Years of fetching water from unreliable supplies such as rivers and springs is now a thing of the past for the rural villages of Tholakele and KwaMpunzi in ward 5 of the eDumbe Local Municipality. This follows the official handover of boreholes by MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Sipho Hlomuka who visited these villages of Friday, 25 June to inspect and handover the wind-powered boreholes.
This handover was a culmination of efforts by the department to provide a sustainable supply of water to the residents of the two villages.
During the handover MEC Hlomuka encouraged residents to protect these boreholes from vandals and those who might seek to steal critical equipment operating the borehole.
“We appeal to you as residents to be responsible for these boreholes. They are for your service and we appeal to you that you ensure that children do not fiddle with the mechanisms of this equipment. You also have a responsibility to ensure that you safeguard this source of water from criminals” said Hlomuka.
As part of this visit, MEC Hlomuka also handed over lightning conductors which were installed at strategic points with the communities of KwaMpunzi and Tholakele.
These two villages have suffered immense harm as a result of lightning strikes which has cost human lives and livestock.
The installation of the lightning conductors provides safety for villagers and their homes.
One of the beneficiaries of these programme is 75 year old Samuel Dlongwane who household had been severely affected by lightning strikes in the area.
“I am happy today that the government has installed lightning conductors in our area. We will now be able to feel safe whenever the weather conditions change” said Dlongwane.
In this visit MEC Hlomuka was joined by the Mayor of the eDumbe Local Municipality Cllr Kunene, the Mayor of Uphongolo Local Municipality Cllr Mhlongo and Traditional Leaders.
The department of Cogta under the leadership of MEC Hlomuka continues to support government efforts to speed up access to water for rural communities.
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