"Don’t burn a clinic to get a clinic"– Ramaphosa

MARAPONG – Exxaro’s promise to donate a clinic to the department of health was finally realised in a handing-over ceremony where deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, on Tuesday, urged community members to refrain from using violence in order to get their way.
“I want to applaud the community of Marapong who waited patiently for all the correct procedures to be put in place in order to get their new clinic instead of burning the old clinic,” Ramaphosa said.
He urged community members to raise their concerns through the correct channels when they are unhappy with service delivery in their areas.
“We were able to enter into this partnership with Exxaro; and Eskom will also come on board to upgrade the equipment that will be used in the clinic. Due to this, we have saved a lot of money as government and will be able to apply the money in other
a-reas that need attention in this vicinity.”
The new clinic will be run from the old Mediclinic premises that was left abandoned after the hospital moved to its new location in Onverwacht.
“In the past patients had to go to a small four room clinic in Marapong which was totally unsuitable to the needs of sick people,” said MEC of health in Limpopo, Phopi Ramathuba, who was also the
master of ceremonies at the event.
The premises was valued at R11 million but was sold to Exxaro for R7-million. “Eskom will upgrade all the equipment for about R5 million after which we hope to use the clinic as a fully functioning health care facility.”
Premier Stan Mathabatha encouraged  other businesses to get involved in areas that are generally seen as government responsibilities.
“In this province we have many challenges like housing for one, but the treatment and eradication of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS should be the priority because these diseases are killing our people on a daily basis.”