LIMPOPO – Businessman Jones ‘Kingpin’ Mulaudzi of Mpheni has decided not to wait for government intervention and has used his own resources to repair a badly damaged 1.2km street by paving it, helping to restore vital access for the community.

The handover of the newly paved street took place in Mpheni on September 13 and was witnessed by local traditional leader Vhamusanda Vho-Muthuhadini Davhana, acting Makhado Mayor Enock Sithi, councillors and the community, who welcomed the initiative.

Solar-powered street lights installed

Mulaudzi also installed solar-powered street lights in parts of Mpheni, which are expected to improve visibility at night and help reduce crime.

The streets were severely damaged during the rainy season, leaving residents stranded after floods earlier this year.

Motorists and residents struggled to access their homes and other essential services.

Instead of waiting for government assistance, Mulaudzi decided to take action himself.

‘I want to help my community’

Davhana welcomed the project and praised Mulaudzi for his efforts to assist the community.

“We should not be sidelined as if we are foreigners. We will not stop engaging them, and we will keep raising these issues whenever there are integrated development plan meetings,” he said.

Mulaudzi said he decided to pave the street after witnessing the difficulties residents and motorists experienced during the rainy season.

“I saw many motorists struggling to access their homes because the streets became slippery and difficult to use. I came up with the idea of helping them. I am not doing this because I have money to waste, but because I want to help my community,” he said.

He said the project was aimed at helping residents who struggled to access essential services and their homes because of the poor condition of the road.

Call for partnerships

Sithi welcomed Mulaudzi’s intervention and praised him for recognising the community’s needs.

“We as the government need partnerships with the private sector to help deliver services to our communities,” said Sithi.

‘We have waited long enough’

Resident Lufuno Bebeda told CV that the damaged street had made it difficult for residents to access important services.

She welcomed Mulaudzi’s intervention and called on the municipality and government to assist with rehabilitating other damaged roads and bridges in the area.

“That is a very busy street, but since it was damaged by the rains, there has been reduced movement.

“We appeal to the government and municipality to come on board and help us rehabilitate the streets and bridge,” she said.

“We have knocked on many doors at the Makhado Municipality, but we were greeted with empty promises each time. We have waited long enough now. We don’t feel like we belong to this municipality.”