Cape Town – Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu is focused on fulfilling the commitments of Operation Bulela Metsi to the residents of Dinokana, North West, and the broader province. This commitment was emphasized during the sod-turning ceremony of the R106 million Dinokana Water Supply Intervention Project, overseen by Magalies Water, in the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality.

According to South African Government News Agency, The Dinokana project, one of the 27 water and sanitation projects under Operation Bulela Metsi, gained momentum after intergovernmental interventions led by Mchunu and the North West government earlier this year. Mchunu, during his oversight visit to the construction sites, reviewed the ongoing work and met with the Dinokana community.

During the visit, the delegation observed the Dinokana eye, a natural spring serving as the project’s water source. The team also inspected the site where a 15-kilometre bulk pipeline is being laid. Mchunu stressed the project’s phased implementation, aiming to provide every household with water access through a standpipe. He urged patience from the community as the project progresses.

The project scope includes refurbishing and upgrading the rural water supply infrastructure of Dinokana. This involves enhancing the high lift pump capacity, borehole refurbishments, upgrading the spring water pump station and pipeline, and constructing an additional reservoir to provide extra gravity pressure.

Mchunu noted significant progress, assuring that water will eventually reach all intended beneficiaries. The project has already laid over 1,000 meters of bulk pipeline and begun refurbishing the bulk distribution network.

Accompanied by Deputy Minister Judith Tshabalala, North West Premier Bushy Maape, and other dignitaries, Mchunu addressed the residents, highlighting that the Dinokana project is part of the larger Operation Bulela Metsi initiative, which encompasses 27 water and sanitation projects in North West.

The Dinokana Water Supply Intervention Project is segmented into four phases, each focusing on different aspects like bulk pipeline distribution construction, borehole refurbishment, reticulation, and upgrading the pump station. The project aims to provide an additional 35,000 residents with standpipes upon completion.

Mchunu also mentioned the project’s local employment impact, with plans to increase job opportunities for locals. He encouraged residents with illegal water connections to regularize their connections to avoid legal consequences and emphasized the importance of safeguarding the infrastructure.

Operation Bulela Metsi, launched in July this year, represents a comprehensive water and sanitation intervention program resulting from intergovernmental collaborations among various government levels, business, traditional leaders, and community structures to address water and sanitation challenges in the province.