LIMPOPO – Mopani District is set to benefit from a major infrastructure injection after the Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure announced several road upgrades, rehabilitation projects, and public infrastructure developments for the 2026/27 financial year.

Delivering the department’s budget speech at the Limpopo Legislature on May 12, MEC Ernest Rachoene said government was prioritising Mopani as part of its wider effort to rebuild infrastructure damaged by recent floods while improving economic connectivity across the province.

R4.2 billion for roads infrastructure

The province has allocated R4.2 billion towards roads infrastructure for the new financial year, including funding aimed at restoring flood-damaged roads and bridges.

Mopani was among the districts severely affected by heavy rains and flooding earlier this year, leaving several communities isolated and damaging key transport routes.

Progress already visible

Rachoene said government’s response in Mopani was already visible through completed and ongoing rehabilitation projects.

Through the Household Contractor Programme, roads such as the Tarentaal and Bindzulani-Nkowankowa routes in Tzaneen have already been rehabilitated.

The department also appointed contractors to maintain the D21 road linking Trichardtsdal and Metz.

George’s Valley Road project coming

Among the major projects expected to begin soon is the rehabilitation of the George’s Valley Road in Tzaneen.

Rachoene said construction would commence once consultations with stakeholders in the farming and tourism sectors were finalised.

Flood recovery underway

Flood recovery interventions are also underway in several parts of the district. Contractors have already been appointed for the rehabilitation of roads including:

• D1909 to P194/1 in Maruleng
• Mawa Block 9 to Taulume in Tzaneen
• P194/1 to Avoca route in Maruleng

Long-delayed road 50% complete

The MEC further announced that the long-delayed D3150 road project from Morebeng to Segosese had finally been unlocked and is now 50% complete. However, severe flooding has affected progress on bridge construction along the route.

“We will continue with efforts to unlock stalled projects because communities cannot continue suffering due to incomplete infrastructure,” Rachoene said.

5km road upgrade programme

Mopani is also expected to benefit from the province’s five-kilometre road upgrade programme valued at R1.3 billion.

Roads identified for upgrades include:

• D3641 from Mininginisi towards Altein and Shangoni Gate near the Kruger National Park
• D3164 from Mamaila towards Olifantshoek
• D3248 from Thapane access road towards Nwamitwa

New design work to begin

Roads Agency Limpopo will further begin design work on:

• The Dr CN Phatudi-Pharare road in Greater Tzaneen
• The D3203 Lekgwareng-Rabohale road in Greater Letaba

Preventative maintenance programme

Several Mopani roads were also included in the province’s preventative maintenance programme funded through a R600 million allocation. These include roads in Phalaborwa, Giyani, Greater Letaba, Maruleng, and Greater Tzaneen.

R331 million for flood-damaged roads

Additional flood-damaged roads in Mopani are expected to benefit from a share of the R331 million Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant dedicated to restoring damaged infrastructure.

Roads in Maruleng, Tzaneen, Greater Giyani, Greater Letaba, and Phalaborwa have been prioritised for repairs.

‘Reconnecting communities’

Rachoene said the projects would help reconnect communities, improve access to economic opportunities, and restore dignity to residents affected by poor infrastructure and flood damage.