Giyani – Residents of water-starved Giyani, in Limpopo, have been told countless times over the last 10 years that the Giyani-Nandoni Dam Bulk Water Supply project “will be completed soon”.
This time around, residents are silently counting down to the latest promise that “the Giyani-Nandoni Dam Bulk Water Supply project will be completed at the end of June”.
Residents have told The Bulrushes that the Department of Water and Sanitation promised that 24 out of 55 villages, will start receiving clean running water within their homes from the Giyani-Nandoni Dam Bulk Water project at the end of next month.
Once bitten and twice shy residents said they would only believe the promises when they see potable water coming from their taps.
The Giyani-Nandoni Bulk Water Project began in 2014 but since then it has been dogged by problems.
Mismanagement of funds and a land dispute with local traditional leaders all conspired to delay the completion of the project.
A despondent resident of Dzingidzingi village, Given Chauke, said that he has lost hope of ever having running water at his home.
“It’s been so many years, being told the same story every year but nothing ever changes,” lamented Chauke.
“Even now we have just been told that we will start receiving water at the end of June this year, but to be honest they know that they are lying to us as they are just trying to convince us to vote for them.”
Separate sections of pipes lie above the ground with no sign they will be connected any time soon.
Dzingidzingi village has thousands of homes and residents share a single borehole, which has two communal taps.
“We are suffering this side, just imagine we have to share two communal taps the entire village,” said Chauke.
“To get water one has to wake up very early in the morning.
“If you do not do that, you are bound to stand in the queue for many hours.”
Chauke said that though he is skeptical, he wishes the Department of Water and Sanitation would “stick to their promises this time around”.
Chauke added: “We have suffered enough; it is about time they deliver on their promises.
“It is about time we also enjoy the fruits of our democracy. Water is life and it is something which we need each day.”
Another affected resident, 67-year-old Grace Baloyi of Bode village, said: “I was told by my son that; we will soon have water within the comfort of our homes, and it is something that I wish to witness before I die.
“Look I was born and raised in this village and for many years, we have been promised that water will be provided within our homes, but they never deliver on their promises.”
Baloyi said that she believes that her village has been neglected for too long when it comes to water provision.
“The borehole which we are using was also drilled a few years ago, while we have suffered for many decades without water and no one seems to care on the part of our government,” said Baloyi.
Last month, Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu visited the Giyani-Nandoni Dam Bulk Water project to monitor progress.
During the visit, Mchunu said by the end of June only 24 Giyani villages will start receiving water.
He said the rest of the bulk water beneficiaries will have to wait for a few more months as phase 2 of the project will begin its reticulation in the new financial year.
