Residents

OVERVIEW

War on poverty

The town of Jacobsdal was the first area selected for improvement in terms of government’s “War on Poverty” campaign. The objectives of the War on Poverty campaign include building a repository of information on the immediate needs of poor households living in the most deprived wards of the country. It also aimed to give specific poor communities an infrastructural facelift, coupled with a programme to train young people in artisanal and other skills. Training opportunities focused on bricklaying, plastering and plumbing. The campaign also provides a platform for the national and provincial spheres of government to bring together resources in identified areas such as Jacobsdal. The Department of Land Affairs and Rural Development included Jacobsdal in its Rainwater Harvesting Programme and provided 12 household with tanks. Other activities undertaken included the construction of a number of new houses, renovation to existing houses and the community hall and roads were upgraded. The provincial government also employed 46 local community members as “Hlasela workers” as part of the EPWP-programme. Community members were also trained and provided with seed and equipment to start vegetable gardens for their households. One of the beneficiaries, Siena Dike, became a finalist in one of the categories of the Free State Female Farmer of the Year competition.

Electricity
During the 2020/2021 Financial Year the following projects were implemented within the Municipality;

  • Electrification of 344 Households connections (Phase 1) in Ratanang/Jacobsdal – Project is still ongoing.
  • Electrification of 100 Households Connections (Phase 1) in 252 Diamanthoogte/Koffiefontein – Project is still ongoing.
  • Construction of 500KVA, 22KV, 20m Electrical Bulk Point Supply/Jacobsdal – Project is still ongoing.

During the 2019/2020 Financial Year the following projects were implemented within the Municipality;

  • Upgrading and refurbishment of Koffiefontein Electrical switching station and Construction of 3.5km, 11KV Bulk Feeder lines.
  • Electrification of 27 Infills in Donkerhoek and Diamanthoogte.

Community Services
During the 2019/20 Financial Year,the Municipality employed 21 young people under the age of 35 years for 2 years as part of the Department of Environmental Affairs Good Green Deeds programme.

Free State Provincial Government

The Free State provincial government has invested in the infrastructure development programmes implemented in the Letsemeng local municipality and continues to align its planning with the respective needs of the local government sector. This is illustrated by the following;

  • The Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation handed over a multi-purpose sport court to the municipality and community of Luckhoff during June 2011.
  • The Re Kgaba ka Diratswana project is implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
  • The construction of clinics in Jacobsdal, Luckhoff and Oppermansgronde are being planned.
  • The upgrade of the library building in Oppermansgronde and construction of a new public libraries in Jacobsdal, Petrusburg and Luckhoff as well as the development of a sport complex and recreational facilities in Luckhoff are part of the future planning of the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.

During the 2018/2019 financial year, the municipality attended to the following infrastructure projects;
Roads and infrastructure development

  • Luckhoff: Upgrading of 0.9km access paved road and stormwater

During the 2016/2017 financial year, the municipality attended to the following infrastructure projects;
Roads and infrastructure development

  • Koffiefontein: Upgrading of 2.2km paved road and stormwater

During the 2015/2016 financial year, the municipality attended to the following infrastructure projects;
Roads and infrastructure development

  • Luckhoff: Upgrading of Sports Facility
  • Koffiefontein/Diamanthoogte: Upgrading of Access Road and Storm Water (0.5km)

Water and Sanitation

  • Luckhoff: Upgrading of waste water treatment works
  • Petrusburg/Bolokanang: Upgrading of internal sewer network

Electricity

  • Letsemeng: Provision of 10 High-Mast Lights(Phase 2)

During the 2014/2015 financial year, the municipality attended to the following infrastructure projects;
Roads and infrastructure development

  • Koffiefontein/Ditlhake: Upgrading of access road and storm water (0,65km)
  • Letsemeng: Upgrading of Recreational Parks in Letsemeng
  • Petrusburg/Bolokanang: Construction of paved road (0.8KM)

Electricity

  • Koffiefontein/Luckhoff/Petrusburg/Jacobsdal/Oppermansgronde: Provision of High-Mast Lights(Phase1)

During the 2011/2012 financial year, the municipality attended to the following infrastructure projects;
Roads and infrastructure development

  • Jacobsdal/Ratanang: Construction of 3.3 km access road & storm water
  • Ditlhake/Diamanthoogte: New Multipurpose Centre

During the 2009/2010 financial year, the municipality attended to the following infrastructure projects;

  • Upgraded of Jacobsdal Waste Water Treatment Plant (continuation)
  • Upgraded of Koffiefontein sewer purification works (continuation)
  • Petrusburg: Upgraded waste water treatment works;
  • Upgraded Streets and Storm Water Systems in Koffiefontein
  • Koffiefontein/Dithlake: Upgraded sports complex (MIS:122922)

During the 2008/2009 financial year, the municipality attended to the following infrastructure projects:

Water and Sanitation

  • Koffiefontein: Upgrading of sewer purification works
  • Ratanang/Saundershoogte: Provision of sanitation for 740 stands
  • Jacobsdal: Upgrading of waste water treatment works
  • Luckhoff/Relebohile: Ext 2 – Provision of water and sanitation for 295 stands
  • Teisesville: Bucket eradication for 200 sites
  • Petrusburg/Bolokanang: provision of 342 VIP structures and 29 waterborne toilets

Roads and infrastructure development

  • The construction and paving of Mthonjeni Street in Bolokanang, Petrusburg
  • The construction and upgrading of storm water infrastructure in Petrusburg
  • The construction and paving of Leeubekkie Street in Teisesville
  • The repair and reseal of Fourth and Skool streets in Saundershoogte, Jacobsdal

Electricity
The municipality has electrified of 300 sites in Luckhoff.

Work Opportunities
During the 2020/2021 Financial year, Letsemeng Local Municipality created 110 work opportunities in all its five towns as part of the EPWP-programme.
Infrastructure – 50
Environmental – 50
Social Sector – 10

During the 2019/2020 Financial year, Letsemeng Local Municipality created 214 work opportunities in all its five towns as part of the EPWP-programme.
Infrastructure – 91
Environmental – 113
Social Sector – 10

During the 2018/2019 Financial year, Letsemeng Local Municipality created 68 work opportunities in all its five towns as part of the EPWP-programme.
Infrastructure – 31
Environmental – 29
Social Sector – 8

During the 2017/2018 Financial year, Letsemeng Local Municipality created 55 work opportunities in all its five towns as part of the EPWP-programme.
Infrastructure – 13
Environmental – 32
Social Sector – 10

During the 2016/2017 Financial year, Letsemeng Local Municipality created 69 work opportunities in all its five towns as part of the EPWP-programme.
Infrastructure – 18
Environmental – 22
Social Sector- 29