Limpopo’s permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) have successfully completed the second day of Provincial Week activities in Mopani District. Day two saw the delegation assessing key infrastructure projects across three municipalities in the district, namely Maruleng, Greater Giyani and Greater Tzaneen local municipalities.
The team split into two groups. Group One visited five key development projects, including the 1.8 km Lorraine Access Road and the Metz Internal Streets Paving projects in Maruleng Local Municipality. They also observed household water reticulation in Rhurani village, borehole projects in Lenyenye, the Home Affairs office, and the Road D1350 construction project in the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality.
The Mayor of Maruleng Local Municipality, Cllr Tsheko Musolwa, raised concerns about rural municipalities generating sufficient revenue. He urged the NCOP delegation to influence National Treasury to review of municipal funding to better support these areas. “Most local municipalities are rural, and they cannot generate enough income to sustain themselves,” he explained. A system that considers the financial challenges facing rural municipalities is what South Africa needs, he explained.
The NCOP delegation leader, Mr Malesela Mokwele, echoed the mayor’s concerns. “We have been advocating for this issue in the NCOP. When municipalities were first established, they were expected to generate their own income, but the reality is that most of them are in rural areas, where economic activity is limited,” said Mr Mokwele. He further said that South Africa needs a system that adjusts for the disparities in income generation capabilities across the country.
At the Home Affairs office in Tzaneen, the management expressed frustration with the insufficient staff levels, inadequate office space and cramped waiting areas for the public. They also highlighted accessibility issues for people living with disabilities, noting that the office is difficult to navigate for those with mobility challenges.
Meanwhile, Group Two visited a pipeline construction to supply bulk water from Nandoni Dam to Nsami Dam, household water reticulation in Thomo and Khakhala villages and a street paving project in Hlomela Village under Giyani Local Municipality.
Today, Thursday, 20 November, the two groups will focus on Greater Letaba and Baphalabowra local municipalities where they will visit several infrastructure projects, including the Middle Letaba Dam, groundwater household connections in Thakgalane village, and a pipeline construction project aimed at supplying water to Matshwi and Maphalle villages.
Additionally, the delegation will inspect the Sefofotse to Ditshosine Bulk Water project, a 2.5-kilometre paved road connecting Makaba and Moshakga villages, the Kgapane Hospital in Greater Letaba, a precast stormwater culvert installation at Tension Pilusa Graveyard and Maphutha Malatje Hospital in the Baphalaborwa Local Municipality.
The ongoing oversight visits are part of the NCOP’s commitment to ensuring that provincial and local governments are effectively implementing national policies, especially in rural areas that face unique development challenges. The delegation will continue to engage with local leaders and government departments to address issues raised and advocate for necessary support from the national government.
The NCOP visit underscores the importance of intergovernmental collaboration in advancing equitable development for all communities across Limpopo and the rest of the country.
Justice Molafo
20 November 2025
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