TZANEEN – The project to raise the Tzaneen Dam wall has reached 65% physical completion, with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) setting a revised contractual completion date of September 3, following a series of delays that have extended the timeline of the critical water infrastructure project.

Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) Mayor Odas Ngobeni provided the update during his State of the Municipality Address (Soma), describing the project as a strategic investment that will strengthen long-term water security.

Three-metre raise, bigger capacity

The project involves raising the existing dam wall by three metres, increasing the dam’s storage capacity from 157.3 million m³ to 193 million m³.

Once completed, the expanded capacity is expected to improve water availability for households, businesses, farmers, and future developments across Tzaneen and surrounding areas.

Progress from 46% a year ago

The latest progress marks a notable improvement from June 2025, when the DWS confirmed the project was 46% complete and revised the expected completion date to March 2026 after earlier construction delays.

At the time, major components of the project, including the labyrinth spillway and embankment strengthening works, were still under construction.

24-hour shifts introduced, then rain hit

In an effort to recover lost time, contractors introduced 24-hour construction shifts in September 2025, with nearby residents advised to expect increased nighttime noise as work continued around the clock.

However, heavy rains later affected sections of the construction site, prompting emergency stabilisation measures and raising uncertainty over whether the March 2026 target could be achieved.

Project vital for investment and jobs

Despite the delays, Ngobeni said the project remains vital to addressing growing water demand.

“This is very important in terms of helping us to improve on water provision sustainably so that we’re able to bring in investors into the town. Because it’s only when we have sustainable water provision and sustainable electricity supply that investors come into town, and so that we’re able to create jobs for our people,” he said.

N’wamitwa Dam also underway

Ngobeni also welcomed progress on the N’wamitwa Dam Project on the Groot Letaba River, another major DWS initiative expected to bolster the region’s water supply.

The Nwamitwa Dam will provide a gross storage capacity of approximately 187 million m³ and is expected to play a significant role in meeting future water demands across the region.