POLOKWANE – Residents of Makibelo, located outside Seshego, celebrated the completion of their long-awaited road project on Friday. The project was delivered by the Polokwane Municipality.

The newly paved and tarred 1.4 km road has replaced the previous dusty and turbulent main road, greatly improving accessibility and quality of life in the area.

Mayor John Mpe officially handed over the road to the traditional leaders, accompanied by a grader that will be used to enhance other gravel roads in the municipal cluster.

This road connects the village to the R521 and is a key component of the municipality’s flagship project to upgrade gravel roads to paved roads.

The project, which began in the Sebayeng/Dikgale cluster earlier this year, is part of a broader initiative to improve road infrastructure across the municipality.

Ntona Makibelo, a community leader, expressed enthusiasm for the new road, noting that it would spur economic growth, particularly by attracting the taxi industry and other businesses to the area.

He also emphasised the community’s responsibility to maintain the road and ensure it remains safe.

Mpe highlighted that the project was a fulfilment of promises made during consultation meetings earlier in the year.

The municipality is committed to ensuring that each ward benefits from municipal projects that provide temporary jobs and contribute to local development.

He also announced plans to invest in a yellow fleet to further support the municipality’s goal of becoming a more capable and efficient organisation.

The road project, valued at approximately R10m, has not only improved infrastructure but also provided benefits to local businesses and put food on the table for about 20 families in the area.