By OBAKENG MAJE
Some residents in Ntswanahatshe village, near Taung, call on government to ensure that, they have access to clean and potable water. According to one of the residents, Boitumelo Dilapiso, the government has been ignorant in solving water, sanitation and hygiene-related issues in marginalised communities for so long.
Dilapiso said government should also ensure that, there is transparency, accountability, proper implementation and completion of water projects in rural communities. He said piped drinking water is not enough to cater for the whole community in their area and that has forced others to walk long distance to access clean and drinkable water.
“So far, many people depend on water wells to get their daily water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning due to a serious challenge of provision of water. What is disheartening being that, we do have boreholes that can be refurbished, but no one is willing to listen. Those boreholes were shut down by now defunct Sedibeng Water.
“We really do not know the reason, but we do need those boreholes now. We cannot be marginalised like this because water is our basic right. Many of poor families living in remote rural areas, their primary wish is to have access to water. Many of these poor villagers, have to trek for miles every morning to fetch their daily pail of water,” he said.
However, the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi said in the last 30 years, the province has witnessed unprecedented levels of development. Maloyi, who delivered State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) in Mahikeng on Tuesday said, just over 80% of households in the province have access to piped water.
Maloyi further said this has happened either inside the dwellings, yards or community stands, as compared to 20% in 1996. He added that in November 2023, the provincial government in cooperation with Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu launched the R106 million Dinokana Water Supply Intervention Project.
“In September last year, we began the construction of the over R200 million water pipeline from Pudimoe to Huhudi to augment the provision of bulk water supply. Harmony Gold Mine is resuscitating the Kraaipan Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant back to functionality at a cost of R8.5 million to ensure sustainable water provision in parts of the Ratlou Local Municipality.
“The plant will be handed over to the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality for upkeep and management. Several more water infrastructure projects in Mahikeng, JB Marks, Moses Kotane, Greater Taung, Matlosana, Kagisano-Molopo, Moretele, Rustenburg as well as Mamusa Local Municipalities will be completed in the 2024/25 financial year,” he said.
Maloyi said all these projects will be implemented through Operation Bulela Metsi, which they launched in July last year. He said furthermore, construction of R36 million bulk water sewer pipeline at Agisanang township in the Tswaing Local Municipality is due for completion this year.
“We can report to the people of Madibeng Local Municipality that the Brits Water Treatment Plant will be completed by May this year. The completion of this project will bring an additional 20ml that will ensure provision of water in the communities of Oukasi, Mothotlung, Damonsville, Mmankau, Brits town, Elandsrand, Letlhabile and Sonop.
“The pipeline from Mafenya to Tlhabane will be completed in April. The 25ml in Tlhabane reservoir, is 99% complete and will be handed over within the next two weeks. Additional boreholes have been drilled and equipped for both the Rooigrond Waste Water Treatment Plant and Water Augmentation project to address water provision challenges in Mahikeng,” said Maloyi.
The Guardian 