Daily Archives: May 28, 2024

The Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Project created 259 jobs  

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Picture: Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Project/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE 

The Minister of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Senzo Mchunu, accompanied by his Deputy Judith Tshabalala, the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi and the executive mayor of Rustenburg Local Municipality, Sheila Mabale-Huma, launched the Phase 2 of Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Project in Mafenya, Chaneng in Rustenburg as part of the North West Provincial Government Accelerated Service Delivery Programme, Thuntsha Lerole on 24 May 2024.

The project, which is part of the “Operation Bulela Metsi” Programme, Phase 2 of the Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Project is funded under the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) consisting of the construction of a 30ML Tlhabane reservoir, the construction of Mafenya pump station and a 28km pipeline to Tlhabane reservoir. 

Mchunu said the construction of the 30ML reservoir has been completed and that the Rustenburg communities will soon receive water after connecting the remaining 2-kilometer pipeline. He further said the state-of-the-art pump station with three pumps, one which will be in use and the other two for reserve, is one of the best in the province. 

Mchunu added that it will enable continuous maintenance while simultaneously supplying water to communities.

“Come September, the problem of water will be a thing of the past when phase two of the Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply project will be completed. Then the implementation will proceed to phase three of Magalies Water Master Plan, which involves extending water pipes to the south of the province, where municipalities such as Kgetlengrivier, Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipalities and further to Supingstad near the border to Botswana will then complete the master plan in terms of implementation,” he said. 

Maloyi cautioned the unwanted involvement or disturbance of the construction mafia, whom he says are delaying the implementation of the water infrastructure projects. He encouraged communities to guard their water infrastructure to ensure that water flows to them.

“More than 63 238 households in the Royal Bafokeng Administration, which consists of areas such as Phokeng, Rasimone, Ga-Luka, Mogono, Kanana, Mosenthal and Boitekong stand to benefit from the project. 

“This includes Bokamoso, Boschoek, Buffelsfontein, Elandsfontein, Freedom Park, Frischgewaagd, Meriting, Oorzak, Paardekraal, Platinum Mine, Popo Molefe, Rustenburg, Seraleng, Setlhokwe, Tlhabane, Waterkloof, Waterval and Wildebeesfontein in Rustenburg. The project has already created 259 jobs for locals,” said Maloyi.

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Klerksdorp Tshepong Hospital Complex performs first ever heart surgery

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Picture: The patient, Martha Vanstawel, who underwent heart surgery/Supplied 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

A collaborative partnership between the North West and Gauteng provincial Department of Health has led to the successful performing of the first-ever open heart surgery at a provincial referral hospital in the North West. Klerksdorp Tshepong Hospital Complex, supported by the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), achieved a historical milestone on 24 May 2024.

The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said a patient, Martha Vanstawel (38), who was operated on, has been known to the Gauteng Cardiac Services since 2006. Sambatha further said she suffered from mitral regurgitation (a leaking valve) with a submitral aneurysm (abnormal swelling of the heart). 

“Surgery was recommended as far back as 2006, but she declined as she was not emotionally ready. A decade later the patient agreed to have the surgery. The discussions to start cardiac services at the Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital Complex date back to 2010, with structural planning beginning a decade later. 

“Heart operations, by their very nature, require enormous capital investments, manpower, and infrastructure. As such, this feat could only be achieved by careful planning and execution,” he said.

Sambatha added that the Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital Complex dedicated itself to achieving all the necessary requirements by renovating its theatres during the COVID-19 pandemic and acquiring the necessary equipment. He said at the same time, various plenary meetings were held between the two hospitals to prepare for the now successful surgery.

“The hospital management, cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthetists, perfusionists and theatre-trained nurses supported by physicians, cardiologists and the clinical engineering team supported these efforts equally on both sides which led to the culmination of this historic achievement.

“The patient has already been extubated. She is doing well in the intensive care unit and is in high spirits. This demonstrates that the intensive care unit at Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital Complex is equally suited to managing complex cases,” said Sambatha. 

The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said: “The collaboration has paved the way for enhanced healthcare delivery, ensuring that specialised services are accessible to all citizens in need of critical care regardless of their province of origin.

“This initiative exemplifies the transformation of health services in South Africa, focusing on access and equity to healthcare. By bringing such advanced medical care to the North West, we ensure that patients receive the necessary treatment without the added burden of traveling long distances, thereby reducing both financial and emotional strain on them and their families.” 

Meanwhile, Vanstawel said she is grateful for the care and treatment she received so far. She said she is also thankful that the operation was done here at home, where her family can easily come to see her. 

“Thank you to all the doctors and nurses, and everyone who made this operation a success. This was a clear demonstration that with the right mindset and resources, any government hospital could perform the surgeries that have often been viewed as surgeries performed only in tertiary university hospitals,” said Vanstawel.

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