THEMBISILE HANI – Mpumalanga Office of the Premier (OTP) Director-General (DG) Margaret "Maggie" Skosana and Thembisile Hani Local Municipality Executive Mayor Lisetja Dikgale marked Mandela Day by leading road repairs, cleaning illegal dumping sites and donating beds to a local daycare centre in Thembisile Hani on Friday, 17 July 2026, in an effort to improve service delivery and support the community.
Skosana, who participated from her wheelchair, operated road maintenance equipment alongside Dikgale and municipal officials to repair potholes on busy roads in the area. The team worked to improve road safety for motorists and pedestrians.
The intervention was welcomed by motorists who regularly use the route.
"I use this road almost every day, travelling from Phola Mall to Sheldon and other surrounding areas like Khayelisha and Emphumelelweni. This road was very difficult to use because of the deep potholes. Today, as motorists, we are very happy that our road is being repaired to make our movement easier. This is where our bread is buttered," said minibus taxi driver Xolani Mthombeni.
The programme also included a clean-up campaign at an illegal dumping site that had become a health hazard. Skosana and Dikgale, joined by municipal officials, community members and ward committee members, removed waste using litter pickers and refuse bags while encouraging residents to work with the municipality to keep their communities clean.
Skosana concluded her 67 Minutes of service by visiting Lindokuhle Daycare in Khayelisha, where she led municipal officials in planting trees and donated beds to ensure children had comfortable places to sleep and learn.
"We are investing in our children because they are the future. A clean environment and safe infrastructure must go hand in hand with caring for those who need us most," said Skosana.
Municipal officials said the clean-up campaign, road maintenance and support for the daycare centre formed part of Thembisile Hani Local Municipality's broader Mandela Month campaign to restore dignity, improve infrastructure and promote a clean and healthy environment across its communities.
Skosana thanked municipal workers for their dedication and urged residents to stop illegal dumping.
"Let's work together. Government will do its part, but we also need residents to keep our towns clean and protect our environment for future generations," she said.
