COMMUNITIES of Nzhelele under Venda King Toni Mphephu in the Makhado municipality yesterday celebrated Human Rights Day in style when they were handed 15 projects worth more than R2.5-million by a private company that has a partnership with the royal authority.

The projects include the construction of a computer centre with 20 new computers at Matshele Primary School, the renovation of the information centre and the supply of books to Solomon Mailula High, the renovation of the information centre at the Mphephu tribal office and other schools and the construction of creches in the area.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at Rabali on behalf of King Mphephu, his uncle, David Ramabulana, said Komatiland Forests, which is doing business in the area, signed a pact with the royal authority in 2009.

"They have completed some projects but must pull up their socks because they had also promised the king they would help with resolving the water issue. They have until June to make progress in this regard," he said.

Komati Forests MD Parmas Chetty said his company was assisting communities because poverty is a human rights issue.

"When kids in rural areas go to universities, they see computers for the first time," said Chetty, adding that the company does not want to see this happening.

Happy Ramakhanya, chairman of the Joint Community Forum, said the communities were lucky to have Komatiland.

Makhado mayor Mavhungu Luruli, who handed over the plaques for the projects, said companies had to invest in the communities they were based in.