Siza Water pipes water directly to Nkobongo homes for the first time

After a wait of nearly 60 years, a portion of the Nkobongo community finally has water piped directly into their gardens.

Delighted resident Tholiwe Zulu (58) finds it almost unbelievable that for the first time, she is able to get water at her house.

“For 35 years I had to wake up before 4am to walk 2km to get water from the river. Then there was the standpipe 500m away and now I have one in my garden!” she said.

Siza Water has installed yard connections at 234 Nkobongo houses over the past year at a cost of R4 million.

“Before, residents from all of these houses had to use a communal standpipe for all of their water needs, from drinking through to washing their clothes,” said Siza Water financial manager, Herman Botha.

There were an average of 25 houses to 1 standpipe before, said Botha.

“Siza Water was bought by South African Water Works (SAWW) in 2018. As a gesture of goodwill, a portion of the dividends were used for the Nkobongo project.”

Homeowners have free use of a subsidised 10kl of water monthly before being charged pro rata for their usage.

They have to pay an initial connection fee of R925 which is also subsidised.

“We have had 13% of connections paid for so far. We really encourage all residents to pay the connection fee after which they are covered.

There are payment plans and extra office hours available to help if needed,” said Botha.

Ward 28 Cllr Doeshie Govender welcomed the project, saying that it meant a great deal for residents of the community.

“We are so blessed to say that the houses have a direct connection. That is now 65% of my ward and I want to fast-track the other 35% as soon as possible,” he said.

With the yard connections in place, there would also be more leverage with the municipality to get sewerage pipes installed, he said.