NRPA fighting  for positive change

Northam – On Saturday 12 January, Northam Rate Payers Association (NRPA) had a fruitful meeting with the mayor John Michael Fisher and municipal management of Thabazimbi Local Municipality (TLM). 

The meeting was arranged by the chairperson of the NRPA, David Gouveia to discuss the grievances within the Northam community.

The water situation in Northam was one of the main points on the agenda as residents have been struggling with their water supply for the past four months.

Technical director of the TLM Victor Makona explained that since only 30% of the Northam community pays their municipal account, the municipality fell behind on their account to Magalies Water. Municipal manager at TLM George Ramogaga added that the contract signed by Magalies Water ten years ago, will be renewed in April and this will increase the water to Northam.

Northam is one of the towns with rapid growth in the Limpopo Province due to the surrounding mines. TLM also engages with surrounding mines for support. Speaker Bertie Joubert added that he is proud of the efforts TLM is putting in to rectify the challenges. TLM also aims to install pre-paid water metres in future.

Mayor John Fisher further said that the municipality is serious about resolving these issues in cooperation with Northam Rate Payers Association for the community. 

Another high priority was the landfill and illegal dumping site. Makona assured the NRPA that it’s only a temporary solution, as a dumping site has not yet been registered but they are doing everything in their power to speed up the process.

TLM confirmed that street lights would also be installed where necessary, as the crime rate has rapidly increased. The dangerous potholes also received attention and the TLM asked Public Works to assist. 

“Illegal stores will be removed via court orders, and we are already in the process of doing so.

We want to go the legal way to prevent what happened in December when these stores where demolished only to be rebuild the next day,” said the director of corporate serves at TLM Cobus van der Merwe.