Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli said the nearly completed Makhuvha Sports Complex would be a big boost to the local communities.

Mphaphuli, who is a champion for development and very passionate about sports, met contractors and staff at the sports complex last week. Mr Ronald Makhadi, the manager of sports, arts and culture of Thulamela, took the visitors, who included members of the Mphaphuli Royal Council, on a site tour of the stadium.

Built at a cost of R22 million, the stadium, which was started in 2011, is envisaged to be completed by December 2012. According to Makhadi, the stadium is nearly complete, with the fence, small pool, courts and ablution blocks already completed.

“Residents from the village and the other surrounding villages, mostly the youth, are going to benefit a lot. In the past, athletes going for camps used to sleep under trying conditions, but this will be a thing of the past as the different halls can be utilized as sleeping quarters,” Makhadi added.

“This is one of the best centres for sports development and some of the small premier soccer league games will be played here. This will benefit the locals economically,” he added.

After being taken around, Thovhele Mphaphuli said he was happy and impressed with the progress that had been made so far. "It shows that our people will soon be able to utilize the facility and this will mean development in our area.”

He said a lot of talent in the rural areas was only waiting to be unearthed. "We are very happy as leaders of the community about what the municipality is doing to improve our areas. Who knows, we might have stars emerging from the villages who will represent us in the province and nationally, and some might even make it in the international sphere," he said.

Mphaphuli also praised the contractors for the excellent workmanship and their contributions in the nearby villages.