The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu together with the Executive Mayor of Umkhanyakude District Municipality, Cllr Siphile Mdaka led a stakeholder consultative forum with the traditional leadership of Mpukunyoni, St Lucia and other water sector stakeholders at Kwa Mshaya village, Mtubatuba – KwaZulu Natal.
The discussions were about the development of water resource projects in the Mfolozi catchment area that will improve water supply to the communities. This follows a water resource strategy developed by the Development of Water and Sanitation (DWS) which includes the raising of Klipfontien Dam, construction of Usuthu Dam and the development of a dam in lower Mfolozi Catchment Area.
Minister Mchunu acknowledged the overwhelming support from the traditional leadership in the area, community members and the farmers on the proposed plan to build a dam in Mfolozi Catchment. Minister Mchunu said the dam will ease water supply challenges in the area, which is caused by limited water resources and poor condition of water services infrastructure to abstract, treat and deliver water to the communities.
“We are happy about the in-principle consensus reached between the Department and the traditional leadership for the proposal to construct of the Lower Mfolozi Dam in this area. The technical processes for the construction can now resume and we look forward to having this project in Mfolozi, which will augment water supply to both uMkhanyakude District”, said Minister Mchunu
Minister Mchunu said the Department of Water and Sanitation will continue to undertake required critical planning studies to allow for the selection and development of an appropriate water resource development solution for the Lower uMfolozi area, with due regard to environmental sensitivities. He said the Department will also secure funding and make institutional arrangements for the project.
Besides Pongola and Mkuze Rivers, Mfolozi River catchment is one of the rivers that supply water to uMkhanyakude and Zululand District Municipalities, with 75% of the allocated water being used for domestic, afforestation, and irrigation.
However, a growing population in the two districts has resulted in increased water demands for household consumption and from other sectors like forestry and agriculture.
The proposed dam site is in the Mfolozi River, downstream of the Mfolozi Game Reserve, and it will provide on-channel storage of water in the Mfolozi River. The dam will also be beneficial in reducing the water flows during the floods.
Media enquiries:
Wisane Mavasa, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
Cell: 060 561 8935
E-mail: mavasaw@dws.gov.za
Kamogelo Mogotsi, Spokesperson for the Ministry
Cell: 076 523 0085.
