LIMPOPO – The festive season is upon us, and this brings to an end yet another eventful year – the fourth year of the fifth council. It is therefore an opportune moment to extend best wishes to all our people in the District. And in doing so, we wish to proceed and register our profound gratitude to our people for having walked this journey with us – the journey of building better and safer communities.

Our focus and key mandate has always been the expansion of water infrastructure in the district. Indeed, we have seen more and more of our people receiving water directly to their homes. Our people in Rhulani, Hwetji, and other communities are now benefiting from the Tours Water Project, just like many other communities throughout the district.

We launched Operation Fix All in August, which has been a catalyst for sustained efforts around ensuring immediate water provision to our people. We have been on the streets, fixing boreholes and giving water to our people. This programme is aligned to Hi Nwa Mati Friday Programme, pronounced by Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba during the first sitting of the 7th Provincial Administration.

We have consolidated strategic partnerships to help grow the district’s economy and support SMMEs. Through our partnership with Limpopo Connexion, we have made so much progress in establishing Broadband Network Infrastructure that will help our people in rural settings.

We have seen two of our exceptional educators getting recognition at the 25th Annual National Teaching Awards. Ms Lebeya Regina Mashoto from Baranuka High School was declared the winner in the Category – Excellence in Secondary Teaching, while Ms Sonia Kallai from Banana Primary School won in the Category – Excellence in Grade R Teaching. We celebrate their outstanding service and unwavering commitment to service our communities, particularly the young minds.

We take this opportunity to also celebrate the achievements of Mandla Mashimbyi, the Head Coach of the Proteas Women’s Cricket Team for having led the team to the final of the World Cup. Reaching the final was already a victory for us. Mandla’s journey serves as an inspiration to young people in the township and our rural communities, illustrating the power of resilience and determination.

As we will be taking to our roads to visit our families, our loved ones or even traveling to various holiday destinations, let us obey the rules of the road so as to ensure the safety of all our people on the roads.

We also wish to take this opportunity to encourage our people to take a shot left to explore the unique charm that our District offers. And in doing so, we will be contributing to the economic growth of our district, particularly the tourism sector.

Our people can be assured of a safer environment during this festive season. Working with our communities and our dedicated law enforcement authorities, we are confident of an incident-free festive season. And of course, our SAPS in the district, as led by Major General Willy Mashava, has also been recognised as the most improved district during the 2025 SAPS Limpopo Provincial Excellence Awards.

The District also received several prestigious awards, including the recognition on the efforts around fighting the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide.

We look forward to 2026, and we again invite all our people to continue this journey as we build better communities together. We remain steadfast to the cause of building a future where everyone will have access to basic services. May this be a joyous, peaceful, festive season filled with love. Let us have a blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

– Cllr Pule Shayi, Executive Mayor of Mopani District Municipality