Demand Vhembe district municipality to provide water tanks for residents

Residents of Tshifudi Tshikombele village in Venda Limpopo have reported that over the years, they have been experiencing extreme water scarcity. Ground up, an online newspaper reported that the village has a few water taps; however, these taps only receive water once a month when the water from a local dam is supplied. However, the community shared its concerns over this water supply from the dam, with many claiming that the water from the dam is not safe for consumption. As a result, “ Most residents have been collecting water from a river where they also wash their clothes and send cattle to graze and drink” [1].  

Facing uncertainty and not being able to afford water; a local Tshifudi Tshikombele resident has even resorted to digging his own water well in order to access underground water for him and his community. “Tired of sharing water with animals, Dzebu took a pick, shovel, and hammer, and selected a spot where he believed underground water might be found. He spent three months digging the deep hole. Each time using a long rope to climb in and out of the well, with some help from his sister and mother” [2].

Residents from Magangeni village in Elim, another village under the Vhembe district municipality, have also resorted to digging their own water wells. They state that because of water scarcity and being unable to afford water from local vendors that own private boreholes, they resorted to digging a well.

This problem has been going on for the past 20 years in most of these communities. “Residents said a borehole drilled by the municipality stopped working after cables and the pump were stolen 20 years ago. Then, four years ago, municipal workers installed new pipes and cables, but the borehole still isn’t functional” [3]. 

The municipality claims that theft and vandalism of the boreholes are a major problem[4]. They plan to upgrade water systems and repair non-functional boreholes [5]. The Vhembe district municipality is proposing a long-term solution that will take years to implement. 

The municipality is not taking people's lives into consideration. The people in the district need clean and usable water now. We demand that the municipality provide water tanks daily to the community. This will help greatly because community members cannot afford to buy water from local vendors; having clean, usable water will prevent waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Having water tanks will also reduce the pressure on groundwater sources, which can become overdrawn in water-scarce regions, leading to long-term depletion and environmental degradation.

[1]  Desperate Limpopo man digs well so his village doesn't have to share water with animals. By Thembi Siaga and Elmon Tshikhudo for GroundUp. 20 September 2024. 
https://groundup.org.za/article/desperate-limpopo-man-digs-well-so-his-village-doesnt-have-to-share-water-with-animals/

[2] https://groundup.org.za/article/desperate-limpopo-man-digs-well-so-his-village-doesnt-have-to-share-water-with-animals/

[3]https://groundup.org.za/article/women-in-magangeni-village-in-limpopo-dug-a-well-to-access-underground-water-amid-severe-shortages/

[4] Vhembe District Says Vandalism Is Contributing To Water Challenges. By Oratile Kekana for Capricorn FM. 12 September 2024. https://www.capricornfm.co.za/vhembe-district-says-vandalism-is-contributing-to-water-challenges/

[5]https://groundup.org.za/article/women-in-magangeni-village-in-limpopo-dug-a-well-to-access-underground-water-amid-severe-shortages/