Minister Mchunu to assess projects and engage Capricorn, Sekhukhune, Waterberg and Vhembe Districts on the state of water and waste water systems
The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu will be in Limpopo on Wednesday and Thursday, 12-13 July 2023, to assess the state of water and waste water systems in the Capricorn, Sekhukhune, Vhembe and Waterberg District Municipalities.
The visit forms part of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS)’s efforts to turn around longstanding water challenges and ensure improvement of water security and waste water management in the province, through intergovernmental relations processes and public private partnerships.
Accompanied by Deputy Ministers, Mr David Mahlobo and Ms Judith Tshabalala, the Minister will be joined by Lepelle Northern Water, partners from the private sector, mining sector, the provincial government and the affected municipalities.
Minister Mchunu will also conduct site visits to the Masodi Waste Water Treatment Works in Mogalakwena Local Municipality and the much-anticipated Olifantspoort Project site that will be cutting across three of the five district municipalities in Limpopo.
The Minister will receive a progress update on the construction of the 10 megalitres a day (ml/d) Masodi Wastewater Treatment plant in Mokopane, a multi-year a public private partnership project that is implemented by Mogalakwena Municipality and fully funded by Ivanplats Proprietary Limited Mine. Upon completion, the waste water treatment plant will improve sanitation provision to Mokopane and surroundings and enable local industries to have access to raw water for reuse from the treated effluent released from the plant.
Later in the day, Minister Mchunu will engage stakeholders on progress update of the Olifants Management Model (OMM), a 50/50 partnership Olifants River Water Resources Development Project between the DWS and the Lebalelo Water User Association, involving the development of additional water resource infrastructure consisting of the De Hoop Dam on the Steelpoort River and a bulk distribution system to benefit the Sekhukhune District and Mogalakwena Local Municipality.
On Thursday, Minister Mchunu will conduct a site visit to the Olifantspoort Water Treatment Works which is to undergo refurbishment and upgrading from 60 to 120 ml/d in order to improve its performance, capacity, and to meet current and future potable water demands. The water treatment plant forms part of the Olifants/ Ebenezer Water supply Schemes and serves as a one of the lifelines for drinking water to Polokwane in the Capricorn District.
Members of the media are invited to the planned activities as follows:
Day 1: Wednesday, 12 July 2023 Media Engagement
Venue: Park Hotel, Mokopane, Mogalakwena Local Municipality
Time: 12h30 for 13h00
Day 2: Thursday, 13 July 2023
Media Doorstop: Olifantspoort Water Treatment Works (R579 Jane Furse Rd)
Time: 8h00
NB: Transport to Olifantspoort Water Treatment Works will be provided for the media.
Media Engagement: Bolivia Lodge, Polokwane
Time: 13h00
Media confirmations:
Mashilo Raletjena
E-mail: RaletjenaM2@dws.gov.za
Cell: 082 928 4148
Sanku Tsunke
E-mail: TsunkeS@dws.gov.za
Cell: 066 299 2915
Enquiries:
Wisane Mavasa
Cell: 060 561 8935
E-mail: mavasaw@dws.gov.za
Kamogelo Mogotsi
Cell: 076 523 0085
