The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoyce Mabudafhasi, urged the community of Thulamela last week to take ownership of the Thulamela Buyisela Eco-Town Programme, which involves beautifying their town by planting trees and cleaning the streets.

Mabudafhasi arrived early and was hosted by mayor Makumbane as a guest during a military parade by members of the 15SAI Battallion from Vuwani. From the parade, the deputy minister and her entourage attended a briefing on the Eco-Town Project at the Thulamela Municipality boardroom. She then unveiled a plaque at the entrance of the Thulamela Eco-Town.

Mabudafhasi and other high-ranking officials later planted trees at the site before heading for the Thohoyandou Town Hall, where she addressed the community. Speaking during the official handover of the R41-million project to the Thulamela Municipality, Mabudafhasi said by so doing, the area of Thulamela would be transformed for the better.

She said the ceremony was being held under the Public Participation Programme after a call by Pres Jacob Zuma earlier this month when he said the government must know where people lived. She added that the Department of Environmental Affairs was implementing R137 million worth of projects in Limpopo. In addition to that, R107 million of projects are being planned.

Mabudafhasi said the department had committed 800 bins, which will be posted at specific areas in town and will be marked as to what type of waste is to be deposited there.

Mabudafhasi planted a tree in Thulamela to symbolize the handing over of the project to Thulamela. She was accompanied by Vhembe Executive Mayor Falaza Mdaka, CEO of Indalo Yethu Ms Josephs Langa and Khosi Norman Makumbane.