GA MAPHOPHA
It was a happy day in the village of
Ga Maphopha as communities welcomed an important intervention by
Northam Booysendal Mine. The residents of Ga Maphopha are now having
access
to clean water.
The locals are benefitting from a Northam
Booysendal Mine initiative in which they erected the Matsosho Water
Reticulation Project.
The mine officially handed over the project
to the Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) on Thursday 12 November.
The ceremony was organised at the Moshate wa Maphopha tribal house.
The event was attended by the mine
management including General Manager (GM) Mosala Letebele, Peter
Lentswane, Stakeholder Engagement Manager and Human Resource Manager (HRM)
Ziningi Shezi.
Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM)’s
Mayor Ralepane Mamekoa, SDM’s acting Mayor Samson Nkosi and the local
chief Kgoshi Hlabirwa Maphopha. Representatives from the Unjani Clinic
also honoured the event, testing attendees for various diseases.
Speaking during the handover Letebele said the
project was another important confirmation that water is indeed life and
that Booysendal recognize its importance in the lives of communities. He
indicated that the project has cost more than R12.8 Million.
“The water infrastructure is inclusive of
the drilled and equipped borehole, including the erected
water pipeline in the community which resulted in an
improved service delivery in relation to the
allocation of water. The total construction is more than 12,8 million, the
scope of work includes installation
of water reticulation pipes, water meters,
installation of 350000 litres ground steel tank, ground water development
and Well equipping, construction of bore
hole pump house,installation of pumping
equipment, we also installed an electricity transformer.
“Booysendal is grateful to the role
players FTLM, SDM and the communities, it is our view that the success of
this project rested on the great efforts made by all stakeholders during
the implementation of the project. An investment in clean drinking water
is an investment in sustainable livelihood and health of our mining communities
since water is life.”
The Construction of the scheme entailed
providing bulk pipelines . The Work on the scheme was completed last
year. Furthermore, the labour intensive construction work
created more than 300 jobs for locals. As part of empowering local
Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), the services of more than
five locally based subcontractors were acquired.
One of the residents, Jeanette Magoroshane
living with her children, said she is happy that community members will
now have water piped into their yards.
She said before this, and in light of the
drought crisis that has previously gripped areas within the Sekhukhune
district – and province, the community depended on water from the rivers
and water tankers, provided by the district municipality.
SDM’s acting mayor Samson Nkosi said that
the availability of water will also help in the fight against poverty.
“ Most people in this area have gardens,
they planted cabbage, tomatoes and spinaches. We are thankful that the
mine is assisting in ensuring there is a better life for all in
Sekhukhune.
He added, “This is an excellent project by
the mine, the quality of the work done is top notch. We are indeed pleased
with what the Northam Booysedal has done to this
village. The water has pressure.We urge
other miners to adhere to the social labour plans and assist with other
services to our communities. As a water authority we will take good
care of the project.” said Nkosi.
He said gone, will be days people share water
with animals. “We once again plead with our people to take good care of
this project. People must stop vandalising and destroying this properties.
The mine must not neglect us after the handing over, we plead with them to
work closely in sustaining this project.”
In thanking, the masses and Northam Booysendal
for their good initiative, Chief Hlabirwa Maphopha assured everyone that
the project is in good hands.
“ This is our second project from this mine. We
are grateful to be the chosen village in the whole of Fetakgomo Tubatse
Local Municipality. We will work closely with the SAPS to ensure it’s
protected. We need this project to benefit the communities in years to come.”
