Department of Public Works

MINISTER DEAN MACPHERSON CONDUCTS SITE VISITS AHEAD OF THE MINMEC

Article by Maanea Maselesele, Pictures by Caroline Mokotedi

The second meeting of Minister and MECs of Public Works and Infrastructure for the 7th Administration, took place in Polokwane, Limpopo today.

The MinMec meeting was graced by the Minister, Deputy Minister - through the virtual platform and 8 MECs from Provinces. The Deputy Minister attended through the virtual platform as he is with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee of Public Works in the Eastern Cape.

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The meeting kicked off the day with a site visit to the construction work being undertaken by the Provincial Department of Public Works. This is the construction of the Limpopo Theatre on the outskirts of the Polokwane city. The Premier of the Province, Dr Phophi Ramathuba welcomed the delegation. The dignitaries were taken through the key aspects of this multimillion-rand centrepiece for the Limpopo culture. The complex, that will cost R315 million is made up of the following

Main Theatre Building with a seating capacity of 600 people
a sub theatre, sitting 200
Supporting facilities such as a restaurant and bar, coffee shop, book shop and poetry spaces
Covered parking and internal roads

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The Premier indicated that the city of Polokwane is also planning to build a township in the area. Construction at the site started in February last year. The construction period is for 36 months and is expected to be completed by February 2027.

The walkabout could not take place fully as the delegation had to rush to the second site, where works of regravelling the main road that connects Polokwane and Ga-Maja are underway. This work is part of the Dikgeregere Wednesday initiative of the Premier. This initiative aims to improve and properly gravel the rural roads in the Province. The regravelling of this road will also shorten the distance between a number of villages in the east of Polokwane and the city.

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After this site visit the delegation dashed to the venue of the MinMec meeting some 40 kilometers away.