Minister launches water association in Nzhelele

Speaking on behalf of theNational Minister of Water Affairs, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica, Magadze said the main aim of the WUA is to create a forum for stakeholders and communities to deliberate on water resources issues and take the necessary decisions. She further said the shortage of water is becoming worse, especially around the matters of food production, human health, poverty alleviation and ecosystem protection. MEC Magadze confirmed that more development needs more water.

She added that the government is aware that, as a result of a lack of a consistent water supply for primary use, rural communities upstream of the Nzhelele Dam have resorted to putting pipes into springs to lead water to their houses. “The Limpopo Department of Agriculture has a programme to revive irrigation schemes for the benefit of communities. The Water Affairs Department will work with them in the maintenance and improvement of the 13 irrigation schemes in the Nzhelele catchment. The Nzhelele catchment area also caters for recreation, environment and forestry, brick making and important industries,” she said.

Magadze encouraged people to protect the Mutshedzi catchment area, which is now silting. “Our aim is to make sure that the allocation of water caters for the needs of farmers to ensure that they continue to feed our nation.”

The Chairperson of the Nzhelele Water User Association, Mr Tshilidzi Mapanda, said the association will see to it that water is being saved and that all people are receiving water equally.

Thovhele Toni Mphephu Ramabulana said the Department of Water Affairs should educate the communities about how to save water. He said people in the Nzhelele area are living in dry conditions and the shortage of water for domestic uses is still a problem.

News - Date: 08 April 2005

Godfrey Mandiwana

Email: