Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Mrs Edna Molewa today launched yet another exciting water delivery project in Limpopo, The Nandoni Bulk Water Supply. Over the last 20 years, we have seen our economy grow in leaps and bounds, and standards of living have risen dramatically resulting in increased demand for water and other basic services.
Speaking at Tswinga village near Thohoyandou, Molewa said she is proud to be part of the good story that the Country is celebrating at this moment of our history where a massive 95.2 % of South Africans are now having access to sustainable clean water supply.
“We are here today to officially launch the Nandoni Bulk Water Supply Scheme. It gives me great pleasure to announce that both NR6 and NR5 pipelines are 100% complete and water is now flowing.” said Minister Molewa.
Today saw the launch of the real connection of many kilometres of pipelines and reservoirs as well as reticulation connections to households that now supply clean drinking water to the communities around Thohoyandou and some at Makhado.
The department of Water Affairs through the intervention by the Minister has also revived 100 boreholes around these areas in record time. This was done through a creative financial grant of now over R6.2bn known as MWIG given by our National Treasury for purposes of servicing the remaining 4.8% of South Africans who never had clean piped water and also to revive the non functional and ageing infrastructure.
“This program we are launching here today brings additional thousands to the 95.2% who already receive potable water since 1994, who now have a good story to tell.” said Molewa.
A total of 625 local jobs were created during implementation of this project. This, Molewa said, was empowering local communities and benefiting local service providers both in terms of skills development and economic opportunities.
The Minister cautioned communities against vandalism of the country’s water infrastructure and urged members of the community to jealously guard and report any vandalism aimed at denying them access to this precious resource.
There are a number of villages who are currently receiving water from the Nandoni Dam and plans to connect the remaining villages are underway. Over a million people will benefit from receiving water from the Dam. Some community members, who staged a protest at the treatment plant earlier today, were also informed by the Ministerial delegation that plans are at an advanced stage to supply them with water within a matter of a few months. In the mean time there are 100 fully operational boreholes in the area that are producing good quality water as tested by the Water Affairs officials.
She concluded by reminding communities about the importance of voting and participating in elections on May the 7th, to ensure that the good story of South Africa continues.
Enquiries:
Mava Scott - 082 602 9604
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