Andile Moshoeshoe
THE mayor of the Harry Gwala District Municipality Zamo Nxumalo has pledged to end water shedding in Kokstad once the R200 million Kempsdale Dam Project is completed.
The landmark project is expected to reach completion between March and April next year, marking a significant milestone in the district’s efforts to secure a sustainable and reliable water supply for the growing town and its surrounding communities.
Speaking in the Shayamoya Township, Kokstad, Nxumalo expressed profound appreciation to residents for their patience, resilience and unwavering support during a period marked by the implementation of critical infrastructure projects, despite challenges posed by power outages and occasional road blockages.
He addressed community members during a week-long service delivery programme that saw him handing over completed projects and introducing contractors appointed to implement new developments across several wards. He emphasised that the most meaningful way to honour the trust that communities place in government is through tangible service delivery.
“The only way to thank our communities for their continued support is to deliver services and allow them to witness, firsthand, the progress and achievements realised during our term of office,” said Nxumalo.
His service delivery tour commenced in the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality where he was joined by the KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli to hand over the Khukhulela Water Supply Scheme Project, another major investment aimed at strengthening water infrastructure and improving access to clean, reliable water for local communities.
They also proceeded to the Lesotho-Sani Pass border post to monitor developments and assess border management challenges. Nxumalo further visited Thuthukani, where local residents had taken an initiative to establish a community water project. In support of this commendable effort, the municipality intervened by donating water pipes and six storage tanks.
Water is now channelled from a natural spring high in the mountains into the tanks, from where it is distributed through communal standpipes, significantly improving the community’s access to clean water.
Nxumalo’s service delivery programme also took him to Kokstad where he officially introduced the contractor appointed to continue with the municipality’s flush toilet installation programme estimated at R17 million.
Nxumalo stated that most projects, including Bhongweni and Shayamoya reservoirs, are complete and being used as bulk water pipelines.
