The Makhado Municipality has welcomed a new Director of Technical Services in the person of Mr Thivho Ralulimi.

Ralulimi (48), who holds a National Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering from the Witwatersrand Technikon, said on February 19 that he had vast experience in terms of water supply and project management.

Ralulimi matriculated at Tshivhase High School. At the Witwatersrand Technikon, he majored in Theory of Structures, Civil Engineering, Construction, Hydraulics, Soil Mechanics, Civil Engineering Documentation, Water and Wastewater Engineering, and Road and Rail Construction and Design.

His employment experience includes terms at the Former Venda Government Administration, DWAF, Water and Sanitation Services South Africa (WSSA), the Maruleng Municipality and the Mopani District Municipality.

Ralulimi describes his post as director technical services to comprise the management of water services function, project implementation for water, roads, buildings and electricity, and management, including, among others, financial management, project management and management of consultants and contractors.

Despite having been a few months in his present post, Ralulimi said that they had dealt with 926 potholes in the roads.

“Concerning the roads, we have been re-active and not pro-active,” Ralulimi said and emphasised the importance of a proper infrastructure plan. He admitted that the sewage in town was a serious issue and said that he was to meet with the Vhembe District Municipality concerning the upgrading and extension of the infrastructure.

Concerning the Soutpansberg Ratepayers Association and similar associations that have addressed around 90 letters to the municipality that remained unanswered, Ralulimi said that he was developing an action plan in that regard.

He invited the community to keep in contact with the municipality.

“Whatever they might come across, let them bring it to our attention. We cannot be everywhere. People must use their community-based structures or if those are not effective, they can interact directly with our office,” Ralulimi said.

The post of the director technical services is known to be a hot seat in terms of ratepayers exercising their right to receive service delivery.

“I’m equal to the challenge,” Ralulimi said.