24 Mar 2026

For years, the bone-jarring rattle of a vehicle hitting a pothole has been a familiar and frustrating soundtrack for motorists in the Letlhakeng District. The Letlhakeng-Mapharangwane and Letlhakeng-Morwamosu roads, once symbols of connectivity, had become casualties of time and have long surpassed their design lifespans.

However, following a recent council meeting address by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae, the P111 million investment is expected to breathe new life into the region’s crumbling infrastructure

The transformation will be two-fold, with the Letlhakeng-Mapharangwane road slated for a total asphalt overlay, a high-durability treatment backed by a P51 million budget. Further east, the Letlhakeng-Morwamosu road will see a P60 million overhaul, targeting the Ditshwegwane junction with precision repairs and fresh road markings.

Minister Salakae said the era of temporary fixes was over and the goal was to build climate-resilient roads that served as a modern foundation for growth.

While the budget numbers were impressive, the true weight of the project was felt in the reactions of the local leadership. For the councillors present, the roads represented more than just transit but a vital lifeline for a district hungry for economic transformation.

In the opening remarks, Letlhakeng district deputy council chairperson, Mr Johane Gaosafelwe, said the Letlhakeng-Kaudwane road remained a priority despite other road needs owing to the high stakes involved. “It connects us to the game reserve,” he said.

That sentiment was shared by councillors, Mr Tshokodiso Raselepe of Sesung/Metsibotlhoko, Mr Osupile Metseebapile of Khudumelapye, Mr  Tsabahule Kgotlhang and Mr Solomon Phetolo of Salajwe/Kaudwane, who described the project as a long-standing promise to their constituents, one that the community expected government to finally execute.

On one hand, Minister Salakae was sincere about why the specific routes mattered now more than ever, saying with diamond sales, the nation’s traditional economic engine, facing a decline, tourism was the new frontier.

Meanwhile, the minister said the Letlhakeng-Kaudwane road, currently under a high-stakes Development Manager (DM) model review, was the key that unlocked the potential and by smoothing the path to the game reserve, the road would become a pipeline for international revenue.

He pleaded with the councillors to exercise patience and faith, explaining that the road was one of 132 DM model projects currently under review, with results expected in July.

However, the plea for infrastructure extended beyond the tourism corridor.

Councillor  Kolana Kolana of Botlhapatlou, appealed for the Botlhapatlou-Hatsalatladi-Diphuduhudu road. He urged government not to abandon the route during its current review, stating that its completion was essential to ease mobility and improve economic conditions for his villagers.

Letlhakeng South Councillor, Mr Opaletswe Mogolwane suggested toll gates as a practical solution to prevent future deterioration by raising tariffs for heavy trucks, arguing that the frequent heavy traffic caused the rapid destruction of the current roads.

Even so, government’s new approach is not just about laying tar but about accountability. Minister Salakae said the ongoing investigation into the DM model would ensure that every Pula spent translated into quality work and free from the rip-offs of the past.

He told the council meeting that out of 148 DM model projects, only 16 were allowed to continue because contractors had already started work when the decision was made to review the model for potential corruption.

Meanwhile, the envisaged road projects slated for the next financial year are poised to offer Letlhakeng residents more than just smoother commutes. Residents are looking forward to shorter travel times for farmers, safer routes for school buses and an open door for the world to visit their natural wonders. ENDS