MURAGA – Chief Gole Mphaphuli and headman Ntikedzeni Muraga Mphaphuli jointly urged community members to work together to fight unemployment, poverty and crime. They made this plea during the Muraga Day Celebrations held at Muraga village on Saturday. The function also marked the celebration of the achievements made by the villagers in the past two years.

Among the developments in the village are 40 RDP houses, 220 households’ electrification through a partnership with the Thulamela Municipality, a village water reservoir to the tune of R500 000 and a poultry project that has provided 25 previously unemployed villagers with jobs.

Gole Mphaphuli told hundreds of villagers that it is important to work towards common goals to improve the standard of life for the ordinary villagers.

“Only hard work and cooperation among different stakeholders in the village will bring positive results. The time for pointing fingers is over because we cannot achieve anything by blaming one another. We need to make sure that our people are getting the desired services and make sure that the poor are well looked after.”

Mphaphuli further congratulated headman Ntikedzeni and his subjects for transforming the small village into an emerging developmental site.

“The village achievements are only a sign that we can achieve more through togetherness and dedication. It is very pleasing to note that the village has basic needs like electricity, water and housing. I hope Muraga will be an embodiment and success symbol to other villages that are still waiting for miracles to happen.” Mphaphuli finally urged the youth to take education seriously and refrain from criminal activities. He also asked the villagers to come together in the war against HIV/AIDS and other dreadful diseases.

Headman Ntikedzeni owed the achievement of his village to his subjects who worked with him tirelessly to improve the lives of the poor. “We are not doing this function for name or fame, but we felt it was important to come together to enjoy the fruits of our hard labour and to demonstrate to other community members that only unity can make the nation successful. Though it was not an easy task, we defied all odds and worked very hard so that our people can live a better life.”

Ntikedzeni said the establishment of the sector policing will help fight crime in the village. “Although the crime rate in our village is still very low, we still have a duty to make this small heaven a crime-free zone where everyone will live in peace and harmony. Our partnership with the Centre for Positive Care (CPC) will help in the improvement of the health of our people.”

Headman Ntikedzeni finally congratulated his subjects on their willingness to improve the standard of education in the village. “I’m happy and filled with gratitude to note that our R100,00 per household contribution towards the building of two classrooms at our primary school is going according to plan. Only education will bring light to our village and I’m very pleased because we are working towards a common educational dream in our village…”

Guests also included representatives from Vhembe District and Thulamela Municipalities, Departments of Health, Agriculture and Education, the SAPS and other different Non Governmental Organisations.