Mahikeng – At least 20 households from Dibono and Manawana villages, outside Mahikeng, have each received animal-drawn carts as part of the North West “non-motorised” transport programme.
North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Sello Lehari has handed over the animal-drawn carts to communities from both villages.
People living in rural areas use animal-drawn carts to get to clinics, shops, and schools. Learners travel about 20 km from Masutlhe village to get to school.
Goitseone Gwai, who transports seven learners to the school, couldn’t hide his excitement when he took delivery of his brand new ride – a green cart with a top to shield him and his passengers from the sun and the rain.
Thanking the MEC, Gwai said: “MEC came at the right time with this delivery. My cart got a puncture yesterday, and I was really wondering how I was going to transport the learners”.
Gwai added: “This is indeed a relief to me, especially on these rainy days. We really appreciate this gesture”.
The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management said it remains committed to improving the lives of citizens, focusing on the rural areas of the province.
Handing over the carts, Lehari said: “This mode of transport has been used for a very long time. Years back we also travelled to school and shops.
The MEC added: “It is a very reliable mode of transport when you take good care of these donkeys, feed them, and maintain the cart”.
The 20 animal-drawn carts were locally manufactured, which created several jobs for the local communities.
Two residents have been properly trained to maintain and repair the carts for three years with the expense of being paid by the department.
Oshebeng Alpheus Koonyaditse, media liaison officer for the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, said many people in rural areas of the province rely on this mode of transport.
GREEN RIDE: At least 20 rural people received animal-drawn carts from North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Sello Lehari
