‘Living without water is making life difficult for us’ – say Ga-Ledwaba residents
Capricorn District Municipality Mayor, John Mpe, said they are aware of the water scarcity within the village and said the municipality will also have to revitalise boreholes through the receive water service infrastructure grant.
POLOKWANE – After 25 years of democracy, taps still run dry and communities in Limpopo continue to suffer to get access to clean, potable water. Ga-Ledwaba village near Lebowakgomo, is one of the villages facing the struggle for water, sanitation and proper roads.
Hundreds of concerned residents raised these challenges during the Capricorn District Municipality’s council outreach programme, held at Ga-Ledwaba last Wednesday. The outreach aimed at listening to the challenges the community continues to face.
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One of the residents, Johannes Hlokwane, told BONUS they have been experiencing water scarcity for a long time. “The taps they installed on the streets have run dry. Living without water is making life difficult for us,” he said. He said they have to travel several kilometres using a wheelbarrow to fetch water. He feels they are being undermined by their own municipality. “We have sent several complaints to our local municipality but our concerns were not considered.”
He said amid a high unemployment rate, it is too much to ask people to buy clean drinkable water. “We have no choice, and it is sad that we have not had a positive response from those in power,” he said. Sometimes, their children have to fetch water from neighbouring villages before they go to school in the morning, he said.
Another resident, Josephina Lekalakala, said proper roads were always their concern. “It always becomes a challenge to reach our homes, especially during the rainy season. Failing to give us proper services clearly shows that we are being undermined and only needed during the election period.”
Capricorn District Municipality Mayor, John Mpe, said they are aware of the water scarcity within the village. “We have several projects running in various areas within the Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality which will supply water to various sections straight from the Olifantspoort plant,” said Mpe.
He said the municipality will also have to revitalise boreholes through the receive water service infrastructure grant. “We have increased the number of our water tankers, which will serve as interim emergency relief measures to supply water,” he said.
