Government will use this year's Mandela Day to launch 67 decentralised water supply projects across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape as part of a national drive to provide safe and reliable water to underserved communities.
The initiatives form part of the Department of Water and Sanitation's National Water Access Acceleration Programme, which seeks to fast-track access to water services in more than 2 600 unserved settlements nationwide.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, and Minister in the Presidency Maropene Ramokgopa will lead handover ceremonies in the three provinces on Saturday, 18 July 2026.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the Deputy President and Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo will officially hand over 27 decentralised water supply schemes, including the Babanango Community Water Supply Scheme and the Msinga Borehole Water Supply Intervention.
The Babanango project supplies treated drinking water to communities in the uMzinyathi District through protected natural springs, a borehole backup system and a 0.5-megalitre-per-day package water treatment plant connected to approximately 42 kilometres of pipelines, reservoirs and communal standpipes.
The scheme provides reliable drinking water to communities including Ngwebeni, Enkanini, Nkonjane, Nhlengile and Nkangala while generating employment and skills development opportunities during construction.
The Msinga intervention comprises nine interconnected borehole-based water supply schemes serving remote rural communities in the uMzinyathi District Municipality. The projects provide potable water through boreholes, storage reservoirs and communal standpipes, reducing dependence on unsafe water sources and lengthy walks to collect water.
The two KwaZulu-Natal projects are expected to improve water security for more than 8 000 residents.
Mncwasa Water Supply Scheme
In the Eastern Cape, Minister Ramokgopa will officially launch the Mncwasa Water Supply Scheme in the OR Tambo District.
The project, funded through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant, involved upgrading an existing groundwater supply system, rehabilitating pumping infrastructure, constructing nearly seven kilometres of new reticulation pipelines and installing additional communal standpipes.
The R4.4 million project will provide a sustainable water supply to approximately 510 residents of Mncwasa and Mbhozisa villages and was completed ahead of schedule.
The Department of Water and Sanitation said the 67 projects represent the first phase of the National Water Access Acceleration Programme, implemented through Water Boards under the Water Services Act.
More than R200 million has been allocated to Phase One of the programme, which combines borehole drilling, groundwater development, spring protection, rainwater harvesting and rehabilitation of existing water infrastructure to expand access to safe drinking water.
The 67 groundwater interventions are expected to benefit an estimated 125 986 people across the three provinces, with further implementation phases planned for October 2026 and April 2027. – SAnews.gov.za
