In a direct response to widespread community frustrations over the province’s extensive network of gravel roads, the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure has launched a new, collaborative initiative designed to fast-track solutions.
The programme, dubbed “#StakeholderTuesdays”, brings MEC Ernest Rachoene face-to-face with community members, traditional leaders, local municipalities, taxi associations and development forums to collectively identify and prioritise pressing infrastructure issues.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of significant road maintenance problems with Limpopo’s 21 000km road network, of which 13 000km is gravel. Community complaints consistently highlight how these roads have become scarcely drivable, severely impacting daily travel, access to services, and economic activity, with conditions worsening dramatically during the rainy season.
On Tuesday, MEC Rachoene led a series of these engagement sessions, meeting stakeholders from Ga-Mphahlele and Moletjie Leokaneng to discuss their infrastructure problems.
He later met the Vuwani Development Forum and traditional leaders, including Vhamusanda Vho-Davhana and Vhamusanda Vho-Mashau, focusing on a complex network of seven roads connecting their villages.
“Improving access roads in rural areas remains a top priority for the department, as it promotes safe mobility, economic development and social connectivity across the province,” Rachoene said, reaffirming his department’s commitment to collaborative solutions.
#StakeholderTuesdays are part of a broader, multi-pronged strategy to overhaul service delivery. Rachoene has already introduced “#DikgerekgereWednesdays”, a dedicated service-delivery programme for the blading, re-gravelling, and de-bushing of gravel roads, which communities are already appreciating.
Simultaneously, he is leading “#OperationTsogaMoshomi”, a series of unannounced visits to the department’s centres to monitor employee punctuality and performance in an effort to instil a sense of pride in public service and ensure employees adhere to the Batho Pele principles of service excellence.
In the long-term solutions, the department plans to tar 21 gravel roads across various districts this financial year. Furthermore, the MEC’s #ProjectMonitoring programme involves visiting existing infrastructure projects to assess progress and ensure value for money.
“Residents can already see tangible changes,” according to the Rachoene.
“Ongoing maintenance under the #DikgerekgereWednesday initiative continues to make a positive impact. Specific bridge projects are also nearing completion, such as the Steelpoort bridge on road D2219 in Fetakgomo-Tubatse, which was reported at 80% completion earlier this year. Communities should expect incremental improvements in road accessibility and maintenance.”
He has also committed to being available to the people of Limpopo to answer for both the successes and shortcomings of his department.
“MEC Ernest Rachoene is always available to account for roads infrastructure challenges,” the department told Sunday World.
