BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
NDZINGENI – Microprojects has officially handed over the Somile Mashobane Water Project to the Mashobane community, under Ndzingeni Inkhundla.
The E3.5 million water project was handed over to the residents today (Thursday, November 21, 2024) at a ceremony that was attended by members of the Somile Mashobane Water Scheme, together with its committee.
While officiating the function at the borehole station in Mashobane sub location, Project Officer Wonder Mngometulu from Microprojects said they were keen on ensuring that development projects that would benefit communities were completed on time in order for people to drink clean water.
Mngometulu mentioned that the project was launched a year ago, in May 2023, and it aimed to serve over 92 homesteads, a public school and a dip tank. He said the project was completed in five months with the contractor giving them a retention. The water project included the building of water tanks, borehole installed with solar panels, water pipes, fencing, valves and water pumps.
“The project was completed in October 2023 and we are here to officially hand over the project to the committee. They will now be in charge of the project, however, they will consult with us if there is something they need to be assisted with. Ekubongeni High School is among those who is already benefitting from this project as they did not have clean water, the event today also included an inspection from us to see if the project is running smoothly,” Mngometulu said.
Nhlanhla Sithole from Rural Water Supply branch in the Ministry of Natural Resources pleaded with the residents to look after the water project and learn to save the water as they discovered that the water pumped into the water tank hardly lasted for two days. He pleaded with the community to stick to the constitution and make sure that the stored water lasted for a full week.
He added that they were committed to providing safe and clean drinking water to the communities across the country.
He further urged the people not to allow the scheme to collapse. He added this project was designed to last the community for 16 years.
The borehole will supply water to the 120 cube water reservoir that is built in the same area, from where water will be distributed to the entire community. He also mentioned that the Ministry prioritized compensating landowners before handing over the project to the contractor.
Residents shared their struggles with the current water situation as they thanked Microprojects for answering their prayers. Nhlanhla Dlamini, a resident of the area, revealed that he used to walk over 2 kilometers to fetch water, which they shared with animals.
Musa Tsabedze, a member of the scheme, urged the community not to misuse the water and pleaded with them to be united and pay the monthly subscriptions in order for the project to continue running.
Speaking at the occasion, the General Secretary of the water scheme said they were working tirelessly to educate the residents on how the project operates. She said the residents seemed to understand what is expected of them. She added that the scheme currently had E3000 in its bank account as residents were paying monthly subscriptions fees. This money will be used to maintain the water project and also pay wages to the person tasked with manning the water station.
The community expressed their love for Microprojects, for the provision of water and other projects in the area.
The occasion was graced by government officials, representatives of Microprojects, and a cross-section of local communities.