| A special report by Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi | Daily Sun Reporter |
THE GIYANI BULK WATER PROJECT
R3 billion down the drain!
THE Giyani Bulk Water Supply Scheme, which was aimed to ease the suffering of communities sharing water with donkeys, cows and wild animals, began in August 2014 following a visit by former president Jacob Zuma.
But nine years later, the promise of clean water has not been delivered.
The original budget for the project was R502 million.
“We don't know what's going to be the next plan. We've been trying for weeks but the water keeps filling up this hole.”
The project in pictures
| Photos by Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi & Judas Sekwela
Dr Jennifer Molwantwa, CEO of the Water Research Commission, said this project has laid the foundation for people to learn and do more with less.
Giyani residents SPEAK UP
'This is turning us into HOBOS!'
THERE are two water storage tanks next to Jabulani Makhubele’s home and they are both linked to the municipal water supply but have no water.
Jabulani Maluleke said their cries fell on deaf ears. Photo by Judas Sekwela
Jabulani Maluleke said their cries fell on deaf ears. Photo by Judas Sekwela
The 55-year-old from Makumeke Village near Malamulele, Limpopo, told Daily Sun the water dried up eight months ago and the pipe that supplies the tanks runs in front of his house.
“But my tap is dry. It sickens me to think there are all these things surrounding me, but they are useless,”
EXPLAINER: Giyani Bulk Water Project
The Giyani Bulk Water Project was initiated by government to improve the water infrastructure and provide a more dependable water supply to communities.
The primary purpose of the project is to construct bulk water infrastructure, including pipelines and water treatment facilities to ensure a consistent water supply to the Giyani area.
The project involves the construction of a water treatment plant and the laying of pipelines to distribute the treated water to various communities in the Giyani region.
But the Giyani Bulk Water Project has faced some challenges during its implementation, including delays and cost overruns. These issues have caused the project to take longer than initially anticipated to complete.
Source: ChatGPT
SunSays: Residents served a bucket of lies!
BY now, it is quite clear that unless something drastic is done, the promise of a better life for all that was sold to the masses of Mzansi in 1994 is fast becoming a pie in the sky.
With 29 years into democracy and the watershed seventh general elections looming in just under a year, the current government has largely failed to deliver on its promise.
While the ANC-led government might argue otherwise and point to some of their successes, the experience of the citizens is nothing but frustrating.
Daily Sun editor Amos Mananyetso weighs in on the current state of affairs in Mzansi.
Daily Sun editor Amos Mananyetso weighs in on the current state of affairs in Mzansi.
Ex-boxer pleads for AMANZI!
FORMER professional boxer Willie Mabasa keeps turning his tap on and off to check if there is water.
A huge concrete water storage tank towers over Willie's house in Malamulele, Limpopo.
“You have to keep checking because you don’t know when it will be there. Sometimes we go on for days without even a single drop out of the tap.”
'We take turns with our neighbouring village for water supply.'
'I’ve been struggling all my life!'
KEVIN Maluleke is as old as Mzansi’s democracy, but he still struggles to get clean, running water.
Though the 29-year-old from Jim Jones Village, near Malamulele in Limpopo, lives less than 10 kilometres from the Nandoni dam, he is forced to buy water from suppliers.
Kevin’s village is one of the many in the province that experiences water shortages.
“I was born and raised here. All my life we have been struggling for water."
Govt's new plan to QUENCH residents' thirst!
THE Limpopo provincial government has signed an agreement with the Water Research Commission to address the water crisis in Giyani.
The agreement signed on Monday, 24 July, is part of the newly launched Giyani Local Scale Climate Resilience Programme (GLSCRP) to improve climate resilience and water usage in the Giyani area.
“The Government of Flanders has given R40 million over three years to support this initiative, with the funding set to conclude in 2024."
Residents fear animals' 6-9 in their water!
'We don’t have a choice. Our leaders have failed us.'
IN 2020 the borehole pump providing water to the community of Ga-Maleboho in Limpopo broke.
It's been three years later, and nothing has been done about it.
And now the people of the area have to get their water from a stream which they share with donkeys, cattle and wild animals.
'I pay R200 from the R500 child grant that I receive to pay for the donkey cart. I have to use the remainder to buy food.'
"The challenges faced by South Africa, particularly in Limpopo, are the semi-arid climate and water delivery or availability issues. In Giyani, these challenges are even more pronounced, especially in meeting the MDG 2026 targets."
Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi
| A special report by Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi | Daily Sun Reporter |
A senior journalist with more than 15 years of experience in court, crime and political reporting. Mfundekelwa covers breaking news by compiling facts based on sources, gathering news and developing new story ideas.
A special thank you to: Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi (Senior Reporter) | Solomon Mahapa (Revise Sub) | Laila Majiet (AV Editor) | Wendy Mathebula (Homepage Editor) | Photos from Gallo Images | Thabiso Nkosi (CM) | Mahir Ebrahim (Designer) | Doreen Molefe (Deputy Editor) | Amos Mananyetso (Editor) | Stephens Molobi (News Editor)
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