The launch of the Pongolapoort Bulk Water Supply Project today, by Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane together with Premier Senzo Mchunu of KwaZulu-Natal, is seen by many as a most positive occurrence, with a profound implication for the people of Jozini.
This project will supply potable water to the rural communities within the Jozini Local Municipality. The increased production of potable water assisted by the installation of bulk water and reticulation networks in the area will ultimately service a total population of 134 864 people within about 16 200 households. The right to water is now a reality.
Minister Mokonyane, Premier Mchunu and other high profile attendees were in the area to celebrate this August event together with the benefitting community, where the total cost up to date on this first phase of the project stands at R368 million. This phase is an apt demonstration of government’s will to bring services to the people.
In her address to the community at the event Minister Mokonyane articulated the Department’s support for local government, where service delivery resides. This is essential as, according to Minister Mokonyane, “it happens during Women’s Month, even as we celebrate 60 years of the life of the Women’s Charter. We should always be conscious of the fact that women have always been oppressed, oppressed further than the normal oppression by decree; oppressed as they have not always been equal. Delivery of water services to communities can and should be equated to women achieving freedom from such inequality and oppression.”
Minister Mokonyane also indicated that as this Phase 1A is celebrated, at a cost of R1.5 billion, is part of the steps that will finally ensure that the UMkhanyakude District Municipality, but more especially the Jozini Local Municipality, receives universal coverage. Further, the Minister indicated that the water tankers currently in use in the areas not yet receiving coverage will continue this service, ensuring that no one is ever without this essential service.
Premier Mchunu, also in his address, impressed upon the importance of working together inclusive of the role of our traditional leaders. Premier Mchunu said that “the provincial government will strengthen the inter-governmental relations with both national and local government as well as traditional leaders. Through this co-operation, a lot of ground has been covered in terms of service delivery, particularly in Jozini and UMkhanyakude. This work has led to a change in the lives of those receiving the services; we have built new and refurbished schools, amongst these is one special school for the disabled. In terms of health, there is also a new hospital in the vicinity. Electric cabling is also on-going as drive connectivity.”
“Today we are gathered here to celebrate the delivery of this very critical resource. This is part of our non-discriminatory development. We develop both the urban and rural areas. All this work must be viewed as part of a process,” Premier Mchunu said.
Minister Mokonyane and Premier Mchunu both expressed a need for all to realise the responsibility that comes with delivery of services. All have equal responsibility towards ensuring the security and protection of available infrastructure and resources. Communities therefore have to understand and appreciate that the infrastructure brought to their midst, to service them directly, must be protected and maintained in good order not just for now but for posterity.
In this regard, the Department, as sector leader, will play its role by assisting to raise the levels of capacity and expertise within this field at local level. As a lot of municipalities still struggle with capacity, the department will continue to deploy its available capacity from within as well as from entities like the water boards that operate within communities, for example, Mhlathuze Water in this instance to rally around those municipalities, mentoring and sharing such expertise for the sake of delivery and the good of all.
Critical co-existence is necessary at such times to ensure proper skills development and cascading of capacity.
Indeed this event sparked the realisation of what the total project would entail; with the total cost as at 2009 estimated to be in the region of R2.4 billion. The bulk component, to the tune of R700 million is funded through the Department’s Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) programme. To date an amount of R368 million has been spent on the project, with R330 million allocated for this financial year. Married to this is the fact that at the end of the 2013/14 financial year, a total of 470 job opportunities had been created, impacting positively on people.
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Sputnik Ratau, Director, Media Liaison
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