26 Jul 2021

The past couple of years are worth remembering for Matopi residents given the state of developments at the settlement.

To some, such would not be considered worthy of a mention but for a settlement the size of Matopi, it is a big deal.

Residents use to rely on solar panels for electricity, but all that changed when the settlement was connected to the national electricity grid, a development that restored hope that better things were yet to come.

Kgosi Tshimologo Toteng of Matopi spoke highly of the connection and what it meant to them.

She said residents were quick to have their homes connected, a sign that they had been yearning for electricity.

Government institutions at the settlement, among them, the primary school also took advantage of having reliable power to advance their course.

“We are now able to make photocopies of learning material for pupils unlike before when we had to rely on schools in Matsiloje for such,” Kgosi Toteng said, adding that the school was hopeful of a better performance going forward.

Kgosi Toteng also talked the fencing of cluster farms, a move that cost government P7 million.

This was done to scare away destructive animals such as elephants, which were many in the area because of its proximity to Dikgatlhong. 

Kgosi Toteng recalled that residents were forced to put on hold a Village Development Committee gardening project because elephants had raided it and destroyed the water tanks that were installed at the project.

With help from the North East District Council, residents would maneuver with ease within the settlements because internal roads were being taken care of.

 “The graveling of internal roads will give our village shape. We are grateful for that,” Kgosi Toteng said.

Matopi residents were also grateful that 10 LA2 houses had been constructed for civil servants.

All the houses, Kgosi Toteng said, had electricity connection.

She also appreciated that they had three police officers stationed at the settlement to fight crime that occurred between Matopi and nearby villages.

She said there was a time when crime including stock theft, was rife owing to lack of law enforcement officers. Ends