Hope for water in pipeline
Residents from Bambeni village outside Giyani are hoping for a better future as water pipes are being installed in their yards.
The Herald witnessed newly installed taps in the yards of some households. Other villagers were eagerly awaiting their turn. “Everyone is waiting to have these pipes installed in their homes, and I too cannot wait because this will end the water problem in our village,” commented Elissa Khosa, a resident. Another resident, Thomas Mabunda, was skeptical about the probability of having successful water reticulation in the village.
He argues that people in the villages are used to a lifestyle where they only pay for food and electricity. He said some villagers will not be willing to pay for water. “Meters to measure consumption are installed with the pipes, but there are people who are used to free water, I don’t think many people would be willing to pay for water,” he said. Water, Energy, and Sanitation councillor in the Greater Giyani Municipality, Gezani Abby Maluleke, indicated that people who cannot afford to pay for water or do not have an income will be exempted.
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Many residents the Herald spoke to are generally happy with the project Others complained about being overlooked in the installation of the pipelines into the households, saying that the contractor was not from their village, and questioning the contractor’s bone fides. “We have capable people in the village, but they were overlooked in favour of a contractor from Mageva village,” complained Blessing Mabunda.
Meanwhile, installation is currently also underway in Ngove and Homu 14A apart from Bambeni. However, the progress made in these villages is not clear. The spokesperson for Mopani District Municipality, Odas Ngobeni, did not return calls from the Herald for comment.
