Matlakala Bopape, Chairperson of the Miss Limpopo Trust is convinced that the estimated R3,5 million needed to build the Matlala Nkhumishe Clinic in the Matlala area can be raised if the Limpopo community takes to heart the plight of the villagers and contribute to the cause.
The trust received 3 ha of land at Nkhumishe Village from the Bakone Traditional Office last Thursday and wants to build a new clinic in the area to provide relief for community members who have to walk approximately 20 km in order to access health care services at the Matlala Clinic.
Bopape said the estimated amount will include nurses’ quarters, guard houses, a palisade fence, borehole and water tanks, generator, septic tank, incinerator, sluice room and laundry, carports, paving and flood lights.
“We appeal to the Limpopo community to support this initiative in whatever manner they can to alleviate the plight of these eight villages. We want everyone to make it their Mandela moment and start by attending our fundraiser event on 9 August at the Park Inn by Radisson. Tickets for the event can be purchased at 29 Jorissen Street Polokwane at R250. Any contribution will be clearly acknowledged on the wall of acknowledgement and appreciation at the clinic itself once it has been completed,” Bopape said.
She also informed on the day that they will feature pop up stores and auctions of jewellery, designer clothes and spa vouchers while the Village Harmony Choir from the United States of America will entertain the guests.
Asked about the mode of operation and project timelines, Bopape said they were hoping that by October they should be done with the process. “We wish to raise the money within that timeline, do the sod turning in February 2018 and ultimately hand over the clinic to community and government for sustainability in May 2018,” Bopape explained.
Once completed the clinic will cater for Phofu, Ntlolane, Nkhunishe, Dibeng, Boratapelo, Mpone, Makgobane and Semaneng villages in Ward 43 of Polokwane Municipality.
“For a long time the villagers have been subjected to long distances of travel impacting on the quality of life for these communities. The right to health services is one of the cornerstones of the South African Constitution and Section 27 of the Bill of Rights puts responsibility on the state to provide reasonable legislative measures within available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of this right for human dignity, equality and freedom. Thus access to health care is a constitutionally recognised right in the new South Africa,” she stressed.
Story & photos: Herbert Rachuene
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