The relief on Anne Myeni's face is tangible that she no longer has to walk long distances to fetch water. For the first time in the 48-year-old's life, she has access to piped water that she can get at the turn of a tap.
Mhlathuze Water is spearheading a massive water project on behalf of the Department of Water and Sanitation, where more than 6 000 households are now receiving tap water.
The R96 million project -- which included the installation of water supply infrastructure to nine wards in deeply rural communities in Nongoma and Abaqulusi Municipalities under the Zululand District in northern KwaZulu-Natal -- has also helped create about 200 jobs during its implementation phase.
For people like Myeni, who previously had to queue for the arrival of a water tanker or make early morning treks to the river to draw water before it became cloudy and muddy due to cows helping themselves to it, the project offers reprieve from a challenge that had become the bane of their lives.
Mhlathuze Water Interim CEO Mthokozisi Duze, who visited Nongoma on Thursday to get a first-hand account on progress made thus far on the project, said he was pleased to be a part of the writing of a new chapter in the lives of the largely rural communities.
“We are extremely elated that finally, people who had never before had convenient access to safe drinking water at the turn of a tap, are finally able to do so. This project to supply water to the communities of Nongoma and Abaqulusi is ongoing... Our goal is to ultimately see everyone effortlessly accessing this precious liquid,” Duze said. – SAnews.gov.za