The Mukula community, who celebrated 100 years of existence in the area but had shared dirty water with animals for decades, were agog when the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, handed an R18 million water project over to them.

The Mukula Water Supply Project was officially opened amidst fanfare and celebration at the Mukula Sports Grounds on Friday. The handover marked the launch of the month-long activities of Water Month.

The Deputy Minister first visited the plant, where she officiated at the opening. She then addressed the community at the local sports grounds. After the address, members of the community were given time to voice their concerns.

During 2010, Chief Takalani of Mukula Village approached the Deputy Minister, reporting that the village had no access to water as the existing boreholes had dried up. He felt that this situation required a more sustainable water supply system.

Subsequent to Mabudafhasi’s visit to Mukula village to ascertain the extent of the water shortage, the Department of Water Affairs and the Vhembe District Municipality pledged to contribute the R18 million for the Mukula Water Supply Project. Borehole rehabilitation and water tankering commenced as a temporary solution.

The Mukula Water Supply project was then conceptualized and the Xikundu Water Treatment Works was identified as a chief hub to supply drinking water to the 17 sub-villages.

The water supply project consists of a 1.8 megalitre reservoir and a 15.4 km bulk pipeline. A total of 45 temporary jobs were created for local people during the implementation of the project.

In receiving the project, Chief MphatheleTakalani said his people had got back their human rights. “When I pleaded with the Deputy Minister to help my people with water, the situation was so bad that we sometimes shared water with animals in dams,” said the chief.