Over 16 000 households will benefit from a fifty-two million rand (R52 million) Makapanstad and Mathibestad Bulk Water Project which is meant to address the long standing issue of water shortages in villages of Moretele Local Municipality in North West.
The bulk water project which involves the building of reservoirs for proper water storage and distribution in the area was revealed to communities during a sod turning event held at Mathibestad in Moretele over the weekend.
Unveiling the project, North West MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs Manketsi Tlhape said that government is delivering on yet another one of its promises of improving the lives of our people.
“You have made your concerns clear and we are now responding as government. We are not just fulfilling our promise but we are also delivering on our constitutional responsibility and mandate of ensuring that our communities have access to clean water.
"Upon completion, the project will address water shortages in thirteen (13) villages namely Kwa-Mmatlwaela, Tladistad, Leeukraal, Kgomo-Kgomo, Kontante, Moretele, Makapanstad, Phomolong, Potoane, Prieska, Mathibestad, Thulwe and Opperman and it will ensure that water shortage in these area is an issue of the past,” she said.
The Mathibestad and Makapanstad Bulk Water Project is funded through Provincial Infrastructure Grant (PIG) and Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG).
MEC Tlhape also cautioned the community that they should bear in mind that North West province is faced with the harsh reality of underground water diminishing day by day. “As a matter of fact, the Premier has even had to pronounce our province as a disaster area. The true fact is that we are in a drought situation and we are pulling all stops to devise some means to make sure that we have at least drinkable water for ourselves as well as livestock. We need to use water sparingly,” she said.
The Mayor of Moretele Local Municipality, Cllr Sello Lehare said that since the year 2000 the municipality has been struggling with water supply as they depended on Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality to supply them with water.
“Due to our growing population, the 18 Mega liters per day supplied by Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality is no longer adequate. We have even explored various methods of temporary water supply such as putting up water tanks and having trucks supplying water but we still could not address water shortage,” he said.
Giving his stamp of approval, Kgosi Lepono Mathibe of Bahwaduba said that he was happy about what government is bringing to his community. He told Bahwaduba that the engagements between himself, the Mayor and the MEC they always have the community’s best interest at heart.
“When we meet we discuss your needs and how best they can be addressed. Today we are changing the course of history and on a day like this as Bahwaduba we need to be very grateful and thank the Lord. Water is life and as the community we need to take care of this water project because it will benefit all of us,” he said.
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Dineo Lolokwane
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Cell: 072 542 8444
