A R5-million community job-creation deal between the Mulenzhe Development Trust (MDT), Thulamela Municipality and Unitrans Motors was sealed last Thursday morning at Thulamela Municpality’s board room.

The deal is the brainchild of MDT, a community development structure aimed at business development and poverty alleviation in rural areas.

The Thulamela Municipality has offered 17, 900 square metres of land to develop a service centre. The nearest service centres being Makhado, Musina and Polokwane, the service centre will save the people of Thulamela, who used to travel long distances to service their cars elsewhere, some money. Apart from creating jobs, the deal will also boost the Thulamela Municipality’s economic development.

Construction would start soon and the whole project is expected to kick off early next year.

The Chief Whip of the Thulamela Municipality, Mr Mutshutshu Mammba, said the volume of traffic on the local roads clearly indicates that there is a need for a service centre. He added that the municipality is happy to be part of the deal since it would stimulate economic growth and create jobs. “We are always eager to offer land for investment in anything that develops our nation. The project will also assist in equipping the local people who will get employment, with necessary skills and job knowledge.”

The Group Managing Director of Unitrans Motors, Mr Steve Keys, says the second phase of the service centre will comprise complimentary businesses, which include a filling station and a tyre dealership. “We have already started with the design work, which needs to be approved by Toyota SA. The work force in the service centre will be equipped with skills to meet the international benchmark of Toyota. Mechanics, technicians and administrators will be needed to have the project running. Staff will also be trained in computer and managerial skills when the project starts.”

Keys said the initial plan was to start a fully fledged Toyota dealership, but statistics on traffic volume and car registration were not enough.

The chairperson of the Mulenzhe Development Trust, Khosi Jeffrey Ramovha, said the partnership between his trust and the Thulamela Municipality was paying off. “Our business partners like the Thulamela Municipality have always helped to uplift the standard of life for the indigent members of our communities. We are looking forward to other business ventures until we win this war against poverty and unemployment. Although we know that we have lack of experience and skills, we are happy that Unitrans Motors will assist us in running the project with professionalism and consistence. Together with Unitrans and the Thulamela Municipality, we will always strive that the project is run with expertise and professionalism.”