Thohoyandou – A local floor polishing project, just outside Thohoyandou, in Limpopo, is set to shine from the financial assistance they will receive from the Vhembe Municipality.
The Da u Vhone (come and see) Primary Cooperative project, which started in 2004, makes polish using candles, Stay Soft, spirit and sunlight liquid.
The eight women, who operate in a makeshift workshop, produce about 50 buckets of polish a day which is sold to the local communities.
Communications Minister Faith Muthambi, who visited the project on Sunday, as part of National Imbizo Focus Week, enquired how government could help them to do better.
Minister Muthambi praised the women for their innovative initiative. “This is good for people to start their own businesses. People don’t have to wait for government to do things for them.” The minister was touched by the project, adding that they needed to get a proper place.
Vhembe District Mayor Grace Mahosi said they would help the business with financial assistance once they acquire a piece of land.
“As part of the assistance to be offered, the municipality will send a team to conduct an assessment on the project needs,” Mayor Mahosi said.
“Our vision is to grow the business and be able to sell our products to other places outside the province,” Project leader Selina Mukhithi told SAnews.
“We came up with the idea of manufacturing polish as a means to support our families. We could not just sit and fold our arms when there was something we could do to provide for our families,” she said.
Mukhithi said if they acquired a piece of land, they will make their own bricks to avoid spending money on buying bricks.
“We still have the energy, we can make our bricks for the structure,” she said.
Minister Muthambi, who was accompanied by the Mayors and councillors, visited the project before launching the National Imbizo Focus Week, in Thohoyandou.
The week gets underway on Monday, 14 July, and coincides with Nelson Mandela International Day on Friday, 18 July.
Minister Muthambi urged communities throughout the country to actively interact with government representatives.
“As government, we felt it is imperative to interact with people and listen to their concerns and views. We are calling on people to tell us their concerns and suggestions. It is our duty as government to ensure that citizens have access to government.”
She said it is important for people to interact with their public representatives in their areas, as this improves service delivery. Through these interactions, problems can be addressed easier and quicker.
Minister Muthambi said the adoption of izimbizo was testament to government’s commitment to transparency and accountable service delivery.
“Although much has been achieved since 1994, government is aware that more must be done if we are to move South Africa forward.”
Minister Muthambi used the opportunity to get South Africans involved in the National Development Plan, which aims to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030.
The imbizo programme ensures constant engagements between the national executive and communities, and is one of government’s communication platforms that deepens citizen involvement in all aspects of public life. – SAnews.gov.za
