Limpopo mine makes water a reality for Mapela villages

LIMPOPO – The Mapela community now enjoys access to clean water and enjoys the fundamental human right to have water, thanks to Anglo American.

According to Zamokuhle Ntsele, Junior Consultant for ByDesign Communications who are Anglo American’s external Public Relations and communications company, Anglo Mogalakwena Platinum Mine began trucking in water to the 42 villages to lessen the effects of water scarcity.

“Exactly 18 months ago, the company undertook a bold, and more long-term solution to provide water to more than 70 000 people living in the 42 villages of Mapela.

“The company aims to do this by drilling and maintaining boreholes in the villages for the next 10 years to ensure that the villages of Mapela have access to free and clean water. The first village to benefit in this area is Scheming village they now have a Hall Core Water Project which delivers 80 000 litres per day to over 2000 village dwellers. To them, this means the days of sharing dirty river water with animals or paying huge amounts of money for drinkable water are over.”

Anglo also partnered with the Mapela Traditional Authority, the Mogalakwena Municipality and the Mapela Task Team and Hall Core Water Mapela a newly formed company co-owned by the community to sustainably increase water supply in the area.

Ntsele said the project will also be implemented in all the 42 villages and at least 88 people will be permanently employed for the next 10 years.

“This project is about more than just water, it is also about improving the lives of the people living in these villages through job opportunities and skills development. Security guards and technical assistants like artisans will be hired to maintain the boreholes.”

redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za