When a resident of Hamustha village, Mr Mushaisano Solomon Mashamba (70), started digging a well in his yard using pick and shovel two years ago, many jumped to the conclusion that he was mentally unstable.

He moved from Tshirangadzi to Hamutsha Tshiluvhi area at the beginning of 2007.

It soon became clear to him that there was a scarcity of water in the area as people used to walk for about five kilometers to fetch water at the local clinic. Mashamba told himself that enough was enough and started to dig his own well in his yard.

At that stage, he was working in Olifantsfontein, Johannesburg, from where he usually came back home every month end. He revealed that it took him about six months to dig the hole, which is 15 meters deep and three meters wide.

When he retired from his work about a year ago, Mashamba told himself that it was time for him to accomplish his mission. After completing the digging part of the well, he was faced with the challenge getting the water to the surface.

Mashamba finally decided to assemble some pieces of a windmill he got from one of his employers during his heydays to make a self-invented, home-made water pump. The pump is propelled by a bicycle wheel, and the more one rides the bicycle, the more water it pumps out.

Mashamba has changed his yard into an evergreen vegetable and fruit garden. Some of the vegetables which will be ready for harvest in a matter of weeks include spinach, carrots, onions and potatoes. He pleaded with anyone who can assist him with an electrical water pump to call him on 0730152243.