"Thulamela Municipality is not an island. Its economy is an integrated part of the whole country. As such, our Integrated Development and Economic Development Programmes should run in the unison with those of the rest of the country and should be linked to the effects of the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiatives for South Africa (ASGISA) and Project Consolidate. This will ensure that the fruits of growth are shared in such a way that poverty comes as close as possible to being totally eliminated, and that the severe inequalities that still plaque our country are further reduced."

This was said by the Mayor of Thulamela Municipality, Khosi Thivhulawi Makumbane, when he tabled the municipality’s total budget of R344 549 978 for the 2007/2008 financial year. The event was held at Thohoyandou Town Hall last Friday night.

Makumbane said the endeavours of the municipality will be spent on ensuring that the municipality meets the obligations of ensuring that the conditions of life for the disadvantaged communities are improved. He added: "We have also ensured that our budget estimates are realistic and in line with our aims. We are also delighted to indicate that the involvement of Sector Departments is commendable, although we will continue to work with other departments whose plans have not yet been submitted to be part of the IDP. On this note, we appreciate the efforts by the Department of Local Government and Housing and the Premier’s Office in ensuring that all Sector Departments, Parastatals and the municipality, work together to integrate our planning in order to provide better services for our communities."

Makumbane further told guests that in the present financial year that will be ending on the 30th of June 2007, the municipality has spent more than R100 000 assisting in poverty alleviation programmes. "We are also committed to impelemnt most of our infrastructure projects in the next financial year through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). A classic example is our commitment to spend R7,2m in the construction of the Tshifulanani access road through labour intensive methods. As part of our access of information to our communities, we will continue to publish quarterly newsletters so that communities can be informed of the plans, programs and projects of the municipality.

The municipality is responsible for the provision and maintenance of roads and storm water infrastructure within the residential areas. To cater for this, an amount of R38 869, 422 has been made available to spend during the 2007/2008 financial year. An amount of R4 800 000 has been provided to cater for the acquisition of motor vehicles, erection of K53 Testing Ground at Sibasa Traffic Station, acquisition of traffic equipment and the erection of Saselamani Taxi Rank. An amount of R126 125 000 has been budgeted for the upgrading of Thohoyandou stadium, which has been identified as one of the practice venues of the 2010 World Cup. The total capital estimates for the year 1007/2008 is R215 324 078, which is an increase of 174% to that budgeted for the 2006/2007 financial year. The total operational estimates for the next financial year is R179 350 900 which is higher than R135 123 508 budgeted for the previous financial year by 33%."