State-of-the-art traditional council house open
Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (CoGSTHA) MEC Basikopo Makamu officially handed over the state-of-the-art Raphahlelo Traditional Council House on Friday.
Makamu attended the ceremony in his capacity as acting premier in Raphahlelo village in the Greater Letaba Municipality (GLM). Limpopo Premier Dr Phopi Ramathuba is currently accompanying President Cyril Ramaphosa on an international state visit. Other dignitaries who attended are GLM Mayor Dagma Mamanyoha, Mopani District Municipality Mayor Pule Shayi, and Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC Tony Rachoene.
The offices were built by the Department of Public Works in partnership with CoGSTHA. The new facility will be utilised by one of the province’s only female chiefs, Kgoshikgadi Johanna Raphahlelo, and boasts a guard house, palisade fence, pavement, borehole, septic tank and solar power.
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Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) president, Kgoši Lameck Mokoena, applauded the government for taking care of traditional leaders. He also challenged Makamu to step up to Mpumalanga’s standards and provide tractors, R250 000 to every chief for Heritage Day and pay chiefs’ children’s school fees.
Makamu answered, that the province is committed to supporting traditional leaders, but they will need to be realistic. He said Ramathuba has committed herself to working with traditional leaders. Makamu urged Raphahlelo to take care of the offices and service the local people.
