development Trust to the gathering.

“We have introduced the Mphaphuli Development Trust to improve the lives of the poorest of the poor in the Mphaphuli area. The institution will assist in the improvement of education, health services, social life and creation of jobs…”

Mphaphuli also urged his subjects to work tirelessly to win the war against crime and he also commended them for their support and respect for traditional leadership.

“We have to win this war against crime to create a crime-free environment. It is our collective responsibility to enforce discipline and acceptable morals to our children. I will never forget to thank you for supporting traditional leadership and I believe we can achieve more together.”

The EIC, SAPS and the Far North Health Care Organization also addressed the people during the celebrations. Venda Traditional dances were part of the function and people cried for more as they performed to the best of their abilities.