Large parts of the Vhembe district are still facing serious water shortages. This is despite the higher rainfall that was recorded during the past year.

The Tshikuwi village (in the Nzhelele area), Tshitale and Musekwa under the jurisdiction of the Makhado Municipality are the worst affected areas where community members have to share their drinking water with animals. According to Mr Daniel Mufamadi of Muila, they have to rely on a nearby spring for drinking water. “The poor service delivery makes us angry, because the Makhado Municipality is not providing us with clean water. Politicians only come here when they are campaigning for votes, and after the elections they disappear,” he said

The Makhado municipality’s spokesperson, Mr Louis Bobodi, said tankers are supplying water to the area, but community members deny having seen any municipal trucks supplying water. Elisa Munyai, who stays in the semi-arid area of Tshikuwi, told Mirror that it is difficult to get water in the Tshikuwi and Matsa areas. “Even if tap water is available, it is difficult to fetch water, because a large number of community members have to rely on two taps,” she said.

Limpopo’s acting premier, Cassel Mathale, says in his 15- years-of-democracy review that the shortage of water is still a challenge in the province. Mathale says the communities will have access to clean water coming from the Nandoni dam, once contractors have completed work on the various pipelines. Dams like the Flag Boshielo dam will also help with the provision of potable water for domestic use. “Those who don´t have water must report it to their local municipality, so that tankers can be sent to provide them with clean water,” he said.