Mr Buti Mkhaliphi, executive mayor of Msukaligwa Local Municipality, officiated the sod-turning ceremony in Ermelo extension 44 on 2 September.

During the ceremony Ms Charlotte Poulten, regional town planner for Gert Sibande District area, presented background information on the establishment of 4 772 sites with 5 760 stands, by the Department of Human Settlement, Water and Sanitation on portion 6 of Rietspruit Farm.

In a statement released it stated, “The project is the mix human development settlement entail residential, business stands, parks as well as servitude for infrastructure such as sewage, water, streets and electricity.”

According to Mr Mandla Zwane, spokesman of Msukaligwa Municipality, the Department of Human Settlement purchased the land on behalf of Msukaligwa Municipality.

He added, the department proceeded to appoint town planners to do the township establishment.

Ms Poulten said: “Indeed the township establishment was done and the township was proclaimed known as Ermelo Ext 44.

“The general plan was registered with the office of the Surveyor General as number 1849/2012.”

Mr Zwane explained the township register with the deeds office in terms of section 46 of the Deeds Registries Act 47 of 19337 which indicated each site number on that area.

Mr Mkhaliphi thanked the former political leadership for laying the foundation. He said: “In this very moment of very much excitement, it would be proper to take out heart off for the former councillors in the previous terms who identified a need as well as suitable site where the aspiration and needs of Msukaligwa citizens could be advanced.

“We are just facilitators now of a great plan that was done in previous term.”

Read the complete article in the Highvelder newspaper.