HLOMELA – The Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, said the government has made a foundation for more advances in the improvement of the lives of the poorest of the poor. He was addressing a multitude of villagers during the official launch of the R4,5 million electrification projects of Hlomela and Gawula Villages at the Hlomela Chief’s palace, outside Giyani on Saturday.

The function also marked the official handing over of the project to the villagers by the Developer, Lufuno Mphaphuli and Associates. The Department of Minerals and Energy Affairs has made R1,5 million available for the erection of a feeder line from the Thomo Substation to the Hlomela and Gawula Villages at a rate of R70 000 per kilometer.

The electrification project came after the local community lodged their claim for the land from which they were dispossessed by the then government in 1968. They were forcefully removed from Venda, in the Vuwani area. Because the land was already occupied by other people, the Limpopo Regional Land Claims Commission compensated them with R16 million. Based on their R16 million reward, the villagers identified four projects that would assist in the improvement of their lives. They agreed on the electrification project, the building of houses for the poor, the erection of a clinic and the building of the community office.

Farisani praised the villagers and their chief for choosing to invest their money in the projects that will help improve their lives. He also said it is the collective responsibility of the government and the citizens to create a better life for all.

“We must always strive for national unity and patriotism to build this country. The land is back in your hands and it is your duty to use it wisely for your own benefit. Although there is still much more to be done, the government is doing its best to make sure that the poorest of the poor are getting basic needs. This electrification project is the light of our nation and I believe it will lead to the creation of a better world for the inhabitants of the Hlomela and Gawula villages.”

The Developer of the electrification projects, Lufuno Mphaphuli, said approximately 950 households will benefit from the project. He said the project will also benefit eight schools which were not covered in this year’s Eskom school electrification project. Four of the schools are designated voting stations as per the latest Municipal Demarcation Board. Mphaphuli said the actual work will start in the next two weeks and the whole project will be completed at the end of September.

“The project will also help the locals with job opportunities, as many of them will be employed until it is completed. Villagers will be paid between R50 to R120 to dig a single hole, depending on the depth of the hole. We will make sure that we adhere to our completion deadline so that villagers must get their electricity as soon as possible.”

Mphaphuli said the whole infrastructure will be handed to Eskom upon completion.

A jubilant villager who attended the launch, Nthavini Makamu (37), said she was thankful that her long-held dream of having electricity is about to turn into reality.

“I have been staying in Gawula village for the past 20 years and it has always been my wish to acquire electricity one day. Darkness will be a thing of the past and I believe life will be easier with electricity.”