New R36 sign joins first, but cost and procurement draw criticism
Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) has put up a second “Welcome to Tzaneen” sign on the R36 near Sunbake, joining an earlier sign at Olive Tree. The two structures form phase one of a municipal welcome-sign project that has, according to reporting by Letaba Herald, cost ratepayers R719 000 in total — roughly R360 000 per sign.
The contract for this first phase was reportedly awarded to NMK Trading Enterprise, a company said to be based in Giyani. The signs have been fitted with fruit-basket additions intended to reflect Tzaneen’s identity as an agricultural town.
- Two signs installed on the R36 (Olive Tree and Sunbake).
- Phase one total cost: R719 000.
- Phase two planned to include a sign on the R71 from Tarentaal entrance.
Residents have raised questions on social media about the project’s cost, describing the expenditure as exorbitant. The matter has prompted calls for clarity from community members who want to know how the municipality arrived at the figure and whether ordinary service delivery priorities were considered.
Municipality says project is incomplete, will respond when finished
GTM spokesperson Vutivi Makhubele told Letaba Herald that the project remains a work in progress and that the municipality will provide fuller clarification after completion and an official unveiling. The municipality also said that a different contractor will be appointed for phase two, following standard municipal supply chain procedures.
“As previously indicated, the structure is still under construction, and the project has not yet been completed. It remains a work in progress, and the municipality will be in a better position to provide comprehensive clarification and respond fully to enquiries once the project has been completed and officially unveiled.”
The same source contacted the company that erected the two signs; that company reportedly said it would only respond to questions once the project is complete.
What is known — and what remains unclear
From available reporting, the following details are established:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Phase one cost | R719 000 (two signs) |
| Approximate cost per sign | R360 000 |
| Contractor (phase one) | NMK Trading Enterprise (reported, Giyani) |
| Phase two plan | Third sign on R71 from Tarentaal entrance; separate contractor to be appointed |
What the municipality has not yet publicly provided are detailed line-item costs (materials, labour, design, transport, installation, or maintenance estimates), proof of procurement processes for the award to NMK Trading Enterprise, and the exact timeline for the planned R71 sign.
Why this matters locally
Tzaneen residents and ratepayers have a legitimate interest in how municipal funds are allocated. Public signage can be an important part of town branding and tourism messaging, especially in an agricultural centre like Tzaneen, but such projects routinely attract scrutiny when visible costs appear high or when other local services are under pressure.
Community members seeking accountability will likely want to see:
- the municipal tender documentation and evaluation for phase one;
- a breakdown of the R719 000 cost;
- the timetable and procurement plan for phase two.
Greater transparency could help the municipality address residents’ concerns while explaining the intended long-term benefit of the signs, whether for road-safety demarcation, tourism, civic pride or other municipal objectives.
As it stands, the GTM response indicates officials will wait until construction is complete before releasing comprehensive details. Residents and local civic groups may press for quicker disclosure — particularly on procurement and cost breakdowns — so taxpayers understand how their money has been spent.
If and when the municipality releases further documents or a fuller explanation, the community will be better placed to judge whether the R719 000 was an appropriate commitment of public funds.
