The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu, met with Lebalelo Water Users Association to hear about the progress made on the proposal it came up with together with the Department to improve the supply of water to relevant communities from the De Hoop Dam.
The meeting followed a presentation made by the association to the Minister requesting to get involved equally in the sector and the Minister suggesting it team up with government to come up with a joint proposal.
Presented by Acting Deputy Director-General of Infrastructure in the Department, Motebele Moshodi, the new association formed will incorporate the provision of security to the dam through a resourcing partnership between the Department and private sector.
Moshodi said the proposed plan will also bring socio-economic development opportunities in the Sekhukhune District that include skills development in construction, water services, roads and tourism.
Earlier the Minister conducted a site visit at the De Hoop Dam, to assess the dam's water supply and progress made on projects attached to it.
He welcomed the proposal and urged the team to work swiftly to complete the project and get water to the community, which he reiterated is the main priority.
Also in attendance were officials from various districts in the province including the Sekhukhune District Municipality, where the De Hoop Dam is located, as well as Elias Motsoaledi and Capricorn Local Municipalities, and City pf Polokwane which will highly benefit from the proposed plan.
There was also representation from Lepelle Northern Water which will be a crucial in this arrangement.
Minister Mchunu also said a political steering committee on water will be established to deal with various water and sanitation projects around the province, to be led by the Premier.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Water and Sanitation, Republic of South Africa.
