The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, together with Deputy Ministers, David Mahlobo and Judith Tshabalala, joined by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Minister Thoko Didiza will be on a working visit to Zululand and uMkhanyakude Districts on13-14 December 2023.
The visit forms part of the continued efforts by Minister Mchunu to intervene in the challenges faced by uMkhanyakude district to restore, augment and expand water supply to communities that have been experiencing water challenges in the district and stimulate economic activities through resuscitation various programmes that will enable agricultural and tourism activities in Jozini and surroundings. In 2022, Minister Mchunu placed uMkhanyakude district under Section 63 to allow the department to intervene and assist the district to improve water supply to communities and unlock economic growth for poverty alleviation of the district.
Minister Mchunu will unveil the Makhathini Lower Pongola Water User Association (MLP-WUA) in Jozini, uMkhanyakude district, which is established in line with the National Water Act to manage water resource management, infrastructure development and management such as the Jozini Dam, Pongola River and Makhathini Canal with an aim to benefit all water users under the uMkhanyakude district. The institution will be responsible for managing the available irrigation infrastructure on behalf of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).
Minister Mchunu will formally receive a 32 km water canal transferred to the DWS from Silwane Trust, facilitated by the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA), a public entity under the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in KwaZulu-Natal (DALRRD).
The canal which has holding capacity of approximately 141 754 cubic metres (m³), abstract raw water from the Jozini Dam to six different pump stations. The pressurised water is distributed from the pump stations through extensive network of underground pipelines to four different types of irrigation system that are being used which are sprinklers, centre pivots, floods & drip. The canal is meant to benefit both agriculture and domestic users.
The Ministerial delegation will also visit Kwa-Gumbi Local Authority in Zululand District where the Minister Mchunu will address the community on the request by Emvokweni Community Trust for the Minister to intervene with regard to their water use licence challenges and assist with means to restore farming operations on their farms. Kwa-Gumbi are beneficiaries of land restitution programme.
Members of the media are invited to events as follows:
Day 1: Wednesday, 13 December 2023
Minister’s Visit to Makhathini Flats, uMkhanyakude district
Site Visit
Venue: Makhathini Canal
Time: 10:00 – 11:00
Community Engagement
Venue: Ezibukweni Stadium
Time: 12:00 – 15:00
Day 2: Thursday, 14 December 2023
Minister’s Visit to Kwa-Gumbi Local Authority, Zululand District
Community Engagement
Venue: Khandova Sports Grounds
Time: 11:00 – 13:00
Members of the media will be afforded an interview opportunity with Minister Mchunu.
For confirmations, please contact Sanku Tsunke on 066 299 2915 / tsunkes@dws.gov.za Siyabonga Maphumulo on 082 303 4243 or Cmaphumulo@mhlathuze.co.za, Mbali Mahaye on 082 601 5674 / mahayem@dws.gov.za
For more information, contact
Wisane Mavasa, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
Cell: 060 561 8935
E-mail: mavasaw@dws.gov.za
Kamogelo Mogotsi, Spokesperson for the Ministry
Cell: 076 523 0085
