The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr David Mahlobo has called for reinvigoration from government in all spheres to fast tract service delivery provision to communities to realise a better life for all as envisioned by the founders of the country’s democracy.
Deputy Mahlobo was speaking during the District Development Model (DDM) Social Compact Imbizo held in Phuthadithjaba Multi-Purpose Centre in Thabo Mofutsanyana District on Friday, 10 November 2023.
He joined his counterparts from the Presidency, a DDM Champion in the district, Ms Nomasonto Motaung and Ms Pinky Kekana, Free State Premier, Mr Mxolisi Dukwana, Thabo Mofutsanyaba District Executive Mayor, Cllr Connie Msibi amongst other dignitaries from the Provincial and Local Government in Free State.
Deputy Minister Mahlobo cited the recently released South African National Census statistics as a clear indicator that the population of the country is increasing, therefore efforts need to be doubled to meet the increasing needs of communities.
“Statistics South Africa says we have provided more than 90% of the population with water. While we can say we have made strides in this regard, but we know that we have not reached everyone as we should and we need to reach out to them as well, because it is our mandate and it is their constitutional right to be supplied with water”, he said emphatically.
As a solution, he said that the Department of Water and Sanitation is assisting municipalities to build new infrastructure, refurbish and upgrade the existing ones to meet the demand for water, while reducing water loses because of aging infrastructure. To this end, the Department, through its Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) programme, funds municipalities for water infrastructure.
“In Maluti-A-Phofung, we have intervened when there were water challenges through our RBIG programme and allocated R176 million in the 2022/2023 financial and R154 million this financial year for water projects. Further to this, through our WSIG programme, we have allocated R127 million from 2022/2023 until 2024/2025 for drilling of boreholes in Intabazwe, Mokgolokweng sewer pumpstations and Mokgolokweng bulk and sewer networks”, added Mahlobo.
Deputy Minister Mahlobo announced that for the first time, the communities of Maluti-A-Phofung, finally receive water from Sterkfontein Dam, something that seemed like a pipe dream. He added that the communities in the area will benefit from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project once it is completed.
Outlining the ongoing work in intervening in Maluti-A-Phofung area, Deputy Minister Mahlobo mentioned the following projects:
- Upgrading of Sterkfontein Water Treatment Works
- Refurbishment and Upgrading of the Fika Patso Water Purification Plant
- Upgrading of the Intabazwe Rising Main
- Bulk water supply to Tshiamo & Makgolokweng
- Upgrading of the supply to Phuthaditjhaba & CBD area
- Refurbishment of the Elands Waste Water Treatment Work
- Upgrading of the Kestell Waste Water Treatment Works
- Refurbishment of the Makwane Waste Water Treatment Works
- Refurbishment of the Moeding Waste Water Treatment Works
- Upgrading of the Phuthaditjhaba Waste Water Treatment Works
- Upgrading of the Tshiame Waste Water Treatment Works
- Upgrading of the Wilge Waste Water Treatment Works
- Drilling of boreholes in Intabazwe
- Improving water revenue and reducing non-revenue water
In addition, he said allocation for infrastructure development has been made this financial year to municipalities under Thabo Mofutsanyana District such as Setsoto (R100 million), Nketoana (R83 million) and Dihlabeng (R60 million).
The imbizo discussed Development of a Social Compact through DDM Approach and how to make Social Compact to improve service delivery in communities. The imbizo also zoomed into Thabo Mofutsanyane District Social Compact progress, reviewed partnerships, and devised means to strengthen them. Furthermore, the imbizo looked at water and sanitation services in the area, as drivers of socio-economic development.
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