Minister of water and sanitation hands over nine boreholes in KwaMhlanga
During the Sopa, the premier said the construction of Loskop Regional Bulk Water Supply Project in Verena D should be complete in the 2024/25 financial year.
The minister of water and sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, and the deputy minister, David Mahlobo, led the handover of nine newly drilled boreholes and one refurbished one donated by Rand Water Foundation.
The boreholes were handed over to the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality on March 8, to address its water challenges in honour of National Water Month, which is commemorated annually from March 1 to 31. This is an expansion of World Water Day observed annually on March 22.
The handover ceremony included an oversight inspection of the Loskop Regional Bulk Water Supply Project in Verena D, as well as a visit to the Kwathando Care Centre, a non-profit organisation that supports children and people living with disabilities.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the collaborative effort demonstrates the essential role of the three spheres of government working together to address the pressing issue of water scarcity in the region. The boreholes are an interim solution, while the long-term Loskop Regional Bulk Water Supply Project is under construction.
During the State of the Province Address, Premier Mandla Ndlovu said the budget allocation for the Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Grant for the 2025/26 financial year is R586m.
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“Through the intervention of the DWS, Rand Water is now reliably supplying 20ML of water to Thembisile Hani Municipality per day. Major projects are being implemented to address the shortage of water.
“The construction of the Loskop Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme is under way to supply bulk water to villages in the municipality at a cost of R2b, and to be completed in the 2025/26 financial year,” he said.
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The handover was supported by various stakeholders and several senior representatives of the provincial government. A social media post made by the DWS highlighted the importance of commemorating National Water Month.
“National Water Month is a moment to reflect on water supply challenges, the strides the country has made to expand access to water, and the road ahead. South Africa remains a water-scarce country and citizens are urged to use water sparingly,” it read.
The DWS also urged people to report illegal water connections.
