For the first time in many years, the residents of Hamutsha-Khwekhwe enjoyed clean water running from their taps over the festive season. This followed the implementation of a communal borehole project funded by the residents themselves.
Mr Rendani Tshikau, chairperson of the Sanzhe Lufhena Water Project, said it was gratifying to see their efforts bringing change to the community. The water project provided much-needed relief to villagers who had suffered for years without a reliable supply of clean drinking water.
Tshikau explained that they initially tried to engage with the Vhembe District Municipality, the official water-service provider, to establish infrastructure to supply water to the villagers. In 2023, after many unsuccessful attempts, the residents decided to establish the Sanzhe Lufhena Water Project.
They first approached the village's traditional leader, who allocated a site where they could drill for water and install tanks. Tshikau said 104 households contributed R3,300 each, which was used to fund the drilling and the purchase of 12 water tanks. They applied for electricity from Eskom and laid water pipes to each household. The first water flowed from the tanks in July last year, but it took some time to extend the supply to all the households.
On Saturday, 7 December, a celebration was held at Hamutsha-Khwekhwe, where the community's achievement and resilience in overcoming challenges were celebrated.
One of the jubilant villagers, Ms Salphina Ndou, said she was thrilled at the prospect of having clean water from a tap in her home. She recalled how they had endured years of hardship, sharing scarce water resources with animals. To access clean water, they often had to pay high prices to water sellers or residents with private boreholes.
The traditional leader of Hamutsha-Khwekhwe, Vhamusanda Azwifhulufhedzi William Mulaudzi, said the initiative to secure water had come from the villagers themselves. "As the traditional leader, I allocated a site for them to develop this water project, and today, residents are receiving clean water from their taps," he said.