Louis Trichardt — The Makhado municipality in Limpopo will switch on electricity to 50 poor households in Ha-Matsila village outside Louis Trichardt on Saturday.

The switch-on will also serve as a launch event for a partnership between the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and a local NGO, the Matsila Community Development Trust.

Trust director Livhuwani Matsila said the NGO had drawn up a comprehensive rural development plan which aims to establish a food-processing factory, an organic farm and a composting facility for the production of organic fertilisers.

The plan also envisages the construction of offices, a guest house and an arts and culture centre in the area.

"The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has agreed to help us with site planning, development of access roads to the lodge and farming sites as well as the provision of infrastructure for the supply of clean water," he said.

Matsila added that the projects would go a long way to reduce levels of poverty in the community.

"Our community is faced with a multitude of problems, including a lack of water and sanitation, job opportunities and housing, and poor road conditions. But with the help of the government we can bring change," he said.

The event starts at 10am at the Theo Combined School in Ha-Matsila village.