Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane and Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza have launched the Mathibela Water Reticulation Project.

The project will improve the delivery of water and water services to the community within the Marite community, located in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. Water has been a source of unhappiness and a number of service delivery protests in the area.

The project is a result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Department of Water Affairs and the province of Mpumalanga in June 2013. The MoU brought Rand Water on board as the implementing agent for the project.

The process now is to install the requisite reticulation infrastructure taking the water from the bulk infrastructure to people’s homes or closer to homesteads by means of shared stand pipes.

Mokonyane emphasised that the project to bring water to households in Bushbuckridge must be completed by the end of 2015.

Mabuza stated that the provincial government is working towards “ensuring that Bushbuckridge will be in the eyes of the province till universal coverage is achieved.”

“We will work together with national government and the municipality, holding hands with Rand Water as the implementing agent to achieve this. In all of this, the co-operation will and must include the local leaders and the community broadly. Delivery is possible,” said Mabuza.

 

The Mathibela Water Reticulation Project

The reticulation project for Marite needs at least R1.14 billion to be completed. With an immediate need for R344 million to take this project forward, it is crucial for a joint plan and approach to National Treasury for the necessary funding.

In this regard, the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Mpumalanga provincial government, the municipalities of Ehlanzeni and Bushbuckridge will together conceptualise a sound business proposal, informed by the assistance and input from Rand Water to ensure the good work in progress is not stalled.

 

Showcasing 100 days

“We are here as part of showcasing the first 100 days of the current government,” Mokonyane told those present at the launch.

“The work that has brought us here is to liberate the women and children who are at the coalface of lack of service delivery. We have to liberate them from walking all the long distances to get water. Our freedom as a country cannot be complete or even count if the women and children are not liberated in this regard.”

 

Creating jobs
Mokonyane emphasised that bringing water to communities must also ensure the creation of jobs.

“Using Rand Water in the municipality must also assist in ensuring the development of skills and sharing knowledge, leading to those benefitting even attaining the necessary certificates, putting them on the way to being employable or even self-sufficient.”

 

Addressing vandalism

Mokonyane discouraged vandalism, emphasising that “even as we install this infrastructure, we cannot afford to have it vandalised. This creates a drawback as the funds for further development is then re-directed to fix what is now destroyed. This entire infrastructure is for our own good”.