As the Easter weekend approaches, Limpopo premier Phophi Ramathuba has extended a warm welcome to holidaymakers, pilgrims and visitors travelling to the province for the festivities commencing this Friday.
Limpopo serves as a major national pilgrimage hub, hosting two of the largest Christian congregations in the country: the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) and the St Engenas Zion Christian Church. These denominations annually attract millions of worshippers to Moria, situated just outside Polokwane.
Emphasising the significance of these gatherings, Ramathuba noted the positive impact the pilgrimage has on the region. “This sacred and reflective season brings together families, friends, and faith-based communities in celebration, prayer, and renewal,” she said.
“These gatherings continue to play a vital role in promoting social cohesion, spiritual unity, and economic activity within our province.”
The premier also encouraged visitors to explore Limpopo’s diverse tourism offerings and support local businesses, urging them to experience the province’s hospitality while remaining safety-conscious.
According to president of the SA National Bus Operators Council Olivia Maponya, more than 2,000 buses have been booked to transport pilgrims to Moria ahead of the Easter weekend.
Our ultimate goal is to maintain the zero-fatality record on the N1 achieved during last year’s Easter period and to extend this safety record to all other routes across the province
— Violet Mathye, Limpopo transport and community safety MEC
With traffic volumes expected to surge on major routes, Ramathuba called on road users to exercise extreme caution.
“Fatigue remains one of the leading causes of road accidents. We encourage motorists to rest every two hours or after travelling 200km. Road safety is a shared responsibility that requires vigilance, discipline, and mutual respect.”
The department of transport and community safety has intensified law enforcement operations for the duration of the Easter period. Motorists can expect heightened visibility through the strategic deployment of traffic officers on all major arteries.
MEC Violet Mathye urged road users to remain patient and cooperative, particularly at tollgates, as the department anticipates heavy traffic due to the influx of ZCC members.
“We expect a significant movement of buses and minibuses on the R71 from Polokwane toward Boyne and from the Tzaneen direction,” Mathye said.
She also highlighted expected congestion on the D4040 from the R37 turn-off toward ZCC St. Engenas via Maja, as well as on the N1 and N11 corridors.
Last year South Africa’s busiest highway, the N1 in Limpopo, recorded no fatal crashes during the 2025 Easter holidays.
“Our ultimate goal is to maintain the zero-fatality record on the N1 achieved during last year’s Easter period and to extend this safety record to all other routes across the province,” Mathye said.
TimesLIVE
Innocentia Nkadimeng
www.timeslive.co.za
