The Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) has welcomed more than 50 artisans from COGHSTA to boost the operation and maintenance of water infrastructure.

“The provision of water to our communities is not a privilege, but a right … Gone are those days where it will take many days to repair a burst pipe or leaking sewerage. Your arrival will change the situation for the better, and as water service authority and with this pilot project, we must show the rest of the country that we can do it,” Vhembe’s executive mayor, Cllr Tshitereke Matibe, told the artisans.

According to a press release by the VDM, they have signed an agreement with the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs that 56 artisans will work under Vhembe for the next two years, beginning on 1 August this year. “The artisans will be distributed to the 23 water schemes throughout Vhembe District. They will be responsible for operation, repairs and the maintenance of water infrastructure,” states Vhembe’s communication officer, Mr Moses Shibambu.  The expectation is that the 1,3 million people living in the area of the district will benefit from the allocation of the artisans to Vhembe.

“This is the first pilot project to be implemented in Vhembe District Municipality. The aim of the project is to reduce the skills shortage in water services and also to improve the delivery of water quality to our communities. The areas of specialisation of the artisans include mechanical, brick laying, carpenters, plumbers, water and waste process controllers,” said Khwathelani Bologo, COGHSTA’s acting head of technical grant support.

Vhembe’s municipal manager, Mr Masala Makumule, said that operations, maintenance, repairs and waste treatment plants should be managed well and monitored on a daily basis. “Our communities should feel that things have changed for the better because of your arrival,” Makumule said.