Murunwa community invest in their own water project

For the past 11 years, the community of Murunwa under the jurisdiction of the Makhado municipality has been without clean drinking water.

The village had pipes installed to supply them with water 15 years ago, but nothing came of this venture. The villagers were forced to rely on water from the contaminated Mutshedzi River, and two cases of cholera were reported in 2000.

The lack of water forced members of the community to come up with a “Plan B” in order for them to have water for household use. Each household contributed R395, while those who joined the scheme later paid R500. From the contributions by the community members, pipes were purchased to draw water from a fountain situated on top of the nearby mountains to supply this basic amenity to those families.

The spring, which is popularly known as Makwile, is situated more than 5km away from the village. It is quite a journey to the spring, as villagers have to pass through some bushes, with only a footpath that is surrounded by big trees, through an area where numerous snakes are found.

Pensioner Elias Neguyuni (73), who came up with the idea of utilising water from the spring, said he could not stomach the hardship the community was facing, especially after seeing young children having to walk up the hills while carrying containers. “It was also becoming increasingly unsafe for the villagers to go down the river to fetch water because people with ulterior motives took advantage of the situation and attacked them,” said Neguyuni. He said the growing incidents of ritual murders also led him to develop a plan in order to save would-be victims.

Another villager, Ms Siobo Tshinanne (29), said she was comfortable with the arrangement because she was able to access water without having to go through the trouble of carrying a full bucket over a long distance.

Community members who could not raise the required money to make the contributions are still forced to fetch water from the river, which is also about three kilometres from the village.

The mayor of Makhado municipality, David Mutavhatsindi, said he would liaise with the Vhembe district municipality to find ways of assisting the community “over both the short and long term.”

Date:20 March 2014

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

Read: 2804