Response by the Premier of Limpopo, Ambassador Chupu Mathabatha on the occasion of the official opening of the R71 Road by the Minister of Transport, Minister Dipuo Peters
Programme Director;
Mong-mabu, Kgoši Mamabolo;
Minister of Transport, Mme Dipuo Peters;
His Grace, the Right Reverend, Dr. Bishop BE Lekganyane;
MEC for Roads, Infrastructure and Public Works, Ntate Jerry Ndou;
MEC for Transport, safety, security and liaison, Mme Mapula Mokaba-Phukwane;
Executive Mayor for Capricorn District Municipality, Councillor Gilbert Kganyago;
The Executive Mayor of Polokwane Municipality, Councillor Thembi Nkadimeng
Reverend John Molepo;
Members of the media;
Ladies and gentlemen:
Let me join His Grace the Right Reverend Dr. Bishop BE Lekganyane, Kgoši Mamabolo and, obviously the people of Limpopo, in extending our sincere words of appreciation to the National Department of Transport led here by Minister Peters.
As Limpopo we are grateful more than words can express. The completion of this project has indeed come with huge relief and unprecedented benefits to the motorists, pedestrians and all road users in this area.
We firmly believe that an infrastructure development project of this magnitude will go a long way towards boosting an inclusive economic growth, creation of much needed jobs and, above all, the improvement of conditions of living of the people of this province, and the country at large.
In the words of President Jacob Zuma, “Ours is to create an infrastructure that makes life easy everywhere, not just in the big cities”.
Minister you can obviously see the smiles and happiness written all over the faces of the people of Ga-Mamabolo. They are really celebrating this massive infrastructure development at their doorstep. You have made freedom and democracy more meaningful to them as well.
Programme Director;
You would agree with us that this official opening of the R71 road could not have come at a better time. As you know; we are now literally weeks away from the festive season and the end of the year.
This is the busiest period on our roads, in particular on this road. Huge traffic volumes and the worshipers converge here at the Holy City of Moria as part of their annually pilgrimage.
On the other hand, and beyond this point, you would know that this road connects Polokwane and the second biggest town in the province, Tzaneen. It is also a route to the much visited Kruger National Park, the biggest game reserve in SADC region.
A huge quantum of timber is transported on this road on daily basis. Minister there is no doubt that this project has come in handy for the ongoing socio-economic development in this part of the country.
I also know that the MEC for Transport, Safety and Security, Mme Mokaba-Phukwane, would agree with me that the benefits that will accrue from the expansion of this road cannot be traded for anything.
We are happy that this expansion will definitely lessen and ultimately do away with accidents on our roads. More importantly it will reduce the travel time.
Our people will spend more times either in church or in their homes with their loved ones, as opposed to spending hours and hours on the road.
Honourable Minister I can say, without any fear of contradiction, that everyone in this province has a reason to celebrate the successful completion of this project.
Our two churches of the ZCC and St. Engenas are obviously part of the immediate beneficiaries. The pedestrians on this road are now having safer crossing zones.
I have got no doubt that our traffic officials and emergency services personnel will definitely have their work load reduced for this road will significantly reduce traffic congestion.
What a good story to continue tell.
Today is indeed better than yesterday, and tomorrow will surely be better than today.
Once again, honourable minister, we thank you for this massive project, and invite you to come back with other similar projects to assist us to move Limpopo forward.
Re a leboga!
