The deputy minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, marked the commencement of Water Month activities on Friday, 1 March by handing over the R18 million Mukula Water Supply Project to Chief Takalani and the Mukula community in Mukula village, Limpopo.

“I am thrilled to report that the Mukula bulk water supply project is now complete and the community has access to clean water; as government we delivered on our promise to Mukula community. There are minor challenges on the internal reticulation, and the technical team is working tirelessly to address them before end of March,” said Mabudafhasi.

Mabudafhasi went on to emphasise 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.”

The project was initiated in 2010 when the local leader, Chief Takalani, reported to the deputy minister that the village had no access to water as the existing boreholes had dried up, and went on to request a more sustainable water supply system.

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. Rehabilitation of boreholes 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 linked villages. The water supply project consists of a 1.8 Mℓ reservoir and a 15.4 km bulk pipeline.

She concluded by acknowledging further water challenges in the region, experienced by the communities from Satani Village, which was not included in the project handed over on the 1 March. “I am committing that we will scratch for funding jointly with the municipalities and address the problem,” said Mabudafhasi.