By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is aware of the water crisis in the country and has reaffirmed its priority to ensure that every households have water.
Ramaphosa was addressing hundreds of residents of the Umgungundlovu District at a community engagement event at the Taylor’s Halt sports ground in Pietermaritzburg.
He was accompanied by water and sanitation minister Senzo Mchunu, to inspect a number of the district’s water projects, including the newly-refurbished Darvill Wastewater Treatment Works in Sobantu.
Ramaphosa says the government is working around the clock to address the country’s water challenges.
“Priority one is people must get water. Priority two is employment. Another priority is ending criminality.”
Ramaphosa said the government was committed to addressing these.
“We’re not doing these because of elections. We’re doing it because it’s [your right to access them].”
He had been responding to the drumbeat of complaints by residents in the area.
Ramaphosa said the government could now see tangible advances after he appointed Mchunu.
“Mchunu understands the whole water network and he knows exactly what we should do,” Ramaphosa said.
The Department of Water and Sanitation received R1 billion to tackle water issues in the district.
Mchunu had invited Ramaphosa to see for himself how the money was spent.
The department recently completed the upgrade of a treatment plant that treats domestic and industrial sewage from the Msunduzi Municipality’s from a treatment capacity of 65 megalitres per day to 100 megalitres.
The oversight visit took place at the Darvill wastewater treatment plant and Vulindlela bulk water scheme.
“I have been brought here for two projects. On the first one, we have invested R1 billion for water works in Darvill. I have witnessed with my own eyes, the R1 billion has been utilised. I hope it was not consumed by certain individuals, but it helped the community.”
According to Umngeni Water – the construction of the upgrade of Phase 1 of the Vulindlela Bulk Water Supply Scheme has been initiated by the board as is part of the entity’s infrastructure development and expansion programme.
“The appointed contractor has set up site in preparation to begin work on the Phase 1 upgrade. The two projects are developmental in nature. The upgrade of the potable water scheme will enhance and extend water services to communities in Vulindlela. Municipal beneficiaries of the Vulindlela scheme are the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, the Msunduzi Local Municipality and the uMngeni Local Municipality.
Phase 1 was constructed in 1998 and subsequently became fully operational following its adoption, among 11 other projects, as a National Presidential Lead Project.
These projects were prioritised for implementation in 1994, in terms of the Reconstruction and Development Programme implemented by the government under former president Nelson Mandela.
Within the area of Phase 1 and its upgrade, two traditional authorities will be beneficiaries of this project. They are the Nxamalala Traditional Council and the Nadi Traditional Council.
“The Msunduzi Local Municipality and the uMngeni Local Municipality are responsible for land use management in these areas, which includes provision of basic services. Phase 1 of the Vulindlela Bulk Water Supply Scheme is now being upgraded to meet current and increased demand from the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, the Msunduzi Local Municipality and the uMngeni Local Municipality.”
“As the population of Vulindlela increased over the past decade, this was accompanied by increased municipal demand for water, hence the need arose for the uMngeni-uThukela Water Board to expand and upgrade the Vulindlela Rural Bulk Water Supply Scheme. The upgrade of Phase 1, Phase 2 of the Vulindlela scheme is at an advanced stage of planning.”
The upgrade will collectively serve 350 000 people or 61 500 households who will receive water from the Water Services Authorities uMgungundlovu District Municipality and the Msunduzi Local Municipality through provision of bulk drinking water by uMngeni-uThukela Water Board.
“While construction of Phase 1 upgrade is imminent, construction of Phase 2 is due to begin in January 2024. Both phases are to be constructed at a combined cost of approximately R1 billion, representing one of the largest investments by uMngeni-uThukela Water Board in rural development in KwaZulu-Natal. Each phase is estimated to cost R500 million.”
Both phases will produce significant socio-economic value to communities in Vulindlela through job creation, salary and wages and spend in support of local businesses through purchase of food, building materials, diesel and other essentials required during construction.