Thousands of residents in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, are set to benefit from improved access to clean drinking water following the official handover of four newly constructed boreholes by Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina.
The water infrastructure, valued at approximately R2 million, has been installed to provide a reliable supply of safe water to communities that previously had little or no access to dependable water services.
Project Targets Longstanding Water Challenges
The new boreholes are equipped with decentralised water purification systems capable of automatically treating groundwater before distribution.
The technology is designed to provide communities with safe drinking water while promoting better sanitation and hygiene standards.
The facilities have been donated to the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality in Nkangala District through the newly introduced Unserved Communities Access Acceleration Programme, which was funded and implemented by the Rand Water Foundation.
Four Communities to Benefit
The project will directly serve residents of Vezubuhle, Gemsbok, Rhenosterfontein Farms and Engwenyameni, areas that have historically struggled with unreliable water supplies.
The infrastructure is expected to improve daily life for more than 1,600 beneficiaries, including households, schoolchildren and local farmers who previously depended on inconsistent water deliveries or distant water sources.
Modern Infrastructure Designed for Long-Term Supply
Beyond drilling the boreholes, the project included the installation of modern support infrastructure to ensure continuous service.
Ten communal water taps, six elevated storage tanks with a capacity of 10,000 litres each, steel tank stands and a manhole were constructed as part of the development.
According to Rand Water, each facility has undergone water quality testing and complies with safety standards required for long-term operation.
Smaller Treatment Plants, Same Reliable Technology
Rand Water Group Chief Executive Sipho Mosai explained that the decentralised purification systems operate using the same treatment principles employed at the organisation’s large-scale water plants in Zuikerbosch and Vereeniging, although on a much smaller scale.
The installations have been strategically located at Vezubuhle Community Hall, Bawokuhle Primary School in Gemsbok, Rhenosterfontein Farms and Engwenyameni to maximise access for surrounding communities.
Mandela Month Launch Highlights Service Delivery
The official handover, attended by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, Mpumalanga Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs MEC Speed Katishi Mashilo, Rand Water Chairperson Ramateu Monyokolo, Rand Water Foundation Chairperson Lusanda Netshitenzhe and other officials, coincided with the beginning of Mandela Month.
Government said the initiative reflects ongoing efforts to accelerate water delivery through practical, community-focused projects while larger regional infrastructure developments continue.
Minister Says Water Access Restores Dignity
Speaking to residents in Gemsbok after the handover, Minister Majodina described the project as far more than the delivery of physical infrastructure.
She said providing reliable water supplies restores dignity, creates opportunities for children to spend more time learning instead of collecting water, and fulfils government’s commitment to ensuring basic services reach historically neglected communities.
According to the Minister, the initiative represents hope, justice and meaningful progress for families that have waited years for dependable access to clean water.
Government Pursuing Immediate and Long-Term Solutions
Majodina acknowledged that while major regional water schemes remain essential, many rural communities cannot afford to wait for large infrastructure projects to be completed.
She said the Unserved Communities Access Acceleration Programme combines urgent interventions with sustainable planning through borehole development, spring protection, rainwater harvesting, rehabilitation of existing water infrastructure and targeted expansion of local reticulation networks.
The approach, she explained, is intended to deliver immediate relief while supporting long-term water security.
Communities Urged to Protect New Facilities
The Minister also appealed to residents to safeguard the newly installed infrastructure from vandalism and theft, warning that damaged pipelines and equipment divert limited public funds away from expanding services to other underserved communities.
She stressed that protecting public assets would help government reach more communities still waiting for reliable water access.
Partnership Aims to Improve Water Security
Majodina concluded by commending the Rand Water Foundation and Rand Water for their contribution to the project, saying their technical expertise and continued investment in water infrastructure have played an important role in strengthening water security across South Africa.
She reaffirmed the department’s commitment to working alongside municipalities to identify additional unserved communities and implement practical solutions that improve access to safe, sustainable water supplies.
