No, ex-president Zuma did not build the Nandoni Dam

In today’s fast-paced digital world, where information spreads at lightning speed, a recent social-media mix-up had many South Africans talking. A photo of the Hoover Dam in the United States began circulating online with the bold claim that it was the Nandoni Dam, supposedly upgraded thanks to that brilliant visionary, former President Jacob Zuma.

This claim was quickly debunked by Joe Makhafola, the spokesperson for Lepelle Northern Water. He confirmed that the trending image was indeed of the Hoover Dam, not the Nandoni Dam, and clarified that no such renovation took place at Nandoni between 2009 and 2018 during Zuma’s presidency.

Interestingly, just as this confusion was stirring up online, the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation announced that the long-awaited upgrade of the Nandoni Dam is set to begin in November this year. The project, slated for completion by October 2028, aims to significantly boost the water distribution system by adding 60 megalitres per day.

The social-media mix-up began on January 7, 2024, when the X (formerly Twitter) account #PutSouthAfricansFirst posted an image with the caption: "Those of you who have never been to Limpopo, here’s Nandoni Dam in Venda.” The tweet quickly went viral, amassing over 46,600 views and sparking widespread reactions. To add to the confusion, another account shared the image, thanking President Zuma for the “reconstruction” of Nandoni Dam in Venda.

For those familiar with the Hoover Dam, the misidentification seemed almost humorous. Built in the 1930s on the Colorado River, the Hoover Dam is a colossal engineering marvel known worldwide for its size and hydroelectric power capabilities. Its towering 60-story wall and the vast Lake Mead reservoir, which holds a staggering 38.3 billion cubic meters of water, make it one of the most iconic dams on the planet.

In stark contrast, the real Nandoni Dam, located on the Luvuvhu River in Limpopo’s Vhembe District, is much smaller but plays an equally critical role for the local communities it serves. Completed in 2005, Nandoni Dam has a capacity of 164 million cubic meters - just 0.4% of Lake Mead’s volume. Despite its smaller size, Nandoni Dam is essential to the Giyani Bulk Water Project, a venture that has faced numerous challenges, including delays, corruption allegations, and rising costs. The project is currently under investigation by South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit.

The social-media confusion also became entangled with political narratives. Some users falsely credited former President Jacob Zuma with the supposed "reconstruction" of Nandoni Dam during his term, further fuelling an already charged political atmosphere. Zuma, who led South Africa from 2009 to 2018, has recently re-emerged as the figurehead of a new political party, uMkhonto We sizwe, leading to his suspension from the ANC.

Date:24 August 2024

By: Maanda Bele

Maanda  Bele, born and raised in Nzhelele Siloam, studied journalism at the Tshwane University of Technology.

He is passionate about current news and international affairs.

He worked as part of the Zoutnet team as an intern in 2017.

He is currently a freelance journalist specialising in news from the Vhembe district.

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