SDM Mayor’s Borehole Flagship Programme commences

Moutse West

The long-awaited Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) Executive Mayor’s Flagship Programme, aimed at empowering 80 tribal authorities through the drilling of water boreholes, has kick-started at Moutse West in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EPMLM) on Wednesday 15 May.

The initiative stems from SDM Executive Mayor, Cllr Minah Bahula, in a commitment made during her inaugural speech on 17 November 2023, to tackle water shortages in the district by implementing interim measures to alleviate water scarcity in communities.

The programme commenced with the official hand-over of borehole contractors conducted to traditional leaders of Matlala Dichoeng Tribal Authority in EPMLM Ward 14, proceeded to Rahlagane Tribal Authority in EPMLM Ward 9, later held at Matlala Ramoshebo Tribal Authority in EPMLM Ward 5 and completed at Rathoke Tribal Authority in EPMLM Ward 2.

During the Integrated Development Plan engagement with traditional leaders, held recently at Jane Furse, Bahula said the borehole programme will harmonise relations with traditional councils and will most definitely improve the provision of services in societies.

“The drilling and equipping of boreholes program to all our traditional leaders, is a high-level strategic intervention. This mitigation, will go a long way in addressing water challenges, because the same boreholes will ultimately service our communities on an interim basis while working out a long-term water solution,” she said.   

Bahula lauded the invaluable contribution of traditional leaders in the seamless coordination of community services provided by the government, adding that she is proud to announce the commencement of her flagship programme aimed at empowering tribal authorities through the drilling of water boreholes.

“This initiative aligns with our mandate of ensuring sustainable water provision to our communities. We have appointed term contractors to commence with the construction work in over 80 Magoši in the district. We are hopeful that this program would have been concluded by June this year,” Bahula affirmed.

Furthermore, Mayor Bahula emphasized the importance of adhering to Spatial Management Plans by traditional authorities when allocating land to communities, emphasizing the need for coordinated land use to facilitate development.

In demonstrating tangible progress, the district municipality has already inaugurated boreholes in Dennilton, Moteti, Tafelkop and Ga-Marishane, providing interim relief while also exploring options to refurbish existing boreholes in villages to enhance water service provision.