Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Nonkqubela Pieters will take the ongoing official handover of spring water protection projects constructed by her Department to six villages with more that 1000 residents at Manzana A/A in Ngcobo on Monday morning.
These villages Blaai, Sickline, Mission, Mgwali and Cottage have about 1220 residents that took the initiative to request DRDAR for assistance with spring water project.
The delivery of these spring water protection projects by MEC Pieters marks the completion of infrastructure work done by the Department in a number of rural communities of the Eastern Cape that will now have reliable access to clean fresh water as part of the implementation of the province’s rural development programme.
The Department constructed these projects following the announcement by MEC Pieters during the tabling of the Department’s Policy Speech at the Eastern Cape Legislature. Because of this investment in water infrastructure rural communities that previously had no access to water will now get access to clean fresh drinking water for consumption and agriculture activities.
DRDAR’s Rural Appropriation Technology Unit (RATU) implement this project, trains locals to be labourers, procure material for the construction of this project which will now provide access to clean fresh water.
In delivering these spring water protection projects DRDAR identifies nearby hills and mountains with spring water, connect infrastructure channeling water to installed communal taps for use by households.
To date a total of 757 water taps have been installed in 36 villages across the province, benefitting 8 781 households, 4 schools, 1 clinic and 1 youth co-operative.
The department has implemented 17 Spring Water Protection projects in 2022/23 and 2023/24 that are contributing towards community development with an investment of R14, 765 million where 4123 households benefitted with 502 taps installed and 967 temporary jobs created. The program is aligned with food security program in each village.
The target for 2024/25 is 10 spring protection projects, two in each district except Sarah Baartman (Alfred Nzo- 2; Amathole – 2; Chris Hani – 2; Joe Gqabi – 2; OR Tambo – 2).
During the implementation of this project about 74 people were employed and trained through where 61 was youth, 7 women and 7 men for the rollout of the project, including maintenance when there are challenges with infrastructure.
Members of the media are invited to cover this launch by DRDAR MEC
Details of the event
Venue: Manzana A/A Shearing Shed at Cottage village next to Nduku Primary School, Engcobo
Date: 19 February 2024
Time: 9am
For more information, and to RSVP, please contact:
Nonkoliseko Msutu (Assistant Director: Corporate Communication)
Cell: 082 771 7246
Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha (Chief Director: Communications and Customer Care)
Cell: 082 955 8833
