NOLUVO MGIJIMA
LACK of reliable water supply in the rural village of Nyosini in KwaBhaca (Mount Frere) forces residents to rely on streams for their daily water needs.
The issue of dry taps has become a recurring problem and a health concern in the community. This poses a serious risk to their health.
The water issue is not only affecting the community but also schools that often buy water or depend on rain. This was highlighted at the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP) on Wednesday, August 13, hosted by the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development in partnership with other government departments and stakeholders.
The programme was meant to root out factors causing malnutrition in the village as food parcels, school uniforms and sanitary pads were donated.
Community members said lack of water from taps makes them travel long distances to collect water from streams used by livestock.
Some said they stopped producing vegetables. Resident Gibson Luzipho said the water problem affected his agricultural initiatives of fighting poverty in the area.
He said he stopped growing crops in his garden due to the lack of water. In another village, locals said the taps that were put in the village a long time ago never delivered water. The taps are vandalised.
“After we have received the concerning numbers of malnutrition from the Department of Health, we felt the need as the Department of Social Development to host the ICROP programme in the village with other government departments. We believe that the area is affected by poverty because of historical events,” said Mananga.
Zandile Rhubulane, the nutrition manager in the Department of Health in Alfred Nzo District said local clinics frequently deal with cases of malnutrition in children.
She said the department initiated awareness programmes to educate communities about the importance of family planning. Meanwhile, the ICROP initiative took place in Likhetlane in Matatiele on August 5 to address challenges faced by the community such as poverty, malnutrition and limited access to resources.
