THE lives of about 300 people in Tzaneen, Limpopo, will change for the better during the construction of the Mopani district offices.

The district plans to employ no less than 300 young men and women during the construction process.

A total of R89million has been set aside for the construction of the new offices.

Mopani district municipality manager Tim Maake yesterday said that work was expected to begin "soon".

He said the project, scheduled to start next month, would create much-needed jobs for locals. "The project will employ local people, depending on the availability of skills," Maake said.

He said the youth, women and people with disabilities from the region will get first preference.

The project comes after business people and residents from the five sub-regions of the district complained about the distance they have to travel to access services in Giyani.

The project is expected to be complete by June next year.