Water relief for Venda residents

LIMPOPO – Senior traditional leader Thovhele Midiyavhathu Tshivhase, has expressed joy over the news that several rural communities under his leadership will soon have access to clean water.

This comes as the Vhembe District Municipality announced the start of phase two of the R80m Vondo Regional Water Scheme, on Thursday.

The project will benefit Murangoni, Maranzhe, Tshikunda and Matondoni villages, which have struggled without clean water for years.

“As traditional leaders, we are thrilled that our communities will no longer have to share drinking water with animals,” said Tshivhase.

He emphasised the importance of timely project completion, stating, “We will fight hard to ensure contractors deliver clean water to our people as promised”.

Vhembe Mayor Freda Nkondo, reaffirmed her commitment to improving water access during her term in office. She launched the ‘Rinwa Madi/Hinwa Mati’ campaign to prioritise clean water for Vhembe residents, recognising it as a basic human right.

“Human dignity cannot be complete if our people are not receiving water and proper sanitation.”

During her state of the district address in June, Nkondo reiterated the district’s focus on addressing water challenges, highlighting the Vondo Water Project as a long-term solution to water scarcity. The project also brings short-term benefits in the form of employment opportunities for local residents.

Nkondo urged the community to protect municipal infrastructure, stressing that vandalism has significantly delayed progress in providing essential services. “We must all act as guardians of our infrastructure,” she said, citing the costly damage she witnessed at a borehole site in Mulima, Louis Trichardt.

The Vondo project, funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), is part of a larger initiative to eliminate municipal backlogs in disadvantaged areas, ensuring the provision of basic services including water and sanitation.