Giyani Municipality fast-tracks stalled projects
Greater Giyani Municipality is accelerating efforts to complete stalled projects, including sports centres and road upgrades, within the current financial year.
LIMPOPO – The Greater Giyani Municipality has launched an initiative to ensure the completion of all of its ongoing projects as soon as possible.
Providing an overview of progress on stalled and upcoming projects, the municipality’s infrastructure head, Thamsanqa Mabunda, indicated that they are making a final push to complete some of the stalled projects within the current financial year.
He singled out the Mavalani Indoor Sports Centre, which had stalled for a few months before being revived and is now near completion, as one of the projects the municipality aims to complete within the current financial year. The facility includes a basketball court, a netball court, a tennis court, two volleyball courts, two storerooms, a kitchen, and a treatment room.
“The project is currently between 95% and 96% complete, with only a few minor issues remaining before it reaches full completion,” he explained, adding that this modern facility would help the Mavalani community develop sporting talent, especially in basketball, netball, tennis, and volleyball sports, which are not common in rural areas.
He said, being an indoor centre, it can be used in all weather conditions, whether it’s windy, rainy, or hot, helping to keep the youth engaged in sports instead of illegal substances.
“Many young people today are struggling with substance abuse, and this project is part of our effort to address that by encouraging youth involvement in sports,” he said.
“Meanwhile, the centre is expected to be completed at the end of this financial year.
Another key project expected to be completed in the current financial year is the upgrade of the Hlomela Road from gravel to paved, covering a distance of 2.6 kilometres as well as the Gawula Sports Centre.
Another project that was supposed to be completed in the current financial year but will not be is the N’wamankena Road upgrade, a 4.8-kilometre project currently at 40% complete. Mabunda said the project, which has a duration of 18 months, experienced delays due to the late appointment of contractors and did not start alongside the others.
“There are also several previously stalled projects that the council has resolved should be completed.
“One of these is the extension of the Mageva Sports Centre pitch. The project includes refurbishing of ablution blocks, paving the combi court and parking area, and installing high-mast lighting,” he said.
He said the project was delayed due to community requests for additional elements not included in the original scope of work. Meanwhile, the Section-E Sports Centre, which also falls under stalled projects, is also being considered.
“An engineer has been appointed and is currently onsite finalising the design. Once that is complete, a contractor will be appointed, with construction set to resume in the next financial year.”
