Alex Matlala
Alex Matlala
Municipal manager Simon Malepeng and mayor Ralepane Mamekoa were the toast of Burgersfort in Limpopo on Friday after 120 women and young people were employed to work on a government project.
Silvia Mohlala, a single mother of six, was overjoyed at getting a job. She said her family's life had changed dramatically since she started working.
Mohlala said her family would go for four to five days without food.
"Four of my kids attended school on empty stomachs and in tattered school uniforms. But now I can care for them," she said.
Mohlala and her 119 colleagues were chosen from impoverished families on social grants.
Malepeng said the municipality was broadening the main road through the mining town to Nelspruit, Swaziland and Mozambique.
"Construction on the R8,8million tarred road is aimed at easing congestion for hundreds of motorists who use the town as a gateway to Mpumalanga, Swaziland and the border gate to Mozambique at Komatipoort.
"Our narrow road had the capacity for only 25 vehicles a minute. This caused delays and accidents. Construction should be finished before the end of this year, and 1000 people will have benefited."
In 2002, President Thabo Mbeki identified Burgersfort as a development nodal.
Joy as poorpeople get jobs
Alex Matlala
Alex Matlala
Municipal manager Simon Malepeng and mayor Ralepane Mamekoa were the toast of Burgersfort in Limpopo on Friday after 120 women and young people were employed to work on a government project.
Silvia Mohlala, a single mother of six, was overjoyed at getting a job. She said her family's life had changed dramatically since she started working.
Mohlala said her family would go for four to five days without food.
"Four of my kids attended school on empty stomachs and in tattered school uniforms. But now I can care for them," she said.
Mohlala and her 119 colleagues were chosen from impoverished families on social grants.
Malepeng said the municipality was broadening the main road through the mining town to Nelspruit, Swaziland and Mozambique.
"Construction on the R8,8million tarred road is aimed at easing congestion for hundreds of motorists who use the town as a gateway to Mpumalanga, Swaziland and the border gate to Mozambique at Komatipoort.
"Our narrow road had the capacity for only 25 vehicles a minute. This caused delays and accidents. Construction should be finished before the end of this year, and 1000 people will have benefited."
In 2002, President Thabo Mbeki identified Burgersfort as a development nodal.