HOEDSPRUIT – Maruleng will receive a chunk of the Mopani District Municipality (MDM) budget of R2.728 billion for the 2025/26 financial year for infrastructure upgrades.

Aimed at fast-tracking service delivery and infrastructure development across the region, Mayor Pule Shayi announced during his State of the District Address (SoDA) that the plan aligns with priorities outlined in the recently updated Integrated Development Plan (IDP). A significant portion of the budget in Maruleng will go towards water, sanitation, and road infrastructure.

Of the total budget, R1.868 billion, making up 68%, is allocated for operational costs, while R638 million, or 23.39%, is dedicated to capital projects. An additional 2.79% will be used to settle historical debts owed to Lepelle Northern Water and the Department of Water and Sanitation.

Read more: Mopani budgets R2.7bn for service delivery

Shayi highlighted that water infrastructure remains at the heart of the municipality’s development strategy. He announced that R21.4 million has been allocated to the Kampersrus Bulk Water Scheme and the Scotia Project in Maruleng, while the Mametja-Sekororo Water Scheme will receive R35 million from the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant.

Despite ongoing large-scale water projects, the municipality continues to supply water through boreholes and tankering to meet immediate needs. To support these efforts, a new fleet of 15 bakkies was recently handed over to water services artisans to improve response times.

Communities in Butswana and Metz are among those facing ongoing water supply challenges. However, with support from the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) under MEC Basikopo Makamu, the municipality plans to reach 1 960 more households this year. This will bring the total number of households gaining access to sanitation services to 19 880 by the end of the financial year.

Road infrastructure was another key issue raised during community consultations. In response, the municipality has committed substantial funding to upgrade several key roads and internal streets throughout Maruleng.

Projects include the construction and rehabilitation of access roads such as Lorraine-Bellville Nkopedjile, Essex Road, and Lorraine Access Road. Other upgrades include the Metz Internal Street (Phase 1), the Makgaung Internal Street, the Hlohokwe to Sofaya Road, the Hlohokwe/GA Mohlala Access Road, and The Oaks to Finale Access Road, which received the largest allocation at R55.3 million. Additionally, the Bismark Road is scheduled for preventative maintenance by the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL).

Shayi also commented on the ongoing progress in securing an international license for Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport, following the signing of a 20-year lease with the Air Force to utilise the runway.

In Hoedspruit, pre-feasibility studies are underway for a solar plant, with sub-consultants already appointed by the service provider.

Construction of The Oaks Shopping Mall is now over 60% complete, with anchor stores expected to open by August 2025. Further development in the region includes R6 million allocated for the upgrade of the Metz Dam wall, and R2.5 million to assist Anius Eden in Maruleng with the fencing and subdivision of grazing camps.