Mme Rejoice Mabudafhasi, MP, the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, today, handed over the R18 million Mukula Water Supply Project to the jubilant Chief Takalani and the Mukula community as part of the Water Month activities, in Mukula village, Limpopo.
During the year 2010, Chief Takalani of Mukula Village approached the Deputy Minister reporting that the village had no access to water as the existing boreholes had dried up. The Chief felt that this situation required a more sustainable water supply system. Hence the intervention by the Deputy Minister to ensure that the Mukula community is afforded their human right to access clean water.
“The government has a great track record in delivering clean water to the majority of the people. For many South Africans, under apartheid, the lack of access to water had an outrageous assault on their health, their development and their dignity”, said Mabudafhasi.
Subsequent to the Deputy Minister’s visit to Mukula village to ascertain the extent of the water shortage, the Department of Water Affairs and Vhembe District Municipality pledged to contribute the R18 million for the Mukula Water Supply Project. Boreholes rehabilitation and water tankering commenced as a short term solution. The Mukula Water Supply project was then conceptualised and the Xikundu Water Treatment Works was identified as a chief hub to supply drinking water to the 17 sub villages. The water supply project consists of 1.8 Ml reservoir and a 15.4 km bulk pipeline.
A total of 45 temporary jobs were created for local people during the implementation of the project. Speaking at the official handover, Mabudafhasi emphasised that “the indigenous knowledge of our communities is key to sustainable development, without their input we would have considered other water sources and incurred unnecessary costs, this milestone should be recorded in the history books of our country. Despite the extent of the water shortage challenges, the Mukula Community never resorted to illegal protestations and vandalism”.
Echoing the joy of the community, the elated Chief Takalani said “the community is delighted with the project because they had no access to clean water for a long time resorting to polluted springs and rivers which resulted in water borne diseases such as Cholera and others. This project heralds a new era in our community as the water shortages and outbreaks will now be a thing of the past”.
Media enquiries:
Peter Mbelengwa, Spokesperson for the Deputy Minister
Cell: 082 611 8197
E-mail: mbelengwap@dwa.gov.za
Lucia Sefara
Communications DWA Regional Office Limpopo
Cell: 082 659 3342
E-mail: sefaral@dwa.gov.za
