Joe Gqabi District, South Africa – Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has committed to the full involvement of traditional leadership in the Joe Gqabi, OR Tambo, and Alfred Nzo District Municipalities for the implementation of the Mzimvubu Water Project. The project, which faced delays due to funding issues, has now been reconfigured to reduce costs from R18 billion to R8 billion.

According to South African Government News Agency, during a meeting with mayors and traditional leaders from the district municipalities, Mchunu provided updates on the Ntabelanga Dam project, a key component of the Mzimvubu Water Project. The dam is currently being constructed in the Ntabelanga mountains, along the Tsitsa River in the Joe Gqabi District, spanning the Elundini and Mhlontlo Local Municipalities. The first stage of the dam component, including access road construction, is over 90% complete. Efforts are ongoing to identify and peg land and households affected by the dam impoundment.

Mchunu outlined other aspects of the Ntabelanga project, which include constructing a water treatment plant, primary and secondary reservoirs, and bulk pipelines. These will facilitate the treatment, transfer, and storage of potable water, enabling local water services authorities to distribute it to the communities set to benefit from the project.

The broader Mzimvubu water project aims to optimize existing water supply schemes within the Mzimvubu Catchment Area to benefit communities in the three districts. The Minister emphasized the project’s significance in affirming the constitutional human rights of rural populations, including access to clean, potable water.

To ensure progress and prevent disruptions, a Political Steering Committee will be formed, co-chaired by Mchunu and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane. The committee will include various stakeholders, including deputy ministers, district mayors, local municipalities, representatives from the Kingdom, and affected traditional councils.

Additionally, a Technical Task Team, led by the department’s Acting Deputy Director-General of Infrastructure Management, Leonardo Manus, will address the technical implementation of the project. This team will handle issues like relocation and compensation of affected households and provide regular updates to the Steering Committee.

Mchunu assured that with these structures, the department aims to correct past errors and address issues raised in the meeting to ensure the project’s continuation without hindrances. The ultimate goal is to provide clean drinking water through proper infrastructure to the communities in the districts.